It’s a new year! The year 2016 has come to a close, which means that now is a perfect time to look to the future and start planning out your next unforgettable Oregon adventures. From stunning state parks and natural phenomenons to charming restaurants and hidden gardens, here are 19 one-of-a-kind destinations in Oregon to add to your 2017 bucket list.
- Painted Hills
flickr/ Bill Young Part of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, the Painted Hills are a spectacular natural wonder that will drop your jaw to the floor. Walking through the ancient, colorful hills is a truly unique experience.
- Portland Japanese Garden
flickr/ Michael Matti Tucked away in Portland’s Washington Park, the Japanese Garden is a gorgeous, tranquil garden full of colorful plants, trickling streams, lovely bridges, rock gardens, a koi pond, and more.
- Boardman Tree Farm
flickr/ Charles Knowles Walking through the rows of trees at the Boardman Tree Farm is an otherworldly experience. This massive poplar tree farm is open to the public, and it looks just like something from a fairytale. Don’t wait too long to visit, though - the farm was recently sold and the millions of trees are very slowly being harvested for good.
- Crater Lake
flickr/ Howard Ignatius Located atop the ancient volcano Mount Mazama, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the country, and it’s beauty will leave you speechless.
- Vertical Horizons Treehouse Paradise
facebook/ Vertical Horizons Treehouse Paradise For a truly unique vacation, visit Verical Horizons Treehouse Paradise – here, you’ll have the once in a lifetime experience of spending the night among the treetops in a comfortable treehouse cabin.
- Oneonta Gorge
flickr/ Paul Weeks This amazing place in the Columbia River Gorge is absolutely magical. Hike through a mossy rock crevice, over huge log jams, and up a crystal clear stream to reach a beautiful hidden waterfall at the end of this epic 1 mile hike. The experience is out of this world.
- Bagby Hot Springs
wiki/ IndigoFairyX Nestled deep into the forest near Mount Hood is the wonderful Bagby Hot Spring, a rustic bathhouse where you can soak in hot mineral water flowing straight from the earth. Relax surrounded by the beauty of nature at this unique, woodsy hot spring.
- Florence
flickr/ Stewart Marshall (RightAntler) Florence, Oregon is a charming coastal town that everyone should visit. Here, you’ll find amazing restaurants, stunning scenery, galleries, boutiques, historic buildings, and more.
- Peter Iredale
flickr/ Gary Paulson Peter Iredale is an amazing shipwreck located at the Fort Stevens State Park. It ran ashore in the early 1900s, and you can still visit the rusting shipwreck - half buried in sand - to this day.
- Trillium Lake
flickr/ Dave Wilson Located in the Mount Hood National Forest, Trillium Lake is a majestic alpine lake with deep blue water that reflects the amazing silhouette of Mt Hood. It’s a perfect summer destination.
- Cowboy Dinner Tree
facebook/ Cowboy Dinner Tree Restaurant This remote restaurant is located in the high desert near Silver Lake, Oregon. Stop in for a gigantic, old-timey dinner and a taste of the “Real Wild West”.
- The Oregon Garden
facebook/ The Oregon Garden Located in Silverton, this one of a kind garden will blow you away with its lush greenery, colorful flowers, elegant fountains, and more.
- Timberline Lodge and Ski Resort
facebook/ Timberline Lodge & Ski Area For a magical mountaintop getaway, head to the wonderful Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood. This historic lodge is a great place to stay the night, enjoy a meal, and/or have an unforgettable skiing adventure.
- Shaniko
flickr/ Dutch Simba Shaniko is a unique, well-preserved ghost town in the heart of Oregon where you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time.
- Hells Canyon
flickr/ Baker County Tourism Located in eastern Oregon (and extending into numerous other states) Hells Canyon is the deepest gorge in North America, and its wild, rugged beauty is absolutely mystifying.
- Hug Point
flickr/ wplynn Located near Cannon Beach, Hug Point is a unique hidden beach with a stunning waterfall pouring right onto the sand. A short, scenic hike will lead you to this lovely destination.
- The Oregon Vortex and House of Mystery
flickr/ Richard Garrett Located near Gold Hill, the Oregon Vortex and House of Mystery is just as magically epic as its name suggests. Witness balls rolling uphill, brooms standing upsidedown, and people changing size right in front of your eyes at this mind-boggling roadside attraction.
- Oregon Caves National Monument
flickr/ Tjflex2 Tucked into the Siskiyou Mountains in southern Oregon, the Oregon Caves National Monument is truly amazing. Touring this wondrous cave is an otherworldly, unforgettable experience.
- Silver Falls State Park
flickr/ Ian Sane Silver Falls State Park is a breathtakingly beautiful state park located near Silverton. Full of lush greenery, majestic waterfalls, dramatic canyons, and amazing hiking trails, Silver Falls is the biggest state park in Oregon, and one of the most spectacular.
Want to find out about some more amazing things to do in Oregon? Check out our Ultimate Oregon Bucket List.
flickr/ Bill Young
Part of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, the Painted Hills are a spectacular natural wonder that will drop your jaw to the floor. Walking through the ancient, colorful hills is a truly unique experience.
flickr/ Michael Matti
Tucked away in Portland’s Washington Park, the Japanese Garden is a gorgeous, tranquil garden full of colorful plants, trickling streams, lovely bridges, rock gardens, a koi pond, and more.
flickr/ Charles Knowles
Walking through the rows of trees at the Boardman Tree Farm is an otherworldly experience. This massive poplar tree farm is open to the public, and it looks just like something from a fairytale. Don’t wait too long to visit, though - the farm was recently sold and the millions of trees are very slowly being harvested for good.
flickr/ Howard Ignatius
Located atop the ancient volcano Mount Mazama, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the country, and it’s beauty will leave you speechless.
facebook/ Vertical Horizons Treehouse Paradise
For a truly unique vacation, visit Verical Horizons Treehouse Paradise – here, you’ll have the once in a lifetime experience of spending the night among the treetops in a comfortable treehouse cabin.
flickr/ Paul Weeks
This amazing place in the Columbia River Gorge is absolutely magical. Hike through a mossy rock crevice, over huge log jams, and up a crystal clear stream to reach a beautiful hidden waterfall at the end of this epic 1 mile hike. The experience is out of this world.
wiki/ IndigoFairyX
Nestled deep into the forest near Mount Hood is the wonderful Bagby Hot Spring, a rustic bathhouse where you can soak in hot mineral water flowing straight from the earth. Relax surrounded by the beauty of nature at this unique, woodsy hot spring.
flickr/ Stewart Marshall (RightAntler)
Florence, Oregon is a charming coastal town that everyone should visit. Here, you’ll find amazing restaurants, stunning scenery, galleries, boutiques, historic buildings, and more.
flickr/ Gary Paulson
Peter Iredale is an amazing shipwreck located at the Fort Stevens State Park. It ran ashore in the early 1900s, and you can still visit the rusting shipwreck - half buried in sand - to this day.
flickr/ Dave Wilson
Located in the Mount Hood National Forest, Trillium Lake is a majestic alpine lake with deep blue water that reflects the amazing silhouette of Mt Hood. It’s a perfect summer destination.
facebook/ Cowboy Dinner Tree Restaurant
This remote restaurant is located in the high desert near Silver Lake, Oregon. Stop in for a gigantic, old-timey dinner and a taste of the “Real Wild West”.
facebook/ The Oregon Garden
Located in Silverton, this one of a kind garden will blow you away with its lush greenery, colorful flowers, elegant fountains, and more.
facebook/ Timberline Lodge & Ski Area
For a magical mountaintop getaway, head to the wonderful Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood. This historic lodge is a great place to stay the night, enjoy a meal, and/or have an unforgettable skiing adventure.
flickr/ Dutch Simba
Shaniko is a unique, well-preserved ghost town in the heart of Oregon where you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time.
flickr/ Baker County Tourism
Located in eastern Oregon (and extending into numerous other states) Hells Canyon is the deepest gorge in North America, and its wild, rugged beauty is absolutely mystifying.
flickr/ wplynn
Located near Cannon Beach, Hug Point is a unique hidden beach with a stunning waterfall pouring right onto the sand. A short, scenic hike will lead you to this lovely destination.
flickr/ Richard Garrett
Located near Gold Hill, the Oregon Vortex and House of Mystery is just as magically epic as its name suggests. Witness balls rolling uphill, brooms standing upsidedown, and people changing size right in front of your eyes at this mind-boggling roadside attraction.
flickr/ Tjflex2
Tucked into the Siskiyou Mountains in southern Oregon, the Oregon Caves National Monument is truly amazing. Touring this wondrous cave is an otherworldly, unforgettable experience.
flickr/ Ian Sane
Silver Falls State Park is a breathtakingly beautiful state park located near Silverton. Full of lush greenery, majestic waterfalls, dramatic canyons, and amazing hiking trails, Silver Falls is the biggest state park in Oregon, and one of the most spectacular.
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