Posted: 4/8/2025 11:28:24 AM EDT
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My GF and I will be spending a week in Oregon next month. Flying in & out of Portland, so far the plan is to tool about the western half of the state. I want to see Crater lake(I know it may be fogged/snowed in still), waterfalls, drive the coast, see the High Desert Museum again, and Mt Hood. We're planning on spending a couple days near Portland, as her kid lives nearby. Looking for suggestions on neat stuff to see, things to do, places of interest! GF is not very mobile(hip replacement soon), so any hiking will be done by me alone, but all suggestions are welcome. |
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The drive to Crater Lake can be a treat itself. You can go up through government camp and travel the east side of the cascades down through Sisters and Bend and further south. Weather permitting, it's a beautiful drive with views of all the mountains. After the high desert museum, go on up to the Newberry Caldera to Paulina and Eastlake for some great views. Can take some of the back roads if they're clear. Spend the night in Sisters or Bend so you have time to enjoy. Coming back, the McKinsey pass also has great views and the lava fields, but not sure when it opens. The valley itself is pretty boring but a quick drive up to Marys peak gives you some really nice views of the valley from the parking area without hiking to the top. The coast has all sorts of nice places and others may be able to give a better review. I think it's worthwhile to make a day trip out of visiting Mt St. Helens if you can. The visitors center is really exceptional and easy to access. |
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Weather should be nice. Crater is neat. The drive from i5 East can be fun. Follows the river all the way. Tons of waterfalls along 138. High Desert Museum is neat. Grew up with that. Albany has Subgun matches every 3rd Saturday. The rest of the state seems to be starting up matches and competition this month too. Lots of caves in central OR. Big one under 97 between bend and Sunriver. More ice caves near LaPine. Caves near grants pass too. Roseburg has wineries and the wildlife safari. Eugene and Portland have druggies and homeless. Lots of mountain biking everywhere. Bend, MT bachelor, Ashland, Oakridge. Eastern OR out 31 has quite a few airplane crashes. Many can be driven to with 4wd. What all do you want to do? |
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If you make it to Crater there will be a ton of snow. The road to the lodge is kept open so you will get to see it. Worth the drive. Hit High desert museum on your way to crater. Cut across to rogue valley then up to grants pass to catch 199 to the coast. The drive along the Smith River is fantastic. Drive north on the coast and prepare to be amazed. If you want to do the winery thing in the rogue valley let me know. I can point you to our favorites including the one I work for. Some good wines here. |
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From Portland, go into the Gorge and visit the "Waterfall Corridor" (might need a permit). Then on to Hood River for Lunch then South to Mt Hood (Tamanawas falls is a good 1.7mi waterfall in-and-out hike), you can have lunch @ Timberline Lodge, then Bend. Do your stuff in Bend, visit the river side park and High Desert Museum, then South to Crater Lake (as someone else stated there will be snow but the South entrance is kept open). Crater lake visit is maybe worth 1 hr. Then out to the Coast and back to Portland. |
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Since you’ll be in the neighborhood…. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/toketee-falls |
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Originally Posted By mpmax: Since you’ll be in the neighborhood…. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/toketee-falls Are you my neighbor? Lots of falls along the highway. I can give a short list of the OP desires. |
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Originally Posted By FooBarBaz: OP desires! Originally Posted By FooBarBaz: Originally Posted By Deerhurst: Are you my neighbor? Lots of falls along the highway. I can give a short list of the OP desires. OP desires! This should get you started. Waterfalls on HWY138 Lots and lots of waterfalls. Some you can basically drive to. Others are a hike in. Last one I was at was Clear Water. Susan Creek may be difficult to get to. Haven't been to that once since the fires a few years ago. Not sure how the trials are. The trails below Tokatee may have been wiped out with the fire a few years back. Not sure what trial maintenance has been done. I believe the closer to Roseburg the better it gets. |
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Originally Posted By Deerhurst: This should get you started. Waterfalls on HWY138 Lots and lots of waterfalls. Some you can basically drive to. Others are a hike in. Last one I was at was Clear Water. Susan Creek may be difficult to get to. Haven't been to that once since the fires a few years ago. Not sure how the trials are. The trails below Tokatee may have been wiped out with the fire a few years back. Not sure what trial maintenance has been done. I believe the closer to Roseburg the better it gets. Thank you! |
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Plenty of river access for the Umpqua. There is also Tokatee, steamboat and Rock Creek. Also decent shooting pits up rock Creek. I just got my pickup stuck up steamboat last week! Most of it is paved up there. Bohemia mines are a ways up rock creek going toward cottage Grove but not much left there. |