There’s really no shortage of places to explore in Oregon. So many nationally-recognized monuments and natural wonders that we almost take it for granted. Almost. But there are so many other, perhaps lesser known places all over that you should stop to check out. Here are eight such spots.
- Washington Park, Portland
jpellgen/Flickr You’ll lose yourself in a good way in parks and gardens within this massive, hillside park. Check out the International Rose Test Garden, Japanese Garden (pictured here), and maybe stop in at the Oregon Zoo or Portland Children’s Museum.
- Hell’s Canyon National Recreation Area
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr Way up in Northeast Oregon is Hell’s Canyon, which is actually the deepest canyon in the country. If you’re in for the ultimate outdoor challenge, you will find it here, as many parts of this wilderness (within Wallowa-Whitman National Forest) is inaccessible.
- Oregon Caves National Monument
Tjflex2/Flickr Marvel at the subterranean wonderland. Your designated guide will take you on a 90-minute tour of the site, which sits at 4,000 ft. above sea level in the Siskiyou Mountains.
- Willamette Heritage Center at The Mill
Travel Salem/Flickr Venture off to Salem, where you’ll immerse yourself in some really impressive historical attractions. One such place is the Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill, which sits at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill - a site that’s been around since 1895.
- Oregon Coast Trail
Thomas Shahan/Flickr The hiking, breathtaking vistas and sandy beaches are endless along the Oregon Coast. You’ll be able to access the entirety of the coast along this route, which runs along US 101 from the Columbia River on down to California.
- Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
Sheila Sund/Flickr This 40-mile stretch of dunes wind along the coast and give you one of the best opportunities to explore the many dips into the beach, all while zipping along on an off-road vehicle.
- Fruit Loop, Hood River
Luke Detwiler/Flickr This legacy valley has been a bounty of amazing fruits for Oregonians for the better part of two centuries. Definitely worth the trip for the foodie in all of us.
- Willamette National Forest
Rick Obst/Flickr You’ll feel like a true explorer here, thanks to the winding slopes, volcanoes, rivers, and let’s not forget, the Dee Wright Observatory.
Kinda makes you think that there’s so much more to the state than you imagined. Tell us, where do you absolutely love to explore in Oregon that are perhaps a little off the beaten path?
jpellgen/Flickr
You’ll lose yourself in a good way in parks and gardens within this massive, hillside park. Check out the International Rose Test Garden, Japanese Garden (pictured here), and maybe stop in at the Oregon Zoo or Portland Children’s Museum.
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr
Way up in Northeast Oregon is Hell’s Canyon, which is actually the deepest canyon in the country. If you’re in for the ultimate outdoor challenge, you will find it here, as many parts of this wilderness (within Wallowa-Whitman National Forest) is inaccessible.
Tjflex2/Flickr
Marvel at the subterranean wonderland. Your designated guide will take you on a 90-minute tour of the site, which sits at 4,000 ft. above sea level in the Siskiyou Mountains.
Travel Salem/Flickr
Venture off to Salem, where you’ll immerse yourself in some really impressive historical attractions. One such place is the Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill, which sits at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill - a site that’s been around since 1895.
Thomas Shahan/Flickr
The hiking, breathtaking vistas and sandy beaches are endless along the Oregon Coast. You’ll be able to access the entirety of the coast along this route, which runs along US 101 from the Columbia River on down to California.
Sheila Sund/Flickr
This 40-mile stretch of dunes wind along the coast and give you one of the best opportunities to explore the many dips into the beach, all while zipping along on an off-road vehicle.
Luke Detwiler/Flickr
This legacy valley has been a bounty of amazing fruits for Oregonians for the better part of two centuries. Definitely worth the trip for the foodie in all of us.
Rick Obst/Flickr
You’ll feel like a true explorer here, thanks to the winding slopes, volcanoes, rivers, and let’s not forget, the Dee Wright Observatory.
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