(Content submitted by Lisa Roberts.)
Oregon has a myriad of interesting things, places, activities, possibilities to offer to tourists, recreationists, carefree wanderers or potential settlers. Some places are dynamic and energetic, others are tranquil and soothing. Talking about the latter, a nature-loving traveler cannot but mention Morrow County that patiently waits for you in the east, ready to disclose all its natural beauty and diversity. Here are some places to visit in Morrow County that can bring new experiences into your life.
Charming, small towns
Morrow County has a population of only about 11,000 inhabitants who mainly live in small towns scattered around the county. Heppner is the county seat, then Boardman and Irrigon on the Columbia River, and Ione and Lexington between the Columbia River and the Blue Mountains. People are kind, hospitable and neighborly. If you decide to move to Morrow County from a noisy city nearby, you might want to hire a moving company such as City Movers and move there without having any headaches. You can be sure that your neighbors will help you solve any practical problems you come across in a new environment and make your life easy and carefree.
Family life
A few places in Morrow County can easily find themselves among top family cities in Oregon. For those of you with children, it might be useful to know that there are good schools from elementary to junior/senior high schools and that the county invests in its schools and finds them an important segment of their successful community life.
Transportation
Good road infrastructure allows you to move around the county easily with all types of vehicles. There are two airports nearby, so If you live far away from this part and want to visit some interesting places, you can fly in within hours. There are easy solutions in case you consider moving across the country and settling in Morrow County.
The beauty of diverse nature
Positioned between Columbia River in the north and the Blue Mountains in the south, Morrow County boasts of the unique diversity of terrain. There are rich farmlands, hilly areas and then mountains with peaks as high as 5,902 ft above the sea level. This also means that it offers a good variety of weather conditions to suit different tastes and preferences. Whether traveling for sights or a family holiday, must-see places to visit in Morrow County are its nature parks that add up to natural wonders of Eastern Oregon.
Anson Wright Park
The park is a peaceful green area near Rock Creek. If you seek a relaxing, slow-paced atmosphere with plenty of time to enjoy the river and fresh forest air, this is the right place for you. Should you desire some action, you can always take a boat and float the river, or go fishing. There are chances you see some wildlife while walking along the park’s paths and take some stunning photos. If you plan to have a holiday there, the park offers different types of accommodation – a simple tent, full hook-ups for your recreational vehicle if you come by one or a cozy cabin.
Cutsforth Park
This park is the right choice for you if you like densely forested areas. You can either drive a car or ride a bike along the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway or ride a bike along the Blue Mountain Century Scenic Bikeway, both of which pass by the park. There are also hiking trails, and equestrian trails if you want to add to your nature exploration a more adventurous touch. Penland lake is just a few miles away, and it’s a perfect spot if you decide you want to go fishing for a day.
OHV Park
This park belongs to two counties – Morrow and Grant County as both support it investing public effort to make it even more attractive for nature lovers from year to year. If you are a passionate camper and adventure lover this park can be a great choice. It offers you a wide range of all-terrain vehicles if you like driving around, opportunities for hiking, biking, and fishing. The park is rich in wildlife where you can encounter large and small game and a great variety of birds. If you are into rafting, floating and boating – you can do it here, too!
Scenic view of a mountain
(a lake lulled into a valley bordered by green forest, misty mountains
In the background, cloudy sky)
Inviting for history lovers
For those of you fascinated by history, Morrow County’s small, charming towns offer an interesting historical journey. Towns of Heppner, Hardman, and Boardman treasure for you a few historical buildings, structures and sites that can transport you to the past within seconds. Here are 5 places to visit in Morrow County listed in the National Register of Historic Places in Morrow County. They all represent an impressive testimony of the early development of the region, perfect to tackle your imagination with and we wholeheartedly recommend them:
- The Gilliam and Bisbee Building in Heppner – a historic commercial structure in Heppner, built in 1919 replacing a building destroyed by fire in 1918.
- The Hardman IOOF Lodge Hall in Hardman – a meeting hall in the famous ‘ghost town’ completed in 1900. Over the years it was used as a social center, concert and dance hall.
- The Heppner Hotel in Heppner – It was designed by architect John V. Bennes and built in 1919. It is a unique preserved structure of the kind and tells its own story about life at the time.
- The Morrow County Courthouse in Heppner – It was one of the first commissions of the architect Edgar M. Lazarus and represents an original historical building
- The Oregon Trail, Boardman Bombing Range Segment, is a migration trail from the east to the west.
Do not hesitate
Whether you are looking for your next holiday trip or a new destination to live in, do not hesitate to put these beautiful places in Morrow County on your list. Vast green forests, idyllic fishing ponds in natural parks, heart-warming people are all waiting for you here. Welcome!
