La Pine, Oregon

On your way to Proxy Falls from Bend? Stop by the Dee Wright Observatory to take some photos of the gorgeous mountains. The Observatory is at the summit of McKenzie Pass in Oregon's Cascade Mountains. Built right in the middle of a large lava flow, the open structure itself is actually construct...

The Black Crater Trailhead parking lot is accessed off the McKenzie Pass (Hwy 242). The trailhead starting elevation is 5,040ft. (using the iPhone app "Topo Maps". Great app) with a 3.8 Mile hike one way to the Black Crater Summit at 7,251ft of elevation. Some parts of the trail are steep and g...

This is a popular, family friendly spot, complete with two pools, indoor lodging, RV and tent camping, and hiking trails. The pools are kept at 185-195 degrees, with the smaller of the two being reserved for overnighters only. Day visitors are charged an hourly fee.

Soaking in Terwilliger (otherwise known as "Cougar") hot springs is a great way to relax and wind back while exploring the Cascades. A spring flows from a small cave and cascades into multiple pools leading down a small gully, creating pools which have varying temperatures from hot (closer to the...

This has to be one of the most overlooked waterfalls in Oregon. It doesn't get a lot of publicity, and it's tucked away in south-central Oregon. As such, many people don't pay it much attention. That's too bad. Clearwater Falls can be found just off Highway 138, near mile marker 69. Clearwater F...

The hardest part about getting to Skylight Cave is the drive. Start by coming from Sisters, Oregon, and use the driving directions below to find it. The Google Maps pin is accurate, and if you like coordinates, you can use 44°20'55.3"N 121°42'55.9"W as well. It's recommended you download an offl...

Unlike many other springs you'll find, this pool has basically no barriers to entry – it is accessible via a short hike, has no fee, and is available year-round. While the temperature is less than 100 degrees, the scenic surroundings make up for the slightly less than hot water.

In June of 2015, I visited as many remote waterfall locations in Oregon as I could find. Whitehorse Falls, located along the Clearwater River in Douglas County, was one of those on my list. It's a small waterfall that is just off highway 138 (about 4.5 miles east of Toketee Falls) in Central Oreg...