Ontario State Recreation Site

Emily Biss

Went to this "park" for the first time today. It seems as though the city of Ontario/the state of Oregon have entirely missed the fact that the Treasure Valley is booming and completely worth investing in their natural resources. The website for this location made it sound awesome. It was most definitely not awesome. It was the most disappointing experience I've had when it comes to a state park. We wasted gas and time driving to this place, just to arrive to the most awful looking "park" I've ever seen. Trash absolutely EVERYWHERE, it was disgusting. ZERO green grass, like the website says. It was just all dry weeds/thistle/TONS of goat heads/dirt. Zero spots cleared out along the river banks for swimming/playing in the water, other than a junky boat ramp in utter disrepair. Every single picnic table is falling apart (you literally can't sit at them, they're actually falling apart) and they're totally disgusting. The parking lots and side walks/trails to walk through the area are in complete disrepair. The website says "majestic" trees... yeah, no... most of the trees are dying/half dead. It was such a massive let down, with how excited we were to take our family on 45 minute drive from Meridian to Ontario, expecting a gorgeous state park on the river, and finding nothing but a desolate waste land. This place could be incredibly gorgeous and tons of fun if the city of Ontario/state of Oregon would take time and money (they are getting RECORD PROFITS from the taxes coming in from the cannabis industry) to invest in what could be a wonderful resource. Why not invest in your town/city instead of just letting it fall apart??? So very very sad.

Jacob Fuson

Small river access with nice shade, bbq stands and bathrooms. Caution though, there are many poisonous plants around such as Hemlock and Nightshade so watch your dogs and kids if going off path.

C. Dylan Plummer

This park always has been and always will be only as good as the park ranger attending it. There was a lady in charge of the park during the solar eclipse who was absolutely fantastic. She told me she was attacked by a homeless ladies pitbulls after she entered to empty wastebaskets. She quit. The new guy is so lazy he's let the park be taken over by gophers, white top, poison hemlocks and thistles. He opened the restrooms for like a week, and then must have decided they were too much work. The disgusting port-a-potties are back along with the cheating spouses, homeless people, druggies, and poachers, so you know ... the usual crowd. The State of Oregon needs to decide if they want a park and then do it justice. Right now, they are letting a former park turn into a mess

Marcus Downey

Not much to it. Mostly a picnic area. The waters edge looked somewhat polluted. Understand I was in just a small area right off the highway. It looks like a good place to launch a personal water craft. It does have a public restroom area. The grass was being cut while I was there so it was looking neat. Great place to go to just think and chill. You are able to walk your dog but must be leashed.