Oregon is positively spectacular, so it comes as no surprise that the beauty of many of Oregon’s natural wonders can draw a crowd. However, there are many hidden gems throughout the state where you can find some peace and quiet — and even solitude — surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Here are 12 enchanting, little known places in the Beaver State where you can escape into nature, AND escape the crowds.
- Paulina Lake
flickr/ dirtsailor2003 Located in the Deschutes National Forest, Paulina Lake is a gorgeous crater lake in Central Oregon surrounded by miles of lush green forests.
- Hug Point
flickr/ Jeff Hollett Get off the beaten path and visit the wonderful Hug Point, a hidden beach located on the coast near Arch Cape. A short, easy hike leads visitors to this secluded cove, where you can relax in the sand, explore sea caves and tide pools, and even see a beautiful waterfall cascading onto the shore.
- Lost Lake
flickr/ Peter Roome Located deep in the Mt Hood National Forest, Lost Lake is a stunning alpine lake with an unbeatable view of Mt Hood. It’s a great place for camping, swimming, kayaking, hiking, and more.
- Alvord Hot Springs
flickr/ Wildernice Unlike many of Oregon’s hot springs, you’ll most likely be able to find some solitude at the incredible, remote Alvord Hot Springs, located in the little-known Alvord Desert in southeast Oregon.
- Opal Creek
flickr/ Bret Vogel Tucked into an lush green forest, Opal Creek is a stunning hidden gem with amazing hikes and swimming holes that are perfect for a hot summer day.
- Oregon Dunes
flickr/ callandresponse The Oregon Dunes is an incredible natural wonder located on the coast. This 40-mile stretch of huge, shifting sand dunes is a great place for hiking, picnicking, camping, and photography.
- White River Falls
flickr/ oregon ducatisti Located at the White River Falls State Park, not far from The Dalles, this incredible waterfall is positively magnificent – and surprisingly little known. You can take a hike along the river, have a picnic overlooking the falls, wade into the cool basin, or even explore an abandoned hydropower plant.
- Pillars of Rome
flickr/ Charles Knowles Located deep in Oregon’s Jordan Valley, this incredible natural wonder is off the beaten path.
- Hobbit Beach
flickr/ J We The Oregon coast is a popular tourist destination, but here and there you can still find some gorgeous hidden beaches. One of those is Hobbit Beach, a beautiful sandy cove located at the end of the 1-mile Hobbit Trail.
- Steens Mountain
flickr/ Bureau of Land Management For a slice of true wilderness, check out the amazing Steens Mountain, located in southeast Oregon. The vast, rugged landscape will blow you away. It’s a great place for backpacking, camping, taking a scenic drive, and viewing wildlife – you may even get a glimpse of some of the wild horses that roam the area.
- Waldo Lake
flickr/ Byron Hetrick Nestled into the Willamette National Forest, this beautiful alpine lake is a great place to get away from it all.
- Leslie Gulch
flickr/ Nicholas D. You’ll likely find some solitude at the incredible Leslie Gulch, located in Malheur County. This stunning canyon is full of rugged, otherworldly scenery that will drop your jaw.
Find out about some of the most beautiful hidden gems on the Oregon Coast here.
flickr/ dirtsailor2003
Located in the Deschutes National Forest, Paulina Lake is a gorgeous crater lake in Central Oregon surrounded by miles of lush green forests.
flickr/ Jeff Hollett
Get off the beaten path and visit the wonderful Hug Point, a hidden beach located on the coast near Arch Cape. A short, easy hike leads visitors to this secluded cove, where you can relax in the sand, explore sea caves and tide pools, and even see a beautiful waterfall cascading onto the shore.
flickr/ Peter Roome
Located deep in the Mt Hood National Forest, Lost Lake is a stunning alpine lake with an unbeatable view of Mt Hood. It’s a great place for camping, swimming, kayaking, hiking, and more.
flickr/ Wildernice
Unlike many of Oregon’s hot springs, you’ll most likely be able to find some solitude at the incredible, remote Alvord Hot Springs, located in the little-known Alvord Desert in southeast Oregon.
flickr/ Bret Vogel
Tucked into an lush green forest, Opal Creek is a stunning hidden gem with amazing hikes and swimming holes that are perfect for a hot summer day.
flickr/ callandresponse
The Oregon Dunes is an incredible natural wonder located on the coast. This 40-mile stretch of huge, shifting sand dunes is a great place for hiking, picnicking, camping, and photography.
flickr/ oregon ducatisti
Located at the White River Falls State Park, not far from The Dalles, this incredible waterfall is positively magnificent – and surprisingly little known. You can take a hike along the river, have a picnic overlooking the falls, wade into the cool basin, or even explore an abandoned hydropower plant.
flickr/ Charles Knowles
Located deep in Oregon’s Jordan Valley, this incredible natural wonder is off the beaten path.
flickr/ J We
The Oregon coast is a popular tourist destination, but here and there you can still find some gorgeous hidden beaches. One of those is Hobbit Beach, a beautiful sandy cove located at the end of the 1-mile Hobbit Trail.
flickr/ Bureau of Land Management
For a slice of true wilderness, check out the amazing Steens Mountain, located in southeast Oregon. The vast, rugged landscape will blow you away. It’s a great place for backpacking, camping, taking a scenic drive, and viewing wildlife – you may even get a glimpse of some of the wild horses that roam the area.
flickr/ Byron Hetrick
Nestled into the Willamette National Forest, this beautiful alpine lake is a great place to get away from it all.
flickr/ Nicholas D.
You’ll likely find some solitude at the incredible Leslie Gulch, located in Malheur County. This stunning canyon is full of rugged, otherworldly scenery that will drop your jaw.
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