2023 Travel Oregon International Guide

TRAVEL OREGON VISITOR GUIDE

explore valley our

Discover the effortless beauty of the Willamette Valley. This region seamlessly blends a world-class wine and culinary scene with renowned forests and a nationally recognized water trail, creating an irresistible invitation to explore.

Funded in part by

willamettevalley.org

Three Sisters Wilderness RICH BACON

State Motto

“She flies with her own wings”

WELCOME TO OREGON

State Animal Beaver

Coastal highways, evergreen forests, rolling fields and high-desert landscapes: Wherever your Oregon travels take you, sit back, slow down and take it all in. Finding awe in Oregon’s natural wonders is a powerful way to bring joy and perspective to our lives. We invite you to find time for reflection, rejuvenation and gratitude as you visit Oregon, and we ask that you take care of the places you visit as our Native tribes have been doing since time immemorial.

Here are a few tips as you plan your adventures.

State Bird Western meadowlark

State Flower

Oregon grape

Change up your seasons. Consider heading to that popular waterfall or hiking trail in the cool mist of a midwinter day, or in late autumn when fall colors are at their peak. Many beloved spots require permits and become crowded during the warmer months, so consider looking for quieter but just as magnificent destinations.

Sit back and enjoy the ride. Thanks to guided tours, shuttles and easy transit systems, you don’t have to drive in Oregon if you don’t want to. Expert outfitters and guides typically include details like transportation, permits, safety gear and access to your area, which lets you focus on having fun, learning the history and drawing meaningful connections to the people and landscapes you encounter.

State

Crustacean

Dungeness crab

State Fruit

Pear

State Nut

Hazelnut

Support Indigenous and small communities. Oregon’s small towns and tribal communities are the heart of our culture and backbone of our economy. When you shop and stay local, you are infusing money directly back to these communities for public health and education, clean water, and local jobs. Your dollars are powerful — spend them purposefully.

We love this place, and we’re confident you’ll love it and take care of it when you visit too. Welcome. Stay awhile.

CLAIMS TO FAME

Breweries

311 in Oregon; 70 in Portland

Wineries

1,058 in Oregon

Wild and Scenic Rivers

68 in Oregon

Tallest Oregon Peak

Mt. Hood reaches a height of 11,245 feet/ 3,427 meters.

Public Coastline

The 363-mile/584kilometer stretch of Oregon’s Pacific coastline is open to the public and boasts 115 state parks along Highway 101.

Deepest River Gorge in North America

Located in Eastern Oregon, Hells Canyon drops to a depth of 7,900 feet/2,408 meters.

Deepest Lake in the United States

Located in Crater Lake National Park, Crater Lake has a depth of 1,949 feet/592 meters, which makes it the second-deepest lake in North America.

Oregon has NO SALES

TAX, which is another reason to buy Oregoncrafted goods on your trip.

Hells Canyon

TRAVEL LIKE AN OREGONIAN

As a traveler, you no doubt recognize the countless ways travel enhances your life. With a little planning, your travel adventures can also enhance the places you visit and the lives of local residents. That’s the win-win of regenerative travel: By leaving places better than we found them, we build a deeper, more meaningful relationship with the places we visit.

In Oregon there’s a lot to love — and plenty of ways visitors can show their affection. We encourage you to look for low-impact options for recreation, seek out locally sourced foods and sustainable lodging, book a tour with a local guide, and take advantage of energy-efficient ways to move around the state. You may even enjoy giving back to this beautiful place with a hands-on project. Visitors and locals alike pitch in to clean up beaches with SOLVE and Surfrider, plant trees with the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, and rebuild well-trodden trails with Friends of the Columbia Gorge. All across the state, Oregonians are happy to help you match your vacation to your values.

Riverfront Trail in The Dalles

Greener Ways to Get Around

You can lighten your footprint by giving some thought to transportation choices. For visitors arriving by air, Portland International Airport sets a sustainable tone with its current $2 billion improvement project optimized for efficiency, resilience and well-being. It’s also quite stunning, especially the 9-acre undulating wood roof and skylights that evoke the dappled light of an Oregon forest.

Traveling by electric vehicle is encouraged and easy to do in Oregon, home to one of the nation’s largest and most robust networks of fast-charging EV stations. We’ve even mapped out some Electric Byways — scenic routes dotted with charging stations, environmentally friendly businesses and, naturally, electrifying scenery.

For travel in and around Portland, take the MAX Light Rail, which connects Portland International Airport to the city center and outlying areas. Bus services include Greyhound throughout Oregon, the Columbia Gorge Express serving towns and scenic attractions between Portland and Mt. Hood, and the Mt. Bachelor shuttle that connects Bend to year-round recreation on its local volcano. Many communities offer bike rentals and bike-share programs for short hops around town.

Dining and Drinking With a Difference

Sampling local cuisine is a rewarding part of travel — and you can reap even more rewards by supporting food and drink producers who make an extra effort to care for the environment. Seafood suppliers like Chelsea Rose Seafood in Newport and Flying Fish Company in Portland sell only sustainably harvested seafood, such as fish caught by hook and line.

Hopworks Urban Brewery was the first beer producer to become certified salmon-safe for using grains grown in a way that protects wild-salmon watersheds. Many Oregon wineries rely on biodynamic practices for healthier soil and vibrant flavor.

Locally sourced, seasonal foods taste better than those trucked in from elsewhere and are a tasty part of regenerative travel. Spring through fall, many communities host farmers markets — typically on Saturday mornings — where you can buy directly from growers and producers. The Oregon Farmers Markets Association maintains an online directory of markets across the state. Oregon’s Food Trails connect you to the sources of local food and drink, self-guided routes that lead to orchards, ranches, breweries, wineries, restaurants and other food purveyors. In Portland walking food tours introduce you to local eateries and chefs who make the most of the region’s bounty.

Perryhill Farm

MAX Light Rail

Recreation That’s Easy on the Earth

Oregon is a big place — more than 97,000 square miles/255,000 square kilometers — with vast amounts of public lands and trails. Guided trips are not only an efficient way to explore, they’re also a great way to experience destinations that could be challenging to discover or access on your own.

Whitewater-rafting trips are a classic example, multiday journeys that take care of everything from camping gear to home-cooked meals as you ride the current through remote river canyons. Backpackers can set off into the wilderness of the Wallowas and Blue Mountains with Go Wild American Adventures, accompanied by guides who know their way around the backcountry and with the option of pack mules to carry gear.

Outfitters and guides don’t just get you there — they provide insights into local culture, history and nature that you might otherwise miss. Whether pointing out ancient pictographs, giving a crash course in geology or identifying the weird warble of a bugling elk in the backcountry, guides help establish the true sense of place that is a foundation of regenerative travel.

Hiking and biking are naturally low-impact ways to explore on your own or with an experienced local guide. Check out the state’s scenic bikeways for some memorable cycling itineraries and plenty of bike-friendly businesses along the routes. Backpackers can enjoy town-to-town routes like the Oregon Coast Trail or tackle a section of the famed Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches from Canada to Mexico. Oregon’s state parks and its 11 national forests have endless options for day hikes. Wherever you may roam, please help steward the land by packing out what you

pack

in and practicing Leave No Trace principles.

Consider visiting during spring and fall. You’ll find fewer crowds, more opportunities to connect with locals and lower prices.

Painted Hills Scenic Bikeway

Thoughtful Shopping

Buying locally made goods is easy in Oregon, and you’ll find a number of makers who focus on using recycled materials and producing zero-waste goods. Marley’s Monsters in Eugene provides an alternative to single-use, disposable products with cheery, colorful, reusable home goods. In Wheeler The Heart of Cartm transforms materials that would go into the landfill into vibrant art pieces; it hosted an artist workshop in 2022 using marine debris as a “inspiration” for art and writing. Boutiques like Artifact in Portland make recycling fun and funky with their carefully curated collections of secondhand clothing, decor and art. As an added bonus, gifts and souvenirs purchased anywhere in Oregon are sales-tax-free

Sustainable Stays

Whether you’re looking to sleep under the stars or to bed down in a deluxe hotel, you can choose to stay in a way that’s easy on the earth. Built with regionally sourced materials, Soul Community Planet (SCP) Hotels aim to create a positive impact on their local communities. Their properties in Oregon — SCP Redmond, SCP Depoe Bay and the Salishan Coastal Lodge in Gleneden Beach — plant a tree for every guest stay and actively support local children in need. KEX Portland showcases its Icelandic roots, transforming a century-old apartment building with reclaimed wood-herringbone floors, salvaged European light fixtures, and hostel and hotel rooms designed for a communal spirit. Like many Portland properties, it’s within walking distance of a transit stop. You can forgo your car once you arrive at the Westfir Lodge, too. From its trailside location in the mountain biking hub of Oakridge, guests can take advantage of shuttles and tours with the lodge’s Cascades Outdoor Center. The location is also ideal for car-free long-distance bike packers and hikers. In Cave Junction, guests go off-grid off the ground: Out ’n’ About Treehouses has 15 leafy perches accessible by stairs and suspension bridges.

LUNDBLAD

KEX Portland

The Dalles

OREGON FOOD TRAILS

Local agriculture and authentic cuisine are the distinctions along Oregon’s food trails, highlighting farmers, fishers, chefs and artisans. Use these self-guided routes to explore each region and discover its freshest, finest flavors.

Rogue Valley Wine Country

Wild Rivers Coast Food Trail

The briny treasures of the Pacific — Dungeness crab, Oregon bay shrimp, oysters, mussels and more — are the undeniable culinary stars along Oregon’s South Coast. Crops thrive in the mild maritime climate, too. As you wander up and down the Coast, farm stands and local chefs invite you to savor each season’s offerings. And the stunning scenery along this route? That’s a treat for all the senses.

While the fishing fleets from Charleston and Winchester Bay head out to sea in search of the day’s fresh catch, Umpqua Aquaculture grows oysters from seed, suspended along lines in the clean, cool waters of Winchester Bay. The Wildflour Public House in North Bend makes a simple and sublime fish and chips with fresh cod; in Coos Bay, Shark Bites Café serves up local oysters and fish tacos. With its wild dunes and rocky sea stacks, Bandon is a great spot to explore the beach. Pick up picnic supplies at Farm & Sea or grab lunch at Tony’s Crab Shack along the wharf.

Bandon to Port Orford is a sweet spot for berry crops. Plump and juicy blueberries hang heavy on shrubs in summer at Twin Creek Ranch, Valentine Blueberries and Jensen Blueberries. Pick a bucketful or buy a few pints at their farm stands. Oregon is a top producer of cranberries, a food native to North America and a traditional dish for holiday meals. Bowman Bogs and Peters’ Cranberries sell the tart berries and cranberry products.

Port Orford is an exceptionally scenic spot to watch the activity of a working waterfront. In the late afternoon, the commercial fishing fleet unloads the cod, crab and rockfish that just might show up on the evening menu at nearby Redfish, or at Barnacle Bistro in Gold Beach. At the end of the day, toast the striking vistas of the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor with a seasonal craft beer from Chetco Brewing Company in Brookings.

Redfish restaurant

Rogue Valley Food Trail

Near Grants Pass in Southern Oregon, the land rumples into crooked valleys of the Rogue and Applegate rivers, where country roads wander casually past herb farms, dairies, orchards and wineries. The serene setting belies a busy hive of activity, with artisan food makers crafting cheeses, chocolates and other savory treats. In other words, pack a cooler and a picnic basket for this tour, because you’ll find plenty of local goodies to pick up along the way.

Harry & David was an early adopter; the large online retailer of specialty food gifts began nearly a century ago in Medford, where you can visit its flagship store. You can’t go wrong starting a Saturday at the Grants Pass Growers Market, a hub for just-picked produce and fresh-baked goods. Then head for the fields at Fort Vannoy Farms, which delights children each fall with a corn maze and pumpkins growing fat in the autumn sun. Nearby Daily Blessings Farm cultivates organic produce and teaches hands-on classes about growing seeds and composting with worms.

Fields of fragrant lavender and other botanical herbs await in the Applegate Valley in summer. Pick your own blooms and find essential oils at the English Lavender Farm and Lavender Fields Forever. A farmer and an herbalist are the husband-wife team that founded Oshala Farm, which grows a variety of organic medicinal and culinary herbs sold to wholesalers and made into dozens of products available on its website. Rows of wine grapes climb up the valley’s steep hillsides, where many different microclimates allow local vintners to grow more than 70 grape varietals. Discover your favorites and enjoy the bucolic views at Wooldridge Creek Winery and Troon Vineyard.

In Central Point, Rogue Creamery credits the local glacial waters and grass-fed dairy cows for fine cheeses like its buttery, tangy Bluehorn blue cheese — a super-gold winner at the 2022 World Cheese Awards. Next door Lillie Belle Farms applies the same careful precision to its handcrafted chocolates, roasting heirloom cocoa beans and transforming them into rich and intense confections that beckon like little jewels in its display case. In Talent whiskey gets the artisan touch at Pioneer Whisky, where spirits are handcrafted “grain to glass.”

English Lavender Farm

Rogue Creamery

Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail

Mineral-rich soils, a mild climate and talented winemakers put the Willamette Valley on the map in the late 1970s. Today it ranks among the top wine-producing regions in the world, home to hundreds of wineries that welcome you to their tasting rooms. While the secret is definitely out on its pinot noir, plenty of other talented food producers are also coaxing great things from the soils of the midWillamette. Come for the pinot; stay for the berries, hazelnuts and scenic views.

Attractions along this trail radiate out like spokes on a wheel from Corvallis. This lively college town is home to Oregon State University, a leader in agriculture research and education. Check out the regional bounty at the Corvallis Farmers’ Market on the downtown riverfront. Hiatt Farm is another tasty place to start your day, where fresh-baked sweet rolls come warm from the oven while you enjoy an espresso on the patio. If it’s summer, put picking berries next on your fun-to-do list at Kiger Island Blues for blueberries and Fairfield Farm for strawberries.

Stretch your legs with a stroll through the hazelnut orchards at Tyee Wine

Cellars and Buchanan Family Century Farm, followed up with a wine tasting in the parlor. Happy hour takes on a new meaning at nearby No Regrets Farm, which offers goat yoga and other experiences with their friendly therapy goats. A true farm-to-table experience awaits in Philomath, where the restaurant at Gathering

Together Farm blends European peasant cuisine with Pacific Northwest flair on its menu, featuring its own organic produce and homemade breads.

Early agricultural practices are on display at Thompson’s Mills, where Oregon’s oldest grain mill stands alongside the Calapooia River. Now a state heritage site, the still-functioning mill has guided tours available to explain its workings. Timehonored skills are also at work at Iron Water Ranch, where frolicking sheep produce the raw fleece and beautiful wool yarns for sale. Newborn lambs and the farm’s sassy herding dogs are always a hit with visitors.

HAMILTON / WILLAMETTE VALLEY VISITORS ASSOCIATION

Iron Water Ranch

ALL-AMERICAN ROADS

Oregon has more scenic byways than any other state, and these four have been designated All-American Roads for their archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities. Check out the wondrous beauty of the Columbia River Gorge, Hells Canyon, Crater Lake National Park and the Oregon Coast on these scenic byways.

Highway 101 near Manzanita

ALL-AMERICAN ROAD

PACIFIC COAST SCENIC BYWAY

Oregon’s Pacific coastline stretches for 363 magnificent miles/584 kilometers — and a landmark state law ensures every inch of it is open to the public. Welcome to the People’s Coast.

Astoria to Garibaldi

The byway begins in Astoria — established as a fur-trading post in 1811 and the oldest immigrant settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. Here where the mighty Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, Astoria’s heritage is intertwined with the sea. The Columbia River Maritime Museum anchors a beguiling downtown of passing ships, Victorian homes, seafood restaurants and paths along old cannery wharves.

At Fort Stevens State Park, view

the Columbia Bar, the often-treacherous confluence of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. Nearby Fort Clatsop re-creates the winter camp of the Lewis and Clark Expedition — the first European expedition to cross the western states.

Seaside attracts families with its 1920s-era promenade and boardwalk games, while its artsy cousin Cannon Beach has galleries, boutiques and views of 235-foot/72-meter Haystack Rock. In between lies Ecola State

Bandon

Park, with sandy coves, forested trails and majestic Tillamook Head. The byway winds past cliffs and coves before descending to the rich estuary of Nehalem Bay

Garibaldi to Newport

The byway arcs inland around Tillamook Bay at Garibaldi, a hub for fishing and kayaking. In Tillamook take a self-guided tour of the Tillamook Creamery. Head west on OR-131 for a detour along the Trees to Sea Scenic Byway to the Cape Meares Lighthouse. Then continue south along the Three Capes Scenic Loop to Cape Lookout State Park and the massive sand dune of Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City.

Lincoln City draws kite flyers to its breezy beaches, surfers to Nelscott Reef and hikers to the old-growth forest of the Cascade Head Preserve.

The fishing village of Depoe Bay bills itself as the smallest navigable harbor in the world, where fishing boats and whale-watching excursions thread through a rocky channel to the Pacific. Eye tiny critters in the “marine garden” of tide pools around Otter Rock. Nearby, the Devils Punchbowl churns with swirling seawater. Explore more marine gardens and Oregon’s tallest lighthouse at Yaquina Head

Outstanding Natural Area

Newport to Coos Bay

Newport sits on Yaquina Bay, marked by the 1871 Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, Oregon’s last wooden lighthouse. Wander the shops and restaurants of Nye Beach and the working bayfront. The Oregon Coast Aquarium enlightens visitors about life beneath the surface, and nearby Hatfield Marine Science Center, part of Oregon State University,

focuses research on marine ecology and climate change.

Near Yachats, waves boom and swirl against the base of 800-foot/244-meter Cape Perpetua Scenic Area with trails through old-growth forest above. The Heceta Head Lighthouse offers tower tours, and visitors can stay in the lightkeeper’s home, now a B&B. At the nearby Sea Lion Caves, an elevator descends 208 feet/63 meters to an observation area in a huge natural cavern where Steller sea lions and other wildlife gather. In summer the sea lions can be seen sunning themselves on the nearby rocks.

In Florence fishing boats and shopfilled historic buildings line up along the Siuslaw River. Around the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area businesses offer dune-buggy tours, sandboarding equipment and ATV rentals.

Coos Bay to Brookings

The Oregon Coast’s largest city, Coos

Bay is a busy port for commercial and recreational fishing, crabbing and clamming. Nearby, the Charleston to Bandon Tour Route hugs the Coast, reuniting with US-101 in Bandon, known for world-class golf, art and dramatic sea stacks.

In Port Orford, find the start of the Wild Rivers Coast Scenic Bikeway, and look for harbor seals and sea lions at Port Orford Heads State Park. The Sixes and Elk rivers draining down from the Coast Range offer great salmon and steelhead fishing. The Rogue River, a Wild and Scenic River famed for rafting and fishing, meets the Pacific at Gold Beach. Jet-boat tours power upriver to the scenic Lower Rogue. Beyond Pistol River, a famous windsurfing spot, find the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, with ample overlooks, hiking trails and beach access. The byway concludes south of Brookings, known for its temperate climate and Oregon’s largest stand of coastal redwoods.

Oregon Coast Aquarium

ALL-AMERICAN ROAD

HISTORIC COLUMBIA RIVER HIGHWAY SCENIC BYWAY

About 14,000 years ago, cataclysmic floods scoured out the Columbia River Gorge. Early visionaries engineered America’s first scenic highway along its towering walls, a 70-mile/113-kilometer “King of Roads.”

Troutdale to Crown Point

The Sandy River marks the western boundary of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area—the nation’s second national scenic area—where the byway begins. From Troutdale (exit 17 on Interstate 84), the road follows the Sandy upstream, then winds through Corbett to a panorama at the Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint.

On its 1,200-mile/1,931-kilometer run to the Pacific, the majestic Columbia swells into the nation’s fourth-largest river. The viewpoint offers vistas of the Gorge’s grand basalt cliffs, formed by Ice Age floods between 18,000 and 13,000 years ago.

The Gorge inspired railroad lawyer Samuel Hill and engineer extraordinaire Samuel Lancaster to create a grand scenic drive. It seemed implausible — a road

Vista House

that would cling to sheer cliffs, traverse rushing rivers and tunnel through hammer-hard basalt. The first segment was dedicated in 1916. The first destination built along the new road, the 1918 Vista House, has displays about the highway construction and unmatched Gorge views from the rotunda atop Crown Point, 1 mile/1.6 kilometers past the first scenic overlook.

A World of Waterfalls

From Crown Point, the byway drifts down the mountain in gentle arcs suitable for touring cars from the early 20th century, showcasing the highway’s original stonework. You’re soon immersed in a deeply shaded, ferny oasis with one waterfall after another tumbling down. In 8 miles/12.8 kilometers, the byway skirts the base of five significant falls: Latourell, Shepperd’s Dell, Bridal Veil, Wahkeena and the granddaddy of them all, 620-foot/189-meter

Multnomah, one of the tallest waterfalls in the nation. (Permit required during high season. Consider taking a shuttle, e-bike or guided trip to avoid congestion.) East of Crown Point, family-friendly Latourell Falls is a 2.4-mile/3.9-kilometer loop past two plunging waterfalls. Farther along the interstate, find a car-free segment of the historic highway restored as the

Stevenson

White Salmon

Multnomah Falls

Tom McCall Preserve

Historic Columbia River Highway

State Trail for bicycle and pedestrian use. The historic highway and adjacent waterfall hikes are popular destinations, especially on the weekends, so consider going early or visiting midweek. Also, several of the trails in the area were affected by wildfire in 2017, so check for updates when planning your hike.

Bonneville Lock and Dam to Hood River

Bonneville Lock and Dam was the first of many dams to tame the Columbia. Watch from an underwater window in the Visitors Center as fish wriggle up the fish ladder to bypass the hydropower turbines, and stop in at the Sturgeon Viewing Center to look for Herman the Sturgeon — 10 feet/3 meters long, 425 pounds/20 kilograms and almost 80 years old.

Before the dams, the Columbia churned through nearby Cascade Locks in a 7-mile/11.2-kilometer series of falls and rapids known as “The Great Chute.” Cascade Locks’ shady riverside setting, campgrounds, brewpubs and

Native-owned fish market make it an appealing stop.

Kiteboarders and windsurfers frequent the Hood River area, 18 miles/28.9 kilometers east. Scenic overlooks abound on the Twin Tunnels Trail, a sublime 5-mile/8-kilometer section of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. Cyclists and pedestrians flock to the trail, which is closed to motorized traffic, to enjoy views and long tunnels chiseled through the basalt.

Mosier to The Dalles

The byway rejoins the historic highway at exit 69 in Mosier at the east end of the Twin Tunnels Trail. Rowena Crest showcases dramatic geology, and footpaths wind through the Tom McCall Preserve, a bounty of spring wildflowers and several endemic plants found only in the Columbia River Gorge. A spectacular descent down the swooping curves of the Rowena Loops leads to The Dalles — a historical gathering place for Native American tribes and the eastern gateway to the Columbia River Gorge.

Downtown murals document its rich 19th-century heritage, first as a Lewis and Clark encampment, then as a staging area for Oregon Trail pioneers preparing for the treacherous trip down the Columbia’s rapids. The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center brings the region’s natural and cultural history to life. The stunning geologic beauty of the Columbia River Gorge, its incredible outdoor access and the friendly small towns will draw you back again and again.

For information on shuttle services and guided tours for the Columbia River Gorge, check out our story on guide companies on page 35.

ALL-AMERICAN ROAD

VOLCANIC LEGACY SCENIC BYWAY

There are many high points on this volcano-to-volcano, 140-mile/225-kilometer drive, where eons of eruptions and lava flows left a fiery heritage of cinder cones, pumice plains and unforgettable Crater Lake National Park.

Diamond Lake Junction to Crater Lake National Park

The byway begins on US-97 at Diamond Lake Junction, where OR-138 climbs west through the Fremont-Winema National Forest to Crater Lake National Park. (Because of snow, this entrance is often only open from about June through October. The southern entrance, accessible from OR-62, remains open all year.) The North Entrance Road leads across a

pumice desert moonscape, evidence of the massive eruption of ancient Mt. Mazama. Its crater collapsed from the force, forming the caldera that created the deepest lake in the United States — 1,943 feet/592 meters. The brilliantblue waters of the lake are formed entirely by rain and snowmelt as the lake has no tributaries.

Crater Lake’s depth is rivaled only by its brilliance, so pure it seems to glow an electric blue. Your first unforgettable

Crater Lake National Park

look comes at Merriam Point near the North Junction, where the byway meets Rim Drive, a 33-mile/53-kilometer road that encircles the lake.

Follow Rim Drive clockwise for easier access to the many overlooks. Cleetwood Cove Trail is the only trail in the park leading to the water’s edge and is also the departure point for ranger-led boat tours. Some tours stop at Wizard Island, which rises more than 700 feet/213 meters above the water’s surface.

Skell Head and the short side trip to the Cloudcap Overlook provide excellent views of the entire lake. A hiking trail climbs up Mt. Scott, the highest point in the park. Rim Drive dips away from the lake a few times en route to the 1915 log-and-stone Crater Lake Lodge. Find film and interpretive displays at the Steel Visitor Center, and get one last spectacular view from the Sinnott Memorial Overlook.

Fort Klamath and Klamath Lake

Established as a U.S. military outpost in 1863, Fort Klamath now houses the Fort Klamath Museum, which

recounts the fort’s role in the Modoc War—one of many forced relocations of America’s indigenous people. From here the byway winds west and south along the Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge and Upper Klamath Lake — Oregon’s largest freshwater lake; together with the adjacent wetlands and other area lakes, the Klamath Basin forms one of the largest freshwater ecosystems west of the Great Lakes.

A boat offers an ideal way to explore. (Area concessionaires offer rentals.) Self-guided water trails, like the Upper Klamath Canoe Trail near Rocky Point, weave among marsh grasses and lilies. Anglers seek trophy-size native rainbow trout here.

The waterways draw more than a million birds migrating up and down the Pacific Flyway. More than 300 different species pass through, including shorebirds like white-faced ibis, great egrets and sandhill cranes; raptors like American kestrels and northern harriers; tens of thousands of geese, ducks and swans; and the largest concentration of bald eagles in the contiguous United States. In the

CHRISTIAN HEEB

Crater Lake Lodge

shadow of 9,495-foot/2,894-meter Mt. McLoughlin, the byway joins OR-140 and sidles up alongside the lake at Howard Bay.

Klamath Falls

The byway passes through ponderosa pine, horse farms and cattle ranches before descending toward Klamath Falls at the lake’s southern end. Walking trails along the waterways just below the lake — the Link River and Lake Ewauna — are good spots to stretch your legs and do a little bird-watching. Look for bald and golden eagles, peregrine falcons, sandhill cranes, and snowy egrets.

The railroad arrived in Klamath Falls in 1909, bringing with it well-heeled travelers from San Francisco and Portland. A booming “entertainment industry” for loggers and ranch hands quickly sprang to life, too, with brothels, saloons and entertainment venues. A few architectural tributes remain, such as the 1905 Baldwin Hotel and the 1939 art deco Ross Ragland Theater. The Favell Museum displays more than 100,000 Native American artifacts and the works of more than 300 contemporary Western artists.

The byway continues on US-97 south of Klamath Falls, traveling through two more of the refuges in the Klamath Basin: Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. At the Oregon-California border, the Francis S. Landrum Historic Wayside commemorates the Applegate Trail, an alternative to the Oregon Trail used by pioneers. The byway continues past Tulelake, Lava Beds National Monument and Mt. Shasta toward Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Upper Klamath Canoe Trail

ALL-AMERICAN ROAD

HELLS CANYON SCENIC BYWAY

North America’s deepest river gorge, Hells Canyon, and the Wallowa Mountains star on this 208-mile/335-kilometer route through the state’s northeast corner, the rich ancestral homeland of the Nez Perce Tribe.

La Grande

Some 300,000 pioneers headed west on the Oregon Trail in the mid-1800s seeking greener pastures to establish homesteads. The 2,000-mile/3,218-kilometer route passed through La Grande, and many pioneers stopped there — where mountain rivers descended into a broad, grassy valley perfect for growing crops and grazing cattle.

La Grande remains a major commercial center in Eastern Oregon, with a lively

downtown and vibrant Eastern Oregon University. It’s a convenient jumping-off point for forays into the Wallowa Mountains.

Elgin to Enterprise

Elgin hosts the Elgin Stampede, a stop on the professional rodeo circuit, each July. Downtown Elgin’s restored 1912 brick opera house hosts performances and houses a history museum. Elgin is also the departure point for the

Hells Canyon

Eagle Cap Excursion Train, chugging through the deep canyons of the Grande Ronde and Wallowa rivers.

At Minam, the byway bends south along the Wallowa River on a scenic stretch of road, passing through creased canyons and views of the oft-snowcapped Wallowas. The Minam State Recreation Area has riverside camping, popular with anglers and rafters.

The byway descends into Wallowa County and the Wallowa Valley, known to Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce as the “beautiful valley of winding waters.” The Nez Perce, admired for their superb horse skills, coexisted peacefully for decades with the settlers moving into their ancestral homelands. But the cultures clashed when Chief Joseph and his people were forced to flee the valley in 1877 to avoid relocation to a reservation in Idaho, marking the start of the Nez Perce War.

In partnership with the National Park Service, the Wallowa Band Nez Perce Trail Interpretive Center in Wallowa celebrates Nez Perce culture with exhibits and the annual Tamkaliks celebration of traditional dance, food, song and dress in July.

In Enterprise, the county seat, the downtown core retains an Old West feel with its 19th-century architecture and present-day agricultural economy.

Joseph and the Wallowas

Joseph is a thriving arts community with several downtown galleries, studios and walks highlighting public art installations. Here Valley Bronze, one of the nation’s most notable bronze foundries, offers tours of the production process, from clay models to finished castings. The Wallowa Mountains Visitor Center has maps, permits, exhibits and

Wallowa Lake Tramway

information about the national forest, the Eagle Cap Wilderness and the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.

Nearby Wallowa Lake is a deep-blue alpine beauty formed by glaciers and wedged between high peaks. Wallowa Lake State Park has a campground and a marina with boat, kayak and paddleboard rentals. From mid-May through September, the Wallowa Lake Tramway whisks passengers toward the summit of 8,200-foot/2,500-meter Mt. Howard.

Hells Canyon

From Joseph the byway heads east toward Hells Canyon, then swings south to briefly parallel the Wild and Scenic Imnaha River, important spawning grounds for chinook salmon and steelhead trout. For a look at Hells Canyon, turn left on FR-3965 near the Ollokot campground to the Hells Canyon Overlook. Spoiler alert: You can’t see the Snake River from here, but the gorge is stunning — more than a mile/1.6 kilometers deep and carved by eons of Snake River erosion. From some areas on the east rim, Hells Canyon plummets more than 8,000 feet/2,438 meters, dwarfing even the Grand Canyon.

Back on the byway, FR-39 continues south to a junction with OR-86. Detour north past Copperfield/Oxbow to the Hells Canyon Dam and the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area Visitor Center for a look at this mighty canyon from the river level. From here rafting trips and jet-boat excursions descend through the canyon into the Snake’s exhilarating white-water rapids. (Always check for seasonal closures on these rugged roads.)

From the towns of Halfway and Richland, you can explore the mountains and foothills with a horse or llama guide company. Near Baker City, the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center offers exhibits and living-history presentations on the great migration that forever changed the American West.

Downtown Baker City is ripe for exploring with more than 100 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Take a horse-drawn tour or journey on foot and find a fine mix of museums and galleries as well as craft breweries, a distillery and an artisan chocolate maker

Eagle Cap Wilderness

GET OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

Once you’ve experienced Oregon’s most famous sights, there are more incredible outdoors to explore.

1 Willamette Falls

South of Portland at Oregon City, the serene Willamette River suddenly pours in a magnificent crescent of whitewater over 1,500-foot-wide/ 457-meter-wide Willamette Falls, the most voluminous waterfall in the Pacific Northwest. eNRG Kayaking leads flatwater kayak and paddleboard tours below the falls, where herons stalk the riverbank and ospreys glide above. Along the way, guides share the site’s multilayered history as the ancestral homeland of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and a final stop on the emigrant Oregon Trail.

2 Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

This sublime 12-mile/19-kilometer stretch of Pacific coastline between Gold Beach and Brookings is like a greatest hits of the Oregon Coast — a medley of towering sea stacks, hidden beaches, booming waves and screeching seabirds. Turnoffs along US-101 offer spectacular views, and many access the Oregon Coast Trail that traces the shore. Get out on the ocean with South Coast Tours, exploring Port Orford’s working port and rocky coves by kayak.

3 Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness

Tree trunks the size of cars, rivers as clear as glass: Nature feels ancient and untouched in the SalmonHuckleberry Wilderness. Experience it just an hour from Portland with a hike along the Salmon River Trail. From the trailhead on Salmon River Road near Welches, the path follows the river through a carpet of ferns and a shaggy canopy of cedar and hemlock. Enjoy it as a 4-mile/6.5-kilometer out-and-back hike, or combine with other area trails for a memorable loop.

Willamette Falls

4 McKenzie River National Recreation Trail

Eons of ancient volcanic eruptions have left a dramatic mark on Central Oregon, where the McKenzie River tumbles through a lava-sculpted riverbed of waterfalls, peacock-blue pools and underground tubes. The McKenzie River Trail follows the river’s contorted route for more than 26 miles/42 kilometers, a favorite of backpackers and experienced mountain bikers. Cog Wild runs a mountain bike shuttle service from Bend and offers custom guide service, too.

5 Cove Palisades State Park

Three Oregon rivers — the Metolius, the Crooked and the Deschutes — come together to form Lake Billy Chinook, a sprawling waterway in a deep basalt canyon near Madras. Explore its lakelevel trails at Cove Palisades State Park, then marvel at its 600-foot-high/ 183-meter-high cliffs by boat on a guided fishing trip or Crooked River Canyon Tour with Triple T Outfitters.

6 Rogue River National Scenic Trail

Legendary among whitewater kayakers, rafters and anglers, the feisty Rogue River is largely inaccessible by land. But hikers can enjoy an epic Rogue adventure too, thanks to the 40-mile/64-kilometer Rogue River Trail along its north bank. Morrisons Rogue Wilderness Adventures lightens the load with its four-day, raft-supported lodge-to-lodge trip. While you hike, guides ferry your gear to each night’s stay at a historic backcountry lodge, where a welldeserved meal and comfy bed await.

7 Owyhee Canyonlands

The Owyhee River chisels a deep crack in the expansive desert of Eastern Oregon, where a springtime rafting trip promises unsurpassed solitude and plenty of natural wonder in the Owyhee River Canyonlands. On a five-day trip with Ouzel Outfitters, you’ll float leisurely through canyons etched with ancient petroglyphs, buck through Class II and III rapids, and camp on sandy beaches with hikes up side canyons and soaks in hot springs.

Lake Billy Chinook

EXPERIENCE THE CULTURAL TRADITIONS OF OREGON’S NINE FEDERALLY DESIGNATED TRIBES

Since time immemorial, Indigenous people have inhabited what is now Oregon, with cultures as rich and diverse as the landscapes they live on. Today the nine federally recognized tribes welcome you to their homelands, where you can visit museums, galleries and cultural centers; experience powwows and seasonal celebrations; and enjoy the hospitality of tribally owned resorts and other visitor amenities.

Dr. Jason Younker, chief of the Coquille Indian Tribe

Burns Paiute Tribe

The Harney Basin of Eastern Oregon is the heart of the Burns Paiute tribal homeland, where archaeological evidence points to a tribal history spanning more than 750 generations. With its rocky buttes, wild horses and views that seem to stretch on forever, Burns Paiute country exemplifies the wide-open American West.

The tribe’s Old Camp RV Park, between Hines and Burns, makes a good base for exploring this vast and rather remote region. Come prepared and keep a full gas tank to explore attractions like the Steens Mountain Loop Tour Route and the Malheur

National Wildlife Refuge. In Burns the Tukwahone’ Culture & Heritage Center sells original works of tribal artisans and shares tribal history through exhibits and photos. The Burns Paiute Powwow and Lacrosse Tournament in August brings together drumming contests, dance competitions and plenty of lacrosse, a modern version of a centuries-old Native American game.

Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians

Since before written records, the Coos, Siuslaw and Lower Umpqua people have thrived along the freshwater rivers and

TRIBES OF COOS, LOWER UMPQUA AND SIUSLAW INDIANS

Traditional high-prow canoe

saltwater bays of the Coast. From the red cedar tree, they built weather-tight plank houses; constructed dugout canoes for travel; and crafted clothing, baskets, ropes and medicines from its bark and boughs.

The tribes remain deeply connected to the region around the thriving coastal communities of Florence and Coos Bay, the heart of tribal lands. Just 2 miles/ 3.2 kilometers from Historic Old Town Florence, the tribe welcomes guests to its Three Rivers Casino Resort and neighboring Oregon Dunes Golf Links, set among wild sand dunes and native sea grasses. Fifty miles/80.5 kilometers south, the Three Rivers Casino in Coos Bay adds more gaming excitement and waterfront dining at its Café 1297, one of the most popular spots in town.

Coquille Indian Tribe

The bountiful forests and waters of Southwest Oregon have forever been home to the Coquille Indian Tribe. Salmon, in particular, plays an important role in the culture of the Coquille. The tribe’s Mill-Luck Salmon Celebration in September honors the return of the salmon to coastal waters, and provides a stage to share the heritage and traditions of the tribe with visitors. A traditional open-pit salmon-bake dinner highlights the weekend, along with canoe races, drumming and dancing performances, and a marketplace offering traditional wares and foods.

It all takes place at the Mill Casino Hotel & RV Park, overlooking Coos Bay on Oregon’s South Coast. It’s a favorite destination for waterfront dining, gaming, concerts, food festivals and other events. The idyllic setting makes it a great base for exploring the scenic beauty of the South Coast.

How to Visit Respectfully

Tribes welcome the opportunity to share their cultures but ask that you visit with respect and follow some basic guidelines:

• Tribal events that are open to the public will be clearly marked; please assume all other gatherings are private.

• Ask permission before taking photos of people or events.

• Refrain from picking up artifacts or disturbing burial or sacred sites.

• Don’t bring weapons, drugs or alcohol to tribal lands.

OF THE MILL CASINO HOTEL & RV PARK; COURTESY OF THE OLD CAMP RV PARK

Mill Casino Hotel & RV Park

Old Camp RV Park

Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians

Tumbling raucously through spruce forest, the Umpqua River has long been central to the Cow Creek Umpqua people as a vital source of traditional foods like salmon and Pacific lamprey. Their ancestral lands once encompassed many such lush river valleys, where tribal members continue to gather to socialize, swim, harvest huckleberries and celebrate with events like the Cow Creek Tribal Pow Wow in July.

The Cow Creek Band owns and operates the Seven Feathers Casino Resort, a popular attraction in Southern Oregon, along Interstate 5 between Roseburg and Grants Pass. The fullservice resort features a 300-room hotel, seven dining venues, the River Rock Spa, and high-spirited gaming action and live entertainment in its casino. The Seven Feathers Truck & Travel Center has all the conveniences for travelers exploring this beautiful corner of the state, including RV sites, a deli, fuel and other services.

Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde

Comprising a multitude of Native tribes whose homelands stretched across what is now called Western Oregon, Southwest Washington and Northern California, today this strong and successful tribal confederation is based among forested hills and verdant river valleys 60 miles/97 kilometers southwest of Portland.

Its popular Spirit Mountain Casino Resort offers fine lodging; an array of dining options; exciting gaming; and a busy calendar of live music, stand-up comedy and festivals. In August the tribe hosts its Annual Contest Powwow featuring dancers from across North America in full Native regalia. The nearby Chachalu Museum and Cultural Center shares the stories of the tribes’ past, present and future through exhibits, photos and ceremonial artifacts. A smartphone app lets museum visitors participate in games, songs and stories, and hear snippets of the Chinuk Wawa language.

Chachalu Museum and Cultural Center

The Klamath Tribes

The largest freshwater lake in Oregon, Upper Klamath Lake is the heart of the Klamath Basin — and the soul of the Klamath Tribes. Their ancestral lands encompass a breathtakingly beautiful and diverse landscape of forest, grassland, mountains and waterways — including Giiwas, or Crater Lake — in what is today Southern Oregon.

Visitors will find comfortable accommodations and entertainment at the Kla-Mo-Ya Casino, Sleep Inn & Suites and Crater Lake Junction Travel Center in Chiloquin, tribal businesses that strengthen the local economy and help fund the tribes’ dedicated environmental-stewardship work. In late August, the three-day Restoration Celebration in Chiloquin includes a parade, a youth rodeo, food and craft vendors, and a large competition powwow with dancers from many tribal nations.

Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

More than 30 Native American tribes trace their ancestry to the vast and varied lands between the Cascade Range and the Pacific Coast. They come together today as the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, representing an array of cultural practices and ways of living rooted to their homelands.

The Chinook Winds Casino Resort enjoys a prime location on the oceanfront in Lincoln City, one of the Coast’s most popular vacation areas. Resort amenities include gaming, dining, live entertainment, an 18-hole golf course and miles of Pacific beaches right outside the door. The nearby Logan Road RV Park offers 24-hour shuttle service to the casino and access to the resort’s pool and spa. The Siletz

Tribe hosts two public powwows each year: The Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow in August is held outdoors in Siletz; the Restoration Pow-Wow in November brings the festivities indoors to the Chinook Winds Casino Resort.

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation

Generous in spirit and nature, the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla were documented in the Lewis & Clark journals as assisting the expedition party on its way west. Now united as the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla

Indian Reservation, the three tribes have a thriving community east of Pendleton. Its visitor attractions include the Wildhorse Resort and Casino, Wildhorse Golf Course, and award-winning Tamástslikt Cultural

Chinook Winds Casino Resort

Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow

Institute, which shares the rich and storied history of the tribes and chronicles the impact of western expansionism from a tribal point of view.

The first weekend in July marks the Wildhorse Powwow, one of the largest powwows in the state, with drummers, singing groups, artisans and dancers from many North American tribes. At the Kidz Pow Wow in September, children 12 and under dance for prizes and play traditional games.

Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs

Among the ponderosa pines and rocky river canyons south of Mt. Hood, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs brings together three tribes — the Wasco, Warm Springs and Paiute — whose ancestral roots trace to the Columbia River and Southeastern Oregon desert. Today its tribal lands border the Deschutes River, where visitors will discover several tribal-owned attractions and businesses near OR-26 and the community of Warm Springs.

At the Museum of Warm Springs, life-size traditional dwellings, multimedia presentations, and an extensive collection of trade items and heirlooms bring to life the culture of the tribes. The Indian Head Casino hosts slots, table games, tournaments and dining. Newly updated for 2023, the hot-springs pool and soaking tubs at nearby KahNee-Ta Village have drawn guests for more than 50 years. Village accommodations include traditional tipis along with a motel and RV sites. Fly-fishing the Deschutes River is a special treat — especially with Littleleaf Guide Service, a husband-wife outfitter team with access to 39 miles/63 kilometers of riverbank on Native land.

COURTESY OF THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE UMATILLA INDIAN RESERVATION; JUSTIN BAILIE

Wildhorse Powwow

Deschutes River

VANWEELDEN

BOOK A TRIP WITH AN OREGON GUIDE COMPANY

Why use a guide company? A trip to Oregon is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. When you hire a guide company, you’ll know your itinerary has been expertly curated by Oregonians in the know. Outfitters choose the best hikes, river trips and bike routes, and also provide any necessary gear and safety equipment. Guides can offer exclusive access to secret spots and lesser-known locales while decreasing your impact on the folks who live there. Oregon’s guide companies have the inside track on getting you off the beaten path and leaving a lighter footprint as you go.

America’s Hub World Tours

Explore Oregon’s diverse wine culture, experience rich bird-watching habitat or soak in the scenic beauty of the Coast. Choose from multiday trips, overnights and day trips (including the quirky and eclectic Weird Tours).

AmericasHubWorldTours.com

Blue Sky Rafting

Enjoy a day out on the water with the closest river outfitter to Portland. Halfday and full-day trips travel through the powerful whitewater of the Sandy and Clackamas rivers, past lush old-growth forests in scenic river canyons.

BlueSkyRafting.com

Cog Wild Bicycle Tours

Cascades Outdoor Center

You can access the Willamette Valley’s premier mountain biking, whitewater rafting, scenic hikes and snowshoe tours with Cascades Outdoor Center. Daily shuttles and guided tours leave from the town of Westfir and lead to waterfalls, wildflower meadows and national forest lands.

CascadesOutdoorCenter.com

Clackamas River Outfitters

Flatwater paddleboarding, whitewater kayaking, pack rafting or river surfing are all on offer with Clackamas River Outfitters. Rentals and lessons are available at multiple locations along the river.

ClackamasRiverOutfitters.com

Cog Wild Bicycle Tours

Cog Wild provides access to the best of Central Oregon and Willamette Valley mountain biking single-track trails. Book a shuttle or guided trip around Bend or Oakridge, reserve a custom adventure, or take a winter fat-biking trip.

CogWild.com

E-Bike Multnomah Falls

Experience the epic beauty of Oregon’s iconic “waterfall alley” without the hassle of a car. Self-guided two-wheeled tours along the Historic Columbia River Highway lead to stunning views of waterfalls and hiking-trail access.

EBikeMultnomahFalls.com

eNRG Kayaking

Rafting, kayaking, paddleboarding and tubing are available just a stone’s throw from Portland’s center. Paddle up to stunning Willamette Falls — one of the largest in the U.S. — or book a whitewater trip on the Santiam or Clackamas rivers.

eNRGKayaking.com

Go Wild American Adventures

Immerse yourself in Eastern Oregon on a tailor-made backcountry gourmet trip. Experienced guides lead pack rafting, backpacking and luxury wild-camping trips for families, groups and private parties in the Blue and Wallowa mountains. GoWildUSA.com

MountNbarreL Guided Tours

Columbia River Gorge wines and the scenic beauty of the Hood River Valley are the focus on these day trips, multiday retreats, bike tours and shuttles. Itineraries include wine tasting, lunch and exclusive tasting-room access.

MountNbarreL.com

Oregon River Experiences

From the John Day to the Deschutes and the Rogue to the Grande Ronde, these whitewater trips span the state. You can take in the beauty of Oregon’s rivers on a day trip, multiday itinerary or custom journey.

OregonRiver.com

Portland Spirit Cruises

Admire the Portland city skyline from a Willamette River cruise. Choose from a brunch, lunch or dinner cruise featuring Pacific Northwest cuisine, or opt for a sightseeing-only cruise. Specialty trips happen during the holidays.

PortlandSpirit.com

Portland Spirit Cruises

Slabtown Tours

Walking tours offer history lessons on the city of Portland aka Slabtown — a nickname from its heyday as a mill town in the 19th century. Choose from 90-minute strolls through Nob Hill, St. Johns, Northwest 23rd Avenue and the spooky Haunted Adventures — offered at night.

SlabtownTours.com

South Coast Tours

The rugged beauty and scenic wildlife of Oregon’s Southern Coast can be experienced in myriad ways. South Coast Tours’ paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, fishing and surfing trips offer unique opportunities to immerse yourself in nature.

SouthCoastTours.net

Wildwood Adventures

Depart conveniently from Portland for tours of Columbia River Gorge waterfalls, iconic Mt. Hood, Willamette Valley wine country, the urban core of Portland or the Oregon Coast. Public and private trips available.

WildwoodTours.com

Wine de Roads

Bicycle touring is a unique way to see Willamette Valley wine country. These two-wheeled tours of Chehalem Valley and Champoeg State Heritage Area include bicycle rental and a picnic lunch with hand-selected tasting room stops.

WineDeRoads.com

South Coast Tours

RESOURCES

Travel Oregon operates eight staffed Oregon Welcome Centers throughout the state, seven days a week May through September.* Each center features a treasure trove of amenities — well beyond free state maps and travel guides, Wi-Fi, and restrooms.

The best resources to direct you to top Oregon experiences are Oregonians. Our Welcome Center Travel Advisors love the place they call home and are well versed in travel tips and recommendations about things to do and places to see across the state. Stop by a center for personalized travel information, tailored just for you. Visit OregonWelcomeCenters.com for additional details on locations, hours and more.

1 ASHLAND

This Cascadia-themed facility comes with a fire-lookout replica, a children’s play area, free locally roasted coffee, device-charging stations and comfortable furnishings. Take in the views of the Cascade and Siskiyou mountains on your respite from the road.

Located at the ODOT Siskiyou Rest Area, off I-5 N., 13 miles/21 kilometers north of the California/Oregon border (milepost 12.7). Northbound access only. 541.625.0575

2 KLAMATH FALLS

Located along the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, this location is the perfect stop for coffee, maps and expert travel tips. Traveling with horses? This facility features an enclosure for your equine friends.

Located at the ODOT Midland Rest Area, off Hwy. 97, 9 miles/14.5 kilometers north of the Oregon/California border and 8 miles/12.8 kilometers south of Klamath Falls. 541.882.7330

3 ONTARIO

Don’t let the Mountain time zone fool you — this center is officially situated in Oregon. A gateway to high-desert beauty, this facility showcases Oregon Trail history. Enjoy coffee and conversation on your journey.

Located at the ODOT Ontario Rest Area, off I-84 W., a quarter-mile/0.4 kilometers west of the Oregon/Idaho border. Westbound access only. 541.889.8569

4 BOARDMAN

The SAGE Center provides education about sustainable agriculture and energy through fun, interactive multimedia exhibits. Soar on a simulated hot-air balloon ride, watch potatoes turn into fries, savor ice cream and more.

Located at the SAGE Center, 101 Olson Road, off I-84 at Exit 164. 541.481.7243, VisitSAGE.com

5 OREGON CITY

Want to take a deeper dive into Oregon’s pioneer past? Visit the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, where hands-on exhibits include making candles, dressing up and loading your wagons.

Located at The End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, 1726 Washington St., off I-205 at Exit 10. 503.657.9336, HistoricOregonCity.org

6 PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Named Travel + Leisure’s best domestic airport eight times, PDX continues to delight visitors arriving by air. Stop by this center, located near a Sasquatch statue, to start your adventure with spirit.

7000 NE Airport Way, off I-205, located in the arrivals level near baggage claim carousel five. 503.284.4620

7 SEASIDE

In 1805 Lewis and Clark’s famed expedition led them to the Oregon Coast; today you’ll find monuments honoring their history in Seaside. For the modern traveler, look for the oversize beach chair beckoning for a photo op.

Located at the Seaside Visitors Bureau, 7 N. Roosevelt Drive (Hwy. 101) and Broadway St. 503.738.3097, SeasideOR.com

8 BROOKINGS

Situated along the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, this center features dramatic oceanfront views, beach access and picnic tables. Inside find interpretive information about marine life and a children’s play area.

Located at Oregon State Parks’ Crissey Field State Recreation Site, 14433 Hwy. 101 S., a half-mile/0.8 kilometers north of the Oregon/California border and 5 miles/8 kilometers south of Brookings. 541.469.4117

*Hours and days of operation may vary and are subject to change; please call ahead.

Ashland Welcome Center

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Oregon’s 7 REGIONS

EASTERN OREGON

Big skies, vast vistas and ancestral lands for history and adventure buffs. Seek out colorful canyons, twisting rivers, alpine wilderness and lonesome ghost towns.

CENTRAL OREGON

A high-desert playground with plenty of sun and snow. Explore mountain trails, fish and raft in sparkling rivers, and ski and golf all season long.

SOUTHERN OREGON

Arts and culture in charming small towns set in a land of forested hills, wild rivers, mysterious caves and the deepest lake in the U.S.

WILLAMETTE VALLEY

University towns, historic farmland and vineyards inspire day trips for tailgaters, wine tasters, berry pickers and museum lovers.

MT. HOOD & THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE

An outdoor wonderland with sheer cliffs along a scenic river gorge. Hike gushing waterfalls and the state’s highest peak, sail the rushing wind, and pick orchard fruit.

PORTLAND REGION

A bustling urban core famous for its culinary and cocktail scene, makers and crafters, ringed by forests, farms, rivers and rolling hills.

OREGON COAST

An awe-inspiring 363 miles/ 584 kilometers of public coastline with sandy beaches and stunning rock formations. Savor a route dotted with lighthouses, fishing villages and dramatic scenery.

Venture out to a Pacific Northwest destination where outdoor escapades, craft beer and cuisine, and an art-loving spirit will feed your soul.

Seek out the top spots tucked around some of Oregon’s most spectacular sights…

Make a plan at VisitCentralOregon.com

SEE THE TOP THINGS TO DO