LaPine State Park

LaPine State Park resides in a forest of ponderosa pine along the Deschutes River—and offers four seasons of fun less than 10 miles from the city of La Pine.

All year long, 14 miles of multi-use trails serve hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders while heading alongside the river, passing through forests, and accessing park landmarks. When snow blankets those trails in winter, they become popular spots for quiet snowshoe and cross-country skiing trips. In summer, paddlers with their own gear enjoy patrolling the slow-moving waters of the Deschutes in and around the park—while families enjoy splashing about in its shallow waters. Between spring and fall, anglers fish for trout in the river’s chillier pools. Multiple day-use areas provide access to those opportunities between spring and fall.

One notable highlight is the park’s “”Big Tree”” Day-use Area—where a short, paved trail leads to Oregon’s largest ponderosa pine tree. The impressive pine is believed to be more than 500 years old.

If you’re making an overnight trip or weekend out of it, you’ll find more than 120 tent and RV sites to choose from—some with full hookups—as well as 10 log cabins (some of which are pet-friendly). Amenities include hot showers, flush toilets, firewood sales, a fenced off-leash dog area, and an RV dump station (open May-Sept.). Families can also hang out around the South Loop Campers Clubhouse—which comes with a kitchen sink, tables, chair, refrigerator, and freezer.