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The Ultimate Southern Oregon Road Trip – 9 Day Itinerary

Buckle your seatbelt because you are about to do some serious driving. I recommend renting a Chrystler Pacific for the trip. It’s by far the most spacious minivan allowing you and your family more room. Also a good rental option would be a Dodge Durango that seats seven. 

Table of Contents

9 Day Southern Oregon Itinerary

I’m assuming that you are flying into Oregon to make this trip, therefore I’ve got the Portland Airport as the starting point. You can adjust your starting point accordingly if this doesn’t work for you. The whole itinerary can be tweaked to suit your needs and the amount of time you have to travel. 

Day 1: Drive from Portland to Steamboat Inn

It’s almost a four-hour drive from the Portland airport to Steamboat Inn. If you hit five o’clock traffic you can expect it to take five hours. There is an In N Out along the way near Salem if you get hungry. In Eugene , there’s a Sonic. However, if you can hold off eating until you get to Steamboat Inn. The food will totally wow you.

Check-in into Steamboat Inn:

Perched on a bluff with a commanding view of the North Umpqua River, Steamboat Inn offers beautiful accommodations, fine dining, local wines, exquisite gardens, and a tackle and gift shop. Located on Hwy 138 in the middle of 31 miles of “fly-fishing only” water on the North Umpqua River it is a destination in itself. Steamboat is also the perfect place to stay while exploring all the area has to offer including loads of waterfalls.

Dinner at Steamboat Inn : By the time you have gotten to Steamboat Inn you are basically in the middle of nowhere so you will be eating your meals here. If you rent a cottage you will have a kitchen and can prepare your own meals. 

They have a wonderful kitchen that creates amazing breakfast and dinners. The menu is full of Steamboat Traditions and the daily specials feature fresh local products. Don’t forget to save room for our house-made desserts. If you are planning a fishing or sightseeing trip. Just order from the front desk by 8 pm the evening before. Espresso is available in the library lounge.

Day 2: Flyfishing and Waterfalls

Breakfast : Kick-off your morning with a delightful breakfast at Steamboat Inn followed by a day of hiking the waterfalls in the Umpqua National Forest. Before you head out hiking don’t forget to pick up your sack lunch from the hotel. They have great sack lunch choices available in the morning.

Flyfishing : You can fish the North Umpqua the year around for steelhead, but do not do this without a guide if you have never fished here before. The rivers in Oregon are fierce. Never get in an Oregon river without doing your research first. You can get your fishing license online here.

• Ty Holloway –  hollowaybrosfishing.com 541-729-0692
• Steelhead Water – www.steelheadwater.com Rich Zellman 541-890-7084
• Renton’s River Adventures – www.gourmetflyfishing.com Dillon Renton 541-480-8067

Waterfall Highway : Oregon has it’s very own waterfall highway. As you drive Highway 138 there will be one waterfall after another, ask the front desk for a free map. Some are quick and easy hikes, while others are a bit more difficult. In half a day you will have time to do two short hikes and one longer one. 

• Toketee Falls – off Highway 138, this is one of Oregon’s most famous waterfalls renowned for its columnar basalt formation framing the two-stepped falls. Toketee Falls drops 113 feet, which includes a 28-foot upper-tier plunging into a pool flanked by a deep alcove, and then an 85-foot plunge into a large pool.

• Fall Creek Falls – off Highway 138, the Falls Creek Falls Trail features two waterfalls. The first is an 80-foot drop, and 100 feet downstream is the lower 40-foot falls.

Day 3: Drive to Crater Lake

This morning after you check out of the Steamboat Inn head towards Crater Lake, an 88-mile drive. You will be going along highway 138 again, so if you missed out on one of the waterfalls you wanted to see now is the time to stop at it. If you drive it straight with no stops it should take you 3 hours. 

Driving to Crater Lake can be challenging at times. Due to heavy snowfall, some of the entrances may be closed. The last time we visited two entrances were closed, this was during Memorial Weekend in late May. This added about two hours of driving on to our trip. So keep this in mind. 

Depending on which way you drive, we have a few suggested stops to make. 

• Natural Bridge in Prospect, OR, US, 97536
• Rogue River Gorge Viewpoint, located at 56541 Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway, Prospect, OR, US, 97536

Crater Lake

Crater Lake is Oregon’s shimmering blue gem. It’s a must-see landmark during any trip to Southern Oregon. There are two ways many people enjoy the lake. One way is to drive the 33-mile Rim Drive and stop at the many vista points overlooking the water if the road is open. The other is to make the one-mile hike down a switchback trail to the water’s edge again only if the trail is open.

Visitors can swim, fish, take a boat tour, or just eat a trail lunch on the shores of Crater Lake. Crater Lake National Park rangers are on hand to explain the eruption of Mt. Mazama about 7,700 years ago and how the mountain collapsed, creating a 2,000-foot deep crater. The end result is a lake created solely from snowmelt–there is no river flowing in. Scientists have measured the water ’s clarity to as deep as 120 feet.

Tonight stay the night at Crater Lake Lodge. They have 71 rooms overlooking the lake at Rim Village. It is typically open May 15 through October 11. Rooms begin at $200 per night. Reservations can be made up to 365 days in advance either online or by calling 866-292-6720. I highly recommend making your reservation as far in advance as you can. 

At the southern entrance of Crater Lake there is a Tesla Super Charger. 

Day 4: Head to Klamath Falls

Drive from Crater Lake to Running Y Ranch Resort located at 5500 Running Y Road Klamath Falls, OR 97601. 

Dinner in Klamath Falls:  There are lots of good places to eat in Klamath Falls. Some of our favorites include Klamath Basin Brewing Co., Rodeos Pizza, Saladeria, and Ruddy Duck. Fun fact, Noah and I live in Klamath Falls when he was two! I always thought the best part of living here was the food. 

Day 5: Ziplining

Breakfast: Have breakfast at the Running Y.

Crater Lake Zipline : You will fly high ion 9 ziplines at heights of up to 100 feet in the trees, traverse two sky bridges, and conquer up to two controlled rappels! Crater Lake ZipLine participants ages 10 and up zip from tree to tree with two trained guides handling the gear and transfers.

They use state-of-the-art equipment and all tours include a ground school training session facilitated by the guides at the beginning of the tour. Participants learn to hand brake, (participants use their hands with a special glove to slow and brake themselves) sit in their harness, and other techniques needed for zipping. You will be here for about 2.5 to 3.5 hours. 

After zip lining drive to Grants Pass.

Lunch : You will pass an In N Out along the way. If you do not want In n Out, there are a lot of places to eat in Medford. 

Afternoon : You have the whole afternoon and early evening to explore Grants Pass. One extremely popular activity is going down the river in a jet boat. 

Dinner : Tonight have dinner at Taprock Northwest Grill located at 971 SE 6th St, Grants Pass, OR 97526.

Taprock Northwest Grill

If there is good weather a firework show begins at 9:00 p.m. along the river and the restaurant offers great views. The restaurant will get very busy the closer it gets to the show, try to arrive early enough to get a table on one of the decks.

Day 6: Caves and Treehouses

The Oregon Caves are one of only five national parks or monuments in Oregon. The 480-acre Oregon Caves National Monument, located in the Siskiyou Mountains at elevations from 3,800 to 5,460 feet, was created in 1909. Temperatures in the caves hover around 42 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. The caves are home to one of the largest, most pristine, and most complete segments of old oceanic crust in Western America.

Tonight stay the night at the Out n About Treehouse Treesort . You will need to make reservations way in advance to stay here. It’s a really neat place and as you’ve already guessed, you stay in a tree house. How fun is that? It is definitely a splurge to stay here, but it’s worth the extra money, especially if you are traveling with children, because it’s a one of a kind experience.

Day 7: Horseback Riding and Redwood Trees

After breakfast, head out for a trail ride if you like. They also have zip lining available at the Tree House Resort. 

Today you’ve got a big decision to make. You can wrap up your trip or you can cross into California and visit the Redwood National Forest then head back into Oregon along the coast.

I am going to assume you’ve made the right decision and you’re headed down into Cali to experience a little bit of the Redwood National Forest. 

As you drive down you will have the opportunity to get onto Howland Hill Road, which is noted on the map. This is an unpaved trail that will take you through some giant trees. It’s not a great road, but I took a Chrystler Pacific down it and it was fine!

When you get to the end of the trail you basically pop out in Crescent City which is a bit out of the way, but an ideal spot to have some lunch while overlooking the ocean. If you are driving a Tesla know that there is a supercharge station here. 

Lunch : Plan to have lunch in Crescent City. We recommend eating at Schmidt’s House of Jambalaya. There you can sit outside and stare at the ocean while you eat!

After lunch proceed north. You are now headed back into Oregon to Bandon, a cute little beach town along the coast. There’s lots of AirBNB places to stay as well as a Best Western on the beach . 

Day 8 – Beach Day!

Morning : Take a windsurfing or a kiteboarding class at Flora’s Lake Windsurfing & Kiteboarding. Floras Lake Windsurfing is located at 92870 Boice Cope Road, Langlois, OR 97450 and their phone number is 541-348-9912.

Lunch : After your lesson head to Tony’s Crab Shack for lunch. 

Afternoon : You’ve got two options for this afternoon. Enjoy a round of golf at Bandon Dunes golf resort or head out for horseback riding on the beach. 

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort located at 57744 Round Lake Drive, Bandon, OR 97411. Phone: 541-347-4380

Bandon Beach Riding Stables located at 54629 Beach Loop Rd, Bandon, OR 97411. Phone: 541-347-3423

Dinner : Have dinner at Broken Anchor Bar and Grill or Asian Garden. Both are excellent. 

Day 9 – Head Home

Okay, that’s a wrap y’all. You’ve just completed an epic road trip that will have you reminiscing for many years to come. You will think back on all those glorious waterfall hikes, the majestic Crater Lake, the cool places you stayed, the towering trees, and those beautiful beach views. 

On your way home there are lots of other places to stop. You could continue along 101 towards Newport or cut over to I5 and go through Eugene and Salem. If you are looking for places to stop in any of these places check out these posts. 

Newport ,Oregon Travel Guide

17 Fun Things to do in Salem, Oregon with Kids

Top 12 Family Friendly Things to do in Eugene Oregon

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. 

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Epic Oregon Road Trip Travel Guide | Best Routes in 2024!

Going on a  road trip in Oregon  has to be one of the best ways to experience the state! With your own car and the freedom of the road, you’ll be able to go wherever you want and see whatever you like in this glorious state.

Oregon is a magical place full of beautiful landscapes, interesting people, and amazing food and drink. There are few other destinations in the world where you can surf and ski in the same day and, for that matter, drink some of the best beer of your life all the while.

There’s a lot to do in Oregon but, make no mistake, this is a big, wide-open state, one that requires plenty of time and patience to see.

Renting a car in a foreign state or country can be intimidating. Travelers may not know where to go or what to do. They may be worried about expenses or spending too much money pointlessly as well.

Don’t worry – we have the insider information you need for an EPIC Oregon road trip.

Written by a road-trip expert and local, this epic guide covers everything you need to know about visiting Oregon by car or campervan.

We’ll show you exactly how to stick to a budget, tell you about the best things in Oregon, and give you plenty of ideas and itineraries so you can easily plan out your entire trip!

So let’s start planning your dream Oregon road trip!

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Oregon Road Trips Costs

Best road trip in oregon.

• The Oregon Coast

The Cascades Itinerary

Eastern oregon road trip, the grand tour oregon itinerary, places to visit in oregon, oregon road trip tips, apartments and hotels in oregon, renting a car or campervan in oregon.

Oregon is about average when it comes to the costs of living, though it is quickly becoming one of the more expensive states. A road trip in Oregon can be affordable or it could be expensive – it all depends on how you want to do it.

We at The Broke Backpacker always try to go on affordable adventures and are always looking for ways to travel cheap ! Even if we are unable to travel for $10/day, as we do in our favorite countries, we can at least help you reduce the prices of an Oregon road trip.

The average daily budget for an Oregon road trip is between $150-$200 – this includes gas, a rental car, lodging, food, drink, and entry into certain attractions. Make note of this number but please do not let it discourage you – we’re going to show how to reduce it to a more budget-friendly amount soon.

Gas will undoubtedly be your largest expense while on a road trip in Oregon. It’s sometimes hard to predict how much gas you will use but it is almost always is more than you expect. Do not take this expense lightly and do you everything you can to limit it.

Other than gas, the costs associated with a road trip in Oregon really come down to how you want to travel, eat, sleep, and drink. These run gamut from driving in a cheap economy car to a gas-guzzling SUV and eating out in expensive restaurants to cooking your own food at a campground.

If you are mostly cooking for yourself, camping, and exploring Oregon’s wild places, you can reduce that cost in half. Traveling with at least one other person will also keep costs much lower.

Think about what you want to do on your Oregon road trip route and then set a budget.

Below is a breakdown of the average costs of a road trip in Oregon.

Average Costs of an Oregon Road Trip

Rental car :  $30-$100

RV rental :  $100-$300

Gallon of gas:  $3.23

Private AirBnB home:  $80

Hotel room:  $120

Hostel:  $25-$30

Campground:  $5-$15 (sometimes free!)

Sandwich:  $6-$9

Beer at a bar:  $5-$7

Coffee:  $2-$3

Bottle of Whiskey from market:  $20

Dinner for two:  $30-$50

• The Oregon Coast – 4 days
• The Cascades – 7 days
• Eastern Oregon  – 10 days
• The Grand Tour Oregon – 14 days

Below is a list of sample Oregon road trip routes. Varying from 5 to 14 days in length, they cover many of the top destinations in Oregon. Each itinerary provides day-by-day highlights, which are meant to give you some good Oregon road trip ideas.

The USA is  blisteringly beautiful. It’s also blisteringly expensive! Visiting two national parks in day can run you $70+ in entry fees.

Orrrr… you kick those entry fees to the curb, buy an annual ‘America the Beautiful Pass’ for $79.99,  and get unlimited access to ALL 2000+ federally managed sites in the States totally FREE!

You do the math. 😉

The Oregon Coast is probably the most beloved road trip in the entire state and is a popular area for a holiday stay with both locals and out-of-towners. People flock here to get away from the rat race for a little while and tend to just laze about on the beach or in a local diner.

The Oregon Coast itself is not well-known for its warm weather or clear days, but rather its rugged beauty. Dramatic cliffs, tide pools, and sea stacks are the most notable landmarks here – palm trees are markedly absent.

The best part about a road trip on Oregon Highway 101 is that you’ll never be far away from the coast. This route hugs the near entirety of the shoreline and only deviates when passing through an epic forest. For 90% of the way, it’ll just be you and the ocean.

• Bandon by the Sea
• Samuel H Boardman Park
• Ecola State Park
• Cape Perpetua
• Florence Sand Dunes
• Pacific City Camping Resort Yurts
• Windermere on the Beach  (Bandon)
• Ecola Creek Lodge  (Cannon Beach)
• Norblad Hotel  (Astoria)
• McMenamins Gearhart Hotel  (Gearhart)
• Shucking fresh oysters
• Bonfires on the beach
• Surfing at Oswald West
• Whale watching

The entire way.

• Pelican Brewery (Cape Kiwanda)
• The Schooner (Netarts)
• Fort George Brewery (Astoria)
• Local Ocean Seafoods (Newport)
• Mattie’s (Brooking)
• Festival of the Dark Arts in Astoria (February)
• Goonies Day in Astoria (June)
• Newport Seafood and Wine Fest (February)
• South Coast Clambake and Jazz Fest (March)
• Southern Oregon Kite Festival (July)

Oregon’s Cascade Range is not the highest nor the most epic in the USA – these mountains are fairly gentle and draw attention only when there is a volcano around. Hidden in the lush fur of these slopes though are, hands-down, the best waterfalls in the country, not to mention some of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Better yet, some of Oregon’s best cabins and treehouses are found here, so book a stay amongst the forests for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Mt Hood and Crater Lake are the Cascade’s most famous landmarks and both are must see places in Oregon. In between these two are countless more treasures, including, but not limited to, Jefferson Park, Marion Falls, Clear Lake, and the Three Sisters Wilderness. I’m barely scratching the surface as well.

Following a road trip in the Cascades, you will also have the chance to drive up the Willamette Valley, which has some of the finest Pinot Noirs in the world. Nothing really beats a glass of wine or a B&B at a vineyard after spending a week in the mountains.

• Crater Lake
• Columbia River Gorge
• Willamette Valley vineyards
• Lots of waterfalls
• Maverick Inn  (Klamath Falls)
• Pacific Crest Trailhouse  (Cascade Locks)
• Eugene Whitaker House
• Bunk + Brews Historic Lucas House  (Bend)
• Hiking/skiing at Mt Hood
• Rock climbing at Smith Rock
• Swimming at Crater Lake
• Willamette Valley wine tours
• Waterfall photography
• Crater Lake Rim Road
• Highway 138
• Crux Fermentation Science (Bend)
• Sam Bond’s Garage (Eugene)
• Caspian Cafe (Eugene)
• The Painted Lady (McMinnville)
• Ritter’s Housemade Foods (Salem)
• Oregon Country Fair (July)
• International Pinot Noir Celebration (July)
• Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival (April/March)
• Tigard Festival of Balloons (June)
• Bend Brew Festival (August)

If you need more recommendations on where to stay on your road trip, check out these cottages in Oregon .

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

A visit to Eastern Oregon will be a wholly unique experience compared to the Western portion of the state. Deciduous rainforests and beaches are swapped for desert-scapes and hazy mountains. If you wanted to see a side of Oregon that few are even aware, this is the one.

There are lots of things to do in Eastern Oregon. Smith Rock offers some of the best climbing in the country while the Wallowas (AKA the Oregon Alps) offer some of the best skiing and hiking in Colorado . Steens Mountain and the Alvord Desert are two of the greatest hidden gems on the West Coast and are known only to adventurous Oregonians.

The culture is also distinct from the rest of the state. Cowboys, whiskey guzzlers, social pariahs; all of these are the types of people you’ll see in Eastern Oregon.

• Painted Hills
• Steens Mountains
• Hell’s Canyon
• Dreamer’s Lodge  (John Day)
• Eagle Cap Chalets  (Joseph)
• Rory and Ryan Inn  (Burns)
• Brewery tours in Bend
• Snowboarding at Mt Bachelor
• Hiking in Wallowas
• Desert scenery
• Cowboys in Pendleton
• Steens Mountain Road
• Scenic Lakes Byway
• Deschutes Brewing (Bend)
• McKay Cottage (Bend)
• Roosters Country Kitchen (Pendleton)
• Arrowhead Chocolates (Joseph)
• Sisters Folk Festival (September)
• Deschutes County Fair (August)
• Pendleton Whiskey Music Fest (July)

This the best road trip in Oregon – hands-down. Hell, this is one of the best drives in the USA ! You see everything and then some! The coast, the Cascades, the deserts of Eastern Oregon; all of these areas will be available to you with this itinerary.

In addition to the grand majority of the locations listed above, you will also have more time in Southern Oregon. This region is one of the most neglected parts of the state, which is unfair considering what it offers. The river rafting is epic, Ashland is one of the most charming cities you’ve never heard of, and the wine is arguably even better than that of the Willamette Valley.

So if you have time to kill and want to see the best of Oregon, look no further than this route. Oregon is beautiful and this is the best way to see it.

• Eastern Oregon
• Timberline Lodge
• Traveler’s House  (Portland)
• The Ashland Hostel
• Columbia Hotel  (Ashland)
• Everywhere else mentioned prior
• Skiing at Mt Hood
• Climbing at Smith Rock
• Rafting in Southern Oregon
• Chilling in Ashland
• Wine and beer tours
• Seafood on the coast
• Hiking in the Wallowas
• Growler’s Taproom (Portland)
• Shalom Y’all (Portland)
• Cartopia (Portland)
• Brother’s Restaurant (Ashland)
• Cafe Broder (Portland
• Everything else mentioned in this guide
• Ashland Shakespeare Festival (February)
• Portland Brewer’s Festival (July)
• Portland Rose Festival and Parade (May/June)
• Portland Waterfront Blue’s Festival (July)
• Pickathon (August)
• Portland MFNW (August)

Below is a list of the best road trip stops in Oregon. Study them well and decide which ones you like the most.

Road Trip to Portland

The City of Roses. Little Beirut. Rip City. Bridgetown. Stumptown. Call it what you will but few names can actually capture the intangible flavor and uniqueness that Portland excludes in abundance.

For years, Portland was a city of obscurity, full of eccentrics and abject people. For residents, this anonymity was an ideal situation that allowed them to cultivate their weirdness. Portland has only been “discovered” in recent years by the rest of the world and has since developed into a full-on tourist destination.

Portland is not a big city by American standards. There are no large attractions in Portland like a Hollywood Sign or Liberty Bell. Life is simpler (and better) in Portland because people care mostly about good food, good beer, and good health (both physically and spiritually). For these reasons, the best things to do in Portland are to just eat, drink, and go for a walk.

The best districts in Portland to walk around are definitely the Alphabet District , the Pearl, Alberta Arts , Hawthorne , and Laurelhurst . Other neighborhoods like Belmont, Mississippi, Division, and Chinatown are also worth visiting. On either side of the Willamette River are the Eastbank Esplanade and Tom McCall Waterfront , which are both great places to wander around.

A hike through the lush Forest Park makes for a lovely day. Inside and on the outskirts of the large park are some of Portland’s best attractions like Pittock Mansion , the Rose Gardens , and Japanese Gardens .

If there were must-see landmarks in Portland then they’d probably the bridges. Portlandians are in love with their bridges and take great pride in them. St. John’s Bridge is a crowd favorite as is the iron Hawthorne Bridge.

I’d go into more detail on the city, and talk about the many restaurants and bars, but, unfortunately, there is not enough time and space available in this guide. That’s what the our Portland Budget Travel guide is for – blessings!

  And the  coolest places in Portland to go .

  Craft a killer  Portland travel itinerary .

  Read about the  coolest hostels in Portland .

  And book a killer  Airbnb Portland apartment .

Road Trip through the Columbia River Gorge

With endless outdoor opportunities, the much loved Columbia River Gorge is like a playground for adults! Those looking for the best hikes near Portland should head directly to this scenic area. Also, there are some excellent breweries nearby offering crucial post-hike beers.

Starting in Troutdale and driving along the  Historic Columbia River Highway , you’ll first arrive at the Portland Women’s Forum , which has one of the most iconic views of the Gorge. You’ll see the Vista House perched on the walls of the gorge in the distance as well as the Columbia River .

From there you can continue on to picturesque Laurotell Falls and Bridal Veil Falls (see if you can find the elusive Upper Bridal Veil Fall ). Nearby Angel’s Rest is a very popular sunset hike for locals as well.

The next stop is Multnomah Falls, which is arguably the most spectacular waterfall in Oregon. This near-perfect waterfall drops over 500 ft amidst verdant foliage and is one of the most photographed places in Oregon. In front of the falls is an equally photogenic bridge, which makes the scene look like Rivendell.

Beyond Multnomah Falls, you’ll pass by many other superlative portions of the Gorge, notably Oneonta Gorge and Eagle Creek . These are some of the most beautiful places in Oregon as well as the most crowded. Note that this part of the Gorge was damaged recently by a wildfire and that some trails may be closed.

Past Eagle Creek is Cascade Locks, home to the historical Bridge of the Gods, which is where the PCT crosses into Washington. Further along is the Hood River, which is one of the coolest towns in Oregon. Here are, hands-down, some of the best breweries in Oregon in addition to some killer windsurfing and gorgeous views of Mt Hood and Mt Adams.

Road Trip to Mt Hood

Oregon’s pride and joy, the image that most Oregonians can recall from their earliest memories, is Mt Hood. For outdoor enthusiasts and mountain lovers, Mt Hood will be the crowning achievement on their road trip in Oregon.

Getting to Mt Hood is very easy as one of the states main arteries ( Highway 26 ) runs literally right next to it. The drive is gorgeous and a little perilous if you’re visiting Mt Hood in the winter.

If your car is not able to drive in the snow, which is very common beyond December, you can still catch a local shuttle in Sandy to the main alpine settlements: Government Camp and Timberline , the latter of which is famous for appearing in Stanley Kubrik’s The Shining .

Along 26 are several stops that you should absolutely make time for. Trillium Lake and Mirror Lake are local favorites, however, it’s also one of the most famous hikes in the USA , so the trails can be quite crowded.

There are several awesome spots on the eastern and northern flanks of Mt Hood that can be accessed by several forest roads. Cloud Cap , Tamanawas Falls , and Lost Lake are great places to check out.

If you’re a skier, then Mt Hood is unquestionably one of the best places in Oregon to visit in the winter. The skiing here is world-class and runs come in many forms, from tended to the backcountry. If you’re visiting Oregon in the summer, no worries; Timberline Lodge has the longest ski season in the country and is open 365 days a year.

Mt Hood is one of the most climbed glaciated mountains on the planet, second only to Mt Fuji. It is a great introductory peak for beginners and requires only a long day to summit. You will still need the proper adventure equipment to climb in as well as current condition reports.

Oregon Coast Road Trip

The Oregon Coast is not the typical kind of beach getaway – it’s not warm, it’s not very comfortable, and it’s not at all like those tropical postcards.

oRainy, rugged, and utterly romantic, the Oregon Coast is a marvel in its own way. If you’re travelling the USA for the adventure and appreciate a harsher beauty(or possibly like to wear both sandals and sweaters at the same time), you will instantly fall in love with this place.

The Coast is long and nearly 100% accessible via the Oregon Coast Highway 101 . A road trip on this highway will give you tons of opportunities to experience the local attractions. The Oregon Coast can roughly be divided into three parts (North, Central, and South) and between the three, there are, honestly, too many things to see and do.

Starting north you have the top weekend getaways for Portlandians – Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, and Manzanita. Astoria is mostly famous for being the setting for Steven Spielberg’s The Goonies.

Seaside is a cute town popular with families and is a bit touristy. Cannon Beach is equally as touristy but hosts the stunning Haystack Rock.

Manzanita is the most laidback of the bunch and is aw great base for day trips to Oswald West State Park and Neahkahnie Mountain , both of which offer some of the best Oregon Coast hikes.

Moving south we head past Tillamook , the cheese capital of Oregon, and past Cape Kiwanda, one of my favorite places in Oregon, before arriving in Newport , famous for the highly-regarded Oregon Coast Aquarium . Beyond Newport is ultra-rugged Cape Perpetua , home to the Devil’s Churn, Thor’s Well, and Sea Lion Caves.

After Perpetua, we drive to Florence and the epic Oregon Sand Dunes , which originally inspired Frank Herbert to write the sci-fi masterpiece, Dune . Quad biking on the dunes is one of the most popular things to do on the Oregon Coast, though there are plenty of other places to go for a nice walk.

Saving the best for last, we wrap our Oregon Coast road trip in the south. The stretch between Bandon and Brookings is superlative with state parks like Face Rock, Samuel H. Boardman, and Pistol River all providing amazing settings. Some of the best hikes on the Oregon Coast are also around Boardman.

Willamette Valley Road Trip

The Willamette Valley is the breadbasket of Oregon and the source of much of its delicious produce. It also hosts some of the most respected wineries in the USA, which produce some of the finest Pinots in the entire world, not to mention a number of interesting towns and natural attractions.

The Willamette Valley runs for about 150 miles from Portland south to Eugene . The largest highway in Oregon, Interstate 5 , runs through the Willamette Valley meaning you can travel by car to California .

I5 itself doesn’t really have a lot of great views and the drive itself is pretty boring. Deviate slightly from I5 and there’s lots more though.

There are over 500 wineries spread throughout the Willamette Valley. The greatest concentration of wineries is around Highway 18 near McMinnville, Salem, and Newberg . You could easily spend an entire day touring these vineyards and trying some of the best wine in the country but please remember to drive safely.

To the west of the Willamette Valley, you’ll the see the Cascade Range rising. The Cascades, running all the way from Washington to California, are like the geographic spine of the state and heavily influence the weather.

Hidden inside of the Cascades are some more great waterfalls, which make for great day hikes close to Portland.

Silver Falls State Park is one of the most popular places to visit in Oregon because it offers great scenery and easy trails. Nearby is the much more intimate albeit difficult Abiqua Falls , which has become a local favorite.

Penetrate even deeper into the Cascades and you’ll find hidden gems like Olallie Lake, Bagby Hot Springs, Jefferson Park, Marion Falls, and Three Fingered Jack.

Eugene is worth dropping by if you have a moment. Eugene was once considered the “hippie capital” of Oregon though it’s more gentrified now. You can still get a taste of the counterculture in the bluesy Whitaker District.

Road Trip to Bend

Located on the other side of the Cascades in the High Oregon Desert, Bend is, in a lot of ways, like a foil to Portland. Bend is smaller, more rural, more politically conservative, and even more laid back than “big city” Portland.

Bend still has that quintessential Oregon charm though and ultimately makes for an awesome stop on any Oregon road trip route.

You’ll have to cross the Cascades in order to arrive in Bend. You can cross the Cascades via several passes and each offers their own set of attractions. I personally enjoy driving along Highway 20/126 because I have a chance to visit some of my favorite places in Oregon including Koosah Falls, Clear Lake, Tamolitch Falls, Proxy Falls, and Linton Falls . Note that only the larger highways like 26 may be open in winter.

Bend mostly gets attention for the surrounding landscape, which you’ll be introduced to on the drive in. The city itself is really cool though and actually a really fun place in Oregon to hang in, so it’s definitely worth staying in Bend for a couple nights. If you need ideas for places to stay in Bend, consider checking out one of the incredible vacation rentals . The local breweries, like Deschutes and Crux , are some of the finest in the state and the food ain’t bad either.

People usually head outdoors immediately upon arriving in Bend. Around the city are some of the best mountain biking, skiing, climbing, and hiking in Oregon, making the area a paradise for outdoors people.

Nearby Mt Bachelor is one of the best places to visit in Oregon in winter as the snow is legendary. North of Bend is the holy Smith Rock , which is often considered the birthplace of American rock climbing. East is endless sagebrush.

I definitely suggest driving on the Cascades Lakes Byway in the summer. You can visit local favorites like Tumalo Falls and Sparks Lake , all the while being afforded views of the Three Sisters . South Sister is a popular and relatively easy climb.

Road Trip to Crater Lake

Oregon only has one national park but it is easily one of the most stunning parks in the USA . Crater Lake is a marvel, an enormous body of water held high in the air on top of a collapsed volcano. The water is one of the deepest shades of blue that you will ever see and, officially, some of the clearest. There’s simply nothing else like it in the world.

Crater Lake is located a couple hours south of Bend in the Cascade Mountains. There are several entrances to the park but only one, Munson Valley via Highway 62 , is open (sometimes) in the winter. You’ll have to pay to enter the park though rates change depending on the time of year (summer: $25 winter: $15).

There is a lot to do at Crater Lake, though most people just stand there and stare in awe at it. You can hike, climb to one of the many surrounding peaks, descend down to the lake’s edge for a very cold swim, or simply drive around the rim in the summer on the Rim Road.

Several times in the year the road is closed to vehicular traffic so that bikers and pedestrians may enjoy the park without being disturbed, which is a really nice touch.

Though there is more to do in the summer, the best time of year to visit Crater Lake is in the winter. During this time, there are very few people, tons of snow, and just a powerful stillness to the place. The silence in the winter is almost total and you’ll be shocked, maybe even scared at how serene it is.

You can, of course, camp at Crater Lake though campgrounds can fill really quick. If you strike out camping, the nearest large town is Klamath Falls and it has plenty of lodging.

An Eastern Oregon road trip is a must for anyone who wants to get the full Oregonian experience. Some of the USA’s most beautiful places are found in this part of the state and anyone interested in a more rugged adventure will enjoy Eastern Oregon very much.

A lot of people often imagine Oregon covered in trees and being rained on 24/7; few realize that almost two-thirds of the state is actually a mix of desert terrain and stark mountains.

Lying on the other side of the Cascades, Eastern Oregon is, contrary to the common image, arid, hot, and sometimes bitterly cold. This austere landscape is gorgeous though and only solidifies Oregon as one of the most geographically diverse states in the USA.

The most popular place in Eastern Oregon is probably the kaleidoscopic Painted Hills , located in the John Day Fossil Beds . These hills are a geologic wonder and famous for their bright colors.

Surrounding the John Day area are the Ochoco, Malheur, and Umatilla forests as well as the Blue Mountains and Strawberry Mountains . Fun fact: the Blue Mountains are home to the world’s largest organism – a 2400-year-old fungus that covers over 2,000 acres.

In the far northeastern corner of the state are the Wallowa Mountains aka “The Alps of Oregon.” The Wallowas are an outdoor wonderland that offer great skiing opportunities and some of the best hikes in Oregon.

Most of the Wallowa Mountains fall within the Eagle Cap Wilderness though local townships like Joseph and Enterprise are worth visiting as well.

Nearby to the Wallowas is the historically significant Snake River and Hell’s Canyon , the deepest canyon in the entire United States.

There are many more hidden parts in Eastern Oregon that are really out in the middle of nowhere. To learn more about some of these remote locations among others, refer to the section below where we talk about secret Oregon.

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Off The Beaten Path Oregon Road Trip Ideas

Oregon has so many hidden treasures for you to discover! To see something different, start with these relatively unknown locations, which are among the most uniques places to visit in Oregon.

1. Steens Mountains

The epitome of off-the-beaten-path in Oregon; these mountains are located in the far southeastern corner of the state and it takes a real journey to get here. Drive to the top of the mountains via the astounding Steens Mountain Road .

Be on the lookout for wild horses and, in the autumn, the golden aspens. On the other side of the Steens is the Alvord Desert – a surreal playa that is popular among both artists and off-roaders who like to go for joy rides.

2. Owyhee Canyonlands

One of the last untouched desert frontiers in America, full of hoodoos, stone towers, and delicate ravines. The Owyhee Canyonlands are often compared to the national parks and landscapes of Utah  albeit not as extensive.

Popular among hikers, rock climbers, and river rafters though not many people actually make it out this far due to rough and remote roads. Definitely one of the most beautiful and unique places to visit in Oregon.

3. Southern Oregon Road Trip

Though not exactly hidden, Southern Oregon often receives far less attention than the rest of the state. People usually visit to attend the famous Shakespeare Festival in charming Ashland or when passing through on a road trip from California, but there is a lot more happening than most are aware of.

The Rogue Valley has a burgeoning wine and beer scene that will soon rival the Willamette Valley. In terms of natural attractions, there is the Rogue River with its world-class rapids as well as the rugged Siskiyou Mountains and Oregon Caves , all of which make for great adventures.

Oregon Roadside Attractions

Americans have a weird affinity to the strange landmarks that are usually found out in the middle of nowhere. The roadside attractions in Oregon have become so admired that many people go on a trip just see them!

Below is a list of some of the most interesting roadside attractions in Oregon. Did we mention that a lot of these stops are among the best cheap things to do in Oregon as well?

• Peace Candle of the World (Scappoose) – A former silo that was filled with wax and painted red to resemble a giant candle. Promotes world peace.
• Enchanted Forest (Salem) – An amusement park filled with fairytale-themed rides and attractions. Whimsical and a little creepy.
• The Oregon Vortex (Gold Hill) – Place where the laws of physics are purportedly non-existent due to paranormal activity.
• Short Bridge Ghost Town (Short Bridge) – A seemingly derelict town that is actually a very well designed prop.
• Octopus Tree (Tillamook) – An old spruce tree that came to be shaped like an octopus by unknown means.
• Prehistoric Gardens (Port Orford) – A series of lifesize dinosaur recreations in the coastal rainforest. Intended to look like a prehistoric zoo.
• Peterson Rock Garden (Redmond) – An estate full intricate statues and structures made from rocks and stones.
• Oregon Corndog (Rockaway Beach) – Home to the world’s largest (artificial) corn dog. There’s also a bucking mechanical corn dog ride complete with a saddle.
• Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum (McMinnville) – Holy ground for anyone interest in aviation. Hosts a large collection of planes, most importantly the Spruce Goose, one of the largest planes ever designed.
• Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health (Salem) – A real mental institution that was used for filming One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Now displays important artifacts from the movie as well as archaic therapeutic techniques.

Oregon Scenic Drives

Everywhere you look in Oregon, there’s beauty; much of it can be seen from the seat of your car! Those who want a glimpse of the state’s splendor from behind the wheel should definitely check out these scenic drives in Oregon.

• Highway 101 – A road trip on Oregon Highway 101 is a great way to experience the best of the Oregon Coast. Most of the Oregon coast’s top attractions are within a stone’s throw from the highway as well. Highlights include the views from the slope of Neahkahnie Mountain, driving past the Oregon Dunes , and seeing the sea stacks of Bandon and/or Cannon Beach . This highway also makes for a natural transition when road tripping from California as the 101 runs all the way up the West Coast to Washington .
• Interstate 84 – Drive through one of Oregon’s greatest points of pride: the Columbia River Gorge. With high walls and dense woods, the Gorge is like something out of Scandinavia. Aside from being gorgeous by itself, the Gorge has lots of hiking opportunities as well as some of the best waterfalls in Oregon.
• Highway 138 – One of my favorite scenic drives in Oregon. Depart from Crater Lake and head northwest through the Cascade Range. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to visit some of the prettiest and most unique places in Oregon, including Mt. Thielsen (aka the Lightning Bolt) and Toketee Falls . 138 eventually enters the Umpqua River Valley, which is equally remarkable.
• Highway 26 – A great commute that affords road trippers glimpses of the tableau that is the Oregonian landscape. On this scenic drive through Oregon, you’ll have the chance to experience the state’s amazing geographic diversity. Start on the coast (Cannon Beach) and drive east through the city of Portland, the alpine forests at the base of Mt. Hood, and then down to the Oregon High Desert. 26 goes all the way to Boise, Idaho but the Painted Hills are a great place to stop.

Why Visit this Part of the World

Oregon is one of the brightest and quirkiest places in all of the USA. It is a spectacular state that provides everything that makes for an awesome road trip: great food, gorgeous natural attractions, engaging people, and best of all, an easygoing culture that loves to enjoy itself.

Due to its relative isolation, Oregon has always been a hideaway for the abject in society, which has shaped both its history and demographgics for better or worse .

In short, many people – the eccentric, unaccepted, burnt-out, adventurous sorts – who felt confined in conventional American life all fled to the farthest corner of the US, that is the Pacific Northwest . The result of this migration is now an established culture that champions the strange and alternative.

Oregonians are very proud of their eccentricities. You’ll often see people in the cities of Portland and Eugene doing, saying, and wearing whatever they want, sometimes to a bombastic level.

Libertarianism and separatism are very popular concepts in Oregon, both among urban and rural centers. Regardless of politics though, Oregonians are very outspoken people.

And why shouldn’t they be outspoken? Oregon has some of the most fantastic landscapes in the USA, a mostly forward-thinking society, and a people that really give a shit. Quality, ecologically-friendly products are of the utmost importance here and social progressivism is often at the forefront of people’s lives here.

There are very few places as interesting or as enthralling as Oregon. Between the hugely varied landscapes and the larger-than-life personalities, this is a state that grips you and doesn’t let go. It plants a seed and takes root in everyone’s mind and everyone has a hard time ending an Oregon road trip.

Getting Insured

Traveling without insurance would be risky so do consider getting good backpacker insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Top Tips for Broke Backpackers

Below is a list of Oregon road trip ideas for saving money. Try and practice these as much as possible.

• Rent an economy car: Prices can be as low as $25/day depending on the time of year and how far in advance you reserve. Economy cars are also more fuel efficient so you’ll save on fuel. Use apps like ViaMichelin to find cheap gas, which, seriously, always ends up being one of the most surprising and costly expenses on a road trip.
• Use vehicle relocation services: These brilliant services offer huge discounts to people on the condition they get a vehicle to a certain place at a certain time. No joke, you can rent a car sometimes for as low as $1/day! Availability is very limited though, so keep a watchful eye on the sites. Check immova and Cruise America to start with.
• Sleep overnight in an empty lot: Though not technically legal in Oregon, people sleep in parking lots all the time. Make sure the lot is safe by asking around. Walmarts are reportedly good places to park overnight as they allow overnight parking.
• Camp: Unless you want to fork out big bucks for a lodge, pack the car with your camping essentials . Campgrounds are way less expensive and sometimes even free.
• Cook your own food: Eating out can be very expensive in Oregon. Cook your own food as much as possible to save – I recommend bringing a portable backpacking stove. Otherwise, have a fancy night out at a food cart.
• Do free shit: There are lots of free things to do in Oregon! From hiking to laying on the beach to going to the local monuments; all of these things cost you nill. You can get started with this awesome guide to free activities in Portland from OregonLive. Be sure to keep your ear to the ground for all things free in Oregon.
• Pack a travel water bottle: It’s good for your wallet and the environment.

Sometimes you need a roof over your head and your own shower to clean all that grime away from camping. Luckily, there are a whole range of accommodation types in Oregon catered to all sorts of travelers.

It might be a good road trip idea in Oregon to stay at a lodge once or twice for a recharge. Sticking to a budget while not staying in a dump will still require a bit of research.

There are plenty of budget hotels and motels in Oregon but they suffer from a drab and uninspired design that is endemic to most cheap American lodging.

You can check into a cheap hotel in Oregon for a night, and will often have to, but don’t expect much. At more than $60/night minimum, staying in these cheap hotels can start to feel like a waste very quickly.

Although the USA’s hostel scene is lacking outside the major backpacking destinations, you can find hostels in Oregon that are affordable and fun.

AirBnBs in Oregon are often cheaper and far more intimate than generic hotels. There are some really crazy AirBnB rentals out there as well! I’ve seen yurts, teepees, tree houses, renovated barn houses, and much more listed for rent in Oregon.

These would certainly be among the best places to stay in Oregon when visiting.

To save the most money on your road trip through Oregon, consider sticking to hostels and campgrounds. Hostels in Oregon are quirky and full of character not to mention the most affordable form of accommodation.

If you’re feeling lucky, you could also try your hand at finding a host with Couchsurfing! Lots of people use this though so competition is quite high in Oregon.

Best Places to Stay in Oregon on a Budget

Camping in oregon.

Camping is absolutely one of the best ways to sleep on a road trip through Oregon because

• It’s cheap and…

There’s nothing better than a night outdoors with a car full of goodies, a roaring fire, and a good pint of camp whiskey. Americans love it, Oregonians especially love it, and so should you!

There are campgrounds everywhere in Oregon and in all sorts of varieties. There are standard sites, primitive sites, RV parks, glamping, something called “treetop camping” and many, many more types that just get more and more ridiculous. You can even stay the night in a fire lookout , which has to be one of the coolest places to stay in Oregon.

You can use this search engine to find a campground in Oregon . Be sure to keep your eye an AirBnB as well – there are lots of interesting private camps listed.

Campgrounds in Oregon offer a range of amenities and at a range of prices. Most facilities will require a small fee to be paid, which goes toward keeping the grounds tidy and clean.

You can sometimes pay online but most of the time there will be a form at the actual site that you need complete on your own. Even though registrations from these are not always checked, please be respectful and pay the nominal fee for your stay.

If you intend on staying at a campground near of the more famous attractions in Oregon, like the Painted Hills, Smith Rock or Crater Lake, then you definitely consider reserving a space ahead, especially in the summer months. Campsites can fill up very quickly in Oregon.

If there appears to be no space leftover at your prospective campsite, there may still be walk-up sites available. Get to the grounds as early as possible to snag these spaces.

Camping in Oregon – Gear Checklist

Camping is one of the best ways to experience the USA, and Oregon has some of the finest camping in the whole country. You could sleep in your car or an RV while road tripping in Oregon, but sleeping outside under the stars is way more fun.

Having a good-quality camping tent  will keep you comfortable on those chilly nights and give you lots of flexibility when it comes to finding a place to sleep.

Here are some other essentials that we recommend if you plan on camping out…

Travel Security Belt

This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside – you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off.

Microfiber Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp

A decent head torch could save your life. If you want to explore caves, unlit temples, or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must.

‘Monopoly Deal’

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

For plenty more inspiration on what to pack, check out my full road trip packing list .

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

Free Camping in Oregon

Those on a road trip in Oregon should totally take advantage of the many free campgrounds spread throughout the state. Note that electricity, bathrooms, and running water are not guaranteed at any of these. Also be aware that many free campgrounds in Oregon may require a 4×4 vehicle to reach.

Refer below for a list of some of our favorite free campgrounds in Oregon or this website for a complete archive of free campgrounds.

Books to Read during your Oregon Road Trip

These are some of my favorite travel reads and books set in Oregon. Read one or two and you may have some great road trips ideas for Oregon…

• One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – One of Ken Kesey’s most famous novels, thanks in part to the film of the same name. Paints a picture of mental health and conformity through the lens of a man who’s just too full of life.
• Sometimes a Great Notion – Ken Kesey is a literary demigod in Oregon and this is arguably his greatest novel. A tale of a hardheaded logging family that goes on strike, leading the town to drama and tragedy.
• The River Why – A quintessential American coming-of-age tale, both for the protagonist and the nation the book represents. Set in Portland and the Oregon Coastal Range.
• Night Dogs – Vietnam War vet deals with violence in the streets and in himself. An excellent if not authentic crime novel.
• The Lathe of Heaven – A man wakes up one day to discover that his dreams can affect reality itself. A novel exploring human creation and destruction. Set in Portland, which was the ultimate home of the author, sci-fi legend Ursula K Guin.
• Dies the Fire – All electronics are rendered useless by a magnetic storm, resulting in humanity’s return to the Dark Ages. Brutality, desperation, and sword fights in Portland follow.
• Lonely Planet: Washington, Oregon, and the Pacific Northwest – It’s sometimes worth traveling with a guidebook.

Renting a car is the most popular way of getting around Oregon. There are a myriad of car rental agencies here that offer varying deals and varying models.

To find the best rental car deal in the USA, use search engines that compare the prices from individual companies. We personally like using rentalcars.com as they’ve never failed to give us a great price.

You can also rent an RV or campervan and travel by way of vanlife , which means you don’t have to worry about packing camping gear. You will have to empty and refill the various wascampete and water tanks though, which will require a visit to the proper facilities. RVs also cost more to rent, use more gas, and demand higher prices at campgrounds.

Make sure you also purchase a RentalCover.com policy to cover your rental vehicle against any common damages such as tires, windscreens, theft, and more at a fraction of the price you would pay at the rental desk.

We suggest booking a campervan with Outdoorsy as they usually have a good selection and good prices. Better yet, Broke Backpackers also get a $40 discount with Outdoorsy! Just use the coupon code “BACKPACKER” when checking out.

The roads in Oregon are generally very good and a sedan or economy car should deliver you to most of Oregon’s top destinations. Only in the most remote portions of the state and the Cascades, will the roads be so bad that you need 4×4 or at least high clearance.

If you’re on a road trip in Oregon during the winter and want to go to the mountains, you will definitely need all-wheel or 4-wheel drive.

Tips for Saving Money on Car Rentals in the US

• We mentioned before that you can reach out to vehicle relocation services, like immova and Cruise America , as a way of saving heaps of cash on rentals. Pursue these as best you can as they can save you a lot of money. Don’t get your hopes up too much though, as availability is always limited.
• Car insurance isn’t always mandatory in the USA but is highly encouraged. This being said, you don’t necessarily have to buy car insurance from the company you’re renting from. Purchase a RentalCover.com policy to cover your vehicle against any common damages such as tires, windscreens, theft, and more at a fraction of the price you would pay at the rental desk.
• Many credit card companies offer free car insurance if you book the car with the proper card. Call your credit card company for more information regarding terms and conditions.

Best Time to Visit Oregon

The best time to visit Oregon really depends on what you want to do. With lots of activities year round, you could go on a road trip in Oregon and always have something to do. Drinking beer is, of course, something that happens 365 days of the year.

There are several different climates in Oregon. Generally speaking, everything west of the Cascade Mountains is maritime e.g. there’s a lot more rain and mild temperatures. East of the Cascades is much drier and prone to extreme temperature shifts, which is a characteristic of the high desert.

Precipitation occurs almost always in the winter months regardless of location.

• Summer is a great time to visit Oregon because the skies are almost always clear and rainfall is sporadic. There are lots of festivals during this time of the year and most Oregonians spend their free time outdoors. What little rain does fall in the summer is usually the result of occasional storms, which sometimes come in the form of thunderstorms. Thunderstorms often cause forest fires, which have become more common in recent years due to increasing summer temperatures and decreasing rainfall.
• Spring and autumn are lovely seasons to visit Oregon but are somewhat brief. Summer usually goes into September and winter often feels very long (November-March).
• Winters in Western Oregon are notoriously dreary as rain falls almost every day and the skies are almost always overcast. Being the tortured souls that they are, Oregonians love to be homebodies and stay warm with a beer at this time.

Luckily, the Cascades and parts of Eastern Oregon receive plenty of snowfall in the winter, giving winter athletes plenty of opportunities. In fact, Oregon has some of the best slopes on the West Coast.

Things go wrong on the road ALL THE TIME. Be prepared for what life throws at you.

Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure – don’t be daft!

Food in Oregon

Oregon is often ranked as one of the top foodie states in the country by several major publications; more often than naught, it’s #1. Thanks to a thriving farm-to-table scene and a population with a real culinary passion, Oregon has, seriously, some of the best food that you’ll ever eat.

Nearly every part of Oregon offers some amazing local product. To the east is grade-A cattle; to the west are the sublime bounties of the sea; and in the middle is the Willamette Valley, a hugely prosperous agricultural area.

When on a road trip in Oregon, there are so many ways to satiate your appetite. You can visit one of the many authentic farmers’ markets, swing by a roadside diner, book a table at a eclectic restaurant or eat at a food cart.

For those on a budget road trip in Oregon, I highly recommend eating at the small hole-in-the-wall joints and food trucks to save to money.

Hands down, the best food is found at the many food carts , for which Oregon is famous for. The food here is affordable, inventive, sometimes revolutionary, and always delicious.

Food carts are often labors of love, which means the food is extraordinarily cared for. If given the choice, I will always choose a food cart over a restaurant.

Like the anonymous food carts, the mom-and-pop restaurants found in bumfuck nowhere are also among the best things in Oregon. Simple as they may be in offerings, the ambiance and loving meals they provide are one of a kind.

I can think of many places that are so good they warrant road trips themselves. The gigantic burgers of Helvetia Tavern or the soothing ice cream of K & R Drive In are certainly worthy, if not sweet memories for me.

Get your Buzz On

Whether it’s because of the demand for alcohol during those depressing winter months or because the region produces some of the finest hops, grapes, and other botanicals for making beverages, makes no difference; Oregon loves to produce and consume booze in all of its forms.

Oregon makes some of the best wine, beer, and spirits in the USA and that is a fact that locals will defend with a fiery passion. (Go Pinot Noir, not California Cab.)

Agricultural epicenters like Hood River, the Willamette Valley, McMinnville, and Medford consistently produce the best booze in the state. Amongst these regions are dozens if not hundreds of wineries, distilleries, and breweries that offer countless alcoholic varieties.

Throw in the fact that many of these sites are located in gorgeous, bucolic settings and you have some of the most fun places to stay in Oregon.

If you had to choose one place to sample local wares or go party for that matter, it’d definitely be Portland. You cannot throw a rock in this city and not hit a bar; they’re simply everywhere.

Nearly every type of bar as well: dives, speakeasies, country haunts, beer halls, urban wineries, clubs, and many more. Strip clubs are particularly well represented in Portland, so much so that the city actually has the highest concentration per capita in the country beating out both Orlando and Las Vegas.

No piece about getting buzzed in Oregon would be complete without talking about the marijuana, which is 100% legal in the state. Like alcohol consumption, you must simply be over a certain age (21) and only smoke it in certain places like on your property or away from businesses. You can buy weed a local dispensary , which only requires you to bring an ID and cash.

Being a Responsible Backpacker in Oregon

Remember to be a respectful camper while on your Oregon road trip. Depart from the grounds at a decent hour, follow leave no trace principles, and be very, very aware of fire bans. Forest fires are an enormous problem in Oregon and are often caused by reckless campers.

Oregonians are also very conscious of the environment and like to take care of it, as should you.

Reduce your plastic footprint: Perhaps the best thing you can do for our planet is to make sure you do NOT add to the plastic problem all over the world. Don’t buy one-use water bottles, the plastic ends up in a landfill or in the ocean.

I know it can be hard, but do your best to use the least amount of plastic water bottles that you can. Refill the ones that you do buy! Use a Grayl Geopress . Refill at your hostel/guest house! There are plenty of ways to reduce plastic!!!

Pack a  tough and cool travel water bottle . You’ll use it every single day whether you are traveling or not! Help save the planet, and pick up a water bottle here.

Check out our post on how to be a responsible backpacker.

Make Money Online Whilst Traveling in Oregon

Want to stay in the USA longer? Worried that you don’t have enough cash for a longer Oregon road trip? One idea is to make money while traveling!

Teaching English online is a great way to earn a consistent income—from anywhere in the world with a good internet connection. Depending on your qualifications (or your motivation to obtain qualifications like a TEFL certificate) you can teach English remotely from your laptop, save some cash for your next adventure, and make a positive impact on the world by improving another person’s language skills!

It’s a win-win! Check out this detailed article for everything you need to know to start  teaching English online .

In addition to giving you the qualifications to teach English online, TEFL courses open up a huge range of opportunities and you can find teaching work all over the world. To find out more about TEFL courses and how you can teach English around the world, read my in-depth report on teaching English abroad .

Broke Backpacker readers get a 50% discount on TEFL courses with MyTEFL (simply enter the code PACK50), to find out more, please read my in-depth report on teaching English abroad.

Whether you are keen to teach English online or looking to take your teaching game a step further by finding a job teaching English in a foreign country, getting your TEFL certificate is absolutely a step in the right direction.

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I came upon this site searching for travel points,budgeting, anything Oregon and you hit it right on the button. This is the best well written and organized site I’ve read. I bookmarked it. Thank you so much.

Stumbled upon your awesome Oregon site while looking for things to see here in the great state of Oregon when the COVID-19 quarantine is lifted. I’ve only lived here for four years, but have been coming here all my life to visit family, so I’m familiar with a lot of the state. Thank you for such a comprehensive and thorough site about travel in Oregon.

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How to have an EPIC Southern Oregon Coast Road Trip! (The BEST things to do + 3 day itinerary!)

Last updated on February 10th, 2023

Want to have an epic Southern Oregon Coast road trip? In this guide we’re sharing the best stops, where to stay, and a 3 day itinerary! Back when we lived in Seattle, one of our favorite places to visit on the weekends was the Oregon Coast. With a mix of stunning beaches, fun hiking trails, unique cliffs and rock formations, plus charming towns, it makes for the perfect relaxed, yet adventurous getaway. We typically visited Cannon Beach on the Northern Oregon Coast, due to its closer proximity to Seattle, and while every section of the coast is stunning, we have to say our favorite region of the coast so far is the Southern Oregon Coast.

Check out our road trip along the Southern Oregon Coast from 2022, which includes many of the stops listed on this guide!

Compared to the other parts of the coast we have visited, the Southern Oregon Coast feels more rugged, wild, and remote. It’s a bit further from any major cities, which makes the crowds a bit lighter, but it still offers everything that makes the Oregon Coast a magical place. We have road tripped the Southern Oregon Coast a couple times now and in this guide we’re sharing all of the best stops to make on a Southern Oregon Coast road trip, important things to know beforehand, and helpful logistics, like a full three day itinerary, with places to stay each day. We hope you enjoy this slice of coastal heaven as much as we do!

Looking for more things to do in Oregon? Check out these guides & videos:

• The BEST things to do at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon (+ one day itinerary!)
• The BEST waterfall hike in Oregon! Hiking the Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls State Park
• 20+ AMAZING things to do in Bend, Oregon
• How to visit Tumalo Falls in Bend, Oregon (ANY time of the year!)
• A weekend in Portland itinerary
• The best things to do in Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast!
• Watch our Oregon vlogs

About the Southern Oregon Coast

Getting to the southern oregon coast, how to get around the southern oregon coast, when to visit the southern oregon coast, where to stay on the southern oregon coast, things to know before visiting the southern oregon coast, what to bring , the best stops on the southern oregon coast, 3 day southern oregon coast road trip itinerary.

With 363 miles of rugged coastline, there is a lot to explore along the Oregon Coast. In fact, it’s known as the “People’s Coast” because every mile of it is open for the public to enjoy!  Unlike some coastal regions in the United States, the Oregon Coast isn’t exactly a tropical getaway. The beaches aren’t filled with palm trees, but rather full of giant rocky sea stacks, Douglas Firs and Pines, and mountainous backdrops.  With many rainy and foggy days, plus cold waters, it may not be the kind of beach that you lay out and go for a swim (unless you’re brave!), but with tons of state parks, beaches, overlooks, trails, and small towns, it offers plenty of other ways to enjoy its coastline and stay busy!

While many consider the Southern Oregon Coast the section from Brookings to Coos Bay, we have not made it as far north as Coos Bay. So for the sake of this guide, we’re specifically referring to the Southern Oregon Coast as the section from Brookings to Bandon, which is about 83 miles of coastline and about 1.5 hours of driving, without any stops. But trust us, you WILL want to make stops!

Before embarking on your adventure, please review the  Leave No Trace principles  to ensure you leave every place better than you found it, so that others can enjoy these beautiful places for many years to come! These seven principles include planning ahead and preparing, hiking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in!), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. 

The Oregon Coast is not near any major towns and is a bit off the beaten path from the main north-south thoroughfare (I-5), so it does require a bit of effort to get to, whether you’re driving or flying. 

Flying to the Southern Oregon Coast

There are no major cities on the southern Oregon Coast, but it isn’t too far from a few major cities with airports if you need to fly into the area.  The closest large airport is the Eugene Airport (EUG) and is about a 2.5 hour drive to Bandon, on the northern end of the Southern Oregon Coast. It is served by several major airlines including Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest, and United Airlines. The largest airport though will be the Portland International Airport (PDX) , which is just over 4 hours from Bandon (and just under 6 hours from Brookings) and offers tons of airline and flight options across the US!

Driving to the Southern Oregon Coast

The Southern Oregon Coast makes for a great road trip stop if road tripping on the West Coast. Here’s how long you can expect to drive from nearby popular destinations: Redwood National & State Parks (CA): Between ½ hour-1.5 hours, depending on where in the park you come from. Eugene, OR to Bandon, OR: 2.5 hours (133 miles) Crater Lake National Park (OR): 4 hours (193 miles) Portland, OR to Bandon, OR: 4 hours (246 miles) Redding, CA to Brookings, OR: 4 hours, 45 minutes (237 miles) Bend, OR to Bandon, OR: 4 hours, 45 minutes (254 miles)

Since this is a road trip, you’ll definitely need your own car or to rent a car . Any type of car will work fine! Our long Sprinter van was able to handle all roads and we were able to access everything without any issues, including parking lots.  However, if you plan to bring a large RV or trailer, we’d suggest leaving it at a campground and using your other vehicle to get around, as many parking lots do not have RV parking.

The Oregon Coast is an extremely mild climate, with the average highs being in the 50s-60s year round. And similar to most places in the Pacific Northwest, the summer (June-September) is the best time to visit if you want to experience more sunshine and slightly warmer temperatures.  However, the prices and crowds will be higher in the summer, so if you want more solitude and to get a better deal on lodging, we’d suggest visiting in the late spring or early fall. May and October are less crowded than the summer and also slightly less rainy than the winter. Just make sure to bring a rain jacket!

And speaking of the winter, the winter on the Southern Oregon Coast brings a lot of rain and storms (we have had sunny days in the winter too!), including a phenomenon called the King Tides , which occur during a new or full moon. In 2023, the King Tides will be on January 20-22, 2023 and also during November and December. For the average sightseeing visitor, this may be a tough time to visit weather wise, but for storm watchers, you’ll love it! Regardless of when you visit and what the weather is like, you can still have a lot of fun on the Southern Oregon Coast! We have visited the Oregon Coast in just about every season and have experienced all sorts of weather and we personally think the Oregon Coast is still stunning on a rainier, foggier day. It just adds to that Pacific Northwest moodiness that we grew to love while living in Seattle.

Although there are no major cities along the Southern Oregon Coast, there are a lot of smaller towns, which will have a variety of accommodations, like Airbnbs, hotels, and campgrounds, with some having more than others.  Below are some options for four different areas including Brookings, the southern point of the coast, Port Orford and Gold Beach, both of which are about half way, and Bandon, the northern end of the Southern Oregon Coast. A few things to note about lodging:

• You may have to hop around each night to different accommodations to reduce driving. OR you could just drive a bit extra everyday to stay in one place.
• We will be including a three day itinerary later on in this guide and will suggest where to stay each night if you are willing to move around!
• For those who enjoy free camping, we found the options to be very limited on the Oregon Coast, so we stuck to paid camping.

Vacation Rentals

Colorful Ocean Retreat, Luxury Apartment (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom) Beautiful Oceanview Home (2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms)

Harbor View Ocean Suites Motel   Beachfront Inn

Campgrounds

Harris Beach State Park   The Harris Beach State Park Campground is open year round, although some loops close in the winter. There are 149 sites with 80 of them having at least electric and water hookups. Reservations are required with the exception of the C Loop which is first-come, first-served Nov 1-May 24. Alfred A. Loeb State Park This state park is located 8 miles inland from the coast, but what you miss in the coastal benefits is made up by the fact that you’re camping within minutes to the northernmost redwood grove in the US and along the Chetco River! 

There are electrical sites with water, 3 reservable yurts, flush toilets, and hot showers, and river and gravel bar access for fishing. 

Harvest Hosts

While not technically in Brookings (it’s just across the border in California), there is a Harvest Host, the Lucky 7 Casino, which allows overnight stays for self contained RVers. We stayed here for a night before heading to Brookings!  Not sure what Harvest Hosts is? It is a paid membership for self contained RVers that lets you stay at farms, breweries, wineries, golf courses, and other spots for FREE, with the expectation that you will support the business. While this means you do need to spend some money and it’s not totally free, it’s usually a unique experience and you get to support a local business. 

Want to join Harvest Hosts? Use our link to get 15% off on your membership (make sure to add the code HHFRIENDS15 too)! 

Dog-friendly Oceanside Home (2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms) Stunning apartment in Gold Beach with fireplace + partial ocean views (2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms) Beachy Dog-friendly home (3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms)

Taylor Creek Lodge

Secret Camp RV Park   Many reviewers say this campground is very quiet and the sites are nice and large. It’s a smaller campground, but includes full hookups, showers and restrooms, and a lazy creek that runs through camp.  Lobster Creek National Forest Campground This campground is located about 20 minutes inland from Gold Beach. It’s a small National Forest campground (7 sites) that might not be the best for larger rigs. It’s located right along the Rogue River and some reviewers say there can be a lot of boat traffic and subsequent noise from the jet boat tours. With that said it seems like a nice campground with potable water, but no hookups and no reservations.  Quosatana National Forest Campground   Just a couple minutes east of the Lobster Creek Campground is Quosatana National Forest campground. This campground is much bigger, with 43 dry campsites. Quosatana Campground is located right on the Rogue River so you will get the boat traffic again, but you can easily fish from the shore and there is potable water. Reservations are not required.

Port Orford

Most Spectacular Ocean Views – Studio East Lower (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom) Heartland Treehouse (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom) Upper Port View Bungalow (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom) Oregon Coast Beach Cabin Getaway (3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom) China Mountain House (2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms) – this one looks epic!

Cape Blanco State Park We stayed here at Cape Blanco State Park Campground and LOVED it! There are sites with hookups, tons of tall trees, and flush toilets and hot showers. Sites can be booked up to six months in advance, so make sure to book early! The campground was pretty full during our visit, even on a rainier weekday. Humbug Mountain State Park With access to the highest headland on the Oregon coast and the beach, Humbug Mountain State Park would be a fun place to stay! There are lots of sites with hookups and flush toilets and hot showers available.  Boice Cope Park This campground is a Curry County campground located just north of Port Orford. It’s a small campground sitting right next to the beach and has wifi and laundry available. Reservations must be made at least 2 days prior to arrival.

Artist Cabin on Pacific Ocean (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom) Coastal Forest Cabin (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom) Bandon Beach Shack (2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom) Surf Song – Amazing views of Face Rock Beach (3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms)

Table Rock Motel Best Western Inn at Face Rock Bandon Inn

Bullards Beach State Park Located just north of Bandon is Bullards Beach State Park Campground. This is a pretty large campground with most sites having hookups, 13 yurts, flushable toilets and showers, and a dump station. 

Bandon Crossings Golf Course is another Harvest Host along the Southern Oregon Coast near Bandon. While we did not stay here, it definitely doesn’t seem like a bad spot…especially for the golf lovers!

Want to find campsites all over the US? Try the Dyrt PRO for FREE for one month! The Dyrt is the #1 camping app in the US! Sign up for a FREE 30 day trial of their PRO version using our code AplusK ! The Dyrt PRO offers many incredible features to make finding campsites even easier (+ cheaper). Some of our favorite features are: -Offline maps, so you can find campsites without cell service -Map layers to find free camping areas (+ cell phone service map layers) -Discounts from PRO partners and on campground bookings (up to 40%!)

Entrance Fees

Every spot listed on this guide is FREE to visit! While some Oregon State Parks and recreation areas do require a day use fee (you can see the list here ), none of the parks on this guide have a fee to visit. 

Dogs are allowed

Dogs are allowed in all areas listed on this guide, but for many of them, they must be on a 6 foot leash. Please follow leash laws (not all dogs or humans want strange dogs running up to them!) and always pick up after your dog.

Cell service can be spotty

Our cell service was very hit or miss along the Southern Oregon Coast. Make sure to download Google Maps for offline use as well as any trails you want to hike on AllTrails to ensure you don’t get lost!

Hide valuables

Break-ins are common along the 101, unfortunately, so please do not leave any valuables or anything visible in your car. We thankfully have not had any issues though!

Ocean Safety

You’ll be spending a lot of time on the beach and near the ocean and it is important to take extra caution near these areas. Here are a few tips to stay safe while adventuring: 

• Never turn your back on the ocean, unexpected large waves are common
• Know the tide schedule so you don’t get caught somewhere when the tide rises. You can find the times for tides at: tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov  
• Be careful of the driftwood. They can be brittle and slick so it’s best not to walk on them if you can avoid it.
• Don’t walk next to cliff edges. The cliff edges are often unstable and could collapse at any given moment. Stay behind guardrails and fences

You will definitely want to bring a camera on your Southern Oregon Coast road trip! The best camera is the one you have at the moment, but if you’re curious what cameras and gear we use, check out our gear list . Since it may be rainy, you’ll want to also bring protection for your camera. We just use a good ‘ol shower cap on our camera to keep it dry!

Food, snacks, water

While there are some towns along the way to grab food at, we have found that it’s most convenient (and best for hanger) to have food and water on you while road tripping along the Southern Oregon Coast! Pro tip: store it all in a cooler! Before we had our Sprinter van, we used this YETI cooler to store our road trip provisions and it was a champ!

Hiking gear

If you’re doing any hiking, make sure to bring the appropriate hiking gear with you (see what all we take here !). We also always recommend having the 10 essentials on you, which can come in handy both for hiking or if you have any car troubles and get stuck in one spot for a bit.

Layers and extra clothes

The weather on the Oregon Coast can be cool in the mornings and evenings, so you’ll want to pack some layers for the changing temperatures. Also, when it’s rainy and muddy, your clothes may get dirty and soaked, so it’s a good idea to bring extra clothes you can change into.

Rain Jacket

There is a very good chance it will rain for at least part of your trip, so bringing a rain jacket is a must!

A variety of shoes

We suggest bringing a variety of shoes for your Southern Oregon Coast road trip. We recommend hiking shoes for the trails, but also bringing shoes for the beaches, like Chacos or flip flops.

Car phone charger

Since you may be relying on your phone for navigation and trail maps, you’ll want to pack a car charger to keep your phone charged. Plus, if you’re camping, you will want to ensure you charge when you can!

Music and Podcasts

While the scenery alone will keep you entertained during the drive, you may want some music or podcasts to listen to as well! Some of our favorite podcasts are Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet and we like to listen to The Bobby Bones Show , which is a national radio show. Make sure to download anything you want to listen to in advance, as you won’t have service most of the drive.

Below are some of the best stops along the Southern Oregon Coast, going from south to north, which is how we did our trip most recently. While this isn’t a comprehensive list of every single thing to do along the Southern Oregon Coast, these are all spots that we highly recommend or that came highly recommended to us and are on our list for next time!

Known as Oregon’s “banana belt,” Brookings has some of the warmest temperatures year round on the Oregon coast. There is tons of outdoor recreation here, including biking, hiking, fishing, beach combing, and so much more! Here are some top spots to check out in Brookings itself.

Harris Beach State Park

Harris Beach State Park has a lot of beach to explore, plus crazy cool sea stacks, tide pools, and even the chance to see harbor seals, California sea lions, and gray whales as they pass by on their winter and spring migrations.  And make sure to look for puffins! Bird Island (also known as Goat Island), just off the coast is not only a National Wildlife Sanctuary and a breeding site for tufted puffins, but is also the largest island along the Oregon coast.  While in the park, take the short Harris Beach Trail (0.6 miles) to Harris Butte, where you’ll have a birds eye view of the coastline. Also, be sure to check out Arch Rock at low tide, when you can get really close to its arch!

Where to eat in Brookings

• Zola’s on the Water
• Pacific Sushi & Grill
• Tropicália Brazilian Cuisine
• Bell & Whistle Coffee House
• Cosmic Grind
• Dutch Bros (an Oregon staple for drive thru coffee! We love the Irish Creme Kicker!)

Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

One of the most iconic and “can’t miss” spots on the Southern Oregon Coast is the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. This is a 12 mile stretch of coastline named after the first Oregon Parks superintendent and has a mixture of quick overlooks, beaches, rugged coastline, rock arches, hikes, and so much more! It would be really difficult to list and describe all of the amazing spots to see at Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor in this guide, but we have featured some of our favorite spots we’ve visited, plus some we’d like to visit next time below!

Cape Ferrelo Viewpoint

From the parking area it’s only a half mile walk to the incredible Cape Ferrelo Viewpoint which is a fantastic spot to see the rugged coast line and keep your eye out for whales in fall and spring. You can also take the Lone Ranch to Cape Ferrelo Loop Trail (1.6 miles round trip, 291 feet of elevation gain) from the Lone Ranch Picnic Area and end up at the Cape Ferrelo Viewpoint. 

House Rock Viewpoint

Next up on your scenic journey is the House Rock Viewpoint , which is a short, easy stroll from the large parking area. 

Whaleshead Beach

Less than a couple minutes north of the House Rock Viewpoint is the Whaleshead Viewpoint and Whaleshead Beach , which we LOVED! There are a couple different ways to get down to the beach. If you follow Google Maps to Whaleshead Beach it will take you down a road that says 4WD is required. We had read mixed reviews on how rough the road was, but we didn’t want to run into any issues with our large, non 4WD van, so we decided to go the alternative route, which is from the Whaleshead Viewpoint. The viewpoint has a small parking lot and right of the parking lot is a short, but very steep (and slick after rain!) trail that takes you down to the beach.  If you’re looking for a longer adventure while in this area, you can also hike the Thomas Creek Whaleshead Beach Trail , which starts from just north of Whaleshead Beach, travels along the bluff, connects with the Indian Sands Trail, then loops back to where you started for a 3 mile round trip hike. 

Natural Bridges

One of the most popular stops at Samuel H. Boardman is Natural Bridges, which are seven arched rocks and blowholes. You have very likely seen photos of these before, as it’s one of the most photographed spots on the Southern Oregon Coast! The easiest and safest way to view the bridges is from the overlook , just a quick walk from the parking area. There is a side trail to get closer to the bridge and some people do walk across the bridge, but we highly advise NOT doing this. Several people have fallen and died from the steep, unstable terrain. When people get hurt and need assistance, it costs a lot of time and resources, as well as puts other people in danger. We attempted a side trail a few years ago and it was incredibly steep and sketchy at times, so we turned around before the end and were very happy with that decision. This time, we just enjoyed it safely from the overlook and recommend you do the same.

Secret Beach

Miles (round trip): 1.6 Elevation (feet): 374 Reviews & Current Conditions Just a stone’s throw from Natural Bridges is Secret Beach , which was our favorite stop at Samuel H. Boardman and one of the BEST stops along the entire Southern Oregon Coast, in our opinion! The beach can be a little confusing to find and the first hurdle is picking a trailhead. Google Maps has a pin for one trailhead , which we went to first (parking is VERY limited), but the trail was insanely steep and very overgrown, so we turned around to try a different route. Instead, we parked here to start the hike and the trail was more straightforward in our opinion! However, it does have a couple different offshoots, so you’ll want to download the AllTrails map in advance to ensure you don’t get turned around. Secret Beach will be the third, most northern offshoot!

Want to get 30% off an AllTrails+ membership ? Use our code aplusk30 (you must redeem this code on the website, not the app)! We use AllTrails+ on every single hike and it is the most helpful hiking tool out there! Some of the features we love are offline maps (so we can navigate even without cell service), wrong-turn alerts, and its 3D maps feature, so we can get a feel for trails before we hike.

This route for Secret Beach takes you through the forest and right by a gorgeous waterfall. You will end with a stunning view of Secret Beach, which has some huge rocks jutting out of the sand. While viewing the beach from up here is beautiful, if you’re feeling brave, you can also hike down to the beach. However, ONLY do this if it is LOW TIDE!

At high tide, the beach won’t be accessible, so in order to stay safe on the beach, only visit at a falling tide and at low tide, to ensure you do not get stuck on the beach as the tide rises. The hike down to the beach itself is more like a scramble down some rocks, which can be slick after rain, so please be careful if you attempt this. 

Once on the beach, you’ll have to cross some streams, which come from waterfalls that feed into the ocean, so your feet may get wet! While Secret Beach requires a bit of work to get to, it’s well worth it, as it is one of the best coastal views and the adventure to get there only makes it even sweeter.

Arch Rock Picnic Area

For an easy walk, with multiple views, head to the Arch Rock Picnic Area , where you’ll be treated to views of more sea stacks and a natural arched rock! There’s a short looped path on a rocky headland, which gives you views in all directions! There’s also a restroom here as well if you need one during your road trip. The majority of the stops listed above do not have any restrooms.

Check out some pullouts, viewpoints, and overlooks

After leaving the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, the next stretch of the drive up the 101 is loaded with pullouts and viewpoints, where you can simply stop to just admire the view, have a picnic, or hang out at the beach. Here are some of our favorite pull outs along this stretch of the drive!

• Pistol River Scenic Viewpoint
• Meyers Creek Pullout South
• Kissing Rock
• Cape Sebastian Viewpoint

Next on your southern Oregon coast journey is Gold Beach, the gateway to the Rogue River. Gold Beach is located at the mouth of the Rogue River and there are tons of fun opportunities to experience the river from Gold Beach. 

Things to do in Gold Beach

• Rip down the Rogue River on a jet boat with Jerry’s Rogue Jets .
• Go on a whitewater rafting trip, a flat water paddle, or paddle through the gorgeous Copper Canyon of the Rogue River with South Coast Tours . 
• Backpack along the Rogue River Trail , which is a 37.1 mile (round trip) hike that takes you along the Rogue River (no coastal views here!) and has various lodges along the way that you can eat at and sleep at. 

Where to eat

• Indian Creek Cafe
• Gold Beach BBQ
• Hunter Creek Bar & Grill
• Leavened Bakery
• First Chapter Coffee House

Otter Point State Recreation Site

Otter Point is a region of sandstone bluffs and the best way to see it is to hike the Otter Point Trail , which is 0.5 miles and takes you to Otter Point, where you can admire the coastal views, plus tons of rocks in the water. For the extra adventurous, you can hike down to the beach from here, but it is steep and requires some assistance from ropes. We haven’t personally done this, so we can’t speak to the conditions.

Sisters Rocks State Park

The biggest surprise (and favorite stop) during our most recent southern Oregon road trip goes to Sisters Rocks State Park ! Sisters Rocks State Park is a newer state park in Oregon and is named after two huge monoliths attached to the mainland, plus one offshore, named Sisters Rocks.  But before this became a state park, the area was home to some interesting history. Back in 1893 a California businessman named S. H. Frank developed the site into a local shipping point for his large tannery in Redwood City. It was called Frankport and was used by him until 1901, and later used by others as a shipping port, before eventually being purchased by the Oregon Parks and Rec Department. You can still see some of the remains of the village today, but the real star of the show are the Sisters Rocks!

To get to the rocks, you will park at a large parking area (you can also park a bit more north up the road too!) and then take a path (about 1 mile round trip) that leads through the brush toward the two massive rock structures.  The views along this short hike are stunning! It reminded us of our time on the Isle of Skye in Scotland , with all of the green, rockiness, and coastal views. And there is a lot to see and explore once you get to the bottom as well, including a beach with striking blue water, sweeping views of the coast, both north and south, plus a very cool sea cave to check out! 

This sea cave can be found at the base of the larger of the two main sisters and is only viewable at low tide, which is definitely the best time to visit this park, as much more of it is accessible to explore. During low tide, you’ll be able to watch water from the ocean slosh into the cave, hitting the many rocks and splashing everywhere. It is incredibly cool! 

It’s hard to explain, but something about the scenery here just stood out from the rest of the Southern Oregon Coast and we both agreed that it was our favorite stop of the drive. We almost skipped it due to being tired, but we are so glad we didn’t!

Humbug Mountain State Park

Just a few miles south of the town of Port Orford is one of the Oregon coast’s highest headlands, Humbug Mountain at 1,765 above sea level. As you’re driving, you’ll see Humbug Mountain from miles away from either direction and in the park there is a popular campground, beautiful trails, as well as access to the beach, with the most popular thing to do being the Humbug Mountain Loop Trail! Miles (roundtrip): 5.6 Elevation (feet): 1,784 Reviews & Current Conditions The Humbug Mountain Loop Trail travels through Douglas Fir forests to the highest point on the Oregon coast. You won’t have views the entire time, but will have some peek-a-boo views of the ocean and more expansive views at the top!

Port Orford is the next town along the Southern Oregon Coast and is home to a couple great state parks, plus restaurants!

Port Orford Heads State Park

Port Orford Heads State Park is the former site of the Port Orford Lifeboat Station, which was built by the Coast Guard in 1934 and used until 1970. The park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and you can tour the Crew Quarters, which is a museum, plus see the 36 foot unsinkable motor lifeboat. Another spot to check out in the park is the Port Orford Heads Trail , which is a 1.2 mile (round trip) hike that takes you around the headland to get different views of the surrounding area.

Cape Blanco State Park

Cape Blanco State Park is located at the western most tip of the state. It has a historic lighthouse, historic ranch home, gorgeous beaches with unique rock formations off the coast, a river, and a very nice campground! While in the park we suggest checking out:

• The Cape Blanco Lighthouse , which is 59 feet tall and is the oldest standing lighthouse on the Oregon coast, built in 1870. It’s built 245 feet above the sea and is visible to ships from 22 miles away! If you’d like to go inside, tours cost $2 for adults (free for those under 15) and are offered on Wednesdays-Mondays from April 1-October 31 between 10 AM-3:30 PM. 
• Tour the Hughes Historic House . This land was settled by an Irishman named Patrick Hughes in the late 1800s, who set up a large dairy farm and built a large ranch complex, and this house is the only building left. Tours are offered on Wednesdays-Mondays from May 1-September 30, between 10 AM-3:30 PM and are free, but donations are helpful to maintain the home and help fund restoration.
• Hike the Mouth of the Sixes Trail , which is an easy 1.8 mile stroll through a cow pasture and along the Sixes River at the northern end of the park, before ending at Sixes Beach.
• Admire Needle Rock , which is a popular landmark close to the lighthouse. You can view it from near the lighthouse parking area!

Where to eat in Port Orford

• The Honey House Cafe
• The Crazy Norwegian’s Fish and Chips
• Golden Harvest Herban Farm and Bakery

Bandon is the final stop on this Southern Oregon Coast road trip and it’s a pretty epic finale! Bandon sits at the mouth of the Coquille River and is home to amazing ocean views, charming shops and restaurants, a historic lighthouse, thriving arts scene, and lots of outdoor recreation activities, like hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, and one of Adam’s favorite activities, golfing at one of the most spectacular golf courses in the world!

Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint

One of the most popular spots in Bandon is Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint , which has a variety of uniquely shaped sea stacks, all named after what they resemble. There is Face Rock, which looks like a face, plus Wizard’s Hat, Cat and Kittens Rock, and many more! The parking lot (which does have a bathroom!) has an overlook that gives you a great overview of the whole area and you can also walk a pathway down to the beach to get a closer look!

Circles in the Sand

One really neat thing to see at Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint are Circles in the Sand , also known as Walking Labyrinths, which are gorgeous designs drawn into the sand everyday with the intent to share love, joy, and kindness.  These labyrinth designs were first created by artist Denny Dyke who created them for his own walking meditations. During specific dates from mid-April until early-August, the designs are drawn freehand and once they are complete they are open for about 2 hours (or until the tide washes them away) for people to come and walk the path.  We unfortunately did not get to see this during our visit due to when we visited, but it looks incredible! 

Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge

The Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge at Coquille Point is one of our favorite places to go in Bandon! This area is home to amazing sea stacks and rock islands, and depending on the season you visit, lots of birds, including tufted puffins, murres, cormorants, and petrels. This park has a couple different areas to explore. You can take a staircase down to the beach, where you can wander among the rock formations, watch the waves crash into them, and if you’re like us, see some seals!

Up at the top of the park, right by the parking area, there are some pathways along the cliffside, with information boards about the local birds and the area. There’s also a really cool puffin sculpture made out of trash plucked from the sea! This sculpture is part of a project called Washed Ashore , which creates art to educate people about plastic pollution in the ocean and waterways. 

Stroll around Old Town Bandon

Bandon’s historic district includes 10 blocks of shopping, dining (see our suggestions below), history, art, and culture right on the Coquille River! While walking around, make sure to check out Cranberry Sweets & More (Bandon is the cranberry capital of Oregon!) and visit the free Washed Ashore gallery to see more of the art they have created from trash. 

Bullards Beach State Park 

Just north of Bandon, on the other side of the Coquille River, is Bullards Beach State Park .  While in the park you can camp, go for a stroll or ride your bike along the 4.5 miles of Bullards Beach, and visit the Coquille River Lighthouse . The Coquille River Lighthouse’s signal room can be toured Thursday-Monday 11 AM-5 PM and is staffed by volunteers who will share the history of the area. 

Devils Kitchen

One spot we haven’t visited yet in Bandon is the Devil’s Kitchen State Park Vista Point . Similar to many spots on this guide, this area includes a nice beach area, plus some large rocks, and we hear that even when busy, you can still find plenty of space to spread out.

Tee it up at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

We know this one isn’t for everyone, but it’s very high on Adam’s list so we had to mention it! The sandy soil and rugged coastline of Oregon is a perfect canvas for one of the premier golf resorts in the world, Bandon Dunes . The course is created with a lot of inspiration and similarities from Scotland, the home of golf, and its magnificent courses. The resort includes 6 unique courses that are built in harmony with the natural environment, as opposed to creating the courses from scratch, like many courses in the US are. As they say at Bandon Dunes, “this is golf as it was meant to be!” It definitely is not a cheap course and is way outside of our golf budget, but it looks like an incredible experience and one day we hope to experience it for ourselves.

Where to eat in Bandon

Bandon Fish Market (we highly recommend their fish and chips!) Tony’s Crab Shack Angelo’s Italy Pablo’s Corner Bandon Coffee Cafe

While you could spend less time on the Southern Oregon Coast and still see tons of amazing scenery just from quick pullouts and stops, three days feels like the perfect amount of time to knock out a bunch of items on this guide, especially some hikes, without feeling too rushed. Note: This itinerary is in order from south to north (which is what we did on our latest visit), but you can easily reverse it if starting in the north!

• Grab coffee and breakfast in Brookings and then hit the road! We’d suggest getting as early of a start as possible!
• Explore Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor! We especially recommend Whaleshead Beach, Natural Bridges, Secret Beach, and Arch Rock.
• Visit the overlooks as you drive north towards Gold Beach.
• Head to Otter Point for sunset.
• Grab dinner in Gold Beach.
• Stay the night in Gold Beach or backtrack to Brookings if needed.
• Start the morning with breakfast at Indian Creek Cafe in Gold Beach.
• Check out Sisters Rocks State Park and if it’s low tide, go see the sea cave!
• Hike the Humbug Mountain Loop Trail.
• Visit Port Orford Heads State Park and stay for sunset!
• Stay the night in Port Orford.
• Start the morning with breakfast at The Honey House Cafe.
• Head to Cape Blanco State Park and check out the lighthouse.
• Spend the rest of the day in Bandon! If visiting during Circles in the Sand, try to stop by first thing, as it’s only up for a couple hours. After that, we suggest walking around town, grabbing a coffee at Bandon Coffee Cafe, getting lunch at Bandon Fish Market, going to Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint, and exploring the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

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Road Tripping Along the Southern Oregon Coast

Last updated on June 22nd, 2023 at 08:32 pm

A road trip along the Oregon Coast Highway in southern Oregon is the perfect summer adventure. Stay in quaint seaside towns. Marvel as the pine-covered mountains reach right to the sea creating scenic cliffside vistas out across the Pacific Ocean. Explore the tide pools along the rocky shores. Stroll long sandy beaches. Admire the sea stacks that dot the coast. Plus the seafood!!

We took a 1 week circular road trip in this beautiful area of the United States that included: 200 miles of coastal driving along the Oregon Coast Highway, stays in two Oregon coastal towns, and a non-coastal stay in the mountains of Northern California – we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to explore the nearby redwood forests.

Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links.  If you buy something after clicking one of these links, I may earn a small commission.  This does not cost you anything extra and helps support this blog .

Starting Point – Eugene Oregon

Our trip started in Eugene, Oregon’s second largest city. It’s here where we rented our car for the journey, after flying directly into Eugene Airport from our home in Salt Lake City. Eugene is a perfect road trip gateway to the southern Oregon Coast as it is only 70 minutes away by car.

I lived in Portland for three years and made many trips out to the Oregon Coast during my time there. More people visit the northern Oregon coast due to its proximity to Portland. Cannon Beach is probably the best known destination on this part of the Oregon Coast, and photos of its haystack rock are a common postcard picture for the Oregon Coast. The southern coast is a little too far for a quick trip from Portland, so it’s less visited. But the scenery is just as spectacular – maybe more spectacular. Plus, California’s Redwood State Parks start just across the Oregon border, offering an easy road-tripping opportunity to see a different kind of natural wonder.

First Stop – Yachats Oregon

From the Eugene airport, we drove directly to the town of Florence which sits just inland from the coast on the Siuslaw River, and then headed north along the Oregon Coast Highway for another 30 minutes to the small coastal town of Yachats.  This 25 mile stretch of coastal highway should not to be missed! The road climbs high above the ocean and offers spectacular vistas out from the cliffs and mountains that hug the shore, out across the Pacific. We passed the scenic Heceta Head Lighthouse and eventually passed through Cape Perpetua Scenic Area before descending back down to flat coastline at Yachats.  

Yachats is exactly what you would expect in a small Oregon coastal town – a few boutiques and souvenir stores, a grocery store, and a several good seafood shacks. We ate freshly caught King salmon at Luna Sea Fish House on an outdoor picnic table with views of nearby Cape Perpetua while washing it down with a bottle of local Oregon beer. 

Our Yachats Lodging

We stayed at Deane’s Oceanfront Lodge (now named the Tillicum Beach Motel ) just a few miles north of Yachats.  Deane’s is a classic park-your-car-in-front-of-your-room motel.  In my tripping for this trip, I noticed that many of the older motels in this part of Oregon have been updated and refurbished, and are still a popular offering for road-trippers. 

I chose Deane’s because it seemed the apppropriate throw-back experience for the first night of our road trip. But I also chose Deane’s for it’s beach access. Deane’s has a large open yard in the back that leads out to a ledge overlooking the ocean and the beach below.  A wooden staircase gives access to the wide expanse of sandy beach. This is an Oregon beach, so it was not warm…. even in July. But we put on our jackets and still enjoyed a long beachside stroll.  

Main Sight – Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

Cape Perpetua Scenic Area was our main draw for staying in Yachats.  Cape Perpetua is part of the Suislaw National Forest and so has a visitors center, well-maintained parking areas, and lots of trails.  We spent several hours our first morning in Oregon exploring the Cape Perpetua area. Trails from the main Visitor Center go directly down to the rocky shore where we explored features with the names of Devil’s Churn, Thor’s Well, and Spouting Horn. Tidal pools also abound and are easy to access.

Second Stop – Port Orford Oregon

We then drove 2.5 hours south along the coast to our next stop – Port Orford.  There are more charming towns along the Oregon Coast than Port Orford. However, you would be hard pressed to find a better AirBNB for an Oregon Coast road trip than Redfish Loft.  I found this rental early in my tripping for this road trip, and it was immediately clear that 3 nights in Port Orford would be the centerpiece of our trip. Staying at Redfish Loft is a perfect example of why I love Vacation Rentals .

Our Port Orford Lodging

Redfish Loft is a studio apartment that sits above a restaurant (also called Redfish) which sits on a ledge directly above a long expanse of beach. It has big picture windows and a good-sized balcony with views views views.  The owner is a glass artist whose gallery is also part of the complex – gallery, restaurant, AirBNB rental. Redfish Loft was everything we hoped. In fact, I had hiking plans for the area that didn’t even materialize because we just decided to mostly hang out and soak it all in.  

Port Orford is small and sleepy.  There is not a lot going on there.  The best restaurant is Redfish , and you should definitely eat here, but it is pricey for twice-daily eating.  My favorite meal during this stop was 30 miles north in the town of Bandon (known for it’s world-famous Bandon Dunes Golf Resort which is consistently ranked one of the top golf courses in the world). We drove up there one night and ate fresh Dungeness Crab on the pier at Tony’s Crab Shack.

Sights in the Port Orford area

Battle rock wayside park.

Redfish Loft sits just above Battle Rock Wayside Park – a long expanse of beach marked with the pillar-like rock formations that can be found along so much of the Oregon Coast.  We spent hours every day strolling the beach and exploring the tide pools and rock formations. Once again, it was not a warm lay-out-on-the-beach experience. The temps were generally in the high 60s which felt colder with the wind.  But it was also not uncomfortable with a jacket. 

Cape Blanco Lighthouse

We did venture out to Cape Blanco lighthouse – just a few miles north of Port Orford.  The lighthouse dates back to 1870, is the only working lighthouse in Oregon. It happens to sit on the second most westerly point in the United States.  Tours inside the lighthouse are available, but only on certain days of the week. We happened to go on a non-tour day. It was still an interesting place to visit and the views out across the coastline are expansive. 

Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

The Samuel Boardman Corridor is an another expanse of spectacular coastline scenery along the southern Oregon Coast.  It stretches along 12 miles of coastal highway, and is marked by various lookout points and pullouts with short trails.  It only takes 50 minutes to get from Port Orford to Arch Rock – the first major site in the Corridor. We drove through the Samuel Boardman Corridor on our way to California, rather than making a down and back trip from Port Orford.   In addition to stopping at Arch Rock, we also stopped for a short hike to view the Natural Bridges, and took another hike through a forest to a meadow to a view out across the Pacific.

Third Stop – Gasquet California

We headed next to Northern California and the Redwood Forests. California has 49 state parks that feature the giant redwood trees.  Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park just outside of Crescent City is the northernmost of these parks. It’s less than 30 minutes from the Oregon-California border so an easy extension of an Oregon Coast road trip

Our Gasquet Lodging

We stayed at a great VRBO rental in a small mountain town just east of Jedediah Smith Park called Gasquet.  This rental was a small cabin (originally a local doctor’s fishing cabin) located adjacent to the owner’s more modern house. Both were situated just above the edge of the Smith River, surrounded by tall pines and mountainsides. It featured a great outdoor patio area with easy access to the river (we actually saw river otters!). Like our stay at Redfish Loft, we found ourselves relaxing at our rental more than we originally intended because we enjoyed the beauty of location so much.  You can check out more details about this rental by clicking here .

The owner recommended that we stop in Brookings Oregon and shop for food before arriving.  We wisely followed that suggestion. There aren’t any dining options in the immediate area. We barbecued on the outdoor grill and dined on the scenic patio both nights.

Main Sight – Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

Redwood trees are the tallest living thing on earth. They can reach height of 350 feet and it is awe-inspiring to stand next to and look up at the tops of these giants. We ventured into the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park several times.  I had originally planned on visiting several additional parks farther south, but we decided that Jedediah Smith gave us the redwood experience we wanted.  

We spent most our time in Stout Grove which is considered the most scenic grove of redwoods in the park ( one writer called it the most scenic in the world). The first time, we stopped on our initial foray into the park, as we slowly drove along the unpaved Howland Hill Road which cuts across the length of the park. We pulled off and parked in Stout Grove’s small parking lot from where a short asphalt trail descends into the grove. 

We returned a second time in the late afternoon.  I had read that 4pm on a summer day is the best time to experience the grove. At this time, the sun hits at the perfect angle for lighting up the foliage in the grove.  This visit we parked a little further east on Howland Hill Road and hiked the mile-long River Trail into the Grove. We timed it perfectly and the lighting within the grove added an extra layer of other-worldliness to an already other-worldly place. 

Return to Eugene Oregon

We completed a full loop on our road trip by driving northeast through Grant’s Pass Oregon and ultimately finishing the trip driving north on Interstate 5.  The drive from Gasquet to Eugene took 3.5 hours.

We spent the final night of our Oregon Coast road trip in Eugene before flying out the next morning. We stayed at the Excelsior Inn. This converted University of Oregon frat house had been converted into an upscale Italian restaurant and small hotel.  Each room was named for a different classical music composer and were very nicely furnished. We stayed in the Chopin room. An excellent cooked breakfast was provided in the restaurant and included in the room rate. Unfortunately, as of June 2023, the Excelsior Inn seems to be closed. Hopefully this is temporary and it will return to once again hosting guests. You can find an alternative place to stay using the lodging map below.

Final Thoughts

Me and Mrs. Thorough Tripper thoroughly loved our Oregon Coast Road Trip – beautiful scenery, great lodging, unique experiences, good seafood, and plenty of time to relax. You should definitely consider spending some time one summer on the Oregon coast, too!

If you want to read about about some of our other travel experiences in the USA, then take a look at these posts:

A Weekend in Sunny Tucson Arizona

2 Great Days in Moab Utah – Arches, Canyonlands, and Dead Horse Point

A Thorough Guide to Adventure in Kanab Utah

A Height-Phobic’s Guide to Visiting Seattle’s Iconic Space Needle

A Kauai Air Tour – Conquering a Travel Fear

14 Comments

Thanks for the road trip. I definitely was ready to get out of the house to do a little exploring. Your post gave me the feeling that I was stowing away in the back seat.😎

thethoroughtripper

No question that a road trip would be great right now!

Hey Doc Jepson! Absolutely stunning photos. I would agree with Don C. that these photos made me feel like I was right there! Thanks for the share!

Glad to know that you enjoyed it!

In addition to your commentary, I love your photography. Congratulations!

Michelle Bunker

I had no idea the Oregon Coast was so beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!

You’re welcome! It is indeed a beautiful part of the world.

Thanks so much for this awesome road trip itinerary. Oregon was the first state I every visited while abroad on a student exchange and this post certainly brought back great memories.

–Marvin https://parttimepassenger.com

That sure was a beautiful state to start with 🙂

Thanks for the wonderful post and pictures. I spent a summer in Eugene during college and did some driving up and down the cost. Your pictures are much better than anything I have from back when. They really remind me how great that summer was.

Eugene would have been a great place to spend a summer!

Lannie Travels

What an amazing road trip! And hey, they have sea stacks too!! I have to admit your choice of lodging (and their views and proximity to the beach) are spot on! And Tony’s crab shack looks incredible. And to top it off, redwoods???? Unreal!’

Yes, it was a great trip 🙂 It had long been on Mrs. Thorough Tripper’s bucket list, so I had to make sure I did a good job…

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• Destinations
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Places to Visit on a Southern Oregon Road Trip

Continuing from our previous Northern California Road Trip , here is our second leg of our travels into our Southern Oregon Road Trip. Driving from California into Oregon is the ultimate nature lover’s road trip to add to your travel itinerary. Oregon is a stunning State full of incredible natural wonders to explore. We only touched a tiny bit of it on this trip, so I can’t wait to go back and explore more!

Drive Around the Rim of Crater Lake

Our first stop when we entered into the state of Oregon was the Crater Lake National Park. It is located in the South-Central region of Oregon. Can you believe that Crater Lake National Park is home to the  deepest natural lake  in the entire United States?  The crater was formed over 7,700 years ago by a violent volcanic collapse of Mount Mazama , that was witnessed by the Klamath Native Americans that inhabited the region. The fresh water lake is famous for its crystal clear blue waters and is 100% fed by rain and snow. Absolutely no public boating or recreational vehicles are allowed on or near the lake in order to preserve the environment and ecosystem . You can only swim and fish and take a boat tour that is provided by the Park Ranger.

The drive around Crater Lake is approximately 6-miles. You can take your time to stop at all the scenic viewing sites, go on a short hike or simply rest for a picnic. It is a perfect day trip to enjoy with the whole family. The main Mazama Village has a restaurant that serves 3 meals, a gift shop and public restrooms. And it also has the Crater Lake Lodge for accommodations if you’re inclined to stay the night at Crater Lake. With additional cabins and camp grounds available as well. The National Park is open all year round so you can visit during the Summer or in the Winter when it is magically covered in snow.

I am actually quite fascinated by the geological history of the National Park. So make sure you read about the formation of this incredible lake.

*BONUS – Tour the Waterfalls of Southern Oregon

A perfect way to head North from Crater Lake into the city of Eugene or Bend, Oregon is to take the Highway 97 where it branches off into Hwy 58 or Hwy 126. All along this triangular highway formation is the Waterfall mecca of any Southern Oregon Road Trip.

If you are a waterfall chaser, then you will for sure enjoy the Southern Oregon Photography and Oregon Waterfall Guide by Follow Me Away . Make sure to visit their post about all the amazing waterfalls to visit on a road trip in Oregon. It is a stunning list of beautiful waterfalls that I am going to add to my own list for future travels to Oregon.

Quick Stop in College Town of Eugene, OR

University of oregon.

As you can obviously tell, the hubby is an USC Alumni and all alumnis are obsessed with the USC college football team. It is automatically written into their DNA as soon as they graduate. One of their friendly rivals is the University of Oregon. We had to make a stop in the university town or I would have never heard the end of it! And yes, he made me take photos of him in his USC gear in front of every darn Ducks logo! :::facepalm:::

The college town of Eugene was fairly quiet when we visited. Maybe it had something to do with it being in the middle of Summer and on a weekend. But if you’re a college football fan , this is a fun stop for a quick bite to eat and some souvenir shopping at the university shop.

If you’re looking for additional things to do around the city of Eugene, check out these cool guided city tours. It’s a great way to tour the city and see what it has to offer.

*BONUS – Spend Time at the Swan Island Dahlia Flower Farm

View this post on Instagram A post shared by @alison__wu on Aug 14, 2019 at 6:17pm PDT

In the Summer months of August and September, there is a beautiful flower field a bit south of Eugene called the Swan Island . They specialize in growing one of my favorite flowers, Dahlias. It’s a lovely spot to add to your Southern Oregon Road Trip. We didn’t get a chance to visit this spot but I am for sure adding it to my list when we visit the area next.

The flower field is in full bloom around late Summer time. It is also when they host their Annual Dahlia Festival which is Free to attend. You can stroll through almost 40 acres of stunning dahlias featuring over 370 dahlia varieties.

You can also visit their Indoor Display Floral Rooms, over 400 floral arrangements, and over 15,000 cut dahlia blooms on display. The largest display put on by one grower anywhere in the United States!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by 🙂 (@myworldsarecolliding) on May 9, 2020 at 12:14pm PDT

Check out the City Sights of Portland, OR

Welcome to the city of Portland, Oregon! We have made it into the Northern end of Oregon! The charming city is a small bustling metropolitan downtown and only an hour and a half away from Eugene. It’s a popular city that is hip and trendy, yet down to earth. It offers the best of the best of the Pacific Northwest. There are an array of great shops and restaurants to cater to your city adventuring. It has a pretty happening Hipster scene too. Are hipsters still a thing? Or are they just part of main-stream society now?

We drove up into the Portland from Eugene. It was our last stop of our Southern Oregon Road Trip before we flew back home. We stayed only one night but we still managed to get around town for some sight-seeing . We also always book our flights for later in the day whenever we travel so we can still have the first half of the day available to do any last minute exploring such as visiting the Columbia River Gorge.

Make sure to check out my friend, Brianna’s in-depth Portland Guide at her blog the Casual Travelist. She gives some great city tips on restaurants, breweries, and sites to visit.

For the Foodies that enjoy great tasting food, craft beer or wine, check out these awesome tours! With guides that are local to Portland, you can’t go wrong with these exciting treks around the city to experience their incredible food culture!

Stroll around the Portland Japanese Garden & Rose Garden

The world-famous Japanese Garden of Portland is known as one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in the world. Aside from Japan of course. Its expansive 12-acre property sports 8 different Japanese gardening styles such as a Bonsai Showcase and a Meditation Sand & Rock Garden that the Japanese are well-known for. The stunning garden is a welcome retreat away from the main city, yet still located not very far out of the city central. Make sure to add the Japanese Gardens to your list when you visit the Portland area.

The Portland Rose Garden is known as the International Rose Test Garden. It is located within 5-minute walking distance across the street from the Japanese Gardens. “Portland has long had a love affair with roses. In 1888, Georgiana Burton Pittock, wife of publisher Henry Pittock, invited her friends and neighbors to exhibit their roses in a tent set up in her garden; thus the Portland Rose Society was established.”

The garden has now evolved into a beautiful wonderland devoted to a variety of delicate award-winning roses, each with its own exotic and romantic name. The scent of roses wafting through the air as you stroll among the flower bushes is intoxicating . Have you ever smelled roses that smell so delicious , it makes you want to eat them? That’s how some of these amazing flowers made me feel.

Explore the Columbia River Gorge

Located only about an hour or so away from Portland, The Columbia River Gorge  was designated a National Scenic Area — the largest in America — and you’ll soon find out why. The area is a large canyon, part of the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Up to 4,000 feet deep, the canyon stretches for over eighty miles as the river winds westward through the Cascade Range, forming the boundary between the state of Washington to the north and Oregon to the south. Due to this land formation, this area is world-famous for its incredible waterfalls. Make sure to add it to your Oregon Road Trip itinerary no matter what!

Make sure to always check with the local national and state park guides to check for closures.

Visit the World Famous Multnomah Falls

The gorgeous Multnomah Falls is an incredible site to see. It is the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest . Over 2 million visitors stop by each year to take in the spectacular views! It is fed by underground springs from Larch Mountain. This is also one of the best places in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area to study geology exposed by floods. 

It is a tourist hot spot and can get mighty crowded all year round. Parking may be a bit difficult so you’ll need to have a lot of patience. There are hiking trails open to the public all around the area. I highly suggest taht you park in one spot and hike to the other waterfalls in the area, it will save a lot of time. The views are 100% worth it! There are restaurants, shopping and restrooms located at the Multnomah Falls Lodge as well, so it’s a great stop for a break and rest.

If you are a waterfall chaser, make sure to check out these nearby falls that can be easily reached hiking from Multnomah Falls: Dutchman Falls | Ecola Falls | Wahkeena Falls | Fairy Falls

Cool Off at the Latourell Falls

Smaller in scale compared to Multnomah, the Latourell Falls is located within a half hour driving distance from Multnomah. But here, you can get up close and personal with the Falls. Surrounded by basalt columns and a small little cave behind the water, the easily accessible waterfall is less crowded and a beautiful sight to behold. It is surrounded by hiking trails and evergreen foliage, it is a gorgeous little fairy tale spot to explore on your Oregon road trip.

If you enjoy guided tours to see what the entire region has to offer, I’ve hand-picked some of the best tours for nature lovers to enjoy in the Columbia River Gorge area.

Where to Stay?

Portland hotels & inns.

Hyatt House Portland / Downtown

The Society Hotel

The Duniway Portland – Hilton Hotel

The Mark Spencer Hotel

Unique Portland AirBNB Stays

If you’re looking for a unique stay at an AirBNB in the Portland Oregon area, I would highly recommend these spots, especially if you’re a nature lover like myself. I picked these two particular stays because I would personally stay there myself.

THE MAGIC BARN It’s rustic, it’s quaint, and it has the charm of a cabin in the woods. Except, it’s located in the heart of Portland Oregon. The private sculpture art studio has been transformed into a lovely living space, located just a short walk away from the main Magic House which is also available to rent on AirBNB.

ALPACA FARM RETREAT As you know, I’m an animal lover. Even though this little retreat is located outside of the Portland downtown area, it’s not that far. I would totally stay here. Surrounded by acres of land and alpacas ? Come on, this is a win-win situation!

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14 replies to “places to visit on a southern oregon road trip”.

Crater lake looks so beautiful!!!! Your photos are gorgeous! Did you stay at the alpaca house?? I’d love to do that! 🙂

What stunning photos! I’ve wanted to visit beautiful Multnomah Falls for years, but I haven’t heard of Lauterell Falls. And it’s amazing! Oregon looks like the perfect place for a road trip!

I was really hoping on doing a PNW road trip this year but that’s definitely going to have to be postponed. :[ Thanks for putting this together though! It gives me tonsss of awesome ideas for later on! :] Those photos are so beautiful!!

As much as I love the PNW, I still haven’t made my way to Oregon. That’s obviously changing as soon as we’re able to travel, it looks spectacular!

Wow so much beauty in Oregon. I have seen that famous waterfall but that Japanese garden is stunning,

WOW! I’m completely stunned by the Crater Lake! It looks out of this world. Would love to visit it Oregon one day and visit all these places 🙂

I travelled to the Crater Lake but missed these waterfalls and the Japanese garden! Saving it for the next time 🙂

Oregon is incredibly scenic! I couldn’t visit the South on my last trip but I would like to visit Crater Lake and the gorgeous waterfalls in that part of the state. We camped at Waldo Lake and drove all the way to the Columbia Gorge via Bend and it was a beautiful trip.

Wow, I had no idea Oregon was this beautiful! The crater lake, the waterfalls and especially the Japanese garden make me want to visit Oregon one day! You’ve captured the place beautifully!

This sounds like a fantastic roadtrip! I want to roadtrip to Portland but it would be from canada so I would miss those beautiful waterfalls. I love how Crator Lake doesnt allow motorized boats in order to preserve the environment!

Crater Lake looks like an amazing spot! I am in need of some nature time here soon and I have never been to Oregon. Looks like I may need to make a trip sooner rather than later!

Waterfalls are very impressive. Great place to relax. Thanks for the idea to visit this place.

Beautiful waterfalls I’ve never heard of these.

Definitely one to add to a USA road trip.

I love Oregon and I definitely need to explore more of it. Crater Lake National Park is high on my list! I love Multnomah Falls.

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Oregon Road Trip: Adventures in the Beautiful Cascades

By: Author Rob Taylor

Posted on Published: April 4, 2021  - Last updated: April 13, 2022

We love our road trips, you know that, and living in the Pacific Northwest , we’re at the gateway to some of the best road trips in the United States. Oregon is our neighbor and we visit it a lot, but it’s rare that we really explore the south part of the state. This is our (future) award winning southern Oregon road trip that takes the best of the Cascades and pairs it with the Oregon Coast . This road trip itinerary is ideal in Spring and Summer and is great with kids!

Planning an Oregon Cascades Road Trip

When we found out we were heading to Southern Oregon we knew two things: the Umpqua National Forest and the southern coast are going to be fun and drastically different. The Cascade Mountains run from British Columbia to Northern California . They’re dotted with snowy peaks and dense forests, which when put together make for an epic collection of waterfalls. Doing a road trip with kids, we knew that we needed to pack in some big wow items, and waterfalls always do the trick.

For fun along the coast, we make it a habit to fly kites when possible, but when the weather doesn’t permit we do the next best thing: beach combing. Even in rainy weather the kids love searching for beach glass and interesting shells, so getting some time on the coast is perfect for us. In addition to the beach, there are lots of unique coastal experiences that are great for families. We made time to do fun activities we can’t do at home, including experiencing some of the natural phenomena of the Oregon Coast (see below).

Oregon Cascades Road Trip Itinerary

For us, heading to Southern Oregon means starting in Washington and driving south. This also means looping back up to eventually get home.  This Southern Oregon road trip itinerary includes some ideal sites from Cascadia to make the driving more fun and to not miss out on Oregon’s incredible nature. If you’re looking to start your trip through Oregon with something truly amazing, you should check out the Columbia Gorge Waterfall Area … and then start down our itinerary.

Silver Falls State Park

Located to the east of Salem, Oregon, Silver Falls State Park is really incredible. Silver Falls is home to 10 waterfalls and miles and miles of hiking trails. The highlights of the park include easy, accessible hikes to venture behind South Falls and more advanced hikes to go deep into the state park’s back woods for even more cascading streams. Silver Falls is one of the best places for winter hiking in Oregon too!

Tip :  don’t forget to pay your State Park fee so you don’t get a ticket.

Recommendation :  even though you’ll get wet, do the short South Falls hike to go behind the waterfall. It’s amazing.

Roseburg, Oregon: Land of Umpqua

Roseburg is the jumping off point for the Thundering Waters, a waterfall trail through the Umpqua National Forest ( brochure here ). Roseburg’s downtown is cute and perfect for getting your hands on some very unique Oregon crafts and foods, but then when you’re done it’s easy to head east to the hills. The Thundering Waters route includes 10-15 worthwhile waterfalls (depending on the season). So exciting to see Southern Oregon in her full raging splendor in the spring!

Hiking at Fall Creek Falls

This gorgeous waterfall is the first must-see stop on the waterfall trail into the Umpqua National Forest. Fall Creek Falls drops several times and the hike includes lush forests, cool rock formations and the waterfall itself. As of April 2019 the trail is partially impassable, but you can still hike through the rock crevice and check out Job’s Garden along the trail.

Steamboat Falls Road Trip Stop

Steamboat Falls is a smaller waterfall system but a shorter hike too. If you’re looking at add a beautiful sight without a lot of effort, the 1 mile round trip hike to Steamboat Falls is the ticket.  Be prepared to get a little bit muddy depending on the weather, but also be ready for a beautiful sight.  *We didn’t visit on our most recent trip.

Note : you have to leave the main highway and head up Steamboat Creek to get to the trail head, but it’s not a crazy add-on

Tokatee Falls : Hidden, Beautiful Waterfall Adventure

This is the coolest, most interesting waterfall on the Thundering Waters route. Tokatee Falls comes plunging off a mossy cliff, and when the water is high, roars with the most awesome waterfall growl. The hike is easy and the payoff is top notch. While it’s not a flat trail, it is well maintained and has staircases built into the hillside to make the trail easier. 

Note : if you look for Tokatee Falls on Instagram, you’ll see lots of gorgeous shots looking upwards at an epic waterfall. These are take from below the trail, beyond the designated area and is both unsafe and damaging the fragile land. You’ll see there is a rope that somebody has tied to get to the bottom, but it’s more important to prevent erosion than you get a pic for the gram.

Watson Falls Hike

The last recommended waterfall on our Southern Oregon road trip itinerary is Watson Falls. It’s a short loop trail at just 0.6 miles, so it’s perfect with kids. Watson Falls is pretty tall and very reminiscent Latourell Falls in the Columbia River Gorge. The hike, as of April 2019, has quite a few “tree tunnels” but as the forest service will have them cleaned up by summer. The hike is very easy though and the combo of mossy rocks and bridges makes it fun for kids. It’s beautiful.

Roseburg’s Wildlife Safari and Conservation

Ever since I was a little kid I wanted to visit the Wildlife Safari in Southern Oregon. Known for its cheetah conservation program, the Wildlife Safari is what a conservation zoo should be like. The breeding programs serve the purpose of species and gene preservation. The animals get to roam quite free across more than 600 acres. Visitors get to both observe creature is a wild environment as well as learn about conservation and preservation.

Why are we encouraging a visit to a zoo facility?

Simple. After both researching and asking the Wildlife Safari staff some tough questions. The Wildlife Safari was actually started by a big game hunter who had a life changing experience going back to Africa and realizing what hunting was doing and that he was a part of the problem. With that, he set aside land and started to collect at-risk creatures from around the country to ensure their survival. Over time, the Wildlife Safari earned accreditation from the AZA, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and became a key participant in the SSP, Species Survival Plan.

What is the Species Survival Plan?

The SSP is a program that catalogs and manages gene lines of endangered or at-risk animals. They carefully choose individuals to breed to recreate genetic diversity and build up falling populations. The animals bred from the SSP are distributed to other SSP participating sites. Animals are only bred when they are at a certain point of endangerment and when they have a place to go.

“But they shouldn’t be breeding animals for zoos. They should be releasing them into the wild.” Totally true, and that is the ultimate goal. The tricky thing is that animals born in captivity need to be trained from day 1 to be wild. They need to learn to feed themselves, how to find shelter, how to hibernate even. The Wildlife Safari is very active in this type of study and training. This is why there are some cheetahs at the Wildlife Safari that you can meet up close and others that you cannot. They have several cheetah ambassadors to allow people to see them and study them, but they also have a large off-view breeding area to keep the cheetahs away from people as they develop into adults.

If you have further questions or concerns about the Wildlife Safari, we STRONGLY encourage you to reach out to the park with your questions. They are passionate animal scientists and friends and they are all about education and preservation.

Grants Pass: the Rogue River Valley

Probably the foggiest place in my own mind, the Rogue River Valley is a mossy, misty, gorgeous destination. Grants Pass is a surprisingly big city just off I-5. It’s a crossroads of mountain-goers and farmers. Their motto is #LiveRogue, and with the crazy river activities available in summer months, that totally makes sense. I wish we had more time here.

Tip : if you want to head east for an Eastern Oregon road trip , here’s a great plan for some really unique Oregon sights!

Staying at the Weasku Inn: an ideal Oregon lodge

Built in 1924, the Weasku Inn has seen nearly a hundred years of visitors. A collection of lodge rooms and cabins, the Weasku Inn is just what you’d hope to find near the banks of the Rogue River. The cozy, rustic lodge building is perfect and warm with breakfast served each morning.

Our cabin was a beautiful A-frame loft right off the river. It was ideal for our family of four and so quiet. We loved staying at the Weasku Inn.

Book the Weasku Inn here !

Oregon Vortex

An optional stop on your Southern Oregon road trip itinerary, the Oregon Vortex is a place with odd magnetic fields and weird natural phenomena. We’ll share more info after we visit, but know that it’s one of those places that makes it onto TV shows and is both interesting and kinda funny.

Oregon Caves National Monument

We love the Oregon Caves. Love them! We first visited Oregon Caves National Monument in 2016 when the kids were very small. We did get to explore the caves on the ranger-led tour and then participate in the Junior Ranger program. Also, on our first visit we were fortunate enough to stay at the Oregon Caves Chateau , which to this day is one of the coolest National Park Lodges we’ve ever visited.

Note :  the Chateau has reopened (seasonally) It has been refreshed and now is meeting all fire codes. ‘s still charming, but it’s been appropriately updated.

We had a wonderful ranger for our tour of the Oregon Caves and the kids were loaded with questions. We didn’t get to see any bats, but we were blessed with a HUGE cave cricket and countless harvestmen (daddy longlegs). The rock formations were incredible and the overall structure was just one big wow. If you’re visiting Oregon Caves with kids, be sure that you have one adult per kid, as there are some slippery steep ladder-like staircases. Safety first.

Tip :  in addition to the Junior Ranger program, they also offer the packets for the NPS Jr. paleontologist and cave scientist. These both take a lot of work to earn the badge, but you can take them home and get your badge at another park with the program.

Hiking in Redwoods State and National Park

Yes, our Southern Oregon road trip plan does take you across the border into California, but just for a hot sec. Since the route out to the coast isn’t direct, we recommend making an easy stop at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park  or one of the other Redwood National Park sites. You can quite easily hike through the Stout Grove of redwoods, a 0.6 mile loop, and then hop back on the highway up to the Oregon Coast.

You won’t even lose any time really and you’ll be so glad to have walked with the giants of the redwood forest .  The trees here are just as epic as any of the other groves within the National Park and make for the perfect break in a day of driving on you Southern Oregon road trip.

Relaxing in Brookings and Gold Beach, Oregon

Relaxing is something we’re passionate about, especially when we’re on a family trip with lots of activities planned. Our Southern Oregon road trip itinerary now takes us out to the coast to the small town of Gold Beach. Here, the beaches have heavy sand perfect for walking and grassy dunes ideal for photography. We’ve enjoyed staying in Gold Beach on several occasions and recommend it for its mellow vibe and close proximity to coastal hiking trails. On this trip, we had one day of sunshine and one of crazy coastal storm.

Our time in Brookings was wonderful. We spent the afternoon at Harris Beach State Park , which is known for its sea-stacks and perfect coves. We walked the beach, looked for creatures in tide pools and drew in the sand. Being a PNW family, we know that the best beach days happen when the sun in shining and you’re wearing long pants and sweatshirts.

Tip : if you’re planning an Oregon Coast road trip any time of year, be sure to pack for cold and rain, because even in summer it can swirl in and take you buy surprise.

Exploring the Oregon Dunes with kids

Heading north up the Oregon Coast , our next stop is at the Oregon Dunes. A part of Honeyman State Park and the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area . Whether you want to hike the dunes (what a workout!), go sand boarding, do a dune buggy tour, or even kayak the lakes between the sands, there is something for every weather and mood.

The most epically Oregon way to enjoy the sand dunes is via a dune buggy ride. We don’t recommend renting one yourself, as the dunes are difficult to navigate, but booking a tour is awesome. Let somebody else guide you and explore!

Visiting Eugene, Oregon

From the Oregon Dunes, you can continue to head up the Oregon Coast or cut back over to Eugene to enjoy the quiet city. Eugene is home to the University of Oregon, but it’s also where you’ll find breweries, bike paths, wineries and more.

Eugene is a great multi-day getaway or overnight stop on your Oregon road trip. It’s close enough to both the mountains and the coast to make any sort of plan work well and still have a great home base. It’s also just south of the Willamette Valley wineries , so that’s a natural next destination…

Stay at the Inn at the 5th in Eugene

For a great place to stay in Eugene, the Inn at the 5th is in a great location in downtown Eugene. The rooms are beautiful and between the fireplace and the in-room Pendleton wool blanket menu, it’s a really unique, special place to stay. Love it!

Book the Inn at the 5th here!

Tips for balancing road trip activities

If you’ve done a road trip with small to medium age kids, you know that being in the car is a bummer. We try to break up longer drive times with fun. Here are our top tips for ensuring every part of the road trip experience is awesome.

• bring entertainment for the car, both electronic and not
• have snacks on hand that AREN’T high in sugar that will cause energy boosts and crashing
• plan a short stop every two hours, even if nobody says they have to pee
• work small hikes and points of interest into the driving plan

As long as you’re breaking up the monotony of long-distance driving, the whole family will enjoy the road trip experience and be more apt to have fun once you’re in your final destination.

Travel prep for a family road trip

We talk about it often that the reason we’re able to travel as much as we do and have the kids be as cooperative as they are is because we’re prepared. When we’re getting ready for any sort of travel, these are the steps we take to ensure maximum success and minimal stress.

• inform everybody of the travel plan and ask for feedback and ideas
• make sure kids’ backpacks/carry-ons have appropriate contents for travel type
• get kids involved with packing their own suitcases and backpacks
• review the weather report ten days out in your destination and pack appropriate clothes
• if you’ll be going anywhere rural or remote, download the offline map of the area before you’re on the road

Between bringing the family along in the planning and giving the kids responsibility in their own packing, you’re able to make sure everybody on the road trip is partially invested in the fun. Even if you have a set travel plan, talking to the kids about it and setting some expectations for fun and interest is key to hitting the road with good attitudes and eager eyes.

In addition to everything we noted in our Southern Oregon road trip itinerary, you’ll find countless cute towns, seafood spots, unmarked hiking trails, and misty mountains. Remember our tips for a successful road trip (especially downloading offline maps) and have an incredible time exploring!

Want to pin this for your own Southern Oregon road trip planning? Go for it!!!

Saturday 6th of April 2019

This looks like an amazing trip. I do not like road trips, but excited to do the bottom half of this itinerary next month!

Sunday 7th of April 2019

If you aren't a road trip person, this is a good one because there are so many stops that you can do as much of it as you want on whatever timeline you like. It's really easy to break up the driving with hikes and sights.

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Do something great, welcome, traveler, to southern oregon’s dark skies..

Here you will find that Mother Nature has done some of her greatest work. The pristine waters of Crater Lake, the untamed Rogue, Umpqua and Klamath rivers, the rugged beauty of the Oregon Outback. Skies alive with geese and grosbeaks, rivers rife with rainbows and steelhead. Now, it’s your turn to do great things. Wine lover, hiker, biker, fisher, birder, theater goer, lover of nature and solitude–come see for yourself and do something great.

Let’s get started.

Top activities, camp under the stairs.

Stargaze the cosmos

Take the road less traveled

Become a Dark Sky Advocate

Oregon’s shimmering blue gem

Seven millennia of rain and snowmelt have filled Mt. Mazama’s volcanic crater with the clearest water in the world. Crater Lake National Park provides diverse habitats for an array of wildlife, and for visitors the comforts of the historic Crater Lake Lodge as well as camping and cabins. Open all year long, there’s nothing quite as breathtaking as a bluebird winter day with Crater Lake radiant in a fresh white blanket of snow.

Umpqua Valley

Enjoy the mild year-round climate, magnificent scenery, and authentic experiences in the Land of Umpqua. Enjoy outdoor adventures including fishing, rafting, and discovering waterfalls galore just minutes from downtown Roseburg. Travel the Volcanic Scenic Byway along the famous North Umpqua River to Crater Lake National Park. Visit historic covered bridges and the many local wineries where you will meet the winemakers personally. Wildlife Safari animal park is an adventure for the whole family–and wind up the day in the pool at the Seven Feathers Casino & Resort on the South Umpqua River.

Illinois Valley

The Illinois Valley is home to the Oregon Caves National Monument and the Wild & Scenic Illinois River. Recreational, cultural, and educational opportunities abound in countless local parks, galleries and non-profit centers. The famous Redwood Highway–Highway 199 from Redwoods National Park in Crescent City to Grants Pass–runs right through the Illinois Valley wine country, river swimming holes and other delightful outdoor spots.

Rogue Valley

The Rogue Valley is well-loved for many reasons. For its “Wild and Scenic” Rogue River that runs from Crater Lake to the Pacific. For Ashland’s Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Pacific Crest Trail and skiing on Mount Ashland. For the rising wine country of the Applegate, Illinois, and Rogue Valleys. For Medford’s revitalized downtown and amazing sports facilities and orchards. For Jacksonville’s historic old town and Britt Festivals. For the jetboats and rafting in Grants Pass where everybody knows “It’s the Climate!” – Do Something Great in the Rogue Valley.

Crater Lake

Oregon’s shimmering blue gem. Artists, photographers, and sightseers gaze in wonder at its blue water and stunning setting atop the Cascade Mountain Range. It’s a must-see spot during any trip to Southern Oregon. Born out of the eruption of Mt. Mazama 7,700 years ago, the mountain collapsed and created a nearly 2,000-foot deep crater. Seven millenia of rain and snowmelt have filled the crater and has resulted in one of the world’s clearest bodies of water. Scientists have measured the water’s clarity to as deep as 120 feet.

Klamath Basin

With four well-defined seasons and over 300 days of sunshine a year, Klamath County has plenty of outdoor experiences for you to discover. From fly fishing for giant native rainbows on the Williamson River, to kayaking and whitewater rafting to the Upper Klamath River to quiet canoeing on Klamath Lake at Rocky Point, the recreational op­portunities here are virtually endless. And you just might have the place to yourself.

Southern Oregon Outback

The west is alive and kickin’ in Lake County! The area offers spectacular vistas of rich forests, century ranches and the breath-taking splendor of the high desert. Hang gliders and paragliders fill the skies in the summer, and the winter months are fabulous for skiing the powder of the War­ner Canyon Ski Hill. This is a paradise for rock hounds, mountain biking, birding, hot springs, hiking, fishing and camping. Come and discover the excitement where the old west meets the very best.

Your Guide to Southern Oregon Stargazing

This area of cosmic wonder includes portions of Malheur, Lake and Harney counties to the east of larger Southern Oregon cities like Medford, Klamath Falls and Ashland. They are so sparsely populated that the region is also known as the Oregon Outback. And while much of the nighttime world grows brighter every year, as much as 11 million acres of Outback are on track to become an official Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2023. That would be the largest area of its kind, and good news not just for curious humans checking out the Milky Way but also for wildlife that needs the dark to thrive.

Explore the Rogue River: Central Point to Eagle Point to Prospect

Add These to Your Bucket List! Whether you enjoy scenic hikes, whitewater rafting , or just enjoying a picnic lunch […]

Ultimate Guide to Gravel Rides in Southern Oregon

Southern Oregon cyclists are gravitating to gravel, and no wonder. Gravel riding — which is simply cycling on unpaved roads — offers scenic views, blissful solitude and a sense of adventure as you veer off the well-worn asphalt. Gravel riding doesn’t require the technical prowess of mountain biking, and many cyclists feel safer on less-trafficked roads that often comprise gravel routes in these rural counties. The region’s many group rides tend to be fun and inclusive, too. Read on for rides and races throughout Southern Oregon.

Road Trip Adventures on Interstate 5 in Southern Oregon

Seasoned travelers headed through Interstate 5 in Southern Oregon know to take it slow and enjoy some time in many unique communities along the way. Here you’ll encounter walkable small towns, award-winning restaurants, parks, museums and more — all surrounded by lush forests and scenic mountains. Try a few of these itineraries designed to showcase top spots for every kind of road-tripper.

Spotlight on the Historic Steamboat Inn

Along a deeply forested stretch of the North Umpqua River, there’s a revered fishing lodge where time stands still. That’s part of the magic of the Steamboat Inn, a woodsy retreat just under 40 miles from Roseburg, perched on a bluff above one of the most famous stretches of fly-fishing water in the world.

Making Shakespeare Accessible to More Theatergoers

In an effort to show “all the world’s a stage,” the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is ready to meet the challenges of the last few years. After a year of hard-core fundraising and a new artistic director, Tim Bond, the rotating repertory company has new funding, new audience goals and a wide variety of offerings on its three stages.

Spas and Wellness Spaces

Get pampered, soak and relax in Southern Oregon If you are looking for places to reconnect and mellow out with […]

Give the Gift of Southern Oregon

Plan your trip to Southen Oregon Welcome to Southern Oregon, where the spirit of the holidays shines brighter than ever! […]

Day Hikes on the Pacific Crest Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail runs north and south 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada; every year hardy thru-hikers attempt to complete the trail in a single season, logging 25 to 30 miles a day.

Cozy Winter Wineries in Southern Oregon

’Tis the season for cuddling up next to a fireplace with a richly flavored, warming glass of red wine. From the scenic wineries of the Umpqua Valley to the snug, softly lit urban tasting rooms of Jacksonville, here’s where you’ll find some of the coziest wine-tasting experiences in Southern Oregon.

Bucket List Adventures in Southern Oregon

If you like epic outdoor adventures, delicious locally sourced dining, and small-batch wine then you are coming to the right […]

Giving Back in Southern Oregon

The dark skies of the Oregon Outback; picturesque wineries in the Applegate Valley; epic mountain biking through old-growth forests on Brown Mountain — there are myriad reasons to come to Southern Oregon. Did you know there are also plenty of ways to give back to the special places you love to visit and help ensure a strong future for these destinations?

Top Culture and Heritage Museums in Southern Oregon

Southern Oregon’s rich history spans millennia, influenced by everyone from Indigenous people to prospectors, farmers and ranchers, and more who have made their mark on the region. Visitors can delve into the past at museums and historic sites that tell their stories. Here are a few of our favorites.

Family Friendly Fall Festivals and Events

UPDATED September 2023 Fall in southern Oregon is absolutely stunning!  Every tree bursts out in beautiful oranges, reds, and yellows […]

Local Burgers Spots

From the classic to the unique and unusual get your cravings met at these local burger spots found only in Southern Oregon.

Calm-Water Paddling in Southern Oregon

Southern Oregon may be world-famous for its frothy whitewater, but flatwater paddlers also have plenty of options. Placid lakes come ringed by shady forests and gentle creeks with little current flow under rolling mountains, making this an ideal place to float in a kayak or atop a paddleboard. Late summer and fall are ideal times to go, but all you need is a calm day any time of year. There’s no way you’ll stay for just a day, so book ahead for a relaxing getaway. Read on for eight places to dip your blade.

Unique Farm and Ranch Stays in Southern Oregon

Want to truly embrace the culinary bounty of Southern Oregon? Spend the night on a farm,  ranch or winery. There’s no better way to get a true sense of where your food and wine comes from, or to experience the region’s warm hospitality and breathtaking landscape. Here are some extraordinary stays where you can experience the sights and sounds of rural life. For even more options, check out Farm Stay USA or Harvest Hosts — an RV camping membership that pairs visitors with farms, ranches, wineries and breweries that have cool spots to camp — and plan to stop for local provisions along one of Southern Oregon’s food trails. 

Sutherlin and Historic Oakland

Take some time to explore Sutherlin and historic Oakland where you will be delighted to find a friendly community in growth. Enjoy a meal, shop locally owned businesses, get outdoors and you will be charmed by the warm welcome you receive.

Adventures Along the Upper Rogue River – Gateway to Crater Lake Series

While Crater Lake National Park may be your main destination for vacation, the journey’s half the fun. For travelers coming from Medford or Grants Pass, the winding route along the upper Rogue River offers adventures along the way, with the communities of Prospect, Trail and Shady Cove serving as gateways to fishing, boating and hiking to waterfalls, wilderness and mountain vistas in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.

Unique Places to Stay in Southern Oregon

From glamping on a farm to staying in a covered wagon, a treehouse and even a cave, there’s always a cool place to spend the night in Southern Oregon. Fun lodgings can help elevate any vacation, whether it’s to light a creative spark, connect with nature or thrill the kids. You’ll find a range of alternative lodging experiences for every budget and taste, all offering extraordinary stays. Here are a few of our favorites.

Road Trip Less Traveled

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• Photography
• Ski/Snowboard
• Storm Watching
• Vacation rental near Mt Bachelor Oregon
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• Oregon Wine
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• Interesting

This Southern Oregon Waterfall Road Trip is The Perfect Getaway

Southern Oregon Waterfalls

Be sure to click the icons on the map above to get more information on each of these waterfalls in southern Oregon. The links include campgrounds, including directions, campground prices, etc.

Stop #1: Vidae Falls at Crater lake

Start your adventure at Crater Lake National Park with Vidae Falls. A lot of people visit Crater Lake every year, but few realize that there's a waterfall you can get to with an easy, kid friendly hike. While you're there, why not take a drive around the rim? You can camp at Crater Lake, but it's expensive, and there are other campgrounds outside the park that are worth the visit.

Stop #2: Rogue River Gorge/Union Creek Campground

I highly suggest camping at Union Creek. This is one of the best campgrounds I've ever stayed at, and we make it a point to go back every year. You can also stay in a cabin at the resort across the highway. Union Creek runs into the Rogue River at the campgrounds, and an easy hiking trail (or a 2 minute drive) will take you to the Rogue River Gorge waterfall. It should be noted that it's worth it to hike up and down Union Creek near the campgrounds, as there are numerous small waterfalls along this serene creek. While the water is clean, I would not recommend swimming since it is icy year round. They stock Union Creek with trout all summer long.

Stop #3: National Creek Falls

Your next stop is National Creek falls. A 1/2 mile trail will take you from the parking area down to the falls. The trail can get steep in places, but it is doable with children. We took our daughter when she was 5 and she made it with help. I do not suggest crossing the river on the log that is downed across it, as it is slippery from the mist. This is a great place to take a picnic.

Stop #4: Clearwater Falls

I love Clearwater Falls. It's one of the most scenic, serene places I have been to in Oregon. This is one of those waterfalls you expect to see a hobbit living next to from Lord of the Rings. The falls are right off of the parking lot, which makes it an ideal place to visit with small children. There are bathrooms there. There are also two campgrounds at Clearwater Falls. One is off of the driveway leading to the parking lot, and one is above the falls. The campground above the falls is not marked and there are no signs from the road. There is a forest service road from the highway just before you get to the driveway leading to the falls. If you take this road it will lead you to a small campground right at the top of the falls.

Stop #5: Whitehorse Falls

Just a hop, skip, and jump down the road from Clearwater Falls is White Horse Falls. White Horse Falls is also just off of a parking area. This waterfall is small, but still beautiful and worth the visit.

Stop #6: Watson Falls

Watson Falls is the 3rd tallest waterfall in Oregon, and can be accessed by a gentle 1/3 mile hike from the parking area.

Stop #7: Toketee Falls

Toketee Falls is simply stunning. The 1/3 mile trail that leads to the falls is doable with children. There is a campground nearby at Toketee Lake, but you should check online first to see that it is open before planning to stay there. The campground at Toketee Lake is a meadow-like campground.

READ MORE: Hike To Toketee Falls, One Of Oregon's Most Famous Waterfalls

Stop #8: Camping On The Umpqua River

There are several small campgrounds along the Umpqua river, and each of them is equally as pretty as the next. Boulder Flat and Horseshoe Bend campgrounds are both worth staying at on your way to the next waterfall. Be careful if you decide to get into the Umpqua River as it is fast-moving. It is not recommended that children swim in the Umpqua. Fishing on the Umpqua is always excellent.

Stop #9: Falls Creek Falls

Falls Creek Falls can be accessed by an easy 3/4 mile trail that passes several cascades and a rock outcropping known as Jobs Garden.

Stop #10: Susan Creek Falls

Susan Creek Falls is near the end of our road trip. It's a very easy, (mostly handicap accessible) .8 mile trail that is definitely doable with children. When you get to Susan Creek Falls, don't be afraid to get into the water with the littles, or soak your feet. This is a popular trail with families.

Bonus Stop: Grotto Falls

If you're feeling extra adventurous on this road trip, head South to Grotto Falls. This 80 foot falls can range from a small trickle in drought weather to a curtain-type waterfall after good snowmelt. There are caves behind the falls. You can get to these falls via an easy 1/3 mile switchback trail.

Tips For This Road Trip:

1. Be sure to get gas when you can. There is expensive gas at the Crater Lake Campground, and also in Prospect (not too far away from Union Creek). Cheaper gas is located in Klamath Falls (south of Crater Lake), in the Medford Area (East of our road trip area), and in Roseburg (not far from Susan Creek Falls).

2. Bring bug spray . I recommend getting one of the organic sprays , but use what works best for your family. Some of these waterfalls are known for high mosquito activity.

3. Make sure to charge your camera before you leave, and bring extra batteries.

4. Wear sensible shoes when hiking like hiking boots or sneakers, but bring your sandals with you so you can soak your feet in the cool water.

5. I recommend staying at Union Creek and using that as your basecamp for waterfalls like Rogue River Gorge, Vidae Falls (Crater Lake), and National Creek Falls. Then visit Clearwater Falls, and Whitehorse falls on the way to the next campground. Use a campground on the Umpqua River as your basecamp for waterfalls like Watson Falls, Toketee Falls, Susan Creek Falls, Grotto Falls, and Falls Creek Falls.

6.  If you're taking kids on this road trip, be sure to think about the littles and their needs before you leave. A great article to read before taking kids along can be found here: 5 Tips For Traveling With Kids.

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Thanks for this, we live in Eugene so we have only visited the falls East, West and North of us. This summer we will head south and explore these!!

Wondering why Diamond Lake Campground isn’t listed on your map?

You skipped Lemolo Falls & Warm Springs Falls which are both by Lemolo Lake just before Clearwater Falls.

You missed Mill Creek & Bar Creek Falls in Prospect just below Union Creek.

Is it still worth the trip to these falls in August?

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Last Updated on April 21, 2023 by Tyler James

The Ultimate One Week Norcal/Oregon Roadtrip for any Outdoor Adventurer

I feel like Southern Oregon and the very northern areas of California are both places that are not as frequently traveled or easily accessible, so what better way to experience this slice of wild coastline than through a one-week road trip! I had planned this trip to revisit some of my favorite parts of Northern California, as well as see some new areas in Southern Oregon like Samuel Boardman, Umpqua, and Crater Lake.

Here is my entire itinerary, complete with some additional highlights I didn’t have enough time to check out.

If you decide to go, please always practice Leave No Trace and respect each spot. Many of these spots are highly sensitive to human traffic, so we should make it our highest priority to reduce our impact as much as possible.

Also if you don’t have a full week to make it all the way up to Oregon, I wrote a three-day variant of this trip that focuses on the redwoods and the coastal areas of Northern California.

Click here for more road trip itineraries

Affiliate disclaimer: note that this article includes some affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission on any purchase made - at no additional cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the work I do to keep creating meaningful content like this for you!

Download offline Google Maps on your phone for the entire area. Most of this route there is little to no service, so doing this will allow you to get directions to your next location even if you don’t have service

Consider getting a parks pass like the America the Beautiful Interagency Pass ($80 for a whole year of free admission into US National Parks). If you go to a lot of CA State parks, you could look into a CA State Park Pass too

Depending on the time of year, try to book as many campsites in advance as possible, as some of the more remote and best campgrounds can be reserved online

Alternatively, you can also look for free campsites . If you end up staying at any of these, be sure to Leave No Trace and leave that spot better for the next person!

Bring lots of small bills in cash if you plan to camp. Many campgrounds operate on the envelope system (you put money in an envelope and drop it in a box), and there is no change

The Itinerary

A 7 night itinerary for southern Oregon roadtrip stopping at countless waterfalls, redwoods, coastal viewpoints, hikes, and hot springs

From : San Francisco, CA To : Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area, CA Driving time : 3 hours

Today doesn’t count since it’s a straight shot up to the Humboldt area, the starting point for this entire road trip. We left on a Friday evening and took our time, stopping in Healdsburg for dinner and the best ice cream and pie bar .

This part of the 101 is great because you’ll pass lots of campground options (you can usually spot them with a brown tent icon on the side of the road). We didn’t make it all the way to Humboldt Redwoods and ended up spending the night at Standish-Hickey , a forested state recreation area.

From : Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area, CA To : Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, CA Driving time : 3 hours 30 mins

Today was our first real full day on the road, and jam-packed it was! After we woke up in the lush stand of redwoods of Standish-Hickey and packed up after breakfast, we continued north on the 101 to Humboldt Redwoods State Park. I love taking the Avenue of the Giants, which runs parallel to the 101, as this side road will allow you to drive within feet of these towering giants!

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Humboldt Redwoods has several hikes and points of interest to pick from. My favorites are the Rockefeller Loop (blog post for more hike details) and the Grieg-French-Bell Grove (blog post with location details) . Once you’ve had your share of these redwoods, it’s time to get back on the road and head to the coast! On your way to Patrick’s Point State Park, you’ll pass Trinidad, a coastal town with coves, beaches, and picturesque rocks just offshore. Feel free to stop and explore whenever you feel like stretching your legs - we even found a swing on the side of a cliff !

Patrick’s Point State Park

We soon arrived at Patrick’s Point State Park, an easily overlooked area compared to California’s other more known redwood state parks. Wedding Rock (blog post here) is a landmark perched on the edge of a small rock outcropping where I love to stand on the edge and look out over the ocean to fully experience the magnitude and power of the northern Pacific Ocean. There are also lots of great picnic spots to enjoy the salty air.

If you’re a backpacker you can consider backpacking the Lost Coast Trail, the longest stretch of undeveloped California coastline. See my blog post on this three-day, 25 mile trip here .

Prairie Creek State Park

Only 30 minutes away, Prairie Creek State Park is one of the more well-known parks on this end of California. There is a whole network of trails here, and you can experience everything including redwoods, lush understory environments, sandy beaches, and even large elk sightings! Be sure to stop at Elk Meadow on your way in to see if the herds are hanging out in the open.

My favorite hike here is Fern Canyon (blog post here) , a truly unique short hike through a canyon with walls covered in ferns! You might want to bring water shoes and take a high clearance vehicle depending on the dirt road conditions. If you have time, the 12 mile Miner’s Ridge and James Irvine Loop is the ultimate hike - it ranks up there as one of the best redwood hikes you can do.

After we were thoroughly pooped from a stimulating first day, we drove one more hour to Jedediah Smith Campground to stay the night.

From : Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, CA To : Brookings, OR Driving time : 33 mins

Today was dedicated mostly to exploring some of the lushest and pristine Redwood stands on the west coast. Jedediah Smith is hands down my favorite place to experience the redwoods, and you’ll be able to notice a difference between the trees further south in the Humboldt area compared to these closer to the Oregon border.

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

For some great redwood hikes, I recommend Stout Grove for a shorter excursion and Boy Scout Tree for a longer hike. Even getting to each of these hikes requires driving on the scenic Howland Hill Road, which will have you driving in between massive redwood tree trunks that I’ll bet you won’t mind slowing down to a roll just to marvel at the towering trees all around you.

Smith River

The well-known Smith River also winds through this neck of the woods, and you’ll find some nice pebbly beach access points in Jedediah Smith State Park and around the town of Hiouchi. But my favorite way to experience the crystal clear Smith River is to head up the Highway 199 or the South Fork Road which both follow the curves of their respective rivers and offer random access points to the water. We even stumbled across a rope swing under a bridge!

After a full day in my favorite redwoods and an absolutely divine nap by the river, we headed across the California border to Brookings, OR. We got to catch the sunset from a stunning overlook of Secret Beach before heading to a motel in Brookings, OR for a welcome shower after two nights on the road.

From : Brookings, OR To : Roseburg, OR Driving time : 3 hours 15 mins

Today is a day relatively free of driving, as we let ourselves explore the area however we felt like. I was most excited for this day of the road trip, and we got an entire day just to wander around each of the viewpoints and short hikes.

Samuel Boardman Scenic Corridor

This was a small stretch of PNW coastline I’ve been dreaming about visiting for so long and was a big driving force in making this road trip in the first place. I love how remote this small slice of rugged coast is - quite a decent from any large city in Oregon and California. I’ve already written a blog post about my favorite spots to photograph and explore , but as the scenic corridor is only 12 miles long you might not need the entire day to explore.

After we had exhausted most of the turnouts and viewpoints of endless sheer cliffs, frothy ocean waves, and offshore rock formations, we continued up the Highway 101. I really enjoyed stumbling across random pullouts and small parks on the side of the road like Sisters Rock and Cape Blanco - two small gems you would only stop for on a road trip like this! We spent the night in Roseburg, the last large city before the next couple of days in the forest.

From : Roseburg, OR To : Diamond Lake, OR Driving time : 1 hour 35 mins

Today we head into Umpqua National Forest where we found endless waterfalls and rivers.

Umpqua National Forest

The Highway 138 that winds through the Umpqua National Forest passes right by four stunning waterfalls, all worthy of visiting: Susan Creek Falls (2 mile hike), Fall Creek Falls (1 mile hike), Toketee Falls (0.8 mile hike), and Watson Falls (0.6 mile hike). We are now in National Forest territory, so that means there is an entire network of forest roads accessible from the main highway. You’ll find campgrounds, campsites, dirt roads, and numerous creeks and rivers.

My favorite waterfall of the day was Watson Falls, which is the highest waterfall in Southwest Oregon at 293 feet! The mist flying off the landing pool is quite impressive and is sure to jolt you awake.

Umpqua National Forest is also home to Umpqua Hot Springs, a well-known natural hot spring consisting of several pools, all perched on the side of a small cliff above the rushing river below. It’s a short hike to the springs from the parking area, and you should prepare to see plenty of people in the nude. As with any hot spring, don’t bring any glass, and please pick up after yourself!

Diamond Lake Campground

At the end of the day, we set up camp at Diamond Lake Campground, where we had the best camping views of the entire trip. You’ll have a great backdrop no matter where you camp at Diamond Lake since you have Mt. Bailey to the west and the dramatic, pointy Mt. Thielsen to the east. This spot gets crowded in the summer, so you’ll want to book ahead during peak months. We drove around the lake and found several docks to hang out and soak in the mountain views.

From : Diamond Lake, OR To : Crater Lake National Park, OR Driving time : 1 hour 10 mins

I was very excited to finally be visiting a National Park that has been on my list for quite some time now - Crater Lake National Park!

Crater Lake National Park

Depending on what time of year you visit, some lodging, roads, and hiking areas might be harder to access. When we visited in April, the Crater Lake Lodge was the only option for accommodation (other than snow camping). If you are visiting off-season, be sure to book early, as some of the more affordable rooms will book up. You can check road closures and conditions on the NPS website here .

Even though the North entrance and main rim roads were closed, there still was plenty to see and do. Crater Lake itself is the most intense, deep shade of blue - the kind of blue that makes you stop in awe each time you turn and look at it. It was a lot of fun getting away from the crowds and tourists at the main area by hiking on the snow around the rim to get different views of Wizard Island.

Some great trails to check out are the Discovery Point Trail, the Watchman Peak Trail, and the Cleetwood Cove Trail. Also, make it a priority to catch the sunset there! If hiking isn’t for you, you can still watch it from a rocking chair on the balcony at the lodge!

From : Crater Lake National Park, OR To : Burney, CA Driving time : 3 hours 40 mins This day on the road will bring you back over the border to California. You have a couple options for where to stay this night. I opted to stay in Burney, CA to be closer to McArthur-Burney Falls, but Mt. Shasta has the widest offerings of accommodation and dining options.

Klamath Basin

If you’re an avid birder or wildlife photographer, Klamath Basin is home to the largest concentration of wintering bald eagles down here in the states.

Lava Beds National Monument

If exploring caves and tunnels that were formed by lava 40,000 years ago sounds intriguing, Lava Beds National Monument is only a slight detour on your way down south. This park gets few visitors, but I think that’s because it’s so far north that many people don’t know about it (…yet!). Click here for my favorite caves there . You could easily spend an entire day spelunking with the family and navigating some real lava tunnels.

You could spend days in the Mt. Shasta area alone, I love this area so much that I wrote another weekend itinerary full of activities . There’s something for everyone, whether it’s touring the McCloud Falls, doing some short hikes like Mossbrae Falls and Heart Lake , or backpacking through the Trinities. I even love just driving around exploring some of the roads, as you’ll get some great shots of Mt. Shasta in the distance like at this rest stop and this turnoff .

If you’re looking to spend a couple days in this area, I wrote an article on how to spend the perfect weekend here ( winter version ).

From : Burney, CA To : San Francisco, CA Driving time : 4 hours 20 mins

We’ve covered so much ground and experienced so much of the outdoors this past week, but it’s finally time to head home. The majority of the drive home is on the Interstate 5, an easy and straight shot home. We made one final stop for our last big waterfall before heading home.

McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park

California’s second oldest state park, McArthur-Burney State Park is small and remote, and during this road trip, I finally got the chance to see these stunning falls in person. The park is known for one particular point of interest - the majestic Burney Falls that cascades gorgeously from 130 feet up.

What makes these falls so unique is that the water comes from underground springs and flows year-round. Wider, more branched, and delicate waterfalls like these are my favorite kind of falls, as they have almost an ethereal and mystical look to them.

No matter what your itinerary says, try to still plan in some wiggle room to be flexible. You might find you are ready to move on from one spot, or you might find an area you want to soak in just a little bit longer. There’s so much to do all up and down the coast that you’re bound to have an incredible experience and perhaps discover a few hidden gems of your own!

Favorite gear for this adventure

Portable battery charger - I like to always have it plugged into recharge while driving so I’m never out of juice for my electronics when camping

Rain jacket - anytime you’re in the PNW, you need your trusty rain gear because you never know when it might start drizzling on you. The Outdoor Research Aspire is my favorite pick

Easy to inflate sleeping pad - the Sea to Summit ones come with a roll pump built into the sack, and even when I get too lazy to pitch a tent, I still use a sleeping pad when I sleep in the car

Travel towel - this many days on the road, you’ll never know when it will come in handy

Shower wipes - if you’re camping in an area that doesn’t have showers, these are a lifesaver. Sometimes I’ll even opt for one of these over actually using a public shower

Adventures in Destinations Unknown

Southern Oregon Coast Road Trip Attractions

Last modified on July 30th, 2023 at 17:48

Few places on Earth can match the Oregon Coast’s rugged natural beauty. 

The 300+ mile-long coastline is a testament to nature’s supreme craftsmanship. It is a masterpiece of scenery. A photographer’s dream. A mighty display of sea-meets-land. 

Defined by its wildlife-laden sea stacks, sweeping sandy beaches, towering cliffs, and rugged dunes , Oregon’s scenic coastline makes for an unforgettable road trip destination. 

And nowhere does this ring more true than along the southern Oregon coast—a spectacular stretch of wild shoreline that spans Highway 101 between Coos Bay and Brookings. 

Table of Contents

ATTRACTIONS ALONG THE SOUTHERN COAST OF OREGON

Following our elopement ceremony at Heceta Head near Florence, Dan and I traveled along the southern coast of Oregon for two days. Our road trip brought us along familiar parts of the central Oregon coast , before continuing to areas that I hadn’t visited since childhood. It revealed some of the state’s most dramatic landscapes and solidified our love for the spectacular Highway 101. 

The South Coast of Oregon stretches from Coos Bay to the California border. Home to secret beaches, secluded coves, rugged coastal monoliths and sandy dunes, it is a place of wild natural beauty and untamed wilderness. 

Highlights of the southern coast include the weather-battered cliffs of Shore Acres State Park, the jagged rock formations of Bandon, and a ribbon of road that hugs 50 miles of scenic shoreline between Port Orford and Brookings. 

SUNSET BAY STATE PARK

Sunset Beach was the first stop on our Highway 101 road trip itinerary. The crescent shores of Sunset Bay welcome locals and tourists alike with gentle waves and a wide sandy beach. The area is said to contain some of the most swimmable ocean waters in the Pacific Northwest —a sharp contrast to the churning waters of Shore Acres State Park down the road. 

Though I found Sunset Beach’s water to be bone-chillingly cold, swimsuit-clad sunbathers seemed to make little fuss about the frigid temperatures. 

SHORE ACRES STATE PARK

Located just south of Sunset Beach, the lovely Shore Acres State Park is among the southern Oregon coast’s most notable attractions. The park sits perched along rugged sandstone cliffs that sit above the ocean. It contains an unexpected combination of natural  and human-engineered beauty.

Shore Acres State Park features a lavish estate that overlooks pounding surf. The estate once belonged to Louis Simpson, a pioneer timber baron. Today, it is open to the public and showcases resplendent gardens with plants and flowers from all over the world. 

Dan and I enjoyed exploring the area around Shore Acres State Park. The crashing waves, colorful sandstone cliffs, and tumultuous ocean waters were some of the most dramatic of our entire road trip. 

The charming coastal town of Bandon is one of the main communities along the southern coast of Oregon. On a clear day, Bandon’s main beach is a photographer’s paradise.

When Dan and I visited the Bandon Beach during our Oregon Coast road trip, haze and inclement weather obstructed our views of the area’s towering rock spires.

Nonetheless, as we walked down on the beach, we kept our eyes peeled for sea lions, admired flocks of seabirds. and had fun darting between the area’s wave-battered rock sculptures. 

In addition to housing an attractive assortment of rock outcrops, Bandon boasts a cute downtown and one of the world’s best golf courses—the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort . 

Though I know little about golf, I’d almost be willing to play a round at the Bandon Dunes Golf Course just so that I can soak in the views from its putting green.

If only it didn’t cost upwards of $200 to enjoy the view…. 

CAPE BLANCO STATE PARK

Along the stretch of road between Bandon and Port Orford, Highway 101 veers inward, away from the Oregon Coast. 

The area’s most notable road trip stop—Cape Blanco State Park—lies about 15 minutes west of the highway, along the water. 

Since the state park remained closed to tourists during our visit, Dan and I skipped the Cape Blanco detour in favor of the southern coast’s other must-see destinations. 

Had we been able to visit, however, we would have toured the Cape Blanco Lighthouse and soaked in views from Oregon’s westernmost promontory.

PORT ORFORD 

The small town of Port Orford has one of the most picturesque settings along the Oregon Coast. Its beautiful little greenery-flanked beach boasts a crescent bay that is studded with jagged rock formations. 

During our southern Oregon coast road trip, Dan and I stopped in Port Orford for a late lunch. We had originally wanted to stop by the Crazy Norwegians, but arrived just minutes after they had closed up shop. As an alternative, we chose to eat at Griff’s on the Dock. 

The seafood platter from Griff’s contained some of the best fish and chips we’ve ever eaten. 

Port Orford is a fantastic base for exploring the southern Oregon coast’s wild and rugged beauty.

From Port Orford, the Wild Rivers Coast Scenic Bikeway brings cyclists past the the mighty Umpqua River and showcases a sampling of the state’s rough-and-tumble waterways. The town is also the northern terminus of the ‘Fabulous 50 Miles’—a stretch of highway that joins Port Orford with Brookings and is said to be the most scenic portion of the entire 101. 

CAPE SEBASTIAN STATE PARK

Located just a few miles south of Gold Beach, the Cape Sebastian Scenic Corridor gives way to some of the Oregon Coast’s most awe-inspiring views. 

At Cape Sebastian, the Pacific coastline rises 700 feet above sea level, making this one of the highest and most far reaching viewpoints along the entire shoreline. From the observation point, views stretch 25 miles up the coastline, as far as Humbug Mountain. Facing southward, panoramas extend to the coastal hills of northern California.

SAMUEL H BOARDMAN STATE PARK: GEM OF THE SOUTHERN OREGON COAST

Four miles north of Brookings, the US 101 carves its way through 12 miles of the Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor .

Home to hidden beaches, forested mountainsides, and natural bridges that balance delicately above churning sapphire waters, the scenic corridor is the top place to visit along the southern Oregon coast.

And that says a lot. Because the southern third of Oregon’s coastline truly lays out one noteworthy attraction after another. 

Spectacular viewpoints line the Samuel Boardman State Park’s 12 mile stretch. Many of these turnouts contain picnic areas with short trails that lead to secluded beaches and secret coves.

Arch Rock, Natural Bridges, Secret Beach, Indian Sands, and Cape Ferrelo are all noteworthy road trip stops along the scenic corridor.

HARRIS BEACH STATE PARK

Harris Beach is one of Oregon’s most scenic stretches of sand. Located just a stone’s throw away from the amenities of Brookings, it offers vibrant intertidal areas, clusters of craggy rock formations, and a sandy shoreline. 

Bird Island (also known as Goat Island) lies just off the shores of Harris Beach State Park. It is the largest island along the Oregon Coast and part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

True to its name, the offshore island hosts a diverse array of birdlife—including tufted puffins, Aleutian Canada geese, and over a quarter of Oregon’s nesting Leach’s Storm-Petrels.

WHEN TO VISIT THE SOUTHERN COAST OF OREGON

Though the southern portion of the coast contains some of the best weather along Oregon’s 101, it isn’t the type of place that attracts sun-seekers. The coast’s unpredictable weather often comes with large doses of wind, rain, and fog. 

Still, it is a spectacular place to visit, no matter the time of year.

In late May through early July, colorful wildflowers abound. The abundance of wildflowers make Spring and early Summer a particularly enjoyable time to visit the southern Oregon coast. 

In winter months, dense fog, churning surf and crowd-less beaches carry an entirely different appeal. 

SOUTHERN OREGON COAST ACCOMMODATIONS

Due to our desire to stay in a treehouse for the night, Dan and I chose to book a room at the Vertical Horizons Treehouse Paradise near Cave Junction. Staying overnight in a treehouse was a memorable experience and something I’d always wanted to do. 

That being said, the treehouse resort lies about an hour and a half inland from Brookings. I would normally recommend staying closer to Highway 101 when visiting the coast. 

Had our minds not been glued to the idea of staying in the trees, we would have likely sprung for a room at the Taylor Creek Lodge in Gold Beach, or chosen to camp at one of the many state parks along the southern Oregon coast’s spectacular shoreline. 

For lovers of nature and photography, the shoreline of southern Oregon has it all. It is one of the world’s great coastal drives—comparable to the Great Ocean Road in Australia and Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way .

Along the winding ribbon of road, mountains tumble into the vast Pacific Ocean. Trees and wildflowers cling to weather-beaten rocks. Land and sea collide into a tumultuous display of sand and surf. It is a spectacular road trip destination that includes lonely beaches, miles of hiking trails, and some of the most photogenic vistas in all of Oregon. 

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The Perfect Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary (25 Stops + 3 Itineraries!)

Post Summary: The Ultimate Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary + All The Stops Along The Way

The Pacific Coast Highway is easily considered to be one of the most iconic road trip routes in the world !

It’s not hard to believe either. From the moody beaches in Washington to the spectacular natural bridges in Southern Oregon to the winding roads of Big Sur, California , there is something new to see around every bend.

Berty and I drove the entire route back in 2017, and have returned to deeply explore sections every year since then!

Because we know this route so well, we wanted to create this comprehensive guide for iconic stops and places to see along the entire length of the Pacific Coast Highway, all 1,700-ish miles between Seattle, Washington and Orange County, California !

In this power, we’ll share the best PCH stops in Washington, Oregon, and California to make your Pacific Coast Highway road trip your most epic trip yet.

Let’s get planning!

Step By Step Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Directions (Download)

Where is the pacific coast highway how long is it.

The Pacific Coast Highway has many names.

You can also recognize it by its abbreviation (PCH), and referred to as the California Coast road trip , Pacific Coast Highway road trip, Route 1, Highway 101 (through Washington and Oregon), or even just Highway 1 (in California).

All names aside, they all lead you down the same road, which is the route that parallels the Pacific Ocean and the western border of the contiguous United States.

The traditional Pacific Coast Highway (Route 1) is 655 miles long. The full Pacific Coast Highway (Orange County to Seattle) is just over 1,700 miles.

We’ll be talking about the entire Pacific Coast Highway itinerary in this blog post. (Seattle to Orange County)

Pacific Coast Highway Map, Directions, & Best Times

Which direction to drive the pacific coast highway.

Where should you begin your Pacific Coast Highway itinerary? Northbound or Southbound?

There are two directions to do a Pacific Coast Highway road trip – driving south or driving north! Honestly, both are great options but being from Washington, Berty and I began in Seattle and made our way south.

If you are searching for the best weather conditions, here are pros of each direction:

• Southbound (Seattle to Orange County): Driven during spring break, you can escape the Pacific Northwest rain and enjoy the warmth of Southern California.
• Nortbound (Orange County to Seattle): Driving north will help you escape California’s hot weather in late summer and fall.

Pacific Coast Highway Start and End Points

Traditionally, the Pacific Coast Highway is considered to be the entire Highway 1 of the California Coast. This spans between Capistrano Beach is Orange County to Legget in Nortoerhn California. Highway 1 is 655.84 miles.

However, we like to think of this drive spanning three Pacific Coast states: Washington, Oregon, and California.

The traditional starting point in Washington is Seattle (with a detour through the Olympic National Park). The traditional starting point in California is San Diego .

When To Drive The Pacific Coast Highway

We also began our trip in June, but this trip is good to take any time of year.

If you decided on making it a winter road trip route , that means you’ll have a lot fewer crowds to deal with! Driving along the coast, the weather is more temperate and usually doesn’t get cold enough for snow, so you won’t run into many driving issues.

However, if you’re looking for the “windows-down, sunsets every night” kind of trip, we recommend taking this drive any time between June-September for the best chance of good weather.

Pacific Coast Highway Map

Top Tips For Driving The Pacific Coast Highway

So, how can you plan a Pacific Coast Highway road trip? Here are our suggestions of things to do before your trip:

Plan Your Stops Carefully: Carefully creating an itinerary will help make reserving hotels and activies a LOT easier. However, make sure to leave just a little wiggle room for surprises! Book Accommodations In Advance: The Pacific Coast Highway is a popular road trip route. Once you know your trip dates, plan to book hotels and campgrounds ASAP. We like to split accommodations between car camping and hotels for a good mix. On a budget? Here are 20 car camping hacks to consider. Check Road Closures: Check you route for any major road closures. This actually happens a lot more often than you might think Big Sur often has landslides. Rent a Great Car (or RV!): You can rent a car and book hotels, OR you can rent a campervan and book campgrounds for a budget-friendly trip. Outdoorsy has cool recreation vehicles vans to rent – it’s like Airbnb but for RVs! Decide When To Embark: Determine when to plan your PCH trip and how many days you have. Keep scrolling to the bottom of the post for PCH itinerary examples. Use a Good Navigation App : Good navigation apps make a huge difference. Read our favorite road trip planner apps here. Get a Convertible…or a Harley! If you are driving only a small section of the PCH, rent a fun vehicle! This isn’t mandatory, but it sure is iconic to drive on the highway in one of these cool rides. Ask Great Questions: You’re in the car for a long time. Make sure to have these road trip questions ready to brighten those dull moments. Download Podcasts + Playlists : Download these road trip podcasts and personalized playlists when you have wifi. You’ll thank me later. Pack Your Car With The Essentials: Here’s a list of road trip essentials you need to be packing. Prepare To Stop Frequently: The whole point of driving the Pacific Coast Highway is to take in the sights!

How To Choose a Car For The Pacific Coast Highway

Choosing the right vehicle for your Pacific Coast Highway road trip is probably THE most important decision you will make.

Option 1: Drive Your Own Car Make sure your car has had a tune-up, and its oil changed. It’s worth it to get checked out now, than risk something going wrong mid-way through your trip.

Option 2: Rent a Regular Car Renting a car is a great option for a reliable drive down the Pacific Coast Highway. Personally, we like Avis becuase they have a great rewards program. You can find cheap options

Option 3: Rent a Campervan or RV Renting a campervan is an awesome way to experience a little bit of vanlife. Search for the best campervans at Outdoorsy . Just note, it may be a little tricky to drive a campervan one-way. You may have to return it at your starting point via I-5!

Option 4: Take The Public us (Kind of possible, but not recommended) Yes, it’s possible to cobble together transportation on local transit. You’ll find that you can get around easiest in Southern California and the central Oregon Coast. However, there will be stretches of road with no transporation avaiable, or you may have to leave the coast and venture inland to find a route. It’s cheap yes, but takes quite a bit of pre-planning.

Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip On A Budget

Are you hoping to plan a Pacific Coast Highway road trip route on a budget ? Here are some budgeting hacks we like to use to plan a budget PCH trip:

Use The Dyrt To Find Campgrounds: The Dyrt is the largest online campground database. We use the offline campground search feature to find spots on the go (no service needed!). The Dyrt gave us a code for you, our epic reader, to try the pro membership for 30 days free!   Click here to unlock your 30-day free trial . Find Free Campsites: Road tripping around the west coast for years, we’ve learned a thing or two about finding free campsites in the USA . Our guide includes campground searching hacks, backcountry packing guides, and tips on how to find the best camping spots on the PCH. Cook Your Own Meals: Save money on the road by making your own quick & easy camping meals . Manage Money On The Road: Learn how we travel on a budget in the Pacific Northwest .

What To Pack For A Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip

A good Pacific Coast Highway road trip will take you through the rainy gloom of Washington, as well as the sunny beaches of California. This makes packing slighly more challenging – you’ll have to account for tons of variable weather!

Rain Jacket: You’ll need one in Washington and Oregon, especially during winter and spring. Here are our favorite rain jackets to wear in the Pacific Northwest . Light Layers: Once you reach California, it’s nice to have light, packable layers to bring on your day adventures. We like this windbreaker and this colorful fleece for easy layering. Down Jacket: Down jackets are an excellent option for extra warmth, especially when paired with a rain jacket. Get this packable one to save space in your suitcase. Sunglasses: You’ll need some, since you’ll be watchin the sunset every night! Grab this pair of inexpensive but HIGHLY rated sunglasses to knock around on your adventures. Hiking Shoes: Hiking in the PNW for over a decade, we know a thing or two about boots! Read our list on the best hiking boots , to pick the right ones for you. Walking Sandals : From walking around Huntington Pier to strolling around your campsite, walking sandals are essential to your Pacific Coast Highway packing list. Portable Phone Charger: This Goal Zero 24 is the perfect companion to charge your phone on a day trip. Camera: Here’s our guide on how to take smartphone landscape photography, or you can check out the travel photography gear as media professionals. Hiking Clothes: You’ll want to bring these highly-coveted hiking shorts , a day pack , and the 10 hiking essentials .

Here are some posts we’ve written about what to pack for certain parts of the Pacific Coast Highway:

• 5 Essentials to Bring On The Washington Coast
• The Ultimate Packing List For San Francisco
• What To Pack For A Weekend in Los Angeles

The Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops (State By State)

If you’re planning to experience the entire Pacific Coast Highway (including extending it to Oregon and Washington), you probably know that there is an insane amount of beautiful stops to take.

We’re going to break locations down state by state, to give you bite-sized chunks of information for each place.

Each state provides something unique and exciting for your Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary, so read below for location inspiration in Washington, Oregon, and California!

Pacific Coast Highway Stops In Washington

Washington is not all rain and gloom!

While the movies portray this evergreen state in a constant shroud of clouds and moodiness (Thanks, Twilight) , its nothing farther from the truth.

Here, you can find powerful waterfalls, secret coves, and lush green forest, and amazing hikes in every corner of this beautiful state.

Keep on reading to read about some highlights along the Pacific Coast Highway in Washington!

Seattle, Washington

This is where we suggest starting your Pacific Coast Highway road trip.

Seattle is a great place to stock up on all the road trip essentials , grab rental cars, and arrive by plane to stay on your journey on the Pacific Coast Highway. If you’re flying in to begin your journey, you’ll fly into Sattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

Have a little bit more time on your hands? Stick around for a few days and try these unique things to do in Seattle , or take these incredible day trips from Seattle .

Fun things to do in Seattle, Washington:

• Visit Pike Place Market
• Go to the first-ever Starbucks Coffee store
• Visit The Museum of Pop Culture
• Watch the sunset at Jose Rizal Park
• See the Space Needle up close at Kerry Park
• Have a bonfire with friends at Golden Gardens Park
• Go to A Husky Football game in the University District

Read More: What To Pack For The Pacific Northwest

Port Angeles

If you are starting in Seattle or Vancouver, chances are you’ll need to take a ferry across the Puget Sound to reach the Olympic Peninsula . It’s also possible to drive around through Olympia, if you don’t want to put your car on the ferry.

From here, you will pass the cities of Sequim and Port Angeles. Before hitting to Pacific Coast Highway, we recommend taking a stop by Lake Crescent for some classic PNW vibes and maybe a quick lunch break too.

If you want to see what the lake looks like from above, test your limits and hike Mount Storm King . The 4.7-mile round trip hike gains over 2,000 feet in elevation, including scrambling up the side of a cliff with the help of a few installed ropes.

This hike isn’t for the faint of heart, but your attempts will be rewarded with experiencing one of the most spectacular places to see in the Olympic Peninsula .

Stay Overnight: Book a stay at The Olympic Lodge in Port Angeles . It’s right in town, and central to other adventures like Hurricane Ridge, Salt Creek, and Lake Crescent.

Sol Duc Falls

Sol Duc Falls is located in the Olympic National Park , and along Highway 101 on your way towards the coast.

It’s a small detour before heading to the ocean. However, the detour is worth every minute! The short trail to Sol Duc Falls leads to one of the most gorgeous waterfalls in Washington state.

If you are wanting a unique place to stay in the Olympic National Park, consider staying at the Sol Duc Hot Springs, a natural pool resort in the park.

Doing this, you can wake up early to visit the falls and beat the crowds!

Cape Flattery

If you’re looking for the most northwest location in the lower 48 United States, you’ve found it at Cape Flattery !

This jaw-dropping piece of coastline is owned by the Makah Tribe. It includes beautiful sea stacks just offshore and expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

If you are planning your Pacific Coast Highway itinerary for epic photo spots, don’t miss this place! You’ll need an entry pass ($10 per vehicle) and you can pick it up at the gas station or grocery store at Neah Bay.

Forks, Washington

La Push Beaches (First, Second, and Third)

You may know these beaches from the movie Twilight but rest assured there are no vampires in sight. (Partly because it’s werewolf territory anyway, DUH) In fact, we’ve seen some of the most incredible sunsets right here on Second Beach.

When visiting, it’s important to note that there are three beaches to choose from. First Beach provides easy and instant beach access, so it’s a popular choice for families.

Second Beach requires a hike on a short trail to reach the beach, and you can also camp on this beach. Second Beach is also the most popular option for its beautiful rock formations and vast shoreline.

Third Beach requires a longer hike and is the least visited of all the beaches.

Any of these Washington beaches you choose, don’t forget to pack these 5 beach essentials!

Read More: La Push Beach + and Beach Camping Tips

Ocean Shores, Washington

Ocean Shores is a quaint little town on the Washington Coast, just north of Grays Harbor.

Here, you will find tons of vacation rental homes, small seafood restaurants, and tons of beach activities. Berty and I came with our friends last summer and opted to rent motorbikes on the beach, eat our weight in crab, and explore the jetty!

Restaurants to try in Ocean Shores:

• Murphy’s Candy & Ice Cream Shop
• Galway Bay Irish Pub
• Ocean Beach Roasters and Bistro
• Oyhut Bay Bistro

Want more beach fun on the Washington Coast? Check out Ruby Beach and Rialto Beach !

Read More: 7 Fun Things To Do In Ocean Shores, Washington

Pierce County Area (Gig Harbor, Tacoma, and Puyallup)

If you’re looking to spend a little extra for a comfortable room and some great food, spend some time exploring Gig Harbor and boating around the South Puget Sound . You will be able to spot wildlife all around you, whether it’s jellyfish or a pod of orcas!

Some of our favorite cities in Pierce County to explore: Puyallup (Washington State Fair), Tacoma, and Gig Harbor!

Mount Rainier National Park

Take your journey slightly inland to explore Mount Rainier National Park. Here, you can test your limits and backpack up to the summit (training required!) or simply take a nice stroll at the base of the mountain like on Nisqually Loop Trail .

Mount Rainier is best explored if you spend 2-3 days in the park! There are so many different areas to cover (Paradise Area and Sunrise Area are the most popular), so give yourself time to enjoy the beautiful outdoors here in the Pacific Northwest.

Most Popular Activities To Do At Mount Rainier:

• Hike the Grove of the Patriarchs Trail
• See Silver Falls
• Hike the Skyline Divide Trail
• Visit the Longmire Museum

Cape Disappointment State Park

Cape Disappointment is located in the far southwestern corner of Washington State. Here, you can discover miles of trails, play on the beaches, and maybe even spot an orca offshore!

For a memorable photo opportunity on your Pacific Coast Highway road trip, take the trail down to Deadman’s Cove and capture this hidden beach at sunset!

Read More: Cape Disappointment + Deadman’s Cove

Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Stops In Oregon

The Oregon Coast itself is worthy of its own road trip but lucky you – you get to see it all and more!

We’re sharing all the best stops along this part of the Pacific Coast Highway and what you can expect in this beautiful state.

Not enough time for the whole thing? Take an Oregon Coast Road Trip instead!

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach is a family and dog-friendly beach located 1.5 hours west of Portland. Here, you can explore the many quaint seaside shops, take a walk on the beach, and explore the many tide pools.

There are many services available here, so it’s a great stop for camping, resting, or even getting a seaside Airbnb! (By the way, y ou can get $40 off your first reservation at this link! )

Read More: Spending The Day At Cannon Beach

Cape Kiwanda

Cape Kiwanda  is a popular beach on the Oregon Coast. Here, you can walk along the beach and enjoy Pacific City’s own “Haystack Rock”, or climb the nearby sand dunes to discover incredible views, coves, and rock formations!

Too busy for you? Venture just a 5-minute drive south to Bob Straub State Park, where you can walk along the less-traveled and peaceful beachfront.

The area of Oregon can be rainy and cloudy year-round, but if you’re lucky you can experience one of its gorgeous sunsets (that is if the weather cooperates!). Make sure to pack a rain jacket!

Read More:  10 Epic Adventures To Take Aroun Cape Kiwanda

God’s Thumb Hike, Lincoln City

The hike to God’s Thumb is a moderately difficult hike along the Oregon Coast. A 4.6-mile round trip hike will bring you to a curved landscape on an oceanside cliff. 

It gets its name “God’s Thumb” because it slightly resembles a thumb… but we think it kind of looks like a soft-serve ice cream swirl!

Located in Lincoln City, Oregon , this is a perfect place to get out of the car, stretch your legs, and see a beautiful area of the Oregon Coast.

Read More: Hike To God’s Thumb in Lincoln City On The Oregon Coast

Devil’s Punchbowl

Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area is a perfect stop on your Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Here, you can experience the power of the ocean slamming and swirling into a carved-out bowl.

From the top, you can see down inside the “punchbowl”. During high tide, the waves swirl and crash around inside, but during low tide, you can walk down on the beach and explore inside.

Stay a while for a roadside picnic, to explore tide pools, or climb around on the rocks on the shore.

Thor’s Well

Thor’s Well in another one of the Oregon Coast’s amazing natural phenomena. You can experience the most dramatic sights at high tide, but beware – it’s the most dangerous time to visit too.

Similar to the Spouting Horn in Kauai , this sinkhole looks like water is just draining into a huge abyss, but it’s actually a natural rock tube that sucks and shoots water our according to the adjacent waves.

Don’t get too close to it though, it pushes and pulls water with a powerful force , meaning if you get too close you risk being swept off your feet into the hole!

This area is located just south of the Cape Perpetua Visitor’s Cente r, with lots of wheelchair accessible walkways AND walk-at-your-own-risk paths too.

Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

Cape Perpetua Scenic Area is an amazing spot on the Pacific Coast Highway, and probably home to one of the best photo spots on the PCH!

For a quick side trip, take the drive up to Cape Perpetua Lookout , where you can see the Oregon Coast meet the winding highway below. It’s an incredible view – make sure to bring your camera!

This is also a great stop for some camping on the Oregon Coast, as well as exploring the many ocean features and scenic trails in the area.

Read More: 10 Epic Things To Do In Cape Perpetua Area Of The Oregon Coast

(Bonus Side Trip!) Umpqua Hot Springs + Toketee Falls

Got an extra day to spare?

Since you’re already in Oregon, consider taking a side trip east to the Cascade Mountains. The Umpqua National Forest has a lot to see, but it’s shining stars have got to be Toketee Falls and the Umpqua Hot Springs.

Both of the trails to Toketee Falls and Umpqua Hot Springs are nearby one another, short, and easy to follow.

They can be accomplished in a morning or afternoon trip. If you haven’t visited a Pacific Northwest hot springs  yet, this is the perfect chance to do it!

We would suggest that you Visit Toketee Falls first, so you can save your soak for last!

Read More: 5 Essential Tips For Soaking at Upmqua Hot Springs

Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor

Of all the stops on the Oregon Coast, Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor is a MUST visit. Offshore rock formations, dramatic cliffs, and crashing waves make this place a magical stop on the Pacific Coast Highway.

To fully experience this area, we suggest scheduling your visit for sunset. The sun sets over the Pacific Ocean, and on a clear day the skies light up with beautiful colors. Don’t forget to stop at other iconic spots in the park including Secret Beach, Natural Bridges, Arch Rock, and Indian Sands Trail!

Located on the Southern Oregon Coast , Samuel H Boardman spans around 10-miles of rugged, scenic coastline. There are many hikes to choose from around Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor . Take some time to explore a few (many trails are short) , and pick your favorite spots for sunset.

Pacific Coast Highway Stops In California

Congratulations! You’ve made it to California!

This is technically the beginning of the official Pacific Coast Highway (also called Highway 1) , but we all know you’ve put in too many miles on your car and see too much epic-ness for it to be just starting.

While you’ll be encountering a lot more sunshine in this section of the road trip, the Northern California coast can be a little temperamental! Don’t put away your rain coast just yet.

California road trip stops on the Pacific Coast Highway are some of the most breathtaking and beautiful areas of the whole trip. Read on to discover where to go and what to see below in the sunshine state.

Redwood National and State Parks

If your Pacific Coast Highway road rrip is taking you southbound, your first California stop will be at the Redwood National and State Parks.

The Redwoods are known for their spectacularly tall and beautiful trees. Furthermore, this area is home to some of the tallest trees on earth!

There are several scenic drives to take here, but the prettiest Northern California drives are through the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (the scenic route) and the Avenue of The Giants at Humbolt Redwoods State Park. For a lot of stops and viewpoints of the ocean, consider stopping at Patrick’s Point State Park !

Read More: 10 Things To Do In The Redwood National Park

Fern Canyon

Wait, did we just travel through time? You’re not far off if you felt like you just stepped foot into Jurassic Park. In fact, scenes from the movie were filmed right here in Fern Canyon!

Fern Canyon Trail in the Redwoods is a very short route – just 1.1-miles to revel in the 50-foot tall fern-covered walls and lush surrounding forest. The hike is easy, but getting there is a different story. The trip requires a few creek crossings and winding, narrow dirt roads to reach the trailhead. We’ve got everything you need to know about Fern Canyon right here !

Black Sand Beach

Have you been looking at thos e famous black sand beaches in Iceland ? Get a taste of the beauty (without the price of a plane ticket) and come visit a look-alike on the California Coast.

Shelter Cove is a little town located in the King Range National Conversation Area. Here, there are craggy coastlines, dramatic scenery, and a black sand beach. The waves are tall and powerful here.

Warning: The road is winding and treacherous, which can be dangerous in bad weather.

This is also an extremely out-of-the-way detour, with one route going in and out from the beach. Make sure to have a full tank of gas, and be prepared to drive on narrow roads and near tall cliff edges!

Read More:   How To Get To California’s Iconic Black Sands Beach

Point Reyes National Seashore

Love the California beach? Explore the Point Reyes National Seashore , a protected coastline of rolling pastures, historic landmarks, and even a secret docked ship!

Start your journey in the town of Inverness, where you can stock up on food, gas, and even camping gear if you choose to spend the night in one of their many campgrounds .

Some of the best things to do in Point Reyes National Seashore are visiting the historic lighthouse (make sure to pay attention to its hours of operation! ), driving down the canopy of Cypress trees , and even whale watching if you come at the right time of year!

Read More: Spending The Day At Point Reyes National Seashore

Bolinas Ridge

If you have a scheduled stop in San Francisco on your Pacific Coast Highway itinerary, make sure to make a sunset stop just north of the city , on Bolinas Ridge .

This area of golden, glimmering rolling hills is located on the edge of Mount Tamalpais State Park in Marin County, California.

Our favorite scenic road to drive is Ridgecrest Boulevard , which includes pullouts ever so often to quickly park your car and enjoy the beautiful and consistent sunsets on this piece of the California coast.

Read More: A Golden Sunset At Bolinas Ridge

Mount Tamalpais

Keep the spirit of adventure alive , even in a bustling city like San Francisco !

If you’ve got a pit stop in the Golden City, journey just north of the Golden Gate Bridge and experience Mount Tamalpais State Park for a quick break from city life.

Here, you can take many amazing trails with stunning views of big city buildings across the bay. Some of our favorite trails for city views are the East Peak Hike  (to a stone lookout tower) and the Verna Dunshee Trail. 

Going when it’s cold outside? Read our San Francisco Winter Packing List .

Read More: 10 Adventurous Things To Do Outside of San Francisco

Golden Gate Bridge

No trip along the Pacific Coast Highway is complete without seeing the iconic Golden Gate Bridge!

On either side of the bridge, there are several incredible viewpoints to check out. Some of the best places to view the Golden Gate Bridge are from Battery Spencer, Kirby Cove, and the North Vista Point.

Remember: The Golden Gate Bridge is a toll bridge . Motorcycles and regular cars will get through and be billed $8.00 to the address your car is registered at.

San Francisco, California

If you’ve been driving southbound on your Pacific Coast Highway road trip, San Francisco will be the first large city you will encounter. 

Here, you can experience many iconic and famous landmarks. Here are some places to see while in San Francisco :

• See the sunrise at the Golden Gate Bridge
• Visit Fisherman’s Wharf
• Stop By The Painted Ladies
• Wander through the neighborhoods and see the beautiful Victorian-era houses

Need a place to stay in San Francisco? Click here and get $40 off your first booking on Airbnb!

Shark Fin Cove

Click here to see more amazing pictures from our visit to Shark Fin Cove.

Shark Fin Cove is a beautiful California coast beach located south of San Francisco – in Davenport, California. It’s named for its rock formation just off the shore that resembling a shark’s top fin. 

You aren’t able to see this cove from the road, which makes finding access a little difficult . There are no signs indicating the location, so you must rely on Google Maps to help guide to you the parking lot off the California Coast Highway 1.

This place provides absolutely stunning views from above AND below. Start your visit at the top and walk along the trails near the cliffs (but be careful!). Finally, climb down into the cove via a steep trail to find beach access.

On a weekday, it’s very likely you will get this beach all to yourself! 

Read More: What To Expect At California’s Shark Fin Cove

Big Sur State Park

When you think of driving down the California Coast , Big Sur is what Pacific Coast Highway dreams are made of. Sunny coastline, winding roads, dramatic cliffs, and beautiful bridges are scattered along 90 miles of this beautiful West Coast drive.

Some of the highlights on this part of the PCH include:

• Pfeiffer Beach
• McWay Falls
• Bixby Creek Bridge
• Pebble Beach
• 17-Mile Drive (Monterey/Pacific Grove)

Pro Tip: A day trip to Big Sur, California is absolutely the most quintessential activity  of any good Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Don’t miss this.

Read More: How To Pull Off A Day Trip To Big Sur, California

(Detour Off Highway 1) Yosemite National Park

While you’re in the area, might as well take a little detour to one of the greatest national parks in America!

Yosemite is home to the tallest waterfall in North America, home to giant Sequoia trees, and has more than 800 miles of trails for hikers to enjoy.

Only have 24 extra hours to spare for Yosemite? Click here for our 24-hour guide to Yosemite National Park.

Pro Tip: If you are hoping to spend a few days in the park, make camping reservations extremely early in advance.

Camping spots generally get full six months before the reservation date. A trip to Yosemite National Park requires a lot of pre-planning.

Los Angeles, California

Another major city on your Pacific Coast Highway road trip will be Los Angeles California. For many going northbound, this is a common starting point (as well as San Diego).

If you’re like us and coming to LA on a southbound Pacific Coast Highway trip, this is a fun pit stop to take a few days and recharge from all that driving.

Again, if you are looking to book a place on Airbnb, click here to get $40 off your first booking!

Here are some fun things to do in Los Angeles:

• Santa Monica Pier + the Amusement Park on the boardwalk.
• Venice Beach
• Griffith Observatory
• The Getty Museum
• Hollywood Boulevard
• Hike to the Hollywood Sign

Read More: How To Spend a Fun Weekend in West Hollywood, California

Orange County, California

Orange County California is just south of the city of Los Angeles. With a slower lifestyle, less traffic, and a lot more beach space, this place is a perfect getaway for sunshine lovers and surfers alike.

There are a few opportunities to camp on the coast, like RV sites in Huntington Beach and tent sites at Crystal Cove State Park. Either way, it’s definitely worth it to spend a few days in Orange County and experience all it has to offer!

Must-see spots to visit in Orange County:

• La Tour (Secret Oceanside Castle in the cliff)
• Huntington Beach (Sur City, USA)
• Newport Beach Harbor and Balboa Island
• Laguna Beach
• Here are our favorite restaurants in Orange County to try!

Looking to travel to the OC on a budget? Check out our list of free things to do in Orange County to have maximum fun, with money still left in your pocket!

Read More: 10 Amazing Outdoor Activities in Orange County, California

San Diego, California

You did it!

San Diego will be the likely the end (or the beginning!) to your Pacific Coast Highway itinerary.

However, it’s still worth visiting for a few days. There are so many amazing things to do in San Diego that this city is an excellent way to kick off or wrap up any Pacific Coast Highway road trip.

Don’t miss out of Torrey Pines State Reserve! This network of outdoor trails have some of the best views in the entire city. Spend some time exploring the trails during sunset for a magical stay in San Diego.

Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary Examples

Wondering if you can see all these iconic landmarks in one trip?

To accommodate different trip lengths, we’re sharing some example itineraries for a five-day trip , one-week trip , and two-week trip down the Pacific Coast Highway.

Read below to find your perfect one!

5 Day Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary

Five days to drive down the Pacific Coast is absolutely doable! During these days, you have time to experience the highlights of the coast, and whet your appetite for another future trip!

• Day 1: Seattle, WA to Coos Bay, OR
• Day 2: Coos Bay OR, to Redwood National Park, CA
• Day 3: Redwood National Park, CA to San Francisco, CA
• Day 4: San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA
• Day 5: Los Angeles, CA to San Diego, CA

7 Day Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary

One week on the Pacific Coast Highway will allow you to see the most iconic locations. One week is great for travelers who want to fit in the entire trip during a school break, or only have so many days to take off of work.

A one-week Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary will allow you to see the highlights without feeling rushed. Here’s an example PCH itinerary:

• Day 1: Seattle WA, to Forks, WA
• Day 2: Forks, WA to Cape Kiwanda, OR
• Day 3: Cape Kiwanda, OR to Redwood State Park, CA
• Day 4: Redwood State Park, CA to San Francisco, CA
• Day 5: San Francisco CA, to Big Sur, CA
• Day 6: Big Sur, CA, to Orange County, CA
• Day 7: Los Angeles, CA to San Diego, CA

10 Day Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary

Two-week pacific coast highway road trip itinerary.

If you have two weeks to spare, this is the ideal amount of time for a Pacific Coast Highway road trip!

Two weeks gives you ample time to see all the highlights, take some day hikes, and even some off-coast detours like Yosemite or Toketee Falls! You will be able to see everything you want and more, and not feel rushed in your process.

• Day 1: Seattle, WA to Port Angeles, WA
• Day 2: Port Angeles, to Forks, WA
• Day 3: Forks, WA to Astoria, OR
• Day 4: Astoria OR, to Cape Kiwanda, OR
• Day 5:  Cape Kiwanda OR , to Brookings, OR
• Day 6: Brooking OR, to Redwood State Park, CA
• Day 7:  Redwood State Park, CA to Mendocino, CA
• Day 8: Mendocino, CA to San Francisco, CA
• Day 9:  San Francisco, CA to Santa Cruz, CA
• Day 10: Santa Cruz, CA to Big Sur, CA
• Day 11:  Big Sur, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
• Day 12: Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA
• Day 13: Los Angeles, CA to San Diego, CA
• Day 14: End in San Diego

Some of our Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Inspiration

Creating this Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary was quite the workload! Lucky for us, this is the kind of work we live for, and it was fun, inspiring, and most of all helpful!

We hope this helps in your own Pacific Coast Highway road trip and makes planning a little bit easier for you.

Here are some of the pins we’ve created to share with our followers on Pinterest. Feel free to save some too for your own inspirational road trip!

Pinterest ( Find us at @themandagies )

Have you taken a pacific coast highway road trip what were some of your favorite stops, ready to plan your own pacific coast highway road trip read these helpful posts:.

8 Steps For Planning A Flawless Weekend Trip

2o Energizing Hikes In The PN W

The Essential 2017 PNW Bucket List

Want more Pacific Coast Highway road trip inspiration? Follow our curated board on Pinterest!

So excited for you guys! My hubby and I did a similar (but quicker, so we didn’t see everything) trip in the summer of 2010 (a LONG time ago!). It was amazing. There is an amazing hike in Redwood National Park (Gold Bluffs Beach Section) that leads down to this secret beach. Even in summer (August) there wasn’t anyone on the trail. We were pretty new to the “planning” travel business so didn’t really plan anything when we went, but this hike was a highlight of our trip. I’m dying to go to the Painted Hills and Hot springs so excited to see what you guys think. Have so much fun!!! We’re secretly living through both of your photographs and blogs dreaming of our move one day back to this beautiful region of the world. We love Ireland, but the PNW truly can’t be beat.

Hi Danielle! I’m so glad you like our photographs and blog! That means so much to us 🙂 I’m so intrigued about the Gold Bluffs Beach Hike in the Redwoods. Now we need to go back and do that one!!!

A Legendary Oregon Coast Road Trip—35 Stops & 3 Itineraries

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There’s no question that Oregon is a state of beauty.

From the Columbia River Gorge to the high desert in the east , there’s enough wonder to last a lifetime. One of the best places to experience the incredible beauty of this state is the coastline.

What better way to get to know it than to do an Oregon coast road trip?

Today, we’re going to explore 35 different spots on the coast. In reality, this just scratches the surface of what Oregon’s coastal towns and beaches has to offer. We’ll organize things from north to south and divide the coast into its three main areas.

Oregon’s North Coast stretches from the Columbia River to Cascade Head. The Central Coast picks up from there and stretches to Reedsport, and the Southern Coast continues to the California border.

Also, most of the spots on our list are accessible right off of scenic Highway 101. The highway winds along the coastline so you would have a great time even if it was raining and you wanted to stay in the car.

On our huge road trip, there are many things to do in each section of the coast. You could do them all or you could split things up into different trips. You could even do the even-numbered spots on the way down and the odd ones on the way back up.

However you choose to do it, these spots make for a fun and gorgeous road trip excursion. After we run through the list of places, we’ll give you a few sample itineraries for different ways to explore an Oregon coast road trip.

Don’t Forget This!

A lot of the best adventures around Oregon will require a Northwest Pass. You can easily get one delivered straight to your door. Grab it now before you leave !

✋ HOLD UP! Don’t Forget…

You need some wheels! It’s nearly impossible to get around the USA and check out the best adventures without a car! Here are our top recommendations…

🚗 Rent a car

If you don’t have your own, renting a car is your best bet!

👉 Find Deals on Cars and SUVs

🚐 Rent a home on wheels

For the more adventurous, rent a van or RV and ditch the hotel.

👉 Find The Best Van For Your Trip

Table of Contents

1. Fort Stevens State Park

2. del rey beach state recreation area, 3. ecola state park, 4. seaside promenade, 5. arcadia beach state recreation site, 6. arch cape, 7. neahkahnie viewpoint, 8. tillamook creamery, 9. cape meares, 10. sand lake recreation area, 11. cape kiwanda, 12. abraham lincoln memorial in lincoln city, 13. boiler bay state scenic viewpoint, 14. depoe bay, 15. devils punchbowl state natural area, 16. yaquina head lighthouse, 17. yaquina head marine garden, 18. oregon coast aquarium, 19. lost creek state recreation site, 20. big stump, 21. smelt sands state recreation site, 22. cape perpetua, 23. devil’s churn, 24. thor’s well, 25. sea lion caves, 26. umpqua lighthouse state park, 27. horsfall beach, 28. shore acres state park, 29. bandon beach, 30. cape blanco lighthouse, 31. blacklock point hike, 32. otter point state recreation site, 33. samuel h. boardman state scenic corridor, 34. harris beach state park, 35. crissey field state recreation site, 5-day oregon coast road trip itinerary, 7-day oregon coast road trip itinerary,  10-day oregon coast road trip itinerary, tips for a successful oregon coast road trip, your ultimate oregon road trip—1 week to 1 month oregon itinerary, 29 awesome things to do on an eastern oregon road trip, 19+ adventurous things to do on a washington road trip, 21+ adventurous things to do on a northern california road trip, 25 day trips from portland, oregon + road trip ideas, oregon coast road trip: north coast.

We begin our quest at the farthest northwestern point of the state of Oregon. At Fort Stevens State Park , you’ll find an old military installation that used to guard the mouth of the Columbia.

It dates to the end of the American Civil War and was named after a slain Civil War general.

You can walk around and explore the old military base up close. Also, Fort Stevens has plenty of camping spots, biking trails, a historic shipwreck, and beach access. Not a bad way to start your Oregon coast road trip.

RELATED: 19 Must-Visit Oregon Coast States Parks

Driving a few miles south you’ll find the Del Rey beach area. It’s the quintessential un-crowded Oregon beach . The parking area is secluded right off Highway 101.

Also, if you go during the off-season you’ll probably have the beach to yourself. Build a castle, dig a hole, fly a kite, do whatever you want. It’s prime land for memory-making.

Do all the hikes. Or really, any that you can. Verdant forests, peeks out at the ocean, and a bit of a workout, that’s what you’ll get at Ecola State Park. You could spend the day roaming the trails here.

Clatsop, Cresent and Indians Beach trails are all 1-2.5 miles each and would keep you quite busy!

READ MORE: Your Guide to Ecola State Park on the Oregon Coast

Take a step out of the car and walk along the Seaside Promenade—known as the Prom by locals. The paved Prom is 1.5 miles long and 15 feet wide. It’s a great jog up and down and it offers some great views of the Pacific Ocean and Tillamook Head.

South of Cannon Beach you’ll find a small beach called Arcadia. There’s a small parking area that splits off from the highway here, and the beach features a cliff face with some cool little caves that you can explore.

Also, as with all the beach areas on this road trip, it’s good to keep an eye on the tide. If you do decide to wade into deeper water, make sure you’re with someone who can watch your location. Sneaker waves are a real thing out here.

The next stop on our Oregon coast road trip is a little beachside community nestled between Cannon Beach and Manzanita. It is really tiny with just a few houses and a couple of businesses.

The spot features natural rock formations spread out across beach stone and sand. Also, there aren’t any obvious markings for beach access, you just have to poke around the few neighborhood streets to find access.

Right before you get to Manzanita heading south, you’ll drive along the edge of Neahkahnie Mountain and get the chance to pull off at a viewpoint. Definitely take the opportunity. You’ll see panoramic views of the ocean and get to look over the whole town of Manzanita.

Local Indians thought the view from the mountain was fit for gods—Ne means “place of” and Ekahni means “supreme deity.” It’s definitely a highlight of an Oregon coast road trip.

As you make your way through Manzanita and Rockaway Beach, you’ll come upon the town of Tillamook after a little while.

Tillamook actually sits a bit more inland, but now’s a great chance to taste the famous cheese and ice cream that comes from this town in Oregon. Also, the creamery features views of the factory floor, a restaurant, and plenty of free samples.

Cape Meares is a not-to-miss spot on this Oregon coast road trip. Sitting 200 feet above the ocean, it’s part of the Three Capes Scenic Route which also includes Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda.

One attraction here is that you get a great view of the largest colony of nesting common murres. Also, the site is popular for many other species of nesting birds as well.

In addition to natural life, you can explore a beautiful lighthouse that’s free and open to the public.

READ MORE: Exploring Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint

This place is a literal lake of sand. Sand Lake covers 1,076 acres of sand dunes that are hemmed in by forest and ocean. It’s popular for off-roading but is also a beautiful place to walk around and explore.

Cape Kiwanda is the smallest cape on the Three Capes Scenic Route but it’s the best one to spot intense wave action. The area features natural formations that swirl the ocean into frothy pools.

Also, it’s a spectacular place, but make sure to stay in the fenced-off areas. Since 2009, seven people have died by venturing out onto the unstable cliff edges.

→ If you don’t have a lot of time, do this Oregon Coast day trip from Portland to see the best of the coast with a local.

Oregon Coast Road Trip: Central Coast

Alright, we’re a third of the way through our road trip. No Oregon coast road trip would be complete without a swing through Lincoln City .

There are a number of things to do in this classic coastal town. The Historical Museum hosts a collection of beautiful Japanese glass fishing floats.

Also, there’s a pretty cool statue of Abraham Lincoln here. It’s called Abraham Lincoln Reads on a Horse because, well, he’s reading a book on horseback.

A plaque says he used to tour the Oregon territory on horseback while reading books. That’s pretty cool.

RELATED: 17 Breathtaking Oregon Coast Hikes

This miraculous viewpoint is a great place to watch for gray whales year-round. At the point, you sit atop a craggy basalt rim that circles a bay.

And at low tide, you might notice something poking out of the water. That’s the boiler from the J. Marhoffer, a steamboat that was sunk by an explosion in 1910.

Depoe Bay is known as the Whale Watching Capital of the Oregon Coast, and for good reason. There’s a pod of gray whales that hangs out beside the town from March through December.

You can watch them from the new Whale Watch Center, various observation spots, or chartered boats.

The downtown area of Depoe Bay is built on a long sea wall. That means there are many great restaurants and spots with clear views of the ocean.

You’ll find Devils Punchbowl just south of Depoe Bay. The main event is a huge bowl that was created by a collapsed sea cave or two.

During the winter months, waves churn into a fury inside the giant bowl and give off thundering roars. You wouldn’t want to go take a dip in that. Also, there are some nice tide pools on the north side of the formation.

READ MORE: Devils Punch Bowl Oregon

Heading south, you’ll find the Yaquina Head at the north end of Newport. This natural formation has a lot to offer.

First, take a drive up to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse. At a century and a half old, this lighthouse is an inspiration.

You can take a tour for free, but limited tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Also, beyond the lighthouse, you can see a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean.

RELATED: 11 Oregon Coast Lighthouses and the Adventures Nearby

The exploration continues at Yaquina Head in the Marine Garden. This is a 1.8-mile section of coastline that’s chock full of life. You can see tidepools, nesting birds, and whales in the ocean. Also, one of the tidepools is even handicapped accessible.

If you like aquariums, this is the one to go to. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is the largest in the state of Oregon and it’s located in the city of Newport .

There are a number of exhibits that feature all kinds of aquatic life including otters, seals, giant octopus, reef fish, anemones, and sharks. If you’ve ever wanted to jump into an ocean episode of Planet Earth, this is how you can do it.

Here’s another quintessential Oregon beach. A small parking area keeps this beach less crowded than other beaches in the Newport area.

It’s a great place to watch a famous west coast sunset on your Oregon coast road trip.

RELATED: 11 Most Scenic Oregon Coast Towns (And What to Do There!)

Guess what’s at this spot? Yep, it’s a big stump. But it’s not just any stump. It’s a huge stump from a redwood tree. Also, according to the Native Americans in this area, the stump was here long before white settlers.

Today, how it got there is still a mystery. Most redwoods are located in a small strip of land in California, and only a few grow in Oregon close to its southern border. None except Big Stump have ever been found this far north.

Interestingly, there isn’t a whole lot of sand at this beach site. Instead, you’ll find fields of rock formations and tide pools.

It’s a great spot for whale watching and sunset gazing, and you can also access Yachats 804 trail from this location. Also, it gets its name from the yearly run of small silvery smelt fish.

Ready for another great view? This headland viewpoint is 800 feet above the Pacific Ocean, and it’s the highest viewpoint on the Oregon coast accessible by car.

When it’s clear out, you can see 37 miles to the ocean horizon and 70 miles along the coastline. Also, there’s a visitor center here that’s open year-round which will give you lots of info on your natural surroundings.

READ MORE: 9 Things to Do in Cape Perpetua, Oregon

This spot is also located in the same protected forest as Cape Perpetua—Suislaw National Forest. Devil’s Churn is a small inlet that has been carved into the rock over thousands of years.

You don’t want to get too close. That’s because crashing waves can send water hundreds of feet in the air when they hit the end of the churn. It’s really a sight to see.

Alright, things are starting to sound a bit other-worldly on our list. The next stop is Thor’s Well , and it’s also located in the same general area as the last two stops. Thor’s Well is a geological formation that plays a trick on your eyes. And it’s easy to see where it got its name.

The well is a huge gaping hole in the rock that seems bottomless. Surrounding seawater constantly crashes into it but the hole never fills up.

An underwater opening drains the crashing foam back to the sea, but you can’t see that from the top.

READ MORE: Visiting Thor’s Well in Cape Perpetua, Oregon

Just past Heceta Head Lighthouse, you’ll find the Sea Lion Caves. This is the site of the largest sea caves located in the USA.

However, when you drive up, you might not notice them. That’s because they’re actually beneath the visitor center.

For $14, you can take an elevator down into a cave shaft and view the immense caves. Also, there’s a good chance you’ll see some sea lions here. That’s because a large number of them call the cave home.

Oregon Coast Road Trip: South Coast

Now we’ve entered the southern part of our Oregon coast road trip. And the first stop here is Umpqua Lighthouse.

The 65-foot spire towers over Winchester Bay and is a beautiful site. Also, it contains a historic Fresnel lens that gives off a peculiar red and white light.

Furthermore, the area around the lighthouse is also a state park. There is a campground, dunes, and a picturesque Lake Marie.

Horsfall Beach is located in Oregon’s Bay Area, which includes the towns of Coos Bay and North Bend. The beach is a great spot for sunbathing and beachcombing in the warmer months.

In addition to a great Oregon beach, there’s a huge dune area here. Also, if you want to stay awhile, you can camp in the Horsfall Beach campground for $25/night.

This park sits atop high cliffs at the edge of the ocean. It was once the site of pioneer logger Loius Simpson’s mansion. Today, beautiful gardens cover the area including two rose gardens and a Japanese-style garden.

The park offers some incredible views along the cliff’s edge, or you can take a trail down to a secluded cove at Simpson Beach.

Rugged Bandon Beach has several rocky formations, but one of them stands out from the others. Face Rock looks like a giant head that juts out of the ocean.

Old American Indian lore surrounds the formation of this rock, and it’s a truly mysterious sight to behold. As you explore the area, you can also check out the numerous tide pools that come out at low tide.

Keep an eye out for the Witches Hat too, another rock formation at this beach.

READ MORE: 9 Cool Adventures Around Bandon Beach, Oregon

The Cape Blanco Lighthouse is part of Cape Blanco State Park which includes a campground. The lighthouse was built in 1870 and it’s one of the oldest on Oregon’s coast.

Along with it, you can explore a Victorian farmhouse that was built in 1898. Also, you can take a tour of the lighthouse if you visit it anytime between April through October.

RELATED: Your Ultimate Oregon Road Trip—1 Week to 1 Month Oregon Itinerary

At a 9-mile moderate hike, plan to take a chunk of your day to dedicate to this trail .  Walk along Floras Lake, amongst cliffsides, and peek over the edge for glimpses of the coast.

Try to spot a beautiful natural arch below!

Otter Point is a natural area just north of Gold Beach . Here, you can enjoy solitude on two hidden beaches.

Also, you can explore views of a huge sandstone formation and watch for whales on walking and hiking paths. It’s really a great place to see how the rocks have been sculpted by wind and waves over thousands of years.

This is a mandatory spot on any Oregon coast road trip. But really, if you’re driving through, how can you miss it? The corridor has a number of turnoffs for viewpoints and trailheads.

It’s one of the most beautiful sections of the Oregon coast with rugged bluffs and abstract rock formations. It’s so great, we’ve written a post about hiking the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor .

Harris Beach gets its name from the pioneer George Scott Harris who settled there towards the end of the 1880s to raise cattle and sheep. Here you can view Bird Island (also called Sheep Island) which is the largest island off the Oregon Coast.

Bird Island is a National Wildlife Sanctuary and a breeding site for many species of birds. The sandy beach is nestled between rocky outcroppings and is another place to watch for whales.

READ MORE: Your Guide to Harris Beach State Park

If you’ve made it this far, you can see the Californian border. Crissey Field is a 40-acre recreation area that has beach access, wetlands, and a forest.

There’s a center that welcomes visitors to Oregon and provides education on the natural surroundings. Also, if you like collecting driftwood, this is the place to be.

Example Oregon Road Trip Itineraries

Obviously, there are many different ways that you can do an Oregon coast road trip. We have even more of our Oregon Coast favorites right here that you can add to this but let’s not get crazy, right?

Below, we’ve outlined itineraries for 5, 7, and 10-day trips. For these itineraries, we’re assuming you’re starting from the Portland area. You can always do these backward if you’re starting from a southern part of the state.

Day 1: Head out to Fort Stevens in the morning. Next, head to Seaside for the Prom and aquarium, check out Arcadia Beach, then head to Tillamook for the night.

Where to Stay:

• Wave Watch ‘N
• Happy Camp Beachfront Cabin
• Blue Sea Oceanfront Cottage
• Cape Lookout State Park Campground
• Netarts Bay RV Park & Marina

Day 2: From Tillamook, check out Cape Meares. Then head to Cape Kiwanda, and finish up by exploring Lincoln City for the evening.

• Cottage by the Beach
• Whale Watch
• Devil’s Lake State Recreation Area
• Lincoln City KOA Journey

Day 3: From Lincoln City, pass through Depoe Bay and check out Devils Punchbowl. Next, head down to the Yaquina area to see the lighthouse and Marine Gardens. Continue south through Newport and check out Big Stump beach for the sunset. Head to Yachats for the night.

• Woodland Cottage by the Sea
• Dulcinea’s Cabin
• Oceanfront Cottage
• Cape Perpetua Campground
• Tillicum Beach Campground

Day 4: From Yachats, check out Cape Perpetua, Devil’s Churn, and Thor’s Well. Next, spend a little time in Florence exploring. Go by the Umpqua Lighthouse before heading to Coos Bay for the night.

• Riverfront Home
• Bayfront Cottage
• Sparrow’s Nest Vintage Apartment
• Bay Point Landing

Day 5: From Coos Bay, check out Shore Acres, Face Rock, and the Cape Blanco Lighthouse. Explore Otter Point before lodging in Gold Beach for the night. From here, you can either continue to California or head east to Grant’s Pass and up I5 back to the valley.

• Gold Beach Country Cottage
• Gold Beach Apartment
• Sunny Cabin on the Rogue River
• Indian Creek Campground
• Rogue Pacific RV Park & Vacation Rentals

Day 1: Head out through Astoria and head to Fort Stevens. Next, explore Del Rey Beach and Seaside. Then, head down to Arcadia Beach and end in Manzanita for the night.

• Artist Cottage
• Cottage by the Sea
• Nehalem Falls Campground
• Jetty Fishery Marina & RV Park

Day 2: Leaving Manzanita, go through the Tillamook Creamery, Cape Meares, and Cape Kiwanda. Next, head to nearby Pacific City for the night.

• Mermaid Cottage
• Main Deck Cottage
• Surf & Sand Inn
• Sandbeach Campground
• Hart’s Camp Airstream Hotel & RV Park

Day 3: From Pacific City , explore Lincoln City for a bit. Then, head south and try to spot the boiler in Boiler Bay. Check out Depoe Bay, Devils Punchbowl, and end in Newport.

• Eclectic Cottage
• Dog-friendly Studio
• Cozy Nye Beach Bungalow
• South Beach State Park
• Whalers Rest RV & Camping Resort

Day 4: Take a stroll through the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport before heading out on the road. From Newport, check out Big Stump, Cape Perpetua (with Devil’s Churn and Thor’s Well), and then head to Florence for the evening.

• Pelican’s Perch
• Huckleberry Cottage
• Fisherman’s Cottage
• Heceta Beach RV Park
• Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park Campground

RELATED: 9 Adventurous Things To Do in Florence, Oregon

Day 5: From Florence, check out Umpqua Lighthouse, Horsfall Beach, and Shore Acres State Park . Next, head to Coos Bay for the night.

Day 6: From Coos Bay, head to Face Rock and then spend some time at the Cape Blanco State Park. Lodge in Port Orford for the night.

• Whimsy By The Sea
• Little House at Paradise Point
• The Lily Pad Cottage
• Camp Blanco RV Park

Day 7: Head from Port Orford to check out the Prehistoric Gardens and Otter Point. However, you may just want to skip to the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor and spend time hiking there. After your day, end in the town of Brookings .

• Tanbark Shores Guest Suite
• Captain’s Quarters
• Sunlight Cottage
• Harris Beach State Recreation Area Campground
• Driftwood RV Park

RECOMMENDED GEAR:

Day 1: Start out by exploring Fort Stevens. Next, head to Del Rey beach and then explore Seaside. Lodge here for the night.

• Edgewood Cove Guest House
• Cozy Pet Friendly Cottage
• Cabin at Starry Night Inn
• Seaside RV Resort, North Side
• Seaside RV Resort

Day 2:  Heading out of Seaside, pass through Cannon Beach and spend some time on Arcadia Beach. Next, head to Arch Cape and find the beach there. Then, drive over Neahkahnie Viewpoint and head to Tillamook for the night.

Day 3:  After getting some cheese samples in the creamery, check out the views at Cape Meares and the dunes at Sand Lake. Next, head to Cape Kiwanda and lodge in Lincoln City for the night.

Day 4: Heading out of Lincoln City, explore Boiler Bay and Depoe Bay. Next, take in the scenery at Devils Punchbowl and the Yaquina areas. Lodge in Newport for the night.

Day 5: Check out the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport. Then, heading south, explore the Lost Creek State Recreation Site, Big Stump, and Smelt Sands. Finally, stop in Yachats for the night.

Day 6:  Head out of Yachats and explore Cape Perpetua, Devil’s Churn, and Thor’s Well. Next, go to the sea lion caves and head to Florence for the night.

Day 7: Heading from Florence, explore Umpqua Lighthouse State Park. Next, check out Horsfall Beach and spend the night in Coos Bay afterward.

Day 8:  Leaving Coos Bay, explore Shore Acres State Park. Then, travel south to Face Rock in Bandon. Lodge here for the night.

• Luxury Glamping Tent
• Cypress Row Vacation Suite
• Rustic Bandon Log Cabin
• Bandon by the Sea RV Park
• Bandon RV Park

Day 9:  Heading from Bandon, explore Cape Blanco State Park. Next, go to the Prehistoric Gardens. Then, check out Otter Point State Recreation Site and end in Gold Beach for the night.

Day 10:  Leaving from Gold Beach, explore the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. Next, check out Harris Beach and Crissey Field. Lodge in Brookings on the last night.

• As far as budgeting goes, you can do the coast on a modest budget, especially in the summer. Many state parks have campgrounds that range from $15 to $25 per night. Check out these Oregon coast campgrounds .
• If you’re here in the peak season (summer months) campsites and hotels get booked out so make sure to book sooner rather than later.
• Plan your day so you have daylight when you need it, but remember to catch the ocean sunset in a great spot each night.
• Oregon Lighthouses may not be open year-round and many have specific hours of operation. Check before you go.
• Highway 101, while beautiful, is narrow in sections and can become treacherous in bad weather. Sections may be flooded during the winter months.
• Autumn is a great time to go to the coast as it is often warmer here than inland.

RELATED: 29 Awesome Things to Do on an Eastern Oregon Road Trip

More Road Trips

We hope these tips will help you to plan your successful Oregon coast road trip. Here are more posts on Oregon’s coast and epic adventures around Oregon  to check out.

Brogan is a jazz guitarist and freelance content writer living in Portland, OR. His favorite spot in nature is Soapstone Lake. When he can’t get outside to go hiking, he enjoys watching Anime and cooking.

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