Skip the Crowds: Explore Oregon’s 5 Quietest Trails and Parks This Month

It's no secret that Oregon is a stunning state, and this renown means our parks see a lot of traffic. In 2021 alone, Oregon State Parks recorded over 50 million visitors! With crowds like those, finding a secluded trail can be like a tall order. As a self-identified curmudgeon who's straight-facedly called famous national parks like Yosemite "nature Disneylands," I scoured Oregon for hikes where outdoor enthusiasts can still soak up some solitude.

1. Soapstone Lake Trail, Seaside

Tucked in the verdant Clatsop State Forest, Soapstone Lake Trail is an easy out-and-back route that's perfect for families or beginners. Despite clocking in at under three miles, Soapstone boasts an impressive range of habitats and views. Trek through spiring evergreens to the tranquil lake — once a favorite among fishermen for cutthroat trout. If you're planning your excursion for winter, bring some snowshoes and a thermos of something warm. A dusting of fresh snow transforms this underrated gem into a winter wonderland.

2. Bear Point Trail, Breitenbush

Though it's been closed since the Beachie Creek and Lionshead Fires of 2020, I'm putting Bear Point on this list as an act of manifestation. In Oregon's pantheon of hikes, this breathtaking route always ranked among my favorites. Sinuous switchbacks carve up sheer mountainsides, rewarding adventurers with unparalleled views of the Cascades, Mount Jefferson, and Bear Lake. Best of all, as a consequence of the hike's reputation for grueling elevation gain, it was often relatively peaceful. Here's to hoping we all get to experience Bear Point Trail again soon.

3. Sutton Mountain Trail, Mitchell

Sutton Mountain Trail is the best-kept secret of the Sutton Mountain Wilderness Area, a BLM gem that receives far less attention than it deserves. For our purposes, this translates into miles of Eastern Oregonian terrain all to yourself. In the shadow of Sutton Mountain, which soars 2,000 feet above the valley, rugged slopes daubed in juniper and sagebrush hold herds of elk and elusive pronghorn. There's a good chance you won't meet anyone else on this seven-mile trail, particularly if you visit off-season. The relatively low elevation gain makes this an excellent choice for snowshoeing.

4. Netarts Spit Trail, Tillamook

If you've visited the Oregon Coast in summertime, it seems laughable to think you'd ever have a beach all to yourself. But Netart's Spit shirks expectations. Considered the northern Oregon Coast's longest and most secluded spit, it remains surprisingly quiet. Perhaps this is in part due to its length. Clocking in at 11 miles, it's the longest trail on this list. That said, it's mostly flat. Hikers willing to invest a day in this route are rewarded with Pacific expanses, coastal forests, rare wildlife sightings, and beachy solitude.

5. Crack-in-the-Ground Trail, Christmas Valley

Known for its shrub-steppe vegetation and other-worldly lava flows, Christmas Valley's Crack-in-the-Ground Trail is a woefully underrated spot. This bite-sized hike threads the needle between towering faces of volcanic rock, framing unforgettable views of the vast landscape.

Throw on your hiking shoes! If you're looking for a tranquil outdoor excursion, you'd be hard-pressed to find better hikes than these. What are some of your favorite places in Oregon to get some much-needed peace and quiet? Let me know. I'd love to hear from you.