13 Staggeringly Beautiful Places In Oregon That Will Always Be Waiting For You
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Oregon’s diverse beauty always amazes and delights us. Whether we’re soaking in the sea on the coast, hiking through the forest, or taking in a stunning waterfall, there’s no shortage of places where we can surround ourselves with nature’s majesty. We can’t visit as often as we’d like, but these 13 staggeringly beautiful places will always be waiting for us.
The Alvord Desert gets just seven inches of rain every year on average, but this place was once a large lake. When you visit during summer months, you can drive right out onto the dried-up lake bed.
Cannon Beach is iconic Oregon, and the home one of our most famous natural wonders. Haystack Rock is 235 feet tall, and the tide pools at its base are full of interesting little sea creatures.
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The Columbia River Gorge is one of Oregon's most majestic places, and there's plenty to see along its 80-mile span. Multnomah Falls is a favorite with locals and tourists alike.
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Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the country, and its water is the cleanest and clearest. Take the drive around its rim, or hop aboard a boat tour to see some of its features up close.
You'll find many lighthouses on Oregon's coast, but Heceta Head is truly special. The light stands high above the sea on its 205-foot-tall cliff, and the views from it are stunning.
The Owyhee River carved this canyon into an incredible place, and it's best explored by taking a guided rafting tour so you can float past its tall cliffs to see them up close.
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You'll find the Oregon Dunes on the coast, just south of Florence. They're the largest temperate coastal dunes in the world, and you can explore them by hiking or riding an ATV.
If waterfalls bring you joy, this state park is surely heaven on earth. Take the Trail of 10 Falls for a scenic afternoon.
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Rock climbers come from all over the world to hang out at Smith Rock State Park, but you don't have to scale a cliff to enjoy the beauty of this place.
For incredible scenic vistas, hop in the car and travel the Three Capes Scenic Byway. On your 40 mile journey, you'll explore Cape Lookout, Cape Kiwanda, and Cape Mears.
Toketee Falls tumbles 120 feet in two tiers, and it captures the imagination of everyone who visits. You'll find it on the North Umpqua River, near Roseburg.
Opal Creek (shown here), is just one of many peaceful places in the Willamette National Forest, which covers 1,678,031 acres.
Oregon has no shortage of lakes, but Wallowa Lake has a special place in our hearts. It's just not summer 'til we can climb on the tramway to enjoy views from the top of Mount Howard.
What places are you excited to visit again? Tell us in the comments!
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