Northern or Southern Oregon?

OregonUS Destinations
Written By Frank Patranella
 

Most of us squeeze trips into a short timespan due to work and other responsibilities at home. Few people are able to take a three-week vacation to wander around the entire state of Oregon and see all of the amazing sights - in fact, three weeks probably wouldn’t be enough time to see it all. This state has so much to offer and a diverse range of natural sights that will blow your mind.

So, when planning, it is important to prioritize what is most important to you and which area you would like to focus on. This can be hard to do in a state like Oregon because prioritizing means that you will miss out on some things that you may want to see - but that will give you a great reason to return to Oregon in the future.

I have been fortunate to spend time in both northern and southern Oregon, and I want to offer two potential week-long itineraries. My hope is that this information will help you narrow your focus for your trip to Oregon so that you see the sights you feel most drawn to. These are sample itineraries and could be completed in a different order if needed. Also, at the end of this post, you will find bonus locations to check out for northern and southern Oregon - side trips and special excursions that can take your journey to the next level.

Northern Oregon Sample Itinerary

The northern Oregon trip begins in Portland. This is an easy city to fly into, and it is a great starting point and ending point for a week-long trek around the northern half of the state. In Oregon, you will need a car, and depending on your level of adventure, you may want to get something with higher clearance so that you can travel some of the roads that may be a bit on the rough side.

Sample itinerary for a. road trip to the main northern Oregon sights.

Astoria and Cannon Beach: Day 1

Although I suggest flying into Portland, I would not stay the night there at the beginning of my trip. Instead, I would hop in a car and drive two hours to Astoria, a small city near the mouth of the Columbia River. This town has several attractions to choose from:

  • Columbia River Maritime Museum - The museum showcases shipping, fishing, and military history.

  • Flavel House Museum - Built in 1885 as the home of Capt. George Flavel, it was built the Queen Ann style.

  • Astoria Column - A 125-ft. pilar was erected in 1926 by the Astors to commemorate the city’s role in their business. Still today, you can ascend a spiral staircase to an observation deck.

  • The Astoria-Megler Bridge - This is the longest continuous truss bridge in North America.

  • Oregon Film Museum - For those who love the 1985 film The Goonies, this is a must-see location.

The downtown area is walkable and has several restaurants that would be great for lunch. One spot that I would recommend is Bowpicker Fish and Chips, a docked boat with a walk-up window. They close during inclement weather, so check their website before visiting.

After lunch in Astoria, a 45-minute drive will take you to Ecola State Park. This location offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and sea stacks near Cannon Beach. You can hike in the park, but definitely check out the view from Ecola Point, and if you have time, a 1.5-mile, rocky hike to Crescent Beach is a great option. Bonus: this state park was used as a filming location in The Goonies film.

When you are finished exploring in Ecola State Park, you will drive 12 minutes to Cannon Beach. This is where you will spend your first night in Oregon - there are many hotel options in the area. I recommend a hotel within walking distance to the beach because you will want to be on the beach for sunset (and maybe sunrise). Haystack Rock and the other sea stacks are incredible subjects for photography. FYI - the seagulls at Cannon Beach are some of the biggest I have ever seen, and when you are eating at a restaurant on the beach, they will eye your food and wait for you to step away from it so they can take it.

Cannon Beach to Florence: Day 2

The second day is all about driving the coast. You will have so many places to stop for photography, hiking, and outstanding views. You definitely want to check out these spots, but you may stumble upon your own favorite locations as you drive along Highway 101 (each site below is linked to Google Maps for your convenience).

There are 2 options for your northern Oregon itinerary:

Option 1: Extra Day in Florence on Day 3 with Shorter Time in Bend Later

Do half of the northern coast on day 2 and the other half on day 3. For day 2, I would recommend Newport, Lincoln, and Rockaway as potential places to stay. For day 3, Florence would be your best bet. This option gives you time to do an activity once you arrive in Florence. You explore the dunes by foot or even take an ATV out for a spin. I highly recommend Torex ATV Rentals because they are friendly, helpful, and located right on the dunes. While there, I got lost ATVing on the dunes, and the crew at Torex was extremely helpful at getting us back to the rental location. Or you could spend this extra time in Florence horseback riding on the beach. I recommend C&M Stables for this unique experience. Note: this option will result in only having one night in Bend later in the trip instead of two.

Option 2: Shorter Time in Florence with an Extra Day in Bend on Day 5

Spend day two driving the coast from Cannon Beach to Florence, stay the night in Florence, and on day 3, drive from Florence to Bend. You will not get to ride ATVs or horses in Florence, but you will have more time on day five to explore around Bend, OR.

See the sights from the northern Oregon itinerary in the slideshow below:

Florence to Bend: Day 4 If You Chose Option 1 or Day 3 If You Chose Option 2

Depending on which option. you choose, you will travel east from Florence to Eugene on either day three or four. The drive is beautiful along the Siuslaw River in the Siuslaw National Forest. In Mapleton, you may want to stop at the Gingerbread Village Restaurant for a sweet treat. It is only an hour and 20 minutes from Florence to Eugene, but it could take much longer depending on how many times you stop to take in forest and river views. Eugene is the third largest city in Oregon with about 180,000 residents. You will find many restaurants and shopping in Eugene.

If you love waterfalls, I recommend heading north on Interstate 5 from Eugene to Salem. From there, go east to Silver Falls State Park. The state park is about 1.5 hours from Eugene, but it is well worth it. The Trail of Ten Falls is one of the best in the state, and it offers visitors the chance to see ten different waterfalls on an 8.7 mile-long, loop. hike (it can be shortened to 6.8 miles if you only view eight of the falls). The biggest draw to the park is the opportunity to walk behind one of the falls. See AllTrails for information regarding this hike. After hiking in the park, you will proceed to Bend where you will stay two nights.

If you are not interested in hiking The Trail of Ten Falls but you love soaking in hot springs, you could continue east from Eugene to Terwilliger Hot Springs (a.k.a. Cougar Hot Springs). It is about two hours from Eugene. Once you arrive, you will walk 0.25 miles through the forest to the springs. They are comprised of four soaking pools which range from 85 to 112 degrees Fahrenheit. Check out the Willamette National Forest site for more guidelines regarding a visit to Terwilliger Hot Springs. Note - the springs are clothing optional. Just so you aren’t shocked!

You will end this day in Bend. This is one of the fastest growing towns in Oregon, and it would be your home base. If you chose option 1, you will stay in Bend for only one night, but if you chose option two, you will stay two nights in this area. Option two allows you time to visit either the Newberry National Volcanic Monument or Smith Rock State Park (more information below).

Bend: Day 4 If You Chose Option 2

Bend is a town for adventurers. VisitBend.com offers a plethora of options while in this area. If you chose option two, you would get a full day to spend in Bend. On your full day in Bend, it may be a great idea to visit the Newberry National Volcanic Monument and Boyd Cave or Smith Rock State Park, or you could take it easy and relax at a brewery in town. Another location you may want to visit is the Painted Hills area. Identified as one of Oregon’s Seven Natural Wonders, these scenic, colorful hills may be an excursion you would enjoy. Another great activity is to drive or hike up Pilot Butte, an extinct volcano in Bend. There are incredible views of the city, the Three Sisters Mountains, Mount Hood, and the snowcapped Cascade mountains. Click HERE for craft beer options in “Beer Town USA”.

Bend to Hood River: Day 5

On day five, you will get amazing views of Mount Hood on your way to Hood River. I would make time to stop at Trillium Lake. This viewpoint is one of the best when photographing Mount Hood, and in the summer, you can swim in the lake. If you enjoy camping - the Trillium Lake Campground may be your spot.

Hood River is a great home base if you want to view the Columbia River Gorge from a stand-up paddleboard or kayak. You can rent them from Hood River SUP or other local outfitters. In colder months, you can also take the time to ski on Mount Hood while in the area. The Timberline Lodge is the most popular ski area on Mount Hood - if you are up for spending time skiing on a volcano, then this is for you.

Hood River is a quaint little town with wonderful restaurants and shopping. I loved this Scandinavian restaurant in downtown named Broder Øst. I had a tasty meal with Swedish meatballs, walnut toast, lingonberry jam, and a potato pancake. It was heavenly - and something unique during my trip.

More sights from the northern Oregon itinerary are in the slideshow below:

Hood River to Portland: Day 6

Your second to last day in Oregon is all about the Columbia River Gorge. You may have gotten a taste of it on day five, but today, I recommend being an adventurer. Here are some options of places for you to discover:

  • Waterfall Hikes: There are so many waterfalls to view in this area, and it is important to know that you can hike on the Oregon or Washington side of the gorge. These are some of my favorite waterfalls on the Oregon side of the gorge: Wahclella Falls, Horsetail Falls, Wahkeena Falls, Fairy Falls, Elowah Falls, and of course, Multnomah Falls. Multnomah Falls is absolutely worth visiting, but it gets very busy. I would get there early to beat the crowds. On the Washington side of the gorge, you will find Panther Creek Falls, Falls Creek Falls, and Dougan. Falls. I have not visited the falls on the Washington side of the gorge, but they look incredible. They will be on my itinerary on my next trip to the Columbia River Gorge. With so many more falls to visit in this area, download AllTrails to learn more about these and other waterfall hikes. AllTrails will include distance, skill level, elevation gain, pictures, maps, locations, and more.

  • McMenamins-Edgefield Hotel in Troutdale: A live music venue, this location also offers history, great food, shopping, and opportunities to watch artisans at work. I watched glassblowers make holiday ornaments, and it was entertaining as well as educational. Parking can be challenging if a concert is going on. Check HERE to view their site before you visit.

  • Vista House: This octagonal observation point provides sweeping views of the gorge. It is a wonderful place to stop and stretch your legs and to take sunset photos. There are interpretive exhibits at the Vista House, but check their website to make sure they are open when you visit.

Portland Back Home: Day 7

On your final day in Oregon, you may want to spend the morning at one of Portland’s natural sights. I tend to prioritize my travels around nature sites, and because of this, I enjoyed the Washington Park area of Portland. This area includes the International Rose Test Garden and the Japanese Gardens. I also found the Lan Su Chinese Gardens and the gardens at the Pittock Mansion to be beautiful. You may not have much time before you head to the airport, but if you do, I recommend visiting one or more of these locations.

Breakdown of the Seven Travel Days in Northern Oregon: Option 1 vs. Option 2

Southern Oregon Sample Itinerary

So, if you were in disbelief about how much there is to see and do in Oregon, after the northern Oregon itinerary, I am sure you are raring to go to the Beaver State, but that was just half of the big sights in the state. Let’s look at a seven-day itinerary for southern Oregon beginning and ending in Eugene. FYI - this trip may include a few of the same locations from the northern Oregon itinerary, and just like the other itinerary, you will need a car for exploring the southern part of the state.

Sample itinerary for a road trip to the main southern Oregon sights.

Eugene to Bend: Day 1

Although Eugene is a small city, it has the second largest airport in Oregon. This itinerary begins in Eugene and on the first day, I recommend driving two and a half hours east to Bend. Bend is a perfect home base for the next couple of days while exploring central and eastern Oregon. On the way to Eugene, stop for a hike to Tamolitch Falls (a.k.a. Blue Pool). The beautiful blue color of the pool at the foot of the falls is due to water filtering up through porous volcanic rock. This popular hike is considered moderate, and if you start from Carmen Smith Reservoir, the trail is 3.3 miles and if Trailbridge Reservoir is your starting point, the trail is 2.1 miles. Refer to the US Department of Agriculture’s site for more information about this hike.

Another option for the drive to Bend could be the Waterfalls Loop. Trailhead. This 2.9-mile, dog-friendly trail provides views of Sahalie Falls to Koosah Falls. Due to a wildfire in 2021, the trail has been closed. Check the USDA website or AllTrails for more information. End your afternoon at a brewery or restaurant in Bend. See Bend dining options at VisitBend.com.

Bend: Day 2

See the northern Oregon itinerary for information about what you can see and do while in Bend. There are so many activities in this lively city.

Bend to Crater Lake: Day 3

Get an early start on day three to drive two hours to Crater Lake National Park. This out-of-the-way location is worth the drive (and the drive is beautiful also). I recommend entering the national park from the north off of Highway 138 so that you can exit from the south which is near locations to stay for the night.

Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and the ninth deepest lake in the world, and it is situated in the depressed caldera of a volcano named Mount Mazama. The lake is almost 2,000 feet deep and 5 miles wide. The rim road follows the top of the caldera rim and provides incredible views of the deep blue water and Wizard Island in the lake. In the summer, you can hike the Cleetwood Cove Trail down to the shore of the lake to catch a boat out to Wizard Island. You can also swim here in the summer (it is the only public access point to the water in the park).

You can stay at the Crater Lake Lodge within the park when it is open, you can camp in the park, or you can stay in a cabin at Mazama Village. For staying in the park, you want to book in advance because things fill up quickly. If you do not stay in the park, most of the lodging is towards Klamath Falls. If you can get an Airbnb near Fort Klamath, you could drive back into the park for sunset. Be. aware that cell service and amenities are sparse in this area.

Crater Lake to Gold Beach: Day 4

The fastest route for this drive across the southern border of Oregon takes a little over four hours, and don’t be shocked when you cross the border into California for a bit before heading back up into Oregon. Once you enter back into Oregon, you will soon come to the small town of Brookings. For the next 12 miles, you will be driving along the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor, a stretch of the most beautiful coast in the Pacific Northwest. See our blog titled The Best of the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor for more details. Some key sights are that are easy access from the parking lot are Long Ranch Beach, Whaleshead Beach, Natural Bridge, and Arch Rock (the last two locations are Instagram hotspots). If you want more adventure, you can hike out to Cape Ferrelo (approximately 1.2 miles round trip), the Indian Sands Loop (1.1 miles), or the hike down to Secret Beach (1.6 miles). These short hikes have great payoffs - I particularly loved Secret Beach and could have stayed there all afternoon.

After spending the afternoon discovering the coves and viewpoints along the scenic corridor, head to Gold Beach as your home base for this leg of the trip. If you didn’t get to see enough at the scenic corridor, you can head back in the morning if you would like - it is only 16 miles north of the park. Gold Beach is somewhat small, but it has several restaurants and grocery stores. If you want to splurge, you could rent an Airbnb that overlooks the water. I saw an amazing sunset from the porch of my Airbnb while in Gold Beach.

See the sights from the southern Oregon itinerary in the slideshow below:

Gold Beach: Day 5

Because of where Gold Beach is situated, you have several options for day five. Here are a few ideas:

  • Stay Around Gold Beach: If you need a day where you are not driving, just spend time around Gold Beach. There are three great scenic spots near town: Kissing Rock, Otter Beach Recreational Area, and Cape Sebastian. My favorite beach is Meyers Beach which is just south of Cape Sebastian. You can spend hours playing in the sand and surf. To find more activities in the Gold Beach Area, click HERE.

  • Boardman Scenic Corridor: Spend more time in this area if you ran out of time yesterday.

  • Cape Blanco State Park and Lighthouse: Only 50 minutes north of Gold Beach, you will find Cape Blanco. There are hiking trails, scenic vistas, and a lighthouse.

  • Bandon: If you spent time at Cape Blanco, you can drive half an hour further north to Bandon Beach, Face Rock Scenic Viewpoint, Coquille Point and Lighthouse, and Bullard Beach State Park. This area is stunning and warrants some time during your trip (either on day five or when driving to Florence on day six).

  • Redwood National Park and State Parks - Did you realize that Gold beach is only an hour from Redwoods National Park in California? If seeing towering trees that tower between 200 and 300 feet above you, this may be a great option for you. You would want to narrow your focus to one or two areas since there are many coastal redwood parks. For state parks, recommend Jedediah Smith State Park for incredible hikes and majestic groves, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park for a hike through Fern Canyon, or Humboldt Redwoods State Park to drive the Avenue of the Giants. You will love spending time in Redwood National Park hiking the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail, Tall Trees Grove Loop. Trail, or many other incredible hikes.


More sights from the southern Oregon itinerary are in the slideshow below:

Gold Beach to Florence: Day 6

See the itinerary for the northern Oregon trip above for ideas such as ATVing and horseback riding in Florence. If you have not yet visited Bandon, make sure to see some of the sights in that area on your way to Florence.

Florence to Eugene and Back Home: Day 7

On your final day in Oregon, you will take a beautiful drive hugging the Siuslaw River through the Siuslaw National Forest. As mentioned in the first itinerary, be sure to stop in Mapleton at the Gingerbread Village Restaurant for a sweet treat. You want to time your drive appropriately to catch your flight home from Eugene - it takes at least an hour and 20 minutes from Florence to Eugene without making stops. The airport is small and should be easy to navigate as you get ready to head home.

Bonus Information

Disclaimer: The itineraries outlined above are fast paced so that you may see the most sights possible while on your trip. You can easily take a portion of the itinerary and spend your seven days exploring a smaller area more deeply. Some possible ideas for doing this would be:

  • Stay in Portland: Day trips to Astoria and Cannon Beach and the Columbia River Gorge

  • Stay in Eugene: Day trips to the coast, Silver Falls State Park, Terwilliger Hot Springs, Crater Lake, and the Oregon Caves

  • Stay on the Coast: Spend all your time exploring the northern or southern coastal towns

  • Stay in Hood River: Explore the Columbia River Gorge, Smith Rock State Park and Painted Hills

  • Stay in Bend: Venture out to Crater Lake, Smith Rock State Park, Painted Hills, and Newberry National Volcanic Monument

  • Stay in Bandon or Gold Beach: Hike in Boardman State Scenic Corridor, ATV or horseback ride in Florence, or visit the Redwoods in California


Oregon is a place that has something to discover in each corner of the state. We hope this guide gave you ideas of what you can see and to help prioritize what you want out of your Oregon vacation. Please share your Oregon vacation with us by tagging us with #pinesandcoastlines or email us at pinesandcoastlines00@gmail.com. Happy travels!

Multnomah Falls - A Rare Moment Without People on the Bridge: Click HERE for the location.

Conclusion

“Hey You Guys!” - Be sure to check out more content on the Pines and Coastlines site! We also have tools to help you plan trips to destinations other than Oregon.

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Frank Patranella
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