Oregon

Start at the coast, hit up breweries and food trucks in Portland, explore hundreds of waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, ski or snowboard year-round on Mt. Hood and continue on to the Alvord Desert. Even with all of this adventure, you'll just be scratching the surface of what Oregon has to offer.

Top Spots in and near Oregon

  • La Pine, Oregon

    Paulina Falls Hike to Paulina Lake

    0.6 mi / 300 ft gain
    First take the short 1/4 mile hike down to the lower lookout. Get there early to beat the crowd and get unobstructed views. The Paulina Falls is an 80 ft. twin waterfall. It's gorgeous. After you see the falls from the lower lookout, you can walk back up to the upper lookout for a different view....
    Read more
  • Princeton, Oregon

    Camp at Mann Lake

    Mann Lake can be found in the Steens Mountain Wilderness area. Camping is first come first serve but depending on the time of year it won't be crowded at all. I visited in the early fall and there was one other car.  I decided to camp next to the lake (>200 ft. away of course), which holds wat...
    Read more
  • Sisters, Oregon

    Suttle Lake Loop

    5.0
    3.66 mi / 128 ft gain
    Beginning at the Suttle Lake Lodge just off Highway 20, the Suttle Lake Loop follows a wide dirt path that circumnavigates the entire lake. Hug the lake whenever the trail opens up to camping areas or pavement - it's nearly impossible to become lost on this track. Pass campsites, kayakers, and r...
    Read more
  • Imnaha, Oregon

    Drive to Hat Point Overlook in Hells Canyon

    There are no services at Hat Point other than breathtaking views from your picnic table and pit toilets for use before the long ride back to town.   Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America and the Imnaha Canyon is Northeastern Oregon’s second largest. From the firetower lookout a...
    Read more
  • Government Camp, Oregon

    Photograph the Wildflowers at Timberline Lodge

    4.0
    From the mount hood scenic byway in Government Camp, Oregon turn on the road that heads up to the Timberline Lodge. Follow that road to the end and park in the lot all the way at the top. In the ski season you need a pass to park there, but if you go in June, July, Or August (aka when the wildflo...
    Read more
  • Gladstone, Oregon

    Run the Clackamette Park Loop

    1.2 mi / 10 ft gain
    Clackamette Park is known for its prime destination right off of the freeway and across from Oregon City's most popular shopping area, but it's frequented for its public boat dock, RV facilities, and handicap-accessible picnic benches. While the rest of Portland's parks freeze over or flood, Clac...
    Read more
  • Ashland, Oregon

    Summit Mt. Ashland

    5.0
    5 mi / 1550 ft gain
    Situated in Southern Oregon right near the California border lies the Siskiyou Mountain Range's tallest peak, Mount Ashland. Mount Ashland is a very popular area for many recreational activities, one of the most popular activities is skiing. The ski area was opened up in 1963 and has changed hand...
    Read more
  • Joseph, Oregon

    Camp at Hurricane Creek Campground

    4.0
    Head on over to Hurricane Creek if you are looking for a great campground near Lake Wallowa. It's a forest service campground, so the fee is minimal, only $6 per night. There are no reservations, just show up, grab your spot, and pay at the kiosk. They offer three tent/trailer sites and eight ten...
    Read more
  • Port Orford, Oregon

    Hike the Port Orford Heads Trail

    1.3 mi / 300 ft gain
    The Port Orford Heads State Park comprises a drastically pronounced peninsula jutting out into the Pacific Ocean from the southern Oregon coast, providing breathtaking views both north to the Cape Blanco Lighthouse and south to Humbug Mountain and beyond. The Port Orford Heads Trail is the main l...
    Read more
  • Crescent, Oregon

    Ski or Snowshoe to Midnight Lake

    6.2 mi / 600 ft gain
    The trip to Midnight Lake is a great way to spend a winter day and explore an otherwise overlooked lake in the central Oregon Cascades. Although the lake does see winter visitors, it is often  empty and very few people bother to hike to the far end of the lake. The route to the lake is through be...
    Read more
  • West Linn, Oregon

    Run Old River Road to George Rogers Park

    5.0
    4.8 mi / 100 ft gain
    Portland and its surrounding suburbs are filled with trails and hidden treasures, including this stretch along the Willamette River. This road is a super popular pedestrian path and can be accessed from West Linn, the Mary's Woods and Marylhurst Development, or from Lake Oswego off of Highway 43....
    Read more
  • Crescent, Oregon

    Fly Fish on Davis Lake

    About 50 miles southwest of Bend, Davis Lake is one of the major fishing destinations among the cluster of lakes in central Oregon. The lake was once known as a go-to spot for really big rainbow trout, but largemouth bass were illegally introduced to the Davis Lake in the 90s and they have now ta...
    Read more
  • La Pine, Oregon

    Hike up Paulina Peak

    5.0
    6 mi / 1800 ft gain
    Distance: 6 miles, out-and-back (Can also be done as a 12 mile loop via Crater Rim Trail).  Starting at Paulina Lake, just past the Visitor Center lies a marked trailhead for Paulina Peak. The trail starts close to the road and winds through the forest around the back of some lake maintenance fac...
    Read more
  • Brookings, Oregon

    Explore Thunder Rock Cove at Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor

    1.5 mi / 400 ft gain
    One of many magical nooks and crannies to explore all along the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, Thunder Rock Cove sits between the iconic (and more popular) Natural Bridges and Secret Beach.  The hike to the cover overlook is an easy .75 mile hike down from the Thunder Rock pull-off tha...
    Read more
  • Lyons, Oregon

    Cedar Flat and Kopetski Trail Loop

    9.62 mi / 958 ft gain
    On Saturday, I slid into the backseat alongside weekend belongings crammed in the car trunk. Backpacks with patches and streaks of dust. Bags of food that could be cooked over the flames of a fire. We drove south on the 5, leaving Portland and crossing through Salem, as Lake Street Dive albums p...
    Read more
  • Mount Hood, Oregon

    Dry Fly Fishing the East Fork of Hood River

    4.0
    This river may be a bit under the radar at the moment but not for long.  This section doesn't have the big fish, that the main fork of the Hood River does but it will keep you busy with modest active trout perfect for a 3 or 5 weight rod in the summer time and a dry fly.   It's a great beginner &...
    Read more