Cottonwood Canyon State Park
Cottonwood Canyon State Park's 8,000-plus acres are "open for exploring, stargazing, and contemplating the elemental forces that carved this unique landscape." Run by the Oregon State Parks system, this park offers: trails for hikers, bikers, and equestrians; fishing for steelhead, catfish, carp, and smallmouth bass; and camping at the year-round Lone Tree Campground, with 21 primitive sites for tents and self-contained RVs, potable water, vault toilets. Sites are first-come, first-served, with a group tent camp for up to 25 people.
DeMoss Springs Memorial Park
Historic DeMoss Springs Memorial Park on The Journey Through Time Scenic Byway on Highway 97 between Moro and Wasco serves travelers and local families. The DeMoss pioneer family settled nearby and platted a temperance town with streets named for poets and composers. Visitors enjoy a shady, summer respite with picnic tables, public restrooms, historic structures, and interpretive signs.
Depot Park
Just off Highway 206 at Fulton Street, Depot Park is a Wasco City-maintained park with a children's play area, picnic tables, seasonal public restrooms, covered areas, a small barbecue, and a regional skatepark. Explore Union Pacific's retired railroad caboose, parked onsite. This also is a dog-friendly and bike-in-friendly park, with stations for pet waste and bike repair.
Grass Valley City Park
Just off Highway 97 in Grass Valley, Grass Valley City Park offers a green oasis in summer, with a playground, picnic tables, and public restrooms. Find other locations for outdoor activities in Grass Valley at https://www.grassvalleyoregon.com/experience.
Giles L. French Park
Operated by the Army Corp of Engineers, Giles L. French Park offers free primitive camping for up to 7 day camping limit from April 1 to October 31. No camping from November 1 through march 31. First-come, first-serve; no reservations. Also included: bathrooms, boat ramp, dock, and trails. Call (541) 739-1135 with questions. Directions: From Interstate 84, take Rufus exit 109, head north toward the Columbia River and turn right into Giles L. French Park.
LePage Park
LePage Park includes a swim beach, picnic tables, boat ramp (with dump station), and paved parking lined with mature shade trees along the banks of the John Day River. Enjoy boating and water sports, swimming, fishing (chinook, steelhead and shad), fish cleaning stations, restrooms, showers, RV hookups, and "primitive walk-to tent sites." Book an RV or campsite here.
Moro City Park
Tucked in downtown Moro, this city park is open year around with a children's play area, bicycle repair station, Oregon Trail wall, and covered gazebo. It's adjacent to the Sherman County Historical Museum and covered pedestrian bridge.
Rufus Landing Park
Rufus Landing Park offers free primitive camping for up to 7 day camping limit from April 1 to October 31. No camping from November 1 through march 31. First-come, first-serve; no reservations. Directions: From Interstate 84, take Rufus exit 109, head north toward the Columbia River and turn left into Rufus Landing Park.
Sherman County RV Park & Playgrounds
Open year-round, the RV Park adjacent to the Fairgrounds near Moro has 33 hook-ups with electricity, water and sewer, restroom/shower facilities, laundry facility, free Wi-Fi, and cable TV including HBO. It is unique in that horse stalls and an arena are accessible to visitors. Call to reserve your spot.
Meanwhile, the nearby Fairgrounds not only hosts the annual post-harvest fair and rodeo, but also maintains a playground for family fun year-round.
Wasco City Park
You'll find Wasco City Park at the corner of Highway 206 and Wilson Street, complete with tall evergreens, shaded lawns, picnic tables, and a masonry barbecue pit.