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
Hike to Paulina Lake Hot Springs
5.02.4 miStarting at Little Crater Campground, head north toward the hot springs (43.730, -121.247). If you're really looking to stretch your legs, you can extend the out-and-back hike to a full loop around the lake just shy of 8 miles. The water in the springs is around 95 degrees, and doesn't smell of s...Read more -
CRATER LAKE, Oregon
Photograph Crater Lake
4.9Crater is a short 20min drive up Highway 62 off of the 97. We were chasing sunset and caught the last glimmers of twilight. Just driving around the west rim is amazing. Pictures did absolutely no justice to this place, you have to see it with your own eyes...it's MASSIVE!!! Every small pull-off/p...Read more -
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Hike to the Summit of Mt. McLoughlin
5.09 mi / 3900 ft gainThis is not an easy hike, but every step is more than worth it. Unlike Mount Thielsen to the north, this summit requires no scrambling/climbing; it's just a long, steep hike. Mount McLoughlin (named for John McLoughlin of Hudson's Bay Company and Oregon Trail fame) is a lava cone on top of a comp...Read more -
Mount Hood, Oregon
McNeil Point via Top Spur Trailhead
4.97.17 mi / 2428 ft gainThe hike to McNeil Point begins at Top Spur Trailhead, in the Mt. Hood National Wilderness. Follow signs for McNeil Point along the Pacific Crest and Timberline Trails heading north. Though there are numerous camping opportunities along the way (most of the route follows the PCT), an old stone s...Read more -
Cascade Locks, Oregon
Elowah Falls
4.81.36 mi / 512 ft gainMultnomah Falls, which is about 5 miles from Elowah [along the Historic Columbia River Highway] takes a large portion of the crowd due to its visibility from the highway. With that said, you may get a much more deserted Elowah Falls if you decide to take the short but steep 15-minute hike to it...Read more -
Idanha, Oregon
Hike Grizzly Peak
4.510 miAfter leaving your car at the Pamelia Lake trailhead, hike 2.3 miles along the trail following Pamelia Creek. The Grizzly Peak trailhead will be on the right just before the lake, which you should check out before or after your hike up to Grizzly Peak—there are several campsites around the lake t...Read more -
Foster, Oregon
Iron Mountain
4.71.79 mi / 610 ft gainGetting There There are a couple of different routes to the summit of Iron Mountain. This adventure article focuses on the shorter but more strenuous hike to the summit of Iron Mountain. To get there, drive to the upper trailhead (Trail # 3389) via Highway 20. Take Forest Service Road (FSR) 035 ...Read more -
Mount Hood, Oregon
Tamanawas Falls
4.43.37 mi / 722 ft gainThis easy trail in the Mt Hood National Forest has a journey just as lovely as the destination. The hike follows closely along the banks of Cold Spring Creek, up through a massive boulder field, and finally arrives at the 150ft tall Tamanawas Hiking directions: Starting at the East Fork- Tamanaw...Read more -
Bend, Oregon
Todd Lake Campground via Todd Lake Trailhead
4.50.31 mi / 72 ft gainTodd Lake is a beautiful yet small lake just 24 miles West of Bend. Its location is perfect for accessing Broken Top Mountain, and even better for the view of Mount Bachelor. Spend a day at Todd Lake and enjoy fishing (mostly rainbow trout), swimming, and free access to three different locations...Read more -
Polk County, Oregon
Walk the Valley of the Giants
5.0From the parking area, the Valley of the Giants trail crosses the Siletz River and passes a tranquil picnic spot before beginning a 1.3 miles loop trail through some of Oregon's oldest and largest Doug Fir trees. Many reach 500 years in age and heights exceeding 200 feet. In fall, vine maples exp...Read more -
Otis, Oregon
Drift Creek Falls
4.92.98 mi / 449 ft gainThis hike down to Drift Creek Falls is more of an easy stroll. But before you reach the trail head, if coming from the north, make sure to stop at Oregon's oldest covered bridge off Bear Creek Rd. The trailhead to Drift Creek Falls will be farther south on Bear Creek Rd where you will branch off...Read more -
Lyons, Oregon
Henline Falls Trail
5.01.71 mi / 312 ft gainThe trail is a washed out, old mining road making its way through a lush forest with a mix of ferns, moss covered trees, and towering Douglas Firs with trees blown over from wind storms lining both sides of the trail. I call those Big Foot traps. The trail comes to a fork, stay to the left you ar...Read more -
Mitchell, Oregon
Photograph the Painted Hills
4.5The Painted HIlls is the most dramatic of the three units that make up John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Any trip to Eastern Oregon via Rt 26 requires a stop at the Painted HIlls to take in the unique landscape.John Day Fossil Beds are fee-free and as you enter you will see an area with bat...Read more -
Cascade Locks, Oregon
Camp at Lost Lake
4.7When the temperature starts to creep up in the summer, Lost Lake is the perfect escape. The campground provides you with everything you could want – miles of scenic hiking, a multitude of water activities, and even a general store for anything you might have forgotten at home.The lakeside tent ca...Read more -
Crescent, Oregon
Fuji Mountain Summit via Waldo Road
11.3 mi / 2329 ft gainBackground Fuji Mountain has been known by mountain bikers for years, since it sits just off the circuit of popular biking routes around Waldo Lake and makes for a notoriously difficult climb on a bike. Word hasn't spread to the hiking community yet, despite the spectacular views from the summit...Read more -
Camp Sherman, Oregon
Black Butte
4.53.94 mi / 1493 ft gainJust outside of Sisters Oregon is the stunning and popular day hike to the summit Black Butte (Elevation 6,436 feet). At the top, spectacular views of the surrounding Cascades await the intrepid hiker. To get to the trailhead, turn off of Highway 22 onto National Forest Road (NFR) 11, also known...Read more
