The tenth largest state in the United States, Oregon exemplifies the beauty and wildness of America’s Pacific Northwest.
While there are many cultural venues in Oregonworth exploring, it’s the state’s diverse landscapes that draw many travelers to thiscorner of the country.
From rugged shorelines and thick verdant foreststo towering volcanic mountains and steep river gorges, Oregon’s natural attractions aresimply breathtaking.
Here’s a look at the best places to visitin Oregon: Number 10.
Columbia River Gorge Just a few miles east from Portland lies thevast U-shaped corridor known as the Columbia River Gorge.
Formed by cataclysmic Ice-Age floods, themiles-wide valley stretches for more than 70 miles along the Columbia River on Oregon’snorthern border.
Built in the early 1900s, the Historic ColumbiaRiver Highway takes visitors past dozen of waterfalls tumbling down the valley’s steepwalls.
Whether visiting in the autumn when the surroundingforests are draped in fall color or during the spring when wildflowers burst into bloom, the Columbia River Gorge offers spectacular vistas in every season.
Number 9.
Bend Paradise for nature lovers, Bend really doeshave it all when it comes to the great outdoors.
With the Cascade Mountains nearby, you canbe skiing one moment and rock-climbing or mountain biking the next, before heading offto explore its lakes and waterways.
Here, you can kayak, go fly-fishing or evenpaddleboard if the mood takes you.
With around three hundred days of sunshineevery year, you’re almost guaranteed to have an amazing time! Number 8.
Yachats The small town of Yachats is situated at thefoot of the 800 foot high Cape Perpetua on the Northern Oregon Coast.
The tiny village is a popular destinationfor travelers who want to enjoy all of the unspoiled beauty that Oregon’s coastlineoffers, minus the crowds.
Rocky tidal pools and small pocket beacheslie just outside the city’s boundaries, and visitors can often spot gray whales swimmingclose to shore in the spring.
Number 7.
Hells Canyon Recreational Area Located near the small town of Joseph in northeastOregon, the Hells Canyon Recreational Area outranks the Grand Canyon when it comes todepth.
Parts of the canyon surrounding the SnakeRiver are as deep as 8, 000 feet.
With few paved roads leading into the area, most visitors opt to enter the canyon by jet boat, although some trails are accessiblewith four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Touring the canyon on a whitewater raft isa popular activity.
Overnight horseback trips into the canyonare available as well.
Number 6.
Mount Hood The tallest peak in Oregon, Mount Hood ismuch more than just a stunning backdrop for the city of Portland 60 miles away.
It’s a travel destination that attractsvisitors all year long.
Five downhill ski areas and miles of cross-countrytrails keep the slopes of Mount Hood packed during the winter, and summer snowfall attractsvisitors to Mount Hood for off-season skiing as well.
For experienced mountaineers, climbing tothe summit of Mount Hood is another popular activity.
The historic Timberline Lodge, which was usedfor exterior shots in the movie “The Shining, ” offers great views of the Southern Cascades.
Number 5.
Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway One of the best ways to experience the beautyand splendor of Oregon’s Cascade Mountains is by touring the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.
The 66-mile route winds along river valleys, up mountains and past scenic lakes, offering visitors picturesque vistas and an abundanceof recreational opportunities along the way.
The route begins in the city of Bend, climbinginto forests of ponderosa pine towards Mount Bachelor.
Views of lakes formed by ancient lava flowsquickly come into view, each offering activities like swimming, fishing or boating.
The route ends at the winter resort communityof Sunriver.
Number 4.
Astoria The historic city of Astoria lies just a fewmiles southwest of the spot where explorers Lewis and Clark spent the winter of 1806 beforereturning to the East.
Five years later, John Jacob Astor foundedAstoria, making it the first United States settlement on the West Coast.
Situated at the mouth of the Columbia River, the city’s backdrop is the scenic Astoria-Megler Bridge, the country’s longest continuoustruss bridge.
The region’s unique Victorian architectureis best represented by the multicolored Flavel House built during the 1880s.
Number 3.
Portland Oregon’s largest city straddles the WillametteRiver near the point where it meets the mighty Columbia.
With Mount Hood in the distance and the PacificOcean just a short drive away, Portland is surrounded by natural beauty, and it’s clearby the sheer number of parks and gardens how much the city’s inhabitants value the outdoorlife.
The city’s ever-changing dining, music andart scenes are worth experiencing, and visits to the city’s quirky museums are fun too, but for many visitors, it’s venues like Forest Park and the International Rose Gardenthat make “The City of Roses” one of the best places to visit in Oregon.
Number 2.
Crater Lake National Park The most popular natural attraction in SouthernOregon, Crater Lake is what remains of a volcanic eruption that occurred on Mount Mazama 7, 700years ago.
With a depth of nearly 2, 000 feet, it’sthe deepest lake in the United States, and its tranquil sapphire-blue waters are a sightto behold.
With 90 miles of trails winding through thenational park, the area is a hiker’s paradise.
The 33 mile long Rim Drive offers less adventurousvisitors many scenic overlooks.
A guided boat tour of the lake and its centralisland is a must.
Number 1.
Cannon Beach.
Named after a cannon that washed ashore aftera shipwreck, Cannon Beach is one of the most popular of the seaside resorts that stretchalong Oregon’s 300 mile long coast.
Located around 80 miles to the west of Portland, the once-rustic artist community has grown into an upscale resort filled with restaurants, boutique shops and art galleries.
In-town attractions include the Cannon BeachHistory Center, which features an authentic reproduction of a Native American longhouse.
The most striking feature about the beachitself is the 235 foot high Haystack Rock, the largest of the monolithic rocks that dotthe sandy shoreline and provide a nesting ground for sea birds.
To the north of Cannon Beach is Ecola StatePark which offers a multitude of hiking trails of all levels and some of the most stunningOregon Coast views anywhere.
.