Things to do in Oregon
60 places worth stopping for and 24 places to stay on a road trip through Oregon.
See and do
- Scenic drive
Scenic drive · Crater Lake
Crater Lake Rim Drive
A 33-mile loop around the deepest lake in the US.
- Beach
Beach · Cannon Beach
Haystack Rock
The 235-foot sea stack that defines the Oregon Coast.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Sublimity
Silver Falls State Park
A loop trail that passes behind ten waterfalls.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Cannon Beach
Ecola State Park
Forest roads to cliff viewpoints over surf, sea stacks and a lighthouse offshore.
- Walk
Walk · Terrebonne
Smith Rock State Park
Rock spires above a river, the birthplace of American sport climbing.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Bridal Veil
Multnomah Falls
The two-tier 620-foot waterfall that anchors every Gorge trip.
- Scenic drive
Scenic drive · Brookings
Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor
Twelve miles of sea arches, stacks and viewpoints on the south coast.
- Lake
Lake · Crater Lake
Wizard Island
A cinder cone in the lake you can reach by boat tour.
Swimming hole · McKenzie Bridge
Tamolitch Blue Pool
A startlingly blue pool where the McKenzie River reappears from underground lava.
Hot pool · PlushHidden gem
Hart Mountain Hot Springs
A free rock-lined hot pool and campground inside a remote antelope refuge.
- Scenic drive
Scenic drive · FrenchglenHidden gem
Steens Mountain Scenic Loop
A gravel loop road climbing to alpine views over the Alvord Desert.
- Beach
Beach · Manzanita
Oswald West State Park
A forest trail down to Short Sand Beach, popular for surfing.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · CharlestonHidden gem
Shore Acres State Park
Formal clifftop gardens with huge waves exploding into sandstone below.
- History
History · Hammond
Peter Iredale Shipwreck
The rusting ribs of a 1906 shipwreck on the beach at Fort Stevens.
- Beach
Beach · Arch CapeHidden gem
Hug Point
A beach with an old road carved into the cliff, sea caves and a waterfall.
- History
History · Newport
Yaquina Head Lighthouse
The tallest lighthouse on the Oregon coast, set among tide pools and seabirds.
- History
History · Yachats
Heceta Head Lighthouse
A white lighthouse on a cliff, reached by a short forest walk.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Yachats
Cape Perpetua Scenic Area
The highest drivable point on the Oregon coast, with a visitor center and trails.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Idleyld ParkHidden gem
Toketee Falls
A 120-foot two-tier waterfall in a hexagonal basalt amphitheatre.
- Hot pool
Hot pool · Idleyld ParkHidden gem
Umpqua Hot Springs
Natural hot pools on a cliff above the North Umpqua River.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · MitchellHidden gem
Painted Hills
Striped red and gold hills in central Oregon's high desert.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Corbett
Vista House at Crown Point
A 1918 stone rotunda with a huge view down the Columbia.
Walk · Skamania
Beacon Rock State Park
A 848-foot basalt plug with a staircase path to the top.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · The DallesHidden gem
Rowena Crest Viewpoint
Looping road switchbacks and a wildflower plateau above the Gorge.
- Beach
Beach · Pacific City
Cape Kiwanda
A golden sandstone headland with a sand dune you can run down.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Bandon
Face Rock Viewpoint
Sea stacks on Bandon Beach, one said to look like a face looking up at the sky.
- Scenic drive
Scenic drive · OxbowHidden gem
Hells Canyon Dam and Scenic Byway
A winding road along the Snake River to the deepest river gorge in North America.
- Walk
Walk · Lincoln CityHidden gem
Cascade Head Nature Conservancy trail
Grassy headland trail high above the ocean.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Gold BeachHidden gem
Cape Sebastian
Windy headland viewpoint 700 feet above the sea.
Hot pool · Estacada
Bagby Hot Springs
Cedar tubs in an old-growth forest at the end of a 1.5 mile walk.
- Hot pool
Hot pool · FieldsHidden gem
Alvord Hot Springs
Soak in rock-lined pools at the edge of the Alvord Desert playa, with Steens Mountain filling the sky.
- Swimming hole
Swimming hole · Cascade Locks
Punch Bowl Falls, Eagle Creek
A 36 foot cascade into a round green swimming pool, two miles up a cliffside trail.
- Lake
Lake · Joseph
Wallowa Lake
A glacier-carved lake under the Eagle Cap peaks, with a swim beach and a tram to the summit.
- Hot pool
Hot pool · BurnsHidden gem
Crane Hot Springs
Geothermal soaking tubs and a pool in the high desert near Burns, with onsite camping.
- Activity
Activity · Joseph
Wallowa Lake Tramway
A gondola climbing Mount Howard above Wallowa Lake in northeast Oregon.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · McKenzie Bridge
Sahalie Falls
A roaring 100-foot waterfall on the McKenzie River a short walk from the highway.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · McKenzie Bridge
Koosah Falls
A broad, wide falls on the McKenzie River just downstream from Sahalie.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Oakridge
Salt Creek Falls
Oregon's second-tallest waterfall, 286 feet, with a roadside viewing platform.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · McKenzie PassHidden gem
Proxy Falls
Twin cascades dropping through a mossy forest on a short loop off the McKenzie Highway.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Bend
Tumalo Falls
A tall waterfall above Bend with an easy viewing platform.
Lake · Bend
Sparks Lake
A shallow lake on the Cascade Lakes Highway with a view of South Sister.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Astoria
Astoria Column
A painted 125-foot tower with a spiral staircase and sweeping views.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · CharlestonHidden gem
Cape Arago
A lookout where you can watch seals and sea lions on offshore rocks.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Corbett
Latourell Falls
A 249-foot waterfall with a bright orange lichen-covered cliff.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · DodsonHidden gem
Elowah Falls
A 213-foot waterfall at the end of a short, quieter trail.
Waterfall · Cascade LocksHidden gem
Wahclella Falls
A 1-mile walk to a twin waterfall in a mossy canyon.
- Beach
Beach · NeskowinHidden gem
Neskowin Ghost Forest
Ancient stumps from a drowned spruce forest, visible at low tide.
Cave · Florence
Sea Lion Caves
An elevator ride down to the largest sea cave in the US, filled with sea lions.
Viewpoint · YachatsHidden gem
Thor's Well
A sinkhole in the rock where the sea drains and erupts.
History · Port OrfordHidden gem
Cape Blanco Lighthouse
Oregon's oldest standing lighthouse, on the most westerly point of the state.
- Cave
Cave · Cave Junction
Oregon Caves National Monument
Guided tours through a marble cave high in the Siskiyou mountains.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Idleyld Park
Watson Falls
At 272 feet, one of the tallest waterfalls in southwest Oregon.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Dodson
Horsetail Falls
A waterfall you can see from the car park, with Ponytail Falls up the trail.
Town · Hood River
Hood River
A windsurfing town with breweries, orchards and views of Mount Hood.
History · Tillamook
Cape Meares Lighthouse
Oregon's shortest lighthouse and a twisted old Octopus Tree.
Viewpoint · Otter Rock
Devils Punchbowl
A collapsed sea cave bowl where waves surge in and out.
Town · Newport
Newport Historic Bayfront
A working fishing harbour with seafood shacks and sea lions on the docks.
- Activity
Activity · Gold Beach
Rogue River Jet Boat Trips
A jet boat ride up the Rogue River through wild canyons.
- Garden
Garden · FlorenceHidden gem
Darlingtonia State Natural Site
Boardwalk through a bog of carnivorous cobra lilies.
- History
History · BandonHidden gem
Coquille River Lighthouse
Small 1896 lighthouse at the river mouth in Bullards Beach.
Food stops
- Food truck
Food truck · AstoriaHidden gem
Bowpicker Fish & Chips
A fish and chips stand in a converted fishing boat, serving beer-battered albacore tuna.
Farm shop · Tillamook
Tillamook Creamery
A big cheese factory visit with ice cream and cheese curds at the end.
- Brewery
Brewery · Hood River
Full Sail Brewing
A pioneering Oregon brewery with a riverfront pub deck and mountain views.
Brewery · Pacific City
Pelican Brewing Pacific City
A beachfront brewpub with big windows facing the ocean.
Places to stay
Campground · FrenchglenHidden gem
Page Springs Campground
BLM camp on the Blitzen River at the foot of Steens Mountain, a short drive from the Frenchglen Hotel.
- Campground
Campground · Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Paulina Lake Campground
Lakeside camp inside a volcano caldera, next to a lodge, hot springs and an obsidian flow.
Campground · Government Camp
Trillium Lake
A campground and calm lake with Mount Hood reflected in it.
- Campground
Campground · Tillamook
Cape Lookout State Park
Beachfront camping with a trail out along a forested headland.
Lodge · Government Camp
Timberline Lodge
A 1937 stone-and-timber lodge on Mount Hood, famous from a horror film.
Campground · Florence
Jessie M. Honeyman State Park
Camping in forest beside a freshwater lake and big sand dunes.
- Campground
Campground · FrenchglenHidden gem
Fish Lake Campground, Steens Mountain
High desert mountain camp on a big loop road.
- Campground
Campground · YachatsHidden gem
Tillicum Beach Campground
Forest Service camp directly on the sand.
- Hot pool
Hot pool · PaisleyHidden gem
Summer Lake Hot Springs
Overnight stay with a 1928 bathhouse and outdoor rock pools above Summer Lake's bird-filled marsh.
- Campground
Campground · Yachats
Cape Perpetua Campground
Forest Service camp in coastal spruce forest, minutes from Thor's Well and the Cape Perpetua trails.
Campground · Port Orford
Cape Blanco State Park campground
Camp at Oregon's westernmost point, with a lighthouse, wild beach and cabins.
Campground · Joseph
Wallowa Lake State Park campground
Lakeside camp at the foot of the Wallowa Mountains, near the tramway and Joseph.
Motel · FrenchglenHidden gem
Frenchglen Hotel
A remote 1916 state-run hotel serving family-style dinners at the foot of Steens Mountain.
- Campground
Campground · Hammond
Fort Stevens State Park Campground
One of the largest campgrounds in the US, beside the beach and an old fort.
- Campground
Campground · Brookings
Harris Beach State Park
A big campground on the south coast with sea stack views.
Campground · Hood RiverHidden gem
Lost Lake Resort
A forest lake resort with camping, cabins and a Hood view across the water.
Campground · Crater Lake
Mazama Campground Crater Lake
The main park campground below the rim, among tall pines.
- Campground
Campground · Diamond Lake
Diamond Lake
A lake with campgrounds, rental boats and a view of Mount Thielsen.
- Campground
Campground · Crater Lake
Mazama Campground
Pumice-forest camp near Crater Lake.
- Campground
Campground · Charleston
Sunset Bay State Park
Camp by a sheltered cove, one of the few safe swimming spots on the coast.
Campground · Newberry National Volcanic MonumentHidden gem
East Lake Campground
Quieter second lake in the Newberry caldera with a smaller camp and a short walk to hot springs.
- Campground
Campground · Camp ShermanHidden gem
Camp Sherman Campground
Small riverside camp on the Metolius River near its springs, with a general store and fly-fishing at the door.
Campground · Prospect
Union Creek Campground
Rogue River camp on the road to Crater Lake, near Rogue Gorge and the historic Union Creek Resort.
- Campground
Campground · Florence
Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park campground
Mid-coast forest camp across from a wild beach, near Heceta Head lighthouse.
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Plan the drive, not just the stops
Roadtrip works out what the drive costs in fuel for your car, splits it into days with the best stops and places to sleep, and finds the cheapest fuel on the way.
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