This park in the Columbia Gorge, 30 miles east of Portland, offers disc golf, picnicking and group picnic shelters. Simon Benson was a lumber magnate, philanthropist, and one of the principal promoters of the Historic Columbia River Gorge Highway.

Picnickers love this park; there's even a disc golf course and a reservable shelter for groups.
Free Fishing Day is an annual event around the first weekend of June (call 1-800-551-6949 for details). Anyone can bring their own pole (or use equipment provided) to try their luck catching some of the thousands of rainbow trout stocked each month into the lake between March and October. This is a non-motorboat lake, so it's perfect for rowboats and swimmers.

Vital stats: $3 daily day-use fee or buy a $25 annual permit for access to all state park day-use areas. For information, call 1-800-551-6949.

Benson State Recreation Area offers fishing, swimming, boating in nonmotorized boats, picnicking, group picnic shelters, and disc golf.

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