Located on the east end of the Gorge near The Dalles, Mayer State Park has access to windsurfing on the windy Columbia as well as boating and swimming in a sheltered cove. From I-84 exit 74, you have three areas to explore.
East Mayer a famous spot for windsurfing and kite boarding. Spectators can watch from picnic tables. A vault toilet is at the north end.
Straight ahead is Mid Mayer, an amazing spot for picnicking, swimming, and fishing. Several picnic tables are shaded by large ponderosa pines, with barbecue grills nearby. A rock and sand-covered spit slows the Columbia River’s current, making this an ideal spot for stand-up paddle boards, kayaking, or swimming.
West Mayer features a sheltered cove, perfect for picnicking, fishing, swimming and boating. Water levels fluctuate regularly, due to the park’s proximity to Dalles Dam.
Please call 503-695-2261 for specific park rules
No metal detecting is allowed in Gorge Oregon State Parks
Hunting is allowed at Mayer West, and is prohibited at Mayer East.
Please visit the OPRD hunting map for a visual of permitted hunting areas and to learn more about hunting within Oregon's state parks.
The original property for the park, 260 acres, was obtained by a gift from Mark A. Mayer of Mosier in 1924. This property included the Columbia River overlook and the Rowena Loops on the old Columbia River Highway (U. S. 30). From 1956 onward, after the highway was relocated and improved to freeway standards, the purchase of additional park land along the Columbia River and highway right-of-way was negotiated. Various parcels were transferred from the Highway Division to State Parks when they were not needed for highway purposes. The Union Pacific Railroad also passes through the park. Partly forested with ponderosa pine, oak, Douglas fir and maple, much of the land is a rocky river bluff with limited soil. Near the river, there are day-use facilities for swimming and boat access. An outstanding attraction of the park is the view obtained by taking the old highway to the Mayer overlook. The vista is a magnificent panorama of the Columbia River Valley eastward toward The Dalles. In 1946, State Parks Superintendent Sam Boardman recommended keeping the park a wilderness area and asked that the maintenance department remove the sand bunker below the overlook. Adjoining the overlook section of Mayer Park is the Tom McCall Preserve for plants and wildlife. It is named for McCall (1913-1977), who concluded his second term as Governor of Oregon in 1975. The preserve was created between 1978 and 1986 and is owned by The Nature Conservancy.