Pacific Northwest · Coast to Cascades · Statehood 1859
Oregon
State
Field Guide
A public coastline that belongs to everyone, a waterfall that drops about 620 feet beside a historic highway, and the deepest lake in the United States. Oregon rewards a slow drive. These are the reasons to take one.
Updated October 2026 · Written by artist Nick Scacco
Classic Experiences
01.
Northern Oregon Coast · Cannon Beach
SeeHaystack Rockat Low Tide
Haystack Rock rises about 235 feet from the sand at Cannon Beach and is one of the best-known sea stacks on the Pacific coast. At low tide its base opens into tide pools with sea stars, anemones and crabs. The rock is a protected marine garden, so look but do not climb or collect. Oregon's entire ocean shore is public beach, so you can walk for miles in either direction from town.
02.
Columbia River Gorge · Multnomah Falls
VisitMultnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls drops in two tiers, about 620 feet in total, beside the historic Columbia River Highway. A short paved path climbs to the Benson Bridge between the tiers, and longer trails continue to the top. A timed-use permit has been required from late May to early September for visitors arriving via Exit 31 on I-84, so check the Forest Service before you go. Visit early in the day or outside peak season for a quieter view.
03.
Southern Oregon · Crater Lake National Park
CircleCrater LakeRim Drive
Crater Lake fills the caldera of Mount Mazama, a volcano that collapsed about 7,700 years ago. The lake is 1,943 feet deep, the deepest in the United States, and it is fed by snow and rain rather than rivers, which keeps the water remarkably clear and deep blue. Drive the 33-mile Rim Drive, stop at the overlooks, and take a boat tour to Wizard Island when tours are running. Snow closes parts of the road for much of the year.
Little-Known Gem
Painted Hills: theColor-Banded Hills of Eastern Oregon
John Day Fossil Beds · Central Oregon · Mitchell
Most visitors stop at the coast or the Cascades and skip central Oregon. The Painted Hills Unit of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument holds rounded hills banded in red, gold, tan and black, colored by ancient volcanic ash and soils laid down tens of millions of years ago. A short boardwalk and several trails let you walk among them, and the colors deepen after rain and in low evening light. The surrounding country is quiet, with far fewer crowds than the coast.
Oregon Travel Questions
What are the best places to visit in Oregon outside Portland?
Three classics are the Oregon coast at Cannon Beach, Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge, and Crater Lake National Park. A lesser-known stop is the Painted Hills in central Oregon. The coast and the Gorge fit into a long weekend from Portland, while Crater Lake and the Painted Hills each need a full day.
When is the best time to visit Crater Lake?
July through September, when the Rim Drive is most likely to be fully open and the lake is easiest to see. Snow can close parts of the road from fall through early summer, so check the National Park Service road status before you drive.
Is the Oregon coast really all public?
Yes. Oregon law keeps the ocean beaches open to everyone, so you can walk the shore anywhere you can reach it. Parking at popular spots may require a fee or permit, and tide pools and wildlife areas have their own rules.