Are you the owner for this park? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
The Cove Palisades
Overview
The Cove Palisades State Park is a premier destination in Central Oregon’s high desert, offering a truly grand escape for the modern traveler. Situated at the junction of the Crooked, Deschutes, and Metolius rivers, it offers a dramatic landscape of towering basalt cliffs and the deep blue waters of Lake Billy Chinook. This park provides a unique combination of water-based recreation and rugged geological beauty, making it a favorite for RVers looking for an immersive outdoor experience in one of the state's most popular recreation areas.
Location & Surroundings
Located just outside Culver, OR, the park is characterized by its deep canyons and striking canyon walls that have been carved over millennia by volcanic activity and water. The surrounding area is quintessential high desert, offering sweeping vistas of the Cascade Range peaks, such as Mount Jefferson, on clear days. RVers will navigate winding roads to reach the campsites, which are nestled within the scenic river canyons or situated on the plateau above, providing a profound sense of isolation and natural grandeur.
Amenities & Park Features
The park features two main campgrounds with distinct personalities: the Crooked River Campground and the Deschutes River Campground. Key features for visitors include:
- Full-hookup sites with sewer, water, and electricity available in the Deschutes loop.
- A full-service marina where guests can rent motorized boats, kayaks, or buy essential supplies.
- Multiple boat launches and designated swimming areas for summer recreation.
Essential facilities include clean restrooms, hot showers, and a convenient dump station for RV maintenance during your stay.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Water activities dominate the visitor experience, with Lake Billy Chinook being a major hub for boating and fishing. Anglers often seek out the lake’s famous bull trout and kokanee. On land, the Tam-a-lau Trail offers a rewarding hike onto a lava-capped plateau with panoramic views of the river confluence. For those willing to drive a short distance, the world-renowned climbing walls of Smith Rock State Park and the vibrant urban amenities of Bend and Redmond are easily accessible for day trips.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for active families and water sports enthusiasts who enjoy a lively, nature-focused atmosphere. It is a perfect fit for RVers who travel with boats or kayaks and those who appreciate dramatic geological formations and high-desert scenery. While the park can be quite busy during peak summer weekends, it offers a spectacular and well-equipped retreat for anyone wanting to explore the diverse landscapes of Central Oregon from a comfortable and scenic base camp.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
joanne lansdown
Amazing love it have been here the last 4 years will continue to go every year after my family loves it or friends love it it is our favorite thing to do every summer
Cheri Wright
We did not stay here but did a drive thru around the whole thing. Campgrounds are dry and nothing fancy. But have hook ups in some spots. The lake is huge. It was very windy when we went and water was rough. Water was very green so not sure if that's anything to worry about. Very popular with Boaters. Beautiful canyon views.
Gary Currie
We had never been to this gem. It was just a drive through to check it out, but wow, what an amazing surprise. Another Oregon State Park that is truly breathtaking. Looks like tons of great camping, boating, swimming when the algae is gone, and just chilling. We are definitely going back to camp. Don't let this beauty not be visited. It's 4 stars because until I camp.
Gracie Young
This place was awesome to stay with my family! We got the upper camp ground on top of the canyon, so there's weren't as many trees as there were the lower camp grounds in the canyon, but it was still a super nice place! The showers and bathrooms were pretty clean for a public campground, with plenty of hot water, and everyone's got a little space around their spot, so there was no cramping. The camper and RV hookups were simple and good, and they have sink tank dumping every few camp spots; also, slightly further in are two sewage dumps, which were clean and convenient. All around, it was a great stay! Just with my younger brothers (who aren't so young; all three between the ags of 13 - 17, and also my 11 y/o sister) knew how to cover their mouths when they're sick. Pretty disappointing to come home from a nice getaway with a cold 😭
lanster
Absolutely love the Cove Palisades! Great park with facilities for use. Great swimming area, awesome for boating and water sports. Lots of parking, and trailer parking. The water in the summer is often warm. The down side it the amount of algae that is in the lake. Another negative is the amount of goose poop along the shore and in the picnic area. The water is often cloudy green. Huge lake with plenty of space to recreate on the water. From end to end it can take about an hour by boat.
