You’ve heard of the Seven Wonders of the World, but how many of Oregon’s Seven Wonders have you seen for yourself?
From the other-worldly Painted Hills to pristine Crater Lake, sun-drenched Smith Rock to the alpine peaks of the Wallowas, these are the most awe-inspiring destinations in Oregon.
If there had to be just one symbol to represent the great state of Oregon, it would have to be majestic Mt. Hood. The state’s highest peak at 11,239 feet, it’s in fact the second most-climbed mountain in the world. (If you’ve never visited it in person, no doubt you’ve seen it movies and tv shows like The Shining and Portlandia, to name a few.
Located within Mount Hood National Forest, it boasts over a million acres of awe-inspiring forests, mountaintops, lakes, and streams that offer countless options for hiking, swimming, skiing, and other winter sports. I’ve been visiting the historic Timberline Lodge (which was built at the top of the mountain in 1937 using extraordinary craftsmanship) since I was a kid, and I never tire of its stunning, expansive views of the Cascade Range.
Next time you’re asked what the deepest lake in the United States is on trivia night at your local pub, you’ll know the answer is Crater Lake, in Southern Oregon. Formed nearly 8,000 years ago when a violent eruption collapsed a tall peak, its pristine blue waters reach depths of 1,943 feet.
If you have Rainbow Mountain in Peru on your dream travel list, here’s some good news: other-worldly rock formations with vibrant stripes of golds, greens, tans, and reds exist a lot closer to home.
The Painted Hills in Mitchell is the most-visited area of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Formed over millions of years, you’ll be mesmerized watching the colors morph as the clouds and angle of the sun shift.
Jump on I-84 in Portland to follow the Columbia River for 70 miles before it snakes north into Washington. To call it a “scenic drive” is a staggering understatement. You’ll follow Lewis and Clark’s footsteps as you pass by Multnomah Falls, the Crown Point Vista House, Beacon Rock, Dog Mountain, Bridge of the Gods, Bonneville Dam, Rowena Crest Plateau, and the towns of Cascade Locks and Hood River while taking in stellar views of Mt Hood and Mt Adams along the way.
Oregon Coast
Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach may be the most popular destination on Oregon’s gorgeous coast. But from historic and charming Astoria in the north to the dreamy Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor in the south, there is so much to explore on Oregon’s coast. Remarkably, very one of Oregon’s the 363 miles of coastline is public land.
Meander along Highway 101 for nonstop views of dramatic cliffs, sea stacks, and the glittering Pacific, stopping off for oysters and Dungeness crabs just pulled from the chilly waters along the way.
This rock climbing destination is a great example of just how diverse Oregon’s terrain can be. Located in Central Oregon’s high desert, the craggy rock spires of Smith Rock may have first-time visitors wondering if they somehow ended up in Arizona.
Hike miles of trails or rock climb to the top of Monkey Rock, keeping a lookout for golden eagles, mule deer, prairie falcons, river otters along the way. When the sun sets, head to the resort and ski town of Bend for a local microbrew. Unlike many other parts of the state, the area gets 300 days of sun a year.
Tucked away in the northeastern corner of the state near the charming town of Joseph is one of the state’s greatest gems: The Wallowa Mountains, AKA “the Alps of Oregon.” Jump on the gondola to rise 3,700 feet to the peak of Mt. Howard for stunning 360 views of Wallowa Lake, the Matterhorn, Sacajawea Peak, and even across Hells Canyon and the Snake River into Idaho.
Visit Travel Oregon for more information about the 7 Wonders of Oregon.
