Oregon Vacation Ideas
Mild temperatures, vivid scenery and a wide range of outdoor activities make the coast one of Oregon's most popular regions.
It's nearly 363 miles of public coastline is made up of diverse terrain that changes from rugged cliffs to evergreen forests to Sahara-like dunes and sandy beaches. The area is known for its legendary seafood, historic lighthouses, breathtaking viewpoints, stunning state parks and a world class aquarium.
Claming at Agate Beach
Also known as a surfer's paradise Clam diggers seem to just as much fun. The Oregon Coast Aquarium and Hatfield Marine Science Center are also near by. A tunnel leads to the invigorating ocean beach and day use area.
Alfred A. Loeb State Park
The park is nestled in a grove of trees. Many of the trees in the park are well over 200 years old and the Chetco River is just beyond the park. Several campsites and three rental cabins face the river. Families of river otters splash in the water.
The northern most redwood grove in the U.S. can be reached by a .75-mile River View Trail adjacent to the Chetco River.
During the year, you can fish, swim and kayak, or just hike a streamside nature trail. The river offers some of the finest fall and winter salmon and steelhead fishing on the south coast.
Baker Beach
Campground features five campsites and access to coastal trails. Campsites have tables and fire rings. Many trails lead from the parking area to beach vistas over looking the dunes to the west and Lily Lake to the east.
This campground has no electrical, water, or sewer hookups. Canoes, rafts, or other small watercraft may be used at Lily Lake.
Bluebill Campground
Located in the southwest corner of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Bluebill Campground offers hiking and access to the Pacific Ocean, which is one mile west of the campground. Facilities include flush toilets, tables, fire rings, water and trailer parking.
Cape Blanco
Visitors can hike over eight miles of trails with many spectacular ocean vistas, woodland and wetland settings.
Bring your horse and enjoy seven miles of horse trails and the facilities in the horse camp.
Cape Blanco offers beach access, camping, RV camping with full hookups, picnicking, hiking trails, horse trails, boating, interpretive tours, viewing marine and terrestrial wildlife, bird watching, historic buildings, lighthouses, incredible land formations and scenery.
Archie Knowles Campground
A favorite of tent campers, as well as fully contained RVers, The campground provides visitors with access to hiking and fishing opportunities. The campground lies along the banks of Knowles Creek, a clear water stream that has its origins in the Coast Range.
Facilities include trailer parking, water and flush toilets. There are no electrical or water hookups at the campground.
Alder Dune
Alder Dune provides access to a wide variety of recreational opportunities including hiking, fishing, swimming, bicycle riding, and boating.
Other activities in the area are fishing and boating at other area lakes including Sutton, Munsel, Mercer, and Siltcoos Lakes, as well as beach combing on the beautiful Oregon beaches.
Crater Lake National Park
No place else on earth combine will you find a lake with such a deep cobalt blue color, such pure water, sheer surrounding cliffs almost two thousand feet high, two picturesque islands and a violent volcanic past.
Crater Lake has to be one of the most inspiring places on Earth. It is a place of immeasurable beauty.
Located in Southern Oregon on the crest of the Cascade Mountain range, 100 miles east of the Pacific Ocean. It lies inside a caldera, or volcanic basin, created when the 12,000 foot high Mount Mazama collapsed 7,700 years ago following a large eruption.
Generous amounts of winter snow, averaging 533 inches per year, supply the lake with water. There are no inlets or outlets to the lake.
Crater Lake is the seventh deepest lake in the world, at 1,943 feet deep, and the deepest in the United States. Evaporation and seepage prevent the lake from becoming any deeper.
If you ever go to Oregon you MUST stop here or you have missed out one of the most beautiful spots on Earth!
If the Earth is not enough that is O.K. Oregon is a great opportunity to teach yourself and the children about the planets and the night sky.
One of my favorite things to do is look for constellations and for just a few dollars you can pick up a star finder. It's not hard to do and it is a lifetime of knowledge and fun for everyone.
Mt. Hood
The Great Outdoors of the Mt. Hood Territory needs plenty of time to explore.
Travel anywhere in The Territory's 1,879 square miles, and you will find beautiful scenery and a profusion of outdoor adventures.
Mt. Hood's diverse climate allows for year round skiing and snowboarding in the morning and golf in the afternoon.
Pitch your tent in one of Mt. Hoods many campgrounds and cast your fishing line in the closest lake or river.
White-water rafting, bird watching, hiking, and bicycling are just a few of the adventures you and your family can take part in.
Rock Climbing
Oregon is dotted with great crags and despite Oregons reputation for rain the Eastern parts of Oregon has fewer rainy days and many people climb there all year long. Central Oregon also boasts Smith Rock, which is the birthplace of modern sport climbing.
Caving
Oregon has a rich history of volcanic activity making it a great caving destination. Because of the delicate nature of caves it we will not print locations of any private caves. However there is a great National Monument called Oregon Cave that is a great way to spend your day.
Oregon Caves National Monument offers family focused opportunities to explore a marble cave, visit a National Historic Landmark (the Oregon Caves Chateau) and hike trails through ancient forests.
Oregon is rich with fun vacations of the family as well as the individual explorer.
Enjoy your vacation!