Grove of the States

This rest stop is located in a very attractive forested area. The women’s restroom was clean enough, though the toilet seat in the stall I picked had some damage to the top (the surface had been defaced and was bumpy and rough) and there were speckles on the door that might have been blood (eek!). Other than that, it was fine and I would not hesitate to stop here again. At least not in the daytime and/​or with a friend.

Nothing like a little revisionist history.
The Grove of the States qualifies (barely) as a roadside attraction. Tucked in a corner of the Baldock Rest Area on the southbound side of Interstate 5, around Milepost 282.
In concept, it is actually quite sweet, especially for a rest stop. A shady circular path takes you past each U.S. state’s tree with a plaque and description. The grove was planted in 1967 as part of the Highway Beautification Act and well, there have been a couple of casualties. Too bad, so sad, Arkansas.
If you are a student of such things, or a visitor from another state, you’ll also notice a few substitutions or repetitions for a variety of reasons. Some states have changed their official state tree (Nebraska) and other states or territories have trees that can’t really survive in our Oregon climate.
The rest stop is currently maintained by the Oregon Travel Commission and they are trying to decide whether to update and possibly expand the grove. But, I wouldn’t hold my breath. Instead, I consider it a quirky part of our state’s history.
Is this an exciting tourist attraction? No. Is it a fun little diversion when you are taking a road trip south? Sure.