Oregon Travel Guide

Top Experiences in Oregon

Crater Lake National Park: Formed by the eruption of Mount Mazama, the remaining caldera was filled in with rainwater and snowmelt, forming a tranquil blue lake. Scenic hikes and drives around Crater Lake provide startling views over the crystal waters, the surrounding snow-covered mountains, and wildlife that roams the pine forests.

The Oregon Coast: A drive down Oregon’s coastline is one of the most popular things to do here, as the drive offers sweeping views of the Pacific, huge rock formations, large sand dunes, endless beaches, and great hiking. Cannon Beach is the most popular stop along the coast for its impressive Haystack Rock. Additionally, the most popular hiking area along the coast is at Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, for its surreal cliffs that rise from the ocean.

Wallowa Mountains: The Wallowa Mountains will make you feel like you’ve stepped into Switzerland, with its alpine summits, deep valleys, green fields, and steep gondola rides. Towns offer handcrafted beer, chocolatiers, and art galleries.

Columbia River Gorge: The Columbia River Gorge is America’s largest National Scenic Area, drawing nature lovers to its banks with wildflowers and wildlife. The area boasts popular waterfalls cascading down basalt cliffs, including the famous Multnomah Falls. Scenic hiking trails wind along the river and through the surrounding mountains, while the Historic Columbia River Highway offers a picturesque drive for those who prefer to explore by car.

Mt. Hood National Forest: Oregon’s tallest mountain, Mt. Hood, towers above an immense national forest, the grand Columbia River Gorge, and beautiful lakes and quaint towns. You can drive around the mountain on the Mt. Hood Scenic Loop or embark on a hiking adventure along the scenic trails that surround it.

Smith Rock: Out of the arid landscape of central Oregon rises the jagged Smith Rock, a tower of volcanic ash. This strange formation brings rock climbers, hikers, bikers, and outdoor-adventurers to this unique destination.

The Painted Hills: The Painted Hills are beautiful claystone mounds with streaks of vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. A hike through these hills makes for a scenic experience you are not likely to get anywhere else.

Alvord Desert: Located in southeastern Oregon, this dried up lake bed is a unique site to see. The dried cracked ground occurs when evaporation exceeds recharge, leaving behind salt minerals. With the Steens Mountains rising above this flat desert scape, the Alvord Desert is an incredible place for hiking, photography, and seeing wildlife.

Portland: Oregon’s largest city, Portland, is a great base for travel, offering excellent food, craft breweries, shopping streets, and plenty of greenery. From Portland, you can take day trips to Multnomah Falls, the Columbia River Gorge, Hood River, and the Oregon Coast.

Bend: Bend is a charming small town situated on the Deschutes River, just east of the Cascade Mountains. It offers serene lakes, ski resorts, multi-use trails, and impressive volcanic monuments, making it a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Oregon Caves National Monument: Tucked away in the Siskiyou Mountains, in southwest Oregon, the Oregon Caves are an underground maze of marble tunnels and passageways. Tours are operated by the National Park Service, and this makes a great add-on to a road trip to the nearby national parks or the Oregon coast.