There’s no doubt in our minds that Oregon is the most beautiful place in the world. From our expansive deserts and dunes to our lush, green waterfalls and stunning coastline, the Beaver State is unparalleled. Here are 13 impressive sights you’ll only ever find in Oregon:
- Mount Hood
Carol Munro/flickr Mount Hood is iconic Oregon. Standing proud at an elevation of 11,250 feet, it’s Oregon’s highest mountain, and immediately recognizable. From casual hiking to hard-core mountain climbing, Mount Hood has something to offer everyone.
- Smith Rock State Park
Thomas Shahan/flickr Smith Rock State Park is considered one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon, and you’ll see why when you visit. With more than a thousand bolted routes, Smith Rock is paradise for rock climbers, but you don’t have to scale the cliffs for some stunning views.
- Crater Lake
Sara Lucas/flickr Crater Lake is not only the deepest lake in the country, it’s also the most picturesque. The lake fills the caldera formed when Mount Mazama collapsed more than 7,000 years ago. Its azure waters compel photographers around the world to capture this beauty.
- Multnomah Falls
Nagaraju Hanchanahal/flickr Oregon has hundreds of jaw-dropping waterfalls, but Multnomah is likely the most famous. With its two drops totalling 611 feet, this stunner draws tourists and locals alike to witness its splendor.
- Peter Iredale Shipwreck
LDELD/flickr The Peter Iredale wrecked on October 25, 1906 when strong winds during a winter storm heaved the ship ashore. Luckily there were no casualties, and the shipwreck is one of the most accessible along the coast, so we can get a look at history from Fort Stevens State Park.
- Alvord Desert and Steens Mountain
Bureau of Land Management The Alvord Desert is an unexpected natural beauty. The dry lake bed spans 12 miles by 7 miles, and the best views can be found from one of five overlooks on Steens Mountain, which towers above the desert.
- Columbia River Gorge
Brett Vogle/flickr We’re still healing from the massive wildfire that ravaged some of the gorge in 2017, but even with the damage, the gorge is still jaw-dropping. Stretching more than 80 miles, cliffs rise as high as 4,000 feet above the valley floor.
- The Three Sisters
Sally/flickr South, North, and Middle Sister each rise more than 10,000 feet above the valley below. They were once volcanoes, but they haven’t been active for more than 14,000 years.
- Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach
ilirjan rrumbullaku/flickr Photographers flock to the Oregon coast, and one of their favorite spots is Cannon Beach. Though there are three “Haystack Rocks” on the coast, the one at Cannon Beach is the most famous.
- Wallowa Mountains
Kevin Thomas/flickr Northeast Oregon is home to the Wallowa Mountain Range, another of Oregon’s Seven Wonders. You’ll find tons of recreation here, but if you want some stellar views, you can just hop on the gondola at Wallowa Lake.
- Oregon Dunes
daveynin/flickr The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area covers 31,400 acres and is, “one of the largest temperate coastal sand dunes in the word,” according to the Forest Service. The dunes are perfect for strolling, kite flying, and exploring via ATV.
- Painted Hills
Lucas Lin/flickr Oregon’s Painted Hills showcase our state’s diversity. They cover 3,132 acres and offer up a vibrant palette of colorful rock layers. Visit in the late afternoon hours for some incredible photo opportunities.
- Wild Rogue River Canyon
ilya_ktsn/flickr The Wild Rogue River Canyon has all the elements of Oregon beauty: a beautiful river, stunning mountains, old-growth forest, and plenty of recreation. The Rogue is one of the best places for fishing, with more than 100,000 Pacific salmon during parts of the year.
Of course, this list just barely scratches the surface! What other beautiful spots belong on this list?
Carol Munro/flickr
Mount Hood is iconic Oregon. Standing proud at an elevation of 11,250 feet, it’s Oregon’s highest mountain, and immediately recognizable. From casual hiking to hard-core mountain climbing, Mount Hood has something to offer everyone.
Thomas Shahan/flickr
Smith Rock State Park is considered one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon, and you’ll see why when you visit. With more than a thousand bolted routes, Smith Rock is paradise for rock climbers, but you don’t have to scale the cliffs for some stunning views.
Sara Lucas/flickr
Crater Lake is not only the deepest lake in the country, it’s also the most picturesque. The lake fills the caldera formed when Mount Mazama collapsed more than 7,000 years ago. Its azure waters compel photographers around the world to capture this beauty.
Nagaraju Hanchanahal/flickr
Oregon has hundreds of jaw-dropping waterfalls, but Multnomah is likely the most famous. With its two drops totalling 611 feet, this stunner draws tourists and locals alike to witness its splendor.
LDELD/flickr
The Peter Iredale wrecked on October 25, 1906 when strong winds during a winter storm heaved the ship ashore. Luckily there were no casualties, and the shipwreck is one of the most accessible along the coast, so we can get a look at history from Fort Stevens State Park.
Bureau of Land Management
The Alvord Desert is an unexpected natural beauty. The dry lake bed spans 12 miles by 7 miles, and the best views can be found from one of five overlooks on Steens Mountain, which towers above the desert.
Brett Vogle/flickr
We’re still healing from the massive wildfire that ravaged some of the gorge in 2017, but even with the damage, the gorge is still jaw-dropping. Stretching more than 80 miles, cliffs rise as high as 4,000 feet above the valley floor.
Sally/flickr
South, North, and Middle Sister each rise more than 10,000 feet above the valley below. They were once volcanoes, but they haven’t been active for more than 14,000 years.
ilirjan rrumbullaku/flickr
Photographers flock to the Oregon coast, and one of their favorite spots is Cannon Beach. Though there are three “Haystack Rocks” on the coast, the one at Cannon Beach is the most famous.
Kevin Thomas/flickr
Northeast Oregon is home to the Wallowa Mountain Range, another of Oregon’s Seven Wonders. You’ll find tons of recreation here, but if you want some stellar views, you can just hop on the gondola at Wallowa Lake.
daveynin/flickr
The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area covers 31,400 acres and is, “one of the largest temperate coastal sand dunes in the word,” according to the Forest Service. The dunes are perfect for strolling, kite flying, and exploring via ATV.
Lucas Lin/flickr
Oregon’s Painted Hills showcase our state’s diversity. They cover 3,132 acres and offer up a vibrant palette of colorful rock layers. Visit in the late afternoon hours for some incredible photo opportunities.
ilya_ktsn/flickr
The Wild Rogue River Canyon has all the elements of Oregon beauty: a beautiful river, stunning mountains, old-growth forest, and plenty of recreation. The Rogue is one of the best places for fishing, with more than 100,000 Pacific salmon during parts of the year.
Looking for more stunning Oregon locations? Take a look at these 9 beautiful Oregon locations you probably didn’t know existed.
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