From secluded beaches to amazing state parks, Oregon is full of amazing things to do and places to explore. There’s much more to Oregon than Multnomah Falls and Voodoo Donuts. Get off the beaten path and check out these 13 underrated places in the beautiful Beaver State:
- Smith Rock State Park
Flickr/ Evan Smith Rock State Park is an amazing destination for rock climbers and nature lovers alike.
- Shore Acres State Park
Flickr/ Jasperdo Shore Acres State Park is a wonderful place to visit on the Oregon coast. The park features a beautiful botanical garden and stunning shorelines.
- Salt Creek Falls
Flickr/ Pete The stunning Salt Creek Falls is the second tallest waterfall in Oregon, and it’s much less touristy than the (also beautiful) Multnomah Falls.
- Go to a U-Pick farm
Flickr/ Bill Reynolds Oregon has many lovely U-Pick farms where you can find the freshest produce and get a taste of bucolic Oregon farmland. Here’s a photo of the beautiful Hood River lavender farm where you can pick your own lavender.
- The Painted Hills
Flickr/ Bill Young This spectacular feature of the John Day Fossil Beds is millions of years old, and it’s absolutely jaw-dropping. Be sure to check out the other features of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument as well. The whole area is stunning.
- When you’re craving a donut in Portland, try Blue Star
Flickr/ Ang Want to get your “quirky Portland donut” fix but don’t want to stand in line at Voodoo Doughnuts for hours on end? Head to Blue Star Donuts, a wonderful donut shop with delicious, surprising flavors like Blueberry Bourbon Basil, Matcha Green Tea and more.
- The Wallowas
Flickr/ Baker County Tourism Check out the Wallowa Mountains in Eastern Oregon, the least populated of Oregon’s Seven Natural Wonders. The area is absolutely beautiful.
- Walk the streets of a ghost town
Flickr/ Benjamin Chan Oregon has more ghost towns than any other state in the country, and they’re absolutely fascinating. Here’s a photo of Oregon’s most famous ghost town, Shaniko.
- See wildlife at a nature preserve
Flickr/ Bureau of Land Management There are many places in Oregon to see amazing animals in their natural habitat. If you want to see Elk, check out Deans Creek Elk Preserve (pictured above). If you’re a bird lover, check out Malheur National Wildlife Refuge or Sauvie Island Wildlife Area.
- Eat at a food cart in Portland
Flickr/ emmett anderson Try out one of Portland’s many food carts. There are food cart pods all over the city, and no matter what your preferences are, you’ll be sure to find something delicious.
- The Steens Mountain Wilderness
Flickr/ Bureau of Land Management The Steens Mountain Wilderness is located in a remote area of southeastern Oregon, and because of its isolated location it isn’t a very popular destination for tourists. However, If you’re ready for a road trip into the beautiful wilderness, the drive is absolutely worth it.
- Silver Falls State Park
Flickr/ Tim Vo Silver Falls State Park is an incredible state park in Silverton. Hike through the woods, take photos and check out countless gorgeous waterfalls on the way.
- Oswald West State Park
Flickr/ Paul Hamilton Skip the crowded beaches and check out Oswald West State Park, where you’ll find dramatic cliffs, sandy coves, amazing views and old growth forests.
Oregon is full of amazing places to explore. How many of these places have you been to? What are some other underrated places to take out-of-towners?
Flickr/ Evan
Smith Rock State Park is an amazing destination for rock climbers and nature lovers alike.
Flickr/ Jasperdo
Shore Acres State Park is a wonderful place to visit on the Oregon coast. The park features a beautiful botanical garden and stunning shorelines.
Flickr/ Pete
The stunning Salt Creek Falls is the second tallest waterfall in Oregon, and it’s much less touristy than the (also beautiful) Multnomah Falls.
Flickr/ Bill Reynolds
Oregon has many lovely U-Pick farms where you can find the freshest produce and get a taste of bucolic Oregon farmland. Here’s a photo of the beautiful Hood River lavender farm where you can pick your own lavender.
Flickr/ Bill Young
This spectacular feature of the John Day Fossil Beds is millions of years old, and it’s absolutely jaw-dropping. Be sure to check out the other features of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument as well. The whole area is stunning.
Flickr/ Ang
Want to get your “quirky Portland donut” fix but don’t want to stand in line at Voodoo Doughnuts for hours on end? Head to Blue Star Donuts, a wonderful donut shop with delicious, surprising flavors like Blueberry Bourbon Basil, Matcha Green Tea and more.
Flickr/ Baker County Tourism
Check out the Wallowa Mountains in Eastern Oregon, the least populated of Oregon’s Seven Natural Wonders. The area is absolutely beautiful.
Flickr/ Benjamin Chan
Oregon has more ghost towns than any other state in the country, and they’re absolutely fascinating. Here’s a photo of Oregon’s most famous ghost town, Shaniko.
Flickr/ Bureau of Land Management
There are many places in Oregon to see amazing animals in their natural habitat. If you want to see Elk, check out Deans Creek Elk Preserve (pictured above). If you’re a bird lover, check out Malheur National Wildlife Refuge or Sauvie Island Wildlife Area.
Flickr/ emmett anderson
Try out one of Portland’s many food carts. There are food cart pods all over the city, and no matter what your preferences are, you’ll be sure to find something delicious.
The Steens Mountain Wilderness is located in a remote area of southeastern Oregon, and because of its isolated location it isn’t a very popular destination for tourists. However, If you’re ready for a road trip into the beautiful wilderness, the drive is absolutely worth it.
Flickr/ Tim Vo
Silver Falls State Park is an incredible state park in Silverton. Hike through the woods, take photos and check out countless gorgeous waterfalls on the way.
Flickr/ Paul Hamilton
Skip the crowded beaches and check out Oswald West State Park, where you’ll find dramatic cliffs, sandy coves, amazing views and old growth forests.
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