Oregon State Travel Bucket List: Must-See Spots

Crater Lake is an incredible spot in Oregon. It’s the deepest lake in the USA and known for its stunning blue water. The lake formed when a volcano collapsed long ago.

You can drive around the lake on Rim Drive. It’s 33 miles long and has 30 viewpoints where you can stop and take photos. The scenery is amazing, with the blue lake contrasted by the surrounding cliffs.

If you like hiking, there are trails for all skill levels. Technically Crater Lake is open year-round, but most people come in summer. In winter, there’s lots of snow, which can make some roads hard to use or even closed completely (especially November through April)

The Oregon Coast, stretching for over 360 miles along the Pacific Ocean, is teeming with natural beauty. Driving along Highway 101 offers many scenic stops, such as the iconic Cannon Beach with its famous Haystack Rock, as well as the stunning Cape Perpetua and Thor’s Well.

Don’t forget to visit the picturesque town of Bandon. Many people ignore the southern coast but the entire coastline boasts plenty to see including tide pools, beaches, dunes, and sea stacks.

Smith Rock State Park is in central Oregon, about 26 miles from Bend.

The park is famous for its tall rock walls and unique landscape. It’s part of Oregon’s High Desert, so it’s usually warm and dry.

Rock climbing is super popular here. You’ll see climbers on the walls all year round. Even if you’re not a climber, it’s fun to watch.

The park has a cool history too. It was formed by huge volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. You can still see the layers in the rock walls today.

Multnomah Falls is a stunning 611-foot waterfall will take your breath away.

Located in the Columbia River Gorge, just 30 miles east of Portland. Its easy access makes it a popular spot for both locals and tourists.

You can enjoy the falls from different viewpoints. The most popular spot is the Benson Bridge, which offers a close-up view of the cascading water.

For the more adventurous, you can hike to the top of the falls. The trail is steep but rewards you with amazing views of the Columbia River Gorge.

If you’re planning a summer visit, keep in mind that you might need a timed entry permit for parking. This system helps manage the crowds during peak season.

Multnomah Falls is open year-round, so you can enjoy its beauty in any season.

The Columbia River Gorge scenic area stretches for 80 miles along the Columbia River, creating a natural border between Oregon and Washington.

The gorge is famous for its many beautiful waterfalls with Multnomah Falls being the most well-known.

Hiking is popular in the gorge. You can choose from easy walks to more challenging trails. Some hikes take you to hidden waterfalls or great viewpoints.

For a scenic drive, take the Historic Columbia River Highway (Hwy 30). This road offers amazing views of the river and surrounding landscape. Stop at Vista House at Crown Point for a panoramic view of the gorge.

Strong winds make it a top spot for windsurfing, kiteboarding, or kayaking.

Don’t forget to visit some of the charming towns in the area. The area boasts several fruit orchards and wineries where you can sample local wines and enjoy farm-fresh produce.

The Painted Hills are a found 9 miles northwest of Mitchell, a small town in eastern Oregon.

The hills showcase layers of red, gold, and black soil that formed millions of years ago. Their unique striped appearance changes with the light and weather, creating a cool visual display.

The Painted Hills Overlook Trail is a popular choice for hiking. It’s a short loop with great views of the colorful landscape.

Late afternoon is a good time to visit when the sun brings out the vibrant hues. Spring can be beautiful, with wildflowers dotting the hills.

The Painted Hills are part of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument which is also worth a visit while you are in the area.

You’ll find a hidden gem in southern Oregon at Oregon Caves National Monument.

This underground wonderland offers a unique adventure for nature lovers and cave enthusiasts. You can take guided tours to explore the twisting passages and see amazing rock formations. The cool cave air is a nice break from summer heat.

Don’t forget to pack a jacket and good walking shoes. The caves stay cool year-round, and the paths can be slippery.

The caves are not far from the Redwoods of California as well as the southern Oregon Coast and I highly recommend looping down to Crescent City and back up the coast into Gold Beach.

If you are a book lover, this is more like a pilgrimage. Spanning multiple floors, if you’ve never been, you might want to pick up a map from the desk.

Powell’s claims to be the largest new and used bookstore in the world. I believe it.

A huge collection of books on almost any imaginable topic awaits you. In my family, we plan a minimum of two hours here.

The flagship location is downtown, but other locations exist in the Portland area including branches for specialized topics.

Want to camp but not camp? Many of Oregon’s state parks, especially along the coast have a handful of yurts available to rent.

Most are furnished with a futon and a bunk bed and sleep about 4-5 people. They have a heater, electricity and a table and chair. Some campgrounds have more deluxe yurts.

This is a fun way to camp if you don’t have any gear or a good way to save money on accommodations along the coast . These are popular so make your reservations early in the year.

For a 360 degree view of hills, forest, river and ocean, climb the 164 steps of the Astoria Column.

The column is perched on a hill in Astoria and visitors can climb the spiral staircase inside this 125 foot tower to the observation deck.

Astoria is located near the confluence of the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean, so you can expect great views of both. The Columbia is over 3 miles wide as it meets the Pacific.

The exterior of the column commemorates historic events in Oregon’s past. While in Astoria, if you are of a certain age you will want to drive by the Goonie house too.

During WWII, Howard Hughes built this wooden flying boat meant to be used as a transport plane.

It made a successful test flight, airborne for about 1 mile at 70 ft. in altitude but never was put into production.

With a wingspan over 300 feet, you really can’t appreciate how huge this is until you see it in person. Fortunately you can, as it now lives in the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, OR, south of Portland.

You’ll also find all manner of other aircraft across the decades and a section dedicated to space travel as well.