From the glittering coastline to the otherworld desert, Oregon is full of breathtaking natural beauty. Whether you enjoy hiking, sightseeing, rafting, camping, or simply relaxing in nature, head to these 11 gorgeous places in Oregon for an unforgettable excursion.
- Ecola State Park
flickr/ Thomas Shahan With outstanding views like this one, Ecola State Park is one of the most beautiful places on the coast. There are lots of great opportunities here for hiking, sightseeing, exploring tide pools, and relaxing on the beach.
- John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
flickr/ Giuliano Ambrosio Home of the amazing Painted Hills, the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is absolutely out of this world. Explore the unique, ancient landscape, check out amazing fossils, have a picnic, and stroll along a boardwalk through rolling, magenta-colored hills.
- Silver Falls State Park
flickr/ Ian Sane Located 20 miles from Salem, this incredible state park is Oregon’s largest, and one of the most incredible. There are tons of amazing trails winding through the serene forest, past glittering streams, beautiful canyons, and gorgeous waterfalls.
- Crater Lake
flickr/ Jonathan Miske Crater Lake is often called the “Crown Jewel” of Oregon, and for good reason. This spectacular lake is the deepest in the country and it’s located in the crater of a dormant volcano. Because the water is sourced entirely from snow and rain, it is incredibly pure, giving it the vibrant blue color that it’s so famous for.
- Wallowa Mountains
flickr/ Ben Everyone in Oregon should see the lovely Wallowa Mountains for themselves. Located in eastern Oregon, this stunning mountain range is full of majestic peaks, beautiful lakes, hiking trails, and more. For a unique adventure, take the Wallowa Lake Tramway (photographed above) to the top of Mt Howard for some phenomenal sightseeing and a short, beautiful hike.
- The Rogue River
flickr/ Zach Jackson The Rogue River is a truly incredible body of water that winds through the beautiful southwest Oregon landscape. It’s a great place for boating, hiking, fishing, white water rafting, and so much more.
- Three Sisters Wilderness
flickr/ Jon Nelson Named after the beautiful Three Sisters volcanos, this wilderness area is part of the dramatic Cascade range and is full of breathtaking scenery. Here’s a photo of bucks grazing beneath the amazing Broken Top.
- Smith Rock State Park
flickr/ Thomas Shahan There’s nowhere else in Oregon quite like the amazing Smith Rock State Park. This wonderful place is full of twisting rivers and stunning geological formations. If you love hiking, sightseeing, or rock climbing, this is the place for you.
- Mary’s Peak
flickr/ Bureau of Land Management Mary’s Peak is the highest point in Oregon’s coastal range, and it’s absolutely beautiful. Visit in spring or early summer to see the hillside covered in vibrant wildflowers, and walk through one of the most amazing old growth forests in Oregon.
- Steens Mountain
flickr/ Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington Located in a remote area of southwest Oregon, the Steens Mountain Wilderness is truly a wonder to behold. Drive up into this dramatic landscape for an unforgettable adventure; there are plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping, and simply soaking in this gorgeous slice of wilderness.
- The Columbia River Gorge
flickr/ melfoody The Columbia Gorge is a beautiful area of northern Oregon full of mossy green canyons, serene hikes, stunning lookouts, and hundreds of amazing waterfalls including the legendary Multnomah Falls.
What are some other beautiful places in Oregon to have an unforgettable adventure?
flickr/ Thomas Shahan
With outstanding views like this one, Ecola State Park is one of the most beautiful places on the coast. There are lots of great opportunities here for hiking, sightseeing, exploring tide pools, and relaxing on the beach.
flickr/ Giuliano Ambrosio
Home of the amazing Painted Hills, the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is absolutely out of this world. Explore the unique, ancient landscape, check out amazing fossils, have a picnic, and stroll along a boardwalk through rolling, magenta-colored hills.
flickr/ Ian Sane
Located 20 miles from Salem, this incredible state park is Oregon’s largest, and one of the most incredible. There are tons of amazing trails winding through the serene forest, past glittering streams, beautiful canyons, and gorgeous waterfalls.
flickr/ Jonathan Miske
Crater Lake is often called the “Crown Jewel” of Oregon, and for good reason. This spectacular lake is the deepest in the country and it’s located in the crater of a dormant volcano. Because the water is sourced entirely from snow and rain, it is incredibly pure, giving it the vibrant blue color that it’s so famous for.
flickr/ Ben
Everyone in Oregon should see the lovely Wallowa Mountains for themselves. Located in eastern Oregon, this stunning mountain range is full of majestic peaks, beautiful lakes, hiking trails, and more. For a unique adventure, take the Wallowa Lake Tramway (photographed above) to the top of Mt Howard for some phenomenal sightseeing and a short, beautiful hike.
flickr/ Zach Jackson
The Rogue River is a truly incredible body of water that winds through the beautiful southwest Oregon landscape. It’s a great place for boating, hiking, fishing, white water rafting, and so much more.
flickr/ Jon Nelson
Named after the beautiful Three Sisters volcanos, this wilderness area is part of the dramatic Cascade range and is full of breathtaking scenery. Here’s a photo of bucks grazing beneath the amazing Broken Top.
There’s nowhere else in Oregon quite like the amazing Smith Rock State Park. This wonderful place is full of twisting rivers and stunning geological formations. If you love hiking, sightseeing, or rock climbing, this is the place for you.
flickr/ Bureau of Land Management
Mary’s Peak is the highest point in Oregon’s coastal range, and it’s absolutely beautiful. Visit in spring or early summer to see the hillside covered in vibrant wildflowers, and walk through one of the most amazing old growth forests in Oregon.
flickr/ Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington
Located in a remote area of southwest Oregon, the Steens Mountain Wilderness is truly a wonder to behold. Drive up into this dramatic landscape for an unforgettable adventure; there are plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping, and simply soaking in this gorgeous slice of wilderness.
flickr/ melfoody
The Columbia Gorge is a beautiful area of northern Oregon full of mossy green canyons, serene hikes, stunning lookouts, and hundreds of amazing waterfalls including the legendary Multnomah Falls.
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