Home to vast deserts, hidden beaches, enchanting forests, alpine lakes, and more, Oregon is full of unparalleled beauty. No matter how long you’ve been here, there’s always something new and amazing to discover. For an unforgettable excursion, head to these 11 natural wonders that you’ll only find in Oregon:
- Multnomah Falls
flickr/ Michael Matti Located in the Columbia River Gorge just east of Portland, Multnomah Falls is a spectacular natural wonder. This amazing 620-foot waterfall is the second tallest year-round waterfall in the country, and you simply have to see it with your own eyes. Find out more here.
- Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
flickr/ afletch4141 The Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor is an underrated section of the Southern Oregon Coast that’s full of amazing hikes, hidden beaches, breathtaking viewpoints, and more. Find out more here.
- Silver Falls State Park
flickr/ Ian Sane Silver Falls State Park is Oregon’s largest state park, and it’s full to the brim with only the most breathtaking scenery. The park is home to numerous hiking trails, but the most incredible is the Trail of Ten Falls, which takes you past (and sometimes behind) 10 jaw dropping waterfalls. Find out more here.
- Lost Lake
flickr/ Beau Rogers Hidden deep in the Mt Hood National Forest, Lost Lake is a beautiful, serene body of water encircled by dense green woods and reflecting the picturesque peak of Mt Hood. It’s a great place for swimming, boating, hiking, fishing, camping, picnicking, and more. Find out more here.
- Alvord Desert
flickr/ Andrew C. Pulliam Located in southwestern Oregon under the rain shadow of Steens Mountain, Alvord Desert is a little-known, secluded salt flat in Oregon that could probably pass for mars. Find out more here.
- Cannon Beach
flickr/ Jeremy Piehler If you’ve ever seen The Goonies, you’re likely the recognize this iconic Oregon beach from the film. Cannon Beach is among some of the most incredible beaches in the world, and it’s also home to Haystack Rock, a massive seastack that looks straight out of a fairytale. Find out more here.
- Crater Lake
flickr/ Charles Dawley If you haven’t seen Crater Lake with your own two eyes, you should put it at the top of your itinerary. This amazing lake is the deepest in the country, and its stunning blue waters looks like something from a dream. Find out more here.
- Elowah Falls
flickr/ Michael Matti Nestled into the incredible Columbia River Gorge, Elowah Falls is an amazing hidden gem waterfall that can be reached on an easy 1.6-mile hike through the woods. Find out more here.
- Painted Hills
flickr/ Bill Young The Painted Hills is an amazing natural wonder where you’ll find dramatic rolling hills streaked with vibrant colors as if painted with an artist’s brush. Short trails wind through the landscape giving visitors unparalleled views. Find out more here.
- Smith Rock
flickr/ Thomas Shahan Tucked into the high desert of Central Oregon, Smith Rock is a extraordinary place full of enormous geological formations that’ll make you feel like you’re on another planet. Smith Rock is a great place for hiking, camping, rock climbing, and more. Find out more here.
- Toketee Falls
flickr/ LDELD Toketee Falls is a majestic waterfall located on the Umpqua River. A short, easy hike will lead you within viewing distance of this spectacular natural wonder as it pours gracefully over basalt columns into a clear blue basin. Find out more here.
How many of these amazing places have you visited? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
flickr/ Michael Matti
Located in the Columbia River Gorge just east of Portland, Multnomah Falls is a spectacular natural wonder. This amazing 620-foot waterfall is the second tallest year-round waterfall in the country, and you simply have to see it with your own eyes. Find out more here.
flickr/ afletch4141
The Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor is an underrated section of the Southern Oregon Coast that’s full of amazing hikes, hidden beaches, breathtaking viewpoints, and more. Find out more here.
flickr/ Ian Sane
Silver Falls State Park is Oregon’s largest state park, and it’s full to the brim with only the most breathtaking scenery. The park is home to numerous hiking trails, but the most incredible is the Trail of Ten Falls, which takes you past (and sometimes behind) 10 jaw dropping waterfalls. Find out more here.
flickr/ Beau Rogers
Hidden deep in the Mt Hood National Forest, Lost Lake is a beautiful, serene body of water encircled by dense green woods and reflecting the picturesque peak of Mt Hood. It’s a great place for swimming, boating, hiking, fishing, camping, picnicking, and more. Find out more here.
flickr/ Andrew C. Pulliam
Located in southwestern Oregon under the rain shadow of Steens Mountain, Alvord Desert is a little-known, secluded salt flat in Oregon that could probably pass for mars. Find out more here.
flickr/ Jeremy Piehler
If you’ve ever seen The Goonies, you’re likely the recognize this iconic Oregon beach from the film. Cannon Beach is among some of the most incredible beaches in the world, and it’s also home to Haystack Rock, a massive seastack that looks straight out of a fairytale. Find out more here.
flickr/ Charles Dawley
If you haven’t seen Crater Lake with your own two eyes, you should put it at the top of your itinerary. This amazing lake is the deepest in the country, and its stunning blue waters looks like something from a dream. Find out more here.
Nestled into the incredible Columbia River Gorge, Elowah Falls is an amazing hidden gem waterfall that can be reached on an easy 1.6-mile hike through the woods. Find out more here.
flickr/ Bill Young
The Painted Hills is an amazing natural wonder where you’ll find dramatic rolling hills streaked with vibrant colors as if painted with an artist’s brush. Short trails wind through the landscape giving visitors unparalleled views. Find out more here.
flickr/ Thomas Shahan
Tucked into the high desert of Central Oregon, Smith Rock is a extraordinary place full of enormous geological formations that’ll make you feel like you’re on another planet. Smith Rock is a great place for hiking, camping, rock climbing, and more. Find out more here.
flickr/ LDELD
Toketee Falls is a majestic waterfall located on the Umpqua River. A short, easy hike will lead you within viewing distance of this spectacular natural wonder as it pours gracefully over basalt columns into a clear blue basin. Find out more here.
Check out our Oregon Summer Bucket List here.
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