Two outdoor Oregon holiday traditions will still happen this year, but in a do-it-yourself way.
Diane Navarrete is with Oregon State Parks. She said thousands of gray whales travel south to Baja Mexico from mid-December to mid-January. “We won’t be able to have our volunteers that we normally have stationed at the 24 whale watching spots along the coast," she said, "but that doesn’t mean visitors can’t go out and watch whales on their own.”
Navarrete expects people will follow COVID-19 guidelines, as they did during last spring’s on-your-own whale watch. She added State Parks will be free on January 1st as usual, but without ranger-led hikes. Many parks will instead post suggested routes for the yearly First Day Hikes.
Travelers should check the Oregon State Parks status map before heading out this season.
