This is my list of the best places to visit in Oregon…ones that I’ve been to, anyway. This list isn’t meant to be exhaustive, but for me to pass along that YES, these are a few of the places worth visiting in this beautiful state!
Oregon is one of the most underrated states in the USA, which is a shame because it’s so amazing!
It’s often overlooked for the vast diversity of it’s neighbor California or the beauty of the landscapes in Washington state.
It’s definitely a mistake to skip Oregon as a destination, as so many beautiful attractions are located in this small state!
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Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
That’s a mouthful, but don’t pass it by just because it’s got too many syllables!
Located just north of the California border, SHB Scenic Corridor is 12 miles long on the stretch of Highway 101 between the towns of Brookings and Gold Beach.
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With dramatic cliffs, ocean arches, secret beaches, and opportunities for the best kayaking of your life, Samuel H. Boardman (I’m just gonna call it SHB, cool?) should n
ot be missed on any trip to southern Oregon.
The hiking trails come to some pretty incredible scenic viewpoints, and you can also hook up with the longer Oregon Coast Trail.
Just make sure to watch where you step while you’re wandering around with your mouth open due to the natural beauty, some of those dropoffs are pretty dang high!
Chances are you’ll be seeing SHB during a pretty epic road trip, but if you’re interested in flying, your closest airport is Medford, Oregon, which is about 2.5 hours away by car.
Read more about this awesome place to visit in Oregon here!
Portland
It would be easy to skip Portland in favor of all of Oregon’s natural wonders, but I think you’re missing out if you do!
Portland is a funky city with some really interesting history and just the best dang food and craft beer scene you could ever want.
I spent a full day in Portland just eating and drinking (along with seeing a couple of sights), and I was happy as a clam.
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I don’t think I ate anything that wasn’t absolutely delicious, which isn’t something that happens often!
There’s also a ton to do in the city, such as take a tour of the sinister Shanghai Tunnels or visit the biggest used bookstore in the world!
But when you’re done doing all the things, I highly reco
mmend Portland’s donuts.
They’re pretty famous, seriously.
As a large-ish city, Portland has a ton of accommodation options for any budget, making it a great base to explore the beautiful nature that’s within driving distance.
From the city you can explore tons of waterfalls, amazing mountains, have water adventures on the Columbia River, and pretty much any other outdoor activity you can think of.
Read my One Day in Portland blog post to see everywhere we ate and the activities we did with our short time in this awesome city!
Columbia River Gorge
Whether Portland is your base or you’re on a longer road trip, the scenic drive along the Columbia River Gorge is an absolute must-do in Oregon.
There are 2 ways to do it, though: the fast way or the pretty way.
Ok, I lied…both ways are pretty.
But the slow way is so much prettier!
Highway 30 runs east and west, paralleling the Columbia River as you go along; if you want fast, take that road.
If you’re a tourist like me, I-84 east out of Portland, get onto Highway 30 east, then get off at Exit 18 toward Oxbow Regional Park/Lewis and Clark State Park, then make a left onto Jordan Road.
Just stay east on that, and it’ll take you to all the good stuff!
I’m talking pretty vistas, wooded roads, and waterfalls on waterfalls!
This is the road on which you’ll see the famous Multnomah Falls, which is by far the most popular stop on the road.
I recommend driving the road during less busy times, because there will be less traffic and it’ll be easier to find a parking spot to go check out all of the pretty stuff!
Bring your hiking shoes, because there are a ton of cool trails along this road.
Enjoy!
Mount Hood
On a nice, clear day, you can see Mount Hood dominating the skyline east from Portland.
As pretty much the only mountain in sight and with its cool conical volcano-shape, it’s a sight to see for sure.
It’s even prettier close up!
The Mount Hood area is full of outdoor adventures, from beautiful lakes to camp next to, to year-round outdoor skiing (the only place in North America that offers it!), and beautiful hiking trails.
If you decide to drive halfway up the mountain, you’ll eventually get to the Timberline Lodge, which you might recognize as the Overlook Hotel from The Shining! (well, the outside anyway).
It’s a very cool lodge to visit if even just to grab a drink, with tons of history and the most killer views right in its own backyard.
If you’re a fan of mountain adventures or outdoor activities at all, Mount Hood should definitely be on your radar as a place to visit in Oregon.
Lavender Valley Farms
If you’re lucky enough to visit Oregon in late summer, the lavender will be a-bloomin’!
My Instagram feed is always full of lavender fields in July and August, but instead of go all the way to France I found a beautiful field just one state north! If you’re passing through in the summer, I definitely recommend Lavender Valley as one of the best places to visit in Oregon.
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Just south of the town of Hood River, you’ll find the hidden gem of Lavender Valley.
It’s on the way down to Mount Hood, and it’s worth it to stop just to experience how amazing it smells!
They sell tons of lavender products (obviously), but you can pick your own lavender right in the field for only $8 USD or so.
The beautiful purple field with Mount Hood towering in the background is what Instagram dreams are made of!
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I have to warn you though, there are TONS of bees, so if you’re allergic you might want to skip it.
The trick is to just move slowly through the rows of flowers, no fast movements as bees are attracted to that.
I had a few land on my clothes but I just gently brushed them off and all was well.
Proxy Falls
I may catch some flack for this one, because Oregon is absolutely littered with waterfalls and I’m sure everyone has their favorite.
BUT…my favorite is Proxy Falls and I’m sticking to my opinion that it’s one of the best places to visit in Oregon!
The trailhead to the falls is located between Eugene and Bend, on Oregon State Route 242.
It’s a 1.5 mile easy loop hike with virtually no elevation gain, so it’s great for all skill levels.
It can have some rocks and slippery parts near the falls, so I would keep that in mind if you have any mobility issues.
There’s an upper falls and a lower falls, and if you only have time for one I definitely recommend the lower falls.
Both are gorgeous but the lower is definitely in the top 5 waterfalls I’ve ever seen! It was THAT impressive!
We went later in the afternoon (in late July) and there were surprisingly few people there, it was wonderful.
There’s parallel parking for 15-20 cars at the trailhead, and it was fine when we went but I understand it can be difficult when it’s crowded.
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You have to have a pass to park, which is something that’s a little tricky because you have to get it before you go.
We were able to use our American the Beautiful National Parks annual pass, or you can buy a day or annual Northwest Forest Pass, good for Oregon and Washington.
A day pass is only $5, but like I said make sure you get it beforehand at one of the locations you can find on this website.
Painted Hills
Painted Hills is part of the larger John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, and is about 2 hours northeast of Bend.
There are 3 “units” of this National Monument, of which Painted Hills is one.
The others are Clarno and Sheep Rock, and it’s actually quite a drive to visit all 3, so it may not be doable in one day.
Painted Hills is so named because of the beautiful striations of colors on the sides of the hills.
The National Monument is mostly dedicated to paleontology, as this area of Oregon has eroded in a way that has exposed a boatload of well-preserved fossils!
You might have to be a nerd like me to be into that, but hey! I find it interesting.
Science aside, it’s also worth a trip just for the scenery (and Instagram shot, ahem).
You might be thinking eek, National Parks always have a fee!
Fear not, budget travelers, this National Monument is freeeeeee!
Now it’s definitely worth it, amiright?
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Crater Lake National Park
If you’re in southern Oregon, you pretty much have to visit Crater Lake. At least, that’s the type of thing I tell myself when I go 100 miles out of my way for any US National Park.
Although it’s one of the smaller parks, it makes up for it with big scenery and is definitely one of the best places to visit in Oregon.
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The actual lake is located within a volcano (hence the name Crater Lake), and it’s the deepest lake in the US.
The 33-mile Rim Drive is one of the most popular things to do, which provides amazing views at pretty much every stop. It’s one of the best places to visit in Oregon that’s very scenic and easy, as you don’t even have to get out of your car if you don’t want!
If you have more time, there are tons of hiking trails to check out the scenery up close. The famous Pacific Crest Trail even cuts right through the park!
In the summer there are also fun trolley and boat tours if you’d like a little more info on the park. You have to hike down to the boats, however, so you need to be in good physical condition.
There is one lodge and some cabins in the village, as well as two campgrounds to stay at during the summer. They all fill up fast, so make sure you make reservations in advance!
There a several campgrounds outside of the park if you can’t get a spot inside, but I also recommend reservations in the peak season.
The nearest town is Klamath Falls, which is about 45 minutes south of the park. There are several options for lodging in town, most of which are pretty budget.
Crater Lake NP is a fantastic summer destination, but if you’re crazy and like the snow, you can visit in the winter as well. I imagine it’s really beautiful with snow, but I’ll just have to take your word for it!
Just note that most roads and facilities are closed (usually late September – mid-May), so you’ll have to plan your winter activities accordingly.
For all the info you’ll ever need about visiting Crater Lake National Park, click here.
Toketee Falls
I can’t make a list of the best places to visit in Oregon and not mention Toketee falls, which is only a half hour’s drive north of Crater Lake.
To be honest, there are so many beautiful waterfalls in Oregon that’s it’s hard to only include a couple on this list, but Toketee Falls is definitely noteworthy and worth a visit if you’re in southern Oregon.
The trail to the falls is a short 0.4 miles (one-way) and is a combo of dirt and wooden platforms. There are lots of stairs, however, so those with mobility issues should take that into consideration.
There is a small parking lot with toilets and picnic tables for resting before or after the hike.
The walk itself goes along the North Umpqua River, which you can see cascading down over rocks toward the falls.
The trail ends at a large viewing platform with a great view of the falls. There is a hole in the fence with an unofficial trail leading down to the pool. It looked like it had been fixed time and time again to keep people from going down there.
The way down looked very rocky and muddy, and not easy at all, and a sign said “do not enter”. I’m not a fan of going off-trail and I don’t recommend it.
Do you have any places to visit in Oregon that you would add to this list?
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