Oregon isn’t short of stunning sites. From snow-capped volcanoes to expensive deserts and lush forests lining a rugged coastline. The Beaver State is one of the most diversified regions in the country.
Known for its magical landscapes, choosing where to go in Oregon isn’t exactly an easy task because there is just SO. MUCH. to do here! If you’re currently plotting a trip to Oregon and wondering where to go, here’s a list of 7 of the best destinations in the state you have to visit to get a pretty good picture of how diverse it is!
7 Places In Oregon You’ve Got to Visit at Least Once
Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park was created 7,700 years ago when a powerful eruption crushed an ancient volcano, and it evokes nothing short of awe. Crater Lake is the deepest and most pure lake in the United States, with blue waters and a magnificent location atop the Cascade Mountain Range that has inspired artists for ages.
Either you are looking for fun outdoor adventures immersed in nature or want to have a relaxing time. Crater Lake will provide all these terrific opportunities to do both. The lake offers a variety of hikes with such a spectacular scenario loop road with several vantage points around the rim.
Painted Hills
Set near the small town of Mitchell as part of the John Day Fossil Beds in eastern Oregon, Painted Hills is a collection of hills created from a series of volcanic ash eruptions that formed approximately 32 million years ago. What makes them so unique is there colored in different tones of red, tan, orange, gold, and black that change during the year depending on the light levels.
Unlike most portrayals of Oregon, this part of Oregon is a high desert, a scene you wouldn’t expect to see here! You’ll learn about the area’s past through fossilized rocks, surrounded by hiking paths and other natural treasures like the Sheep Rock Unit.
Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach is a picturesque small town on the coast of Oregon that will give you the chance to get the perfect mix of outdoor adventures and city comforts.
Imagine the iconic Haystack Rock looming on the shoreline, beautiful ocean views, and views of waterfalls cascading directly onto the sand to get a pretty good picture of what a visit to Cannon Beach is all about. Add art galleries, numerous restaurants, and quaint boutiques into the mix, and you’ve got yourself a place that has it all!
Sea Lion Caves
Located on the Oregon coast near the charming town of Florence, Sea Lion Caves is a massive cave that, during the fall and winter months, becomes the temporary home of colonies of Stellar Sea Lions.
As if that weren’t enough, Sea Lion Cave measures 125 feet high and is a whopping 1,315 feet long, making it the longest cave in the United States.
Columbia River Gorge
If you’re looking for a combination of outdoor adventures, beautiful waterfalls, and lots of wine, Columbia River Gorge is just the place you’ve been dreaming of.
Chasing waterfalls is a popular sport in this part of the world! In the Columbia River Gorge on the Oregon side alone, there are 90 waterfalls. Hiking on one of the site’s hiking trails is an excellent method. Multnomah Falls, with its 620-foot height, is a must-see. If you enjoy water activities, Hood River, known as one of the world’s windsurfing hotspots, is the place to be.
After a day spent exploring, the perfect way to unwind is by indulging in one of the many farm-to-table restaurants and enjoying some locally produced wine. The show’s start was Syrah and Tempranillo Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Suttle Lake
In the mood for some alpine scenery and a beautiful lake? Head to Suttle Lake, a pristine alpine lake located only 37 miles from the town of Bend. Tucked away inside Deschutes National Forest, Suttle Lake lies amidst a dense forest full of towering Ponderosa Pines in sunny Central Oregon.
Here, you can choose a hiking trail to explore the area to the fullest and get more personal with its nature. Fishing and camping are prevalent, but cozy log cabins and a beautiful lodge are available if roughing it up isn’t your style.
Wallowa Mountains
Also known as Oregon’s alps, Wallowa Mountains provide a fantastic opportunity for visitors to look down from a summit and catch views of the high desert of the Indian Country on one side and Hells Canyon on the other.
The Oregon Trail carved the land here, and it has hardly changed since pioneers crossed it by wagon. Today, it features fields full of wildlife and clearings dotted with small towns, a few of which are said to haunt.
You can climb ride a horse to the top, but the gondola that runs from To the top of Mt. Howard from Wallowa Lake Village is the fastest (and best) way to get there.
Have you ever been to the beautiful state of Oregon? What are some of the must-see places in the state, in your opinion? Let us know.