Bald Peak State Scenic Viewpoint in Oregon, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-26. Check linked official notices before travel.

Bald Peak State Scenic Viewpoint is a day-use stop in Oregon’s Chehalem hills, between Hillsboro and Newberg. Its grassy hillside and Douglas fir woodland suit a picnic and a short walk. Plan this as a stop on a drive through the hills, and bring drinking water: the viewpoint has no supply.

A hillside break in the Chehalem hills

• The viewpoint: Bald Peak stands at 1,629 feet, giving the stop its hilltop setting.
• Grass and woodland: Combine a picnic on the open hillside with a short stroll among Douglas firs.

Plan a day-use visit

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Bring your own water

Carry the drinking water you need for your stop. The picnic setting does not include a drinking-water supply.

Protect the woodland

Keep pets under physical control on a leash no longer than 6 feet, and remove their waste. The park’s emerald ash borer advisory prohibits bringing ash, olive, or white fringe tree material into Oregon state parks. Leave those materials, including firewood, behind. Consult the statewide rules when planning activities beyond an ordinary picnic.

Events and special uses

Contact the park before organizing a group event, commercial filming, or an activity that needs structures or exclusive use. Oregon State Parks may require a special-use permit; discuss the proposed activity rather than assuming ordinary day-use arrangements cover it.

Find the viewpoint

The viewpoint lies on the drive through the Chehalem hills between Hillsboro and Newberg. Use the location linked by Oregon State Parks for navigation, then follow the actual park access and signs. The mapped point identifies the viewpoint area.

Nearby parks

• Champoeg State Heritage Area: This Willamette River park is south of Newberg, making it an option after descending from the hills toward town.
• Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge: The public entrance is off Pacific Highway in Sherwood. Use the designated entrance for its pedestrian trails; do not bring pets onto refuge trails.

Picnic, look out, and take a short walk

Use the open grassy area for a picnic, then continue into the Douglas fir woodland for a brief walk. The official description presents a short woodland stroll, so the stop fits a drive with time to pause rather than a plan built around a long hiking route.

Facilities for a simple stop

Vault toilets and picnic facilities serve the day-use area. Bring food and drinking water with you. For a visit that depends on a particular access feature, ask the park office about the route and facilities before traveling.

How the viewpoint became public land

Land purchased in 1931

The state purchased the property from a private owner in 1931. In 1939, officials considered it for a memorial to pioneer women of the Oregon Country, but selected another location.

The woodland setting

Douglas fir woodland borders the grassy picnic hillside. The short walk lets visitors experience that change from an open stopping place to a wooded setting without adding a separate destination to the drive.

Park information

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department manages the viewpoint. Call 503-678-1251 for park information or 800-551-6949 for the statewide information line.