Gaze into dramatic blue depths.
Kick back with a post- beer.
The secrets out: Oregon is a hikers heaven. What makes it such a magical destination for the trail-bound is its surprising diversity of terrain.
Its famed for its lush greenery, exemplified by the Willamette Valley surrounding Portland. The waterfall-strewn Columbia River Gorge and the states tallest peak, snowcapped Mount Hood, are world-class recreation destinations. The rugged Oregon Coast is speckled with crags, peaks, lighthouses, and viewpoints that reflect millennia of intense rains, frostbitten winters, and never-ending windstorms. Along the spine of the Cascade Range running through the state, youll find high-desert expanses and volcanic landscapes near Bend, not to mention Crater Lake, an isolated sapphire gem. The John Day Fossil Beds in central Oregon evidence more than 40 million years of changing climates, ecosystems, and natural evolution, as well as the Painted Hills, showcasing surreal layers of color. On the less-discovered eastern side of the state, you can wander the granite Wallowa Mountains and find authentic Oregon Trail wagon tracks in the Blue Mountains. Steens Mountain forms a natural wall hiding Oregons driest point: the Alvord Desert. In between you can delight in wildflower-flecked meadows, swim in alpine lakes, and hop on a stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Its possible to spend a lifetime discovering and rediscovering Oregons landscape.
LOWER MACLEAY TRAIL
Camping the Coast
With a mix of sea stacks, lighthouses, towering capes, tide pools, and beaches, the Pacific Northwests coast offers classic adventure. Pick a hike and then pitch a tent nearby for the night, or string these suggestions togethertheyre listed north to southto hop your way down the coast on a hiking-camping trip. Driving time between successive campgrounds ranges 0.75-3.25 hours.
Cannon Beach
The tent sites at Saddle Mountain State Natural Area promise a quiet respite from some of the regions more crowded campgrounds. Situated early along the Saddle Mountain Trail, youll appreciate the proximity after climbing nearly 1,500 feet up the mountains slopes.
Tillamook
Sitting on a sand spit between Netarts Bay and the Pacific Ocean, Cape Lookout State Park has a developed campground nestled in the heart of the Tillamook coast. Just a few miles south, you can hike to the tip of Cape Lookout, one of the best whale-watching spots on the entire Oregon Coast.
Yachats
The Cape Perpetua Campground makes a great base for exploring the areas natural beauty. Thors Well, Spouting Horn, and the best view on the Oregon Coastaccording to the U.S. Forest Serviceare some of the many highlights along Cape Perpetuas network of trails.
Florence
Embark on a magical hike to one of the coasts most iconic lighthousesplus a beachon the Heceta Head to Hobbit Trail. Less than a 30-minute drive south on U.S. 101 brings you to the campground at Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park, set amid the Oregon Dunes.
HECETA HEAD LIGHTHOUSE
Brookings
You dont have to go far to see one of the northernmost redwood groves on Earthin fact, its a short walk from your campsite at Alfred A. Loeb State Park. On the River View Trail to Redwood Nature Trail, youll pass through a forest of Oregon myrtle before reaching the towering trees.
Day-Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail
The 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) stretches from Mexico to Canada and is a dream trip for many backpackers. While thru-hikers take months to walk the entire trail, such an adventure isnt realistic for many. This doesnt mean you cant enjoy the famous route: Oregon is home to about 450 miles of it and offers numerous opportunities for day hikes, as well as nearby camping options.
Columbia River Gorge
The hike to Dry Creek Falls follows the PCT through patches of burned forestdamage done by the 2017 Eagle Creek Firebefore an offshoot trail detours to the base of the namesake falls. Camp about 8 miles east of the trailhead at