The facility is named in honor of Peter Skene Ogden who first entered the Crooked River Valley while leading a Hudson's Bay Company trapping party in 1825. Although no mention is made at the park itself, it was also the site of one of Oregon's sensational murders,[1] which lead to the conviction of Jeannace June Freeman of first degree murder. She was the only woman ever sentenced to death in Oregon, a conviction that was upheld by the Oregon Supreme Court,[2] though she was not in fact executed.
Features
Located on U.S. Route 97 nine miles north of Redmond, Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint is a rest area and viewpoint with limited (but available) parking for trucks and vehicles with trailers. Facilities include restrooms, picnic tables and dramatic viewing of the Crooked River canyon, as well as a view of historic bridges across the Crooked river. The area is very popular with photographers. The developed area is on the west side of U.S. Route 97, but is accessible easily to both north and southbound traffic with a drive through parking and loop exit for both trucks and trailers.
