Illinois River Forks State Park
Listed as open with no day-use fee and no camping (Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, checked November 2026). Wear a life jacket: State Parks warns of swift currents and hidden obstructions.
A free day-use state park where the East and West Forks of the Illinois River meet, just south of town. Picnic tables, a group shelter, a short trail, disc golf, and a calm stretch of river for summer swimming.
- Phone: (541) 582-3128
- Website: stateparks.oregon.gov/park_103.php
- Area: Cave Junction
From our Rivers page
Illinois River Forks State Park sits at the confluence itself, off US-199 just south of town. Oregon Parks and Recreation Department runs it as a day-use park, and its own listing showed it open with no day-use fee when we checked in November 2026. There's no camping.
What you'll find:
- Picnic tables, a vault toilet, and a picnic shelter you can reserve for groups of up to 50 (800-452-5687).
- A short walking trail and a 9-hole disc golf course.
- Leashed dogs are welcome. Bring a bag.
Where the forks meet, a long, calm stretch draws summer swimmers. Rogue Riverkeeper, a river conservation group, tests the water there for E. coli every 2 weeks in summer and posts the results on Swim Guide. The sample from September 8, 2026 passed.
State Parks warns of swift currents and hidden obstructions under the surface, and asks swimmers and boaters to wear a life jacket that fits. Park info: (541) 582-3128, or see the park page.
Read the whole Rivers page.
Nearby
- Coffee Heaven, 0.6 miles away in a straight line
- Illinois Valley Visitor Center, 0.7 miles away in a straight line
- Taylor's Sausage Country Store, 0.7 miles away in a straight line
- Jubilee Park, 0.8 miles away in a straight line
- Wild River Brewing & Pizza Co., 1.0 miles away in a straight line
Every place in the valley is on the places page.