Cottonwood Canyon SP is 22 miles from Maryhill SP where we have been camped since Wednesday! We came to hike the Pinnacle Trail which was once an old ranch road which goes along the John Day River with beautiful and colorful basalt cliffs and pinnacles towering above the river. When we arrived at the park we saw at least 35 bighorn sheep on the hills across from the Lone Tree CG. Many were walking towards the road grazing along the way. The hosts told us the herd has 40 some sheep which apparently is the largest herd in Oregon. We watched the sheep for a while and then walked a little over a mile to the walnut tree and start of the Lower and Upper Walnut Tree Trails where we had lunch on a bench located there. We saw only 2 others walking the trail and they went only a short distance. The day was mostly cloudy and cool with a brief period of sunshine! It is a beautiful park and worth a visit if in the area. I will include 2 links below. The first describes the park and the second has info on the fire which occurred in the park last June.
Trip Report
Cottonwood Canyon State Park — Friday, Feb. 6, 2026
Southwest Washington > Columbia River Gorge - OR
Comments
Looks like you hit the big horn jackpot! Beautiful! Thanks for the report.
Posted by:
hikingwithlittledogs on Feb 16, 2026 12:33 AM