Oregon is known for its daring landscapes. Vacations to the state offer visitors numerous beautiful sights, from the coast to the mountains and the high desert of Oregon.
Planning a trip can be tricky until you have an idea of the places Oregon offers, but you’ll have tons of options here. Whether you want to hike through forests and rocky mountains or walk along sandy beaches, or simply admire blissful lakes and stunning waterfalls streaming down a cliff, Oregon has something for you.
Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach, on the northern Oregon coast, is a popular tourist destination. It has a vast stretch of sand and stunning sights of jagged coastal rocks. The biggest of these sea stacks is called Haystack Rock, and it is always visible when one travels to this coastal town.
Restaurants, quaint boutiques, and top-notch hotels add to Cannon Beach's cultural attraction in addition to the breathtaking seaside views. Cannon Beach has become one of the top small towns on the Oregon Coast for its unique blend of culture, community, and ocean access.
Bend
Bend is located in the middle of Oregon, bordered by a variety of volcanoes, national forests, and dry plains. The city's High Desert Museum has educational exhibits about the nearby arid areas.
Rafting on the Deschutes River, excursions to the lava fields of Lava Butte, and skiing at the sizable Mount Bachelor Ski Area are all popular activities in Bend. Tumalo Falls, one of the region's most well-known waterfalls, is just over ten miles from Bend.
Smith Rock, another popular climbing location close by, is well-known among climbers for its numerous routes and lengthy history. Around Bend, mountain biking and hiking trails are fantastic ways to explore these beautiful landscapes.
Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park is located in the Cascade Mountains of southwest Oregon and boasts a unique landscape. It is actually an ancient caldera of Mount Mazama. This extinct volcano last erupted over 7,000 years ago. Today, the intensely blue and extremely deep lake is surrounded by lava cliffs that reach heights of up to 2,000 feet.
Only a short distance separates Rim Drive from the crater's edge as it circles the lake in a clockwise direction. It starts at Rim Village and is only drivable during warm weather. The unplowed road is used all winter long by snowshoers and cross-country skiers for transportation.
Some of Oregon's top hiking trails can be found in Crater Lake National Park. While more moderate options can be accessed from Rim Village via paved sidewalks, stunning trails like Watchman Peak offer spectacular views of the caldera. Away from the rim, long-distance hiking and backpacking routes are available, such as the Pacific Crest Trail, which crosses the entire country.
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
The Columbia River flows through the Cascade Range, where it is followed by the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The most notable features of this magnificent river gorge, which separates Oregon and Washington, are its breathtaking views and a profusion of waterfalls.
A slower pace than the nearby Interstate 84 is offered when traveling through the Historic Columbia River Highway gorge. Many roadside attractions can be found along this historic corridor, which is a well-liked route for bicycle tours.
Newport
Newport, located on the coast of Oregon, is lined with family-friendly attractions and combines beach views with a distinctly Victorian past. Visitors frequently enjoy visiting the Oregon Coast Aquarium and Hatfield Marine Science Center. The Yaquina Head Lighthouse serves as a beacon of coastal beauty to the north.
For whale watching and exploring the central coast, the town makes a good starting point. Yaquina Bay, where a sizable fishing fleet is located, is visible from the city's busy bayfront. The city's wild Pacific beaches, which extend from the protected bay, provide storm-surge rollers and open sunsets.
Newberry National Volcanic Monument
The Newberry Volcanic Monument offers a wide variety of extraordinary scenery to explore. It surrounds a 1,200-square-mile volcano and is centered around the Newberry Caldera. The Lava Lands Visitor Center is a great place to start when touring the monument if you want to learn more about this thermally active region.
Bicycling, hiking, and boating are the typical amusements at Newberry. One of Oregon's top campgrounds is located in Newberry. Guests who book a spot at the well-liked Little Crater Lake Campground have quick access to Paulina Lake. The shore of Paulina Lake is home to several picturesque hot springs. This thermal spot is accessible by boat or a short waterside hike from the campground.
Sisters
A 30-minute drive from Bend is Sisters, a lively town with a western theme on the west side of the Cascade Mountains. Because of its smaller size and centralized downtown shopping district, it is more tourist-friendly than Bend. This downtown area exudes a distinct western charm from the 1880s, and several contemporary retailers are housed in vintage storefronts.
Sisters is a significant adventure basecamp as well. The dominant features of the immediate east are the Willamette and Deschutes National Forests, which provide countless opportunities for adventure all year long. One of the best driving loops in Oregon can be found by taking the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway from Sisters.
Mount Hood
It makes sense that Mt. Hood is one of Oregon's Seven Wonders. From the center of Portland, you can see this enormous structure at the height of over 11,000 feet! It is the fourth-tallest mountain in the Cascade Mountain Range and the tallest mountain in Oregon.
In the chilly winter months, weekend warriors who want to go skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, or tubing frequently travel to Mt. Hood, which is only about an hour outside of Portland. After a tiring day in the snow, you can warm up with a hot toddy in this quaint mountain lodge.
On Mount Hood, popular trekking opportunities are available during the summer. The climb to the summit is challenging and not recommended for the weak heart. Additionally, you can hike around the mountain's base on the Timberline Trail, a ring trail. You'll need to bring all your camping supplies and food because it takes a few days. However, the scenery is simply stunning!
Conclusion
Oregon is an incredibly beautiful place. These are just a few of the many places you can see, but visiting these will definitely make you feel ecstatic.
Your shots will surely turn out spectacular if you take them in these places. Don't wait and fill your camera roll with unique and stunning sights!