- Find Mayer State Park 10 miles west of The Dalles, Oregon off Interstate 84.
- Both the peaceful little lake and Rowena Crest are portions of the park.
- Open year-round for a day-use fee, Mayer State Park has picnicking, boating, fishing, windsurfing, and gorgeous views.
Overview
Mayer State Park encompasses several disjointed pieces of land on both sides of Interstate 84 in Oregon along the Columbia River Gorge. A small unnamed tree-lined lake lies below near the Columbia, where visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, and fishing. Rowena Crest, also part of the park, overlooks the lake as well as the whole Gorge panorama. A series of paved switchbacks called the Rowena Loops take travelers down the crest into the village of Rowena.
Location & Information
Mayer State Park can be found 10 miles west of The Dalles, Oregon accessible from Interstate 84. The park is open all year with a small day-use fee; call 1 (800) 551-6949 for more information.
Activities
- Sightseeing: From Rowena Crest, take in views of the park and the Gorge; here you’ll witness the changing Oregon landscape from rainforest in the west to high desert in the east. The early spring (March-April) wildflower bloom on the crest is stunning.
- Picnicking areas are located around the lake.
- Swimming, fishing, boating, and windsurfing on the lake and the Columbia.
- Wildlife: The Tom McCall Nature Preserve on Rowena Crest exemplifies the region’s ecology.
Fun Facts
Mayer State Park earns its name from Mark Mayer, the Mosier orchard owner who donated the parkland to Wasco County.
