Cove Palisades State Park

Star4.47
68 reviews
7300 Jordan Rd, Culver, Oregon, 97734, United States
Summer Destination

Quick Facts

2,405 ft

Price

$5 - $7/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

185 campsites

Season

Crooked River (E-loo...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Oregon State Parks site

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Cove Palisades State Park
$5.00 - $7.00 / night
Campsite Fees
A $5 Day-Use Parking Permit is required year-round, with options to purchase annual passes. Overnight campsite fees include parking for one vehicle;...
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Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.47

Recommended

Based on 68 reviews

1046 Google reviews

Most mentioned

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"User reviews highlight the park's natural beauty, clean facilities, and a variety of activities. Common criticisms include lack of cell service, site privacy, and occasional management issues."

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Campground Map

7300 Jordan Rd, Culver, Oregon, 97734, United States

Cove Palisades State Park

7300 Jordan Rd, Culver, Oregon, 97734, United States

Driving directionsThe Cove Palisades State Park is located in Culver, approximately 132 miles and about 3 hours from the Willamette Valley. From Portland: Take US26 E through Mt. Hood National Forest to Madras. Upon entering Madras, stay in the right lane and turn right on SE 'D' St (Hwy 361). Stay on Hwy 361 until entering Culver, then follow park signs. Turn right on C St., right on Feather Rd., left on Fisch Rd which turns into Frasier Rd., and left onto Jordan Rd. From Salem: Take OR-22 E/Santiam Hwy SE for approximately 80 miles, then slight left onto US-20 E/OR-126 E. On the east side of Sisters, turn left onto OR-126 E to Redmond. OR-126 E becomes SW Highland Road in Redmond. From Redmond, use left 2 lanes to turn left onto north US-97. Go approximately 17 miles, then turn left onto OR-361 S/SW for 3 miles to Culver, then follow park signs. Turn left on C St., right on Feather Rd., left on Fisch Rd which turns into Frasier Rd., and finally left onto Jordan Rd.
The park is accessible via paved roads. Seasonal closures apply to some areas—Crooked River campground (E-loop) operates March through October, while Deschutes campground (A, B, C-loops) runs mid-May through mid-September.
Nearby places
Madras: 17 miles (~25 mins)
Culver: ~5 miles (~10 mins)
Redmond: ~40 miles (~40 mins).
Nearby supplies
A general store and cafe are available onsite (closed in winter). Additional supplies can be found in Culver (5 miles) or Madras (17 miles).

Best Time to Camp at Cove Palisades State Park

Plan your visit wisely: summer brings intense desert heat that sends most visitors to the cooling waters below, while winter transforms the landscape into a crystalline wonderland best appreciated by the hardy few. Spring wildflowers and fall's crisp air create the perfect conditions for exploration, drawing outdoor enthusiasts who know these shoulder seasons offer the park's most comfortable adventures.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Peak season: excellent boating but intense heat and crowded lake activity

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Cooler weather and fewer crowds make fall very appealing

Best
Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5

Spring offers cooler temps and fewer crowds; good shoulder-season option

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.0 / 5

Park is quiet in winter; some loops closed and limited winter activities

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Peak season typically includes summer months, specific dates not provided.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Crooked River (E-loop): March through October; Deschutes (A, B, C-loops): mid-May through mid-September.

About Cove Palisades State Park

Where ancient volcanic forces carved dramatic canyons from the high desert, The Cove Palisades State Park beckons adventurers with two stunning campgrounds perched above shimmering reservoir waters. This outdoor playground invites you to cast a line at dawn, paddle through towering canyon walls by day, and hike desert trails as golden light paints the rimrock at sunset.
This park accommodates a variety of camping preferences, including tent camping, RV camping with full hookups, primitive sites, group camping, and cabins.
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Check-in
Check-in policies are not directly provided.
Check-out
Check-out policies are not directly provided.
Stay Limit
  • Crooked River (E-loop) operates March through October
  • Deschutes (A, B, C-loops) mid-May through mid-September.

Amenities available

Showers
Potable water
Electricity hookups
Flush toilets
Dump station
Firewood available

Activities you can enjoy

The park offers a wide range of activities, including water sports, hiking, and wildlife observation. Visitors often highlight the park's suitability for family activities.
HikingHiking trails include the well-known Tam-a-lau trail, which involves a one-mile uphill climb and a loop around the mesa. Another trail offers a 4.5-mile daily walk from the Deschutes campground ('Lovely hiking but limited...the complete walk is 7 miles plus the distance to your campsite,' - Janet Brien). Trails are noted as being better suited for cooler weather.
FishingFishing opportunities are generally positive, particularly for Bull Trout. However, shore fishing reviews are mixed ('The fishing from shore isn’t great, I’ve tried a couple times without much luck,' - Yuriy Borishkevich).
SwimmingSwimming areas are available, although water quality may vary due to algae, particularly in the summer ('Water was green in July,' - Bryan Toland). Other reviews describe ample space for swimmers.
BikingShort rides around campground loops are described as pleasant, but bikers are advised against using hiking trails ('Hiking trails are not suitable for bikes,' - Janet Brien).
BoatingBoating is a major attraction, with the marina offering boat rentals. The lake is well-suited for motorized watercraft, but paddling may be challenging due to motorized boat traffic ('The lake/river is definitely not recommended for paddling because of so many motorized boats,' - Nabil Badereddine).
Wildlife viewingLocal wildlife includes eagles and ospreys. Visitors have noted, 'If you’re really lucky, you can spot an eagle or osprey catching some fish' (Joshua Sunrise).
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsCell service is non-existent, and hiking in summer can lead to overheating due to exposed trails.

Weather at Cove Palisades State Park

Reviews

4.5
68 reviews
Recommended
Recommended
Cove Palisades State Park is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews highlight the park's natural beauty, clean facilities, and a variety of activities. Common criticisms include lack of cell service, site privacy, and occasional management issues.
Review Summaries
Based on 68 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean facilities, friendly staff, wide range of activities, and beautiful natural scenery. 'Park staff was SO INCREDIBLY NICE' (Miranda Fenlon). 'Clean bathrooms and showers' (Art Kluch).
Based on 68 reviews

Common Concerns

No cell service, some sites lack privacy, and occasional issues with park management. 'Tent sites are roughly 20 foot wide and right next to other people' (Bryan Toland).
Based on 68 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring earplugs due to loud ravens (Cora Shearer). Avoid the Tam-a-lau trail during hot weather. Reserve in advance and choose grassy sites when possible.
Based on 68 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer is noted for its high temperatures and busy lake activity. Spring and fall offer cooler weather and fewer crowds. Winter is described as quiet but with no mention of specific activities.
Based on 68 reviews

Camper Quotes

'The hikes and views are worth it' (Mike Sweet). 'Lake is plenty big enough to share' (Joshua Sunrise). 'Beautiful High Desert with Jaw-Dropping Views' (Janet Brien).
Based on 68 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site B38 is an ADA tent site with a maximum capacity of six people. Loop E offers grassy sites and shade. Site #61 for RVs was noted as having excessive slope (Mark Leonard).
Based on 68 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessible restrooms and six ADA-compliant campsites are available. Detailed user feedback on accessibility is limited.
Based on 68 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

The park is pet-friendly, with an off-leash dog area in the tent camping loop. 'Day use area is perfect for our dogs to swim' (Rio May).
Based on 68 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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