21 Most Popular Things to Do in Oregon

Located in the Pacific Northwest of the United States is one of the most geographically diverse states. Abundant with forests, volcanoes, and deserts, the tallest and deepest points of the United States resides in Oregon. With countless things to do in Oregon, the state is one of a kind. Oregon is home to many as the economy is hugely powered by timber production, fishing, and agriculture.

Stretching 360 miles long and 400 miles wide, the drive through Oregon takes about 9 hours. And as there are a number of places to stop by and explore, Oregon is full of fun and unique things to do not only on the weekends, but throughout the year.

If you plan on visiting, the best time to visit Oregon is between May – October as there are long winters. Although there are things to do and see during the winter, you’ll have an ease of mind exploring when snow isn’t blowing in your face all the time.

Known as the deepest lake in the United States, Crater Lake is home to many marine animals. The Mazama Newt are species that can only be found in Crater Lake as scientists are doing their absolute best to keep these animals safe in the lake. If you’re lucky enough during your visit, look underneath rocks or logs to see if you’ll be able to find these newts hiding.

Swing by all 30 pullouts around the rim and view the lake at all different angles. The campgrounds are extremely popular as walk in and online reservations are both available. Take a seat at one of their lookout points early enough to catch sunrise and enjoy the serene vibes. As it sits closer to the southern parts of Oregon, visiting Crater Lake will provide you with a unique experience out of the many things to do in Oregon.

Popular for it’s campgrounds and fishing docs, Trillium Lake has a handful of activities that will have you coming back every year. If you’re big on exploring the outdoors, Trillium Lake is the perfect place for canoeing, mountain biking, and stargazing at night.

During my visit to Oregon, we swung by Trillium Lake for sunrise and couldn’t get over how beautiful Mount Hood’s reflection was over the water. Plus, no matter where we took pictures of the lake, the ducks couldn’t stop following us. Just don’t freak out when they get closer to you. They’re super cute and will not attack you!

There’s a dock on the right side of the lake as you will find people up early in the morning who have already started fishing. Rainbow, Skamania, and Lake trout is what Trillium Lake is known for as you might even see them splashing their tails on the water horizon.

Oregon is full of waterfalls. Literally, full of beautiful waterfalls, each with different personas. If you’re ready for adventure and are ready to get down and dirty, explore Toketee Falls. As one of the more exciting and fun things to do in Oregon, getting to the bottom of Toketee Falls is an adventure in itself.

Round trip, you’re looking at a short 0.8 mile hike unless you’re trying to get to the bottom. The bottom of the falls is where you’ll be able to sit on rocks and enjoy the splashes of water on your face. But, it does require you to get a bit dirty. Be prepared and come with closed toe shoes, a backpack, and a towel on the hike to the bottom.

Located 1.5 hours west of Portland is Haystack Rock, the big rock that sits in Cannon Beach. Let me tell you that pictures don’t do justice. The moment we got to Cannon Beach, I was in awe. In photos, Haystack Rock doesn’t look as big as it actually is. Haystack Rock is 235 feet tall, as it’s known as the third-tallest intertidal structure in the world.

Cannon Beach is a one of a kind beach as you will find people starting campfires along the sand.

There are also a ton of vacation rentals along the beach’s shore, answering your inner question on where everyone’s been getting their chairs from. You’ll know exactly what I’m talking about when you get there.

Ever thought about living outside of your means? Located in the middle of the woods in Hillsboro Oregon, Bruce Campbell lives inside this Boeing 727. Known as the Airplane Home, this plane has constant visitors throughout the year. Isn’t this just one of the coolest things to do in Oregon? How often can you visit a man whose transformed an airplane into his home?

Stationed 40 minutes outside of Portland, Bruce allows visitors to come and visit his lovely home for as long as they would like. He’s also extremely supportive to those to take as many photos as they would like. Note that Bruce is not responsible for your equipment breaking or getting lost throughout the visit.

Bruce also invites you on top of his wing as there are a couple of ways to get back down. But it gets better.

When the lockdown lifts, he will resume Concert On A Wing, where artists are allowed to perform shows on the right wing. How crazy is that?

Known as the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest, Multnomah Falls is a unique landmark to visit during your Oregon trip. Parking is free and available but spots do fill up quickly, so remember to stop by as early as you can.

Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Swing by the Multnomah Falls lounge and check out the restaurant, gift shop, and hiking trails information. And obviously, don’t forgot to bring your tripod to capture beautiful long exposure shots of the falls. You’ve probably seen this infamous bridge shot at the falls as it’s stapled as one of Oregon’s iconic spot. Don’t forget to ask a friend to stand in the middle of the bridge for your photo as it provides scale of the landscape.

Located along the North Umpqua River and Toketee Falls is the soothing Umpqua Hot Springs. These springs are popular for their two oval pools that are open to the public for soaking and enjoying the outdoors. The upper pool is smaller and warmer as both are about two and a half feet deep. Great photography spot, especially after waking up early in the morning when it’s not as busy.

There is a $5/vehicle fee to get into the springs as it is accessible all year round. The best time to visit is during the summer, but rewarding in the winter as the hot springs will warm you up after trekking in the cold. Plus, there won’t be as many people during that time either.

Mind you that the gate is frequently closed in the winter due to the snow, so be careful if you choose to visit then to avoid tripping and falling.

As one of the more popular things to do in Oregon, Silver Falls State Park should be on top of your list. Not only is it the largest state park in Oregon, but it also has more trails and paths to go on than you can imagine. There are 10 beautiful and distinct waterfalls, some that even lead you through mossy caverns behind the falls. Some of these trails are great if visiting Oregon with kids because there are some side trails that provide short cuts back to the parking lot. Plus, dogs are also allowed on the trail as well.

Note that if you want to see all 10 waterfalls from the South to the North falls, you will be hiking around 7 miles with 700-feet elevation gain.

Noted as the biggest mountain in the United States, Mount Hood sits about 20 miles east of Portland. Not only can it be viewed from countless angles in Oregon, but it can also be hiked, attracting more than 10,000 climbers a year.

This dormant volcano sits 11,240 feet high, covered with 11 active glaciers. Note that if hiking Mount Hood is one of your first hikes, I wouldn’t recommend pursuing it without training for it.

Hiking Mount Hood does require technical climbing skills and experience, especially because the upper portion of the climb is steep with snow and ice. With one slip, accidents can be fatal.

Close to the tip of Northern California is this breathtaking viewpoint of Oregon. It’s a very unique spot as you have a mixture of waters and asymmetrical landscapes. Fly your drone through the gap and get deeper views of this scenic corridor.

Note: visit when there’s daylight because it gets tricky (and scary) getting down.

There are two ways to get to the “spot” to take your drone shots. When you get to the parking lot, don’t head over to the trail on the right side. Although it may be the first opening you see, it’s extremely steep getting to the bottom. Instead, head over to the trail on the left and you’ll have a MUCH easier time getting down. Trust me.

Exploring Fern Canyon was an extremely fun and quick place to visit. Located in the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, this canyon is full of beautiful and vibrant green leaves. It’s not an extremely popular spot for visitors, but was one of my favorite highlights of the trip. Randomly found on the map, I’m glad we chose to swing by Fern Canyon and check this off as one of our things to do in Oregon.

The hike is a 1.1 mile loop, as there are logs and bridges that will connect you over the dams within the canyon. It is also extremely family oriented as you will come across kids and dogs exploring the area during peak season.

The vibrance of the leaves had me in awe as these were some of the greenest leaves I’ve ever seen in my life. Just remember to visit during the day because it could get pretty dark at night. Come early enough and you’ll be able to see the light peeping through the branches and leaves.

Eager but can’t travel over to Japan? Head over to the Japanese Tea Garden and get a sneak peak of Japan. The Tea Garden has been curated extremely well to what Japan really is. From viewing Bonsai Trees to purchasing souvenirs at the gift shop, you’ll probably want at least 2 hours of exploring to venture around the entire garden.

An optimal time to come and visit would be during the autumn because you’ll be able to witness the changing of the leaves. There are also a ton of photography opportunities at the garden as you’ll want to come with a full pack of batteries for your camera.

We just made it to the garden 1.5 hours before closing and although we rushed, we were glad we made it before doors closed. The experience was entirely worth it.

Open from dawn to dusk, Smith Rock State Park is considered the birthplace of American sport climbing. It has a ton of popular spots for sports climbing and traditional climbing. If you’re not experienced in climbing, not sure if Smith Rock should be the first climb for you but if you’re up for the challenge and adventure, spend a weekend here and camp out.

Not only does Smith Rock have a bunch of climbing opportunities, but it also provides campgrounds that accommodate for tent camping. Even if you’re only up to enjoy scenic views of the deep river canyons, visit these unique landscapes that encapsulate the beauty of Oregon. Just remember to bring enough water and plastic bags to pick up after your garbage if you plan on camping.

Made in Paris, the Yaquina Head Lighthouse was shipped over to Oregon back in 1868. It is known as Oregon’s last remaining wooden lighthouse, and Newport’s oldest building.

Yaquina is popular for it’s tidepool, as thousands of seabirds nest along the coast. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to spot whales coming to the coastline of the ocean. Climb up the stairs and enjoy the views, or early enough to catch sunrise along the shore.

The shoreline is a serene place to relax and walk along as you’ll have birds flying over the scene during daylight hours.

Remember that there are hundreds of angles to view Mount Hood. Well, one of the more unique spots to view it is at the Lavender Valley Farms.

Note: because growing lavender plants are seasonal, the Lavender Valley Farm is generally open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Hours of Operation: 10 AM – 5 PM

(Closed Monday and Tuesday)

The farm is open and free to the public during open hours of operation but if you want to capture sunset, there is a $200 entrance fee per photographer. Each photographer is allowed to bring one guest, so make sure you check conditions to make sure you capture an amazing sunset and get your moneys worth.

Only accessible during cave tours, Oregon’s Cave is open to the public as it’s a unique activity to pursue while visiting Oregon. Built with limestone, this solutional cave runs about 15,000 feet. Deep within the Siskiyou Mountains, get a feel of what the cave is all about, exploring parts of the mountain from the inside out.

Tours last 90 minutes.

There are different type of cave tours, ranging from Kids and Family Tours, Candlelight Cave Tours, Discovery Cave Tours, and Off-Trail Caving Tours. Imagine exploring the caves with flickering candlelights? Be guided by a ranger and explore some of the deepest parts of Oregon.

Sign up for cave tours here.

The cave is a regularly short trip, as less than 3 miles of the passageways are viewable with the guided, ranger-led tours.

Along the border of Oregon and Idaho, Hells Canyon is a part of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Sinking 7,993 feet deep, Hells Canyon is known as North America’s deepest river. Yes, it even runs deeper than the Grand Canyon as there are a ton of outdoor activities to pursue, such as boating, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and jet boat tours.

Surrounded by both sides of Snake River, you’ll hit two states in one trip on foot. Plus, you’ll get beautiful landscape views at the top of your hike.

Wake up in the morning to catch a beautiful sunrise and sleep to jaw a dropping sunset. Popular recreation areas include Hells Canyon, Black Lake, Heavens Gate Lookout, Windy Saddle, and Seven Devils recreation area. How much can you challenge yourself during your visit?

Offering activities ranging from hiking to hunting, Owyhee Canyonlands is an amazing place to explore if you’re a lover of the outdoors. Carved out by desert rivers, it’s red-rock canyons and blue-ribbon trout will give you a rich, unique wildlife experience.

Discover lands, rivers, and plants that keep the quality of the area clean for visitors for generations to come. As half of Oregon is covered in desert, less than 1% of Oregon is protected. Unfortunately, Owyhee Canyonlands is unprotected. So, it’s that much more important to do our part and keep the park safe when visiting.

Speechless at sight, order your Tulips and take breathtaking photos of these bulbs during peak season. Visit the farm during and ride high above the tulips. This has hands down got to be one of the most beautiful sights.

More Hot Air Balloon Ride Information here.

Mind you that if you choose to book a hot air balloon trip that these rides are extremely dependent on the weather. There will be tons of people who will try to catch a hot air balloon ride every weekend, so be on the lookout and check the weather often before your visit.

Beautiful tulip flowers and hot air balloons, what more can you ask for?

Stretching 40 miles long along the Oregon Coastline, the Oregon Dunes are one of a kind. Not only do you get beautiful ripple affects in the sand from the wind, but you also get to witness small lakes and lagoons throughout the dunes. If you want to walk on the sand barefoot, swing by in the morning before the sand gets too hot to walk on.

Wander along the sand for hours, or rent out an ATV and ride through the dunes. This spot is one of the more popular things to do in Oregon, as you have the privilege to stay at the dunes for however long you’d like to during your visit. Some of these dunes even reach 500 feet high as the area provides recreational activities including photography, fishing, canoeing, horseback riding, and camping.

This cascade waterfall lies on the shoulder of North Sister, and into a canyon near McKenzie Pass. Notable for its huge drop of 226-feet, it is one of the highest plunge waterfalls in Oregon. Note that when you’re visiting, there are unpaved foot trail loops around lava fields. The trail is used for nature trips, bird watching, and hiking. Luckily, dogs are also allowed to use this trail as the best time to visit ranges between March to November.

Length: 1.6 miles

Elevation Gain: 147 feet

Route type: Loop