Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable road trip filled with stunning landscapes, natural wonders, and the spirit of adventure?
Look no further than the diverse and captivating state of Oregon. From towering mountains and crystalline lakes to picturesque coastlines and unique geological formations, Oregon offers a road trip experience that is second to none.
In this blog post, we will guide you through the best time to visit, the distance from Northern California, and must-visit stops along the way, including Smith Rock State Park, Crater Lake National Park, Painted Hills, Bend, Umpqua Hot Springs, and the breathtaking Oregon Coast.
Buckle up and get ready to explore the scenic wonders of Oregon!
This post is all about an Oregon Road Trip Itinerary from California.
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Oregon Road Trip
1. Best Time to Road Trip Oregon
The best time to embark on a road trip through Oregon largely depends on the activities and experiences you seek. Summer (June to September) is the peak tourist season, offering pleasant weather and a wide range of outdoor activities.
Spring (April to May) and Fall (September to October) boast milder temperatures, fewer crowds, and stunning foliage.
Winter (November to March) offers a unique charm with snow-covered landscapes, but some roads and attractions may have limited accessibility. Choose a time that suits your preferences, and remember to check weather conditions and road closures before setting off.
For up to date road and weather conditions in Oregon check out Trip Check.
2. Distance from Northern California
Prepare your vehicle, pack essentials, and make sure to plan for breaks and overnight stays to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.
We started our road trip from Petaluma, California. We decided to drive to our end point and work our way back home. This worked really great for us.
It was appoximently a 750-mile journey to reach our end point close to Portland, Oregon. The drive took us roughly 11 hours.
Best Places to Visit in Oregon:
Silver Falls State Park
Our first stop on our Oregon Road Trip itinerary is Silver Falls State Park, known as the Crown Jewel of the state park system. It spans over 9,000 acres and is renowned for its breathtaking waterfalls, verdant forests, and unique hiking opportunities.
The park boasts a unique feature, hiking trails that guide you behind the cascading water of several majestic falls.
What we did and recommend
Trail of Ten Falls
This is a 7.4 mile loop that guides you through 10 falls spread throughout the park. This will take you roughly 4-5 hours to complete. We consider this an easy hike with minimal elevation gain.
A $5 parking fee is required and can be attained at the kiosk located within the parking lot.
Next stop on our Road Trip through Oregon is
Colombia River Gorge Scenic Drive
The Colombia River Gorge National Scenic Area is a breathtaking and ecologically diverse region that showcases the best of the Pacific Northwest natural wonders.
Spanning over 292,500 acres this protected area is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a stunning combination of towering cliffs, lush forests, cascading waterfalls and of course the mighty Colombia River itself. The gorge, carved over thousands of years, is a testament to the raw power of nature.
Stops we Visited on the Colombia River Gorge National Scenic Area:
- Vista House at Crown Point
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Multnomah Falls
- Hood River
- Rowena Crest
Note: There are a ton more waterfalls along the Historic Colombia River Highway that you can check out! The time along the Colombia River Gorge Scenic Drive is highly dependent on your timeframe.
Mount Hood
As the highest peak in the state, the dormant stratovolcano reaches a towering elevation of 11,249 feet (3,429 meters).
Mount Hood offers a wealth of recreational activities, making it a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. In winter, its slopes transform into a winter sports paradise, with several world class ski resorts catering to skiers and snowboarders of all levels. The summer months bringing opportunities for hiking, climbing and camping in the alpine meadows.
We stayed at Trillium Lake Campground and we CAN NOT recommend this campsite enough. It was absolutely gorgeous. With quick access to Trillium Lake and views of Mount Hood. We really wanted to stay a couple nights but couldn’t because of our tight schedule.
Tip: If you have a Stand Up Paddle Board or Kayak I highly recommend bringing it. If you feel like hiking we heard good things about Ramona Falls or Tamanawas Falls.
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
Continue your journey to the captivating Painted Hills, a geological marvel located in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.
The vibrant hues of red, yellow, and gold create a mesmerizing display, revealing millions of years of history. Take a walk along the trails, learn about the area’s unique geology, and capture stunning photographs of this enchanting landscape.
What we did and recommend.
Painted Hills Overlook Trail
This is a very easy 0.5 mile roundtrip overlook to the Painted Hills.
Painted Cove Trail
This is a very easy 0.25 loop. Part of the The Painted Cove trail follows along a level boardwalk to cross over sensitive soils. Please stay on the designated trail
Other trails include Carroll Rim Trail, Leaf Hill Trail and Red Scar Knoll Trail.
Smith Rock State Park
Next up on this epic Oregon road trip is Smith Rock State Park, located in central Oregon. Known as a climber’s paradise, this dramatic landscape of towering cliffs, Crooked River and deep canyons offers a rewarding experience.
Embark on a scenic hike, watch climbers conquer the challenging routes, and marvel at the breathtaking vistas that surround you.
Smith Rock State Park should not be missed, we loved our entire road trip but this State Park really stood out to us. Do yourself a huge favor and don’t just do the Misery Ridge Trail do the entire loop! When you finish this loop you will know exactly why we’re pushing for the loop instead of just the Misery Ridge summit!
What we did and recommend.
Misery Ridge Loop Trail
This is a 4 mile loop starting off with a very steep 1000 feet ascent. This hike will take you roughly 2-3 hours to complete. We considered this trail moderate to challenging.
A $5 parking fee is required and can be attained at the kiosk located within the parking lot.
Tip: This trail involves steep sections and uneven surfaces, so proper hiking footwear and caution is recommended.
Bend
As you head further into central Oregon, make a stop in the vibrant city of Bend. Surrounded by mountains, this outdoor playground offers a plethora of activities, from hiking and mountain biking to river rafting and golfing.
Explore the charming downtown area, indulge in local cuisine, and immerse yourself in Bend’s lively craft beer scene.
We really wanted to Mountain Bike in Bend but had just missed a rainstorm making trails muddy and not very ideal to ride. So we opted to ride our bikes along the river starting at the Old Mill District. It was a beautiful and easy ride. This is the loop we did, Deschutes River Trail.
Tip: If you are there during a warm Summer day make sure to spend some time floating down the Deschutes River.
Some spots we recommend for Food & Drinks:
- Good Life Brewing Company
- Crux Fermentation Project
- Lone Pine Coffee Roasters
- The Sparrow Bakery Northwest
- McKay Cottage Restaurant
- Wild Rose
Crater Lake National Park
Next on our Oregon Road Trip itinerary,
Venture to the crown jewel of Oregon’s natural wonders—Crater Lake National Park. This stunning caldera lake, formed within the remnants of an ancient volcano, boasts intensely blue waters and picturesque vistas.
Take a leisurely drive along Rim Drive (open during Summer & Fall only), hike the scenic trails, or embark on a boat tour to fully appreciate the awe-inspiring beauty of this natural gem.
Trails Include; Watchman Peak Trail, Discovery Point Trail, Cleetwood Cove Trail and Garfield Peak Trail.
Tip: Make sure to use your America The Beautiful National Parks Pass! If you don’t have one I highly recommend investing in one, after only 2.5 visits to any of the National Parks the pass pays for itself.
Umpqua Hot Springs
Unwind and relax at Umpqua Hot Springs, nestled within the Umpqua National Forest. These natural hot springs offer a rejuvenating experience, surrounded by lush forest and picturesque views. Take a soothing dip in the mineral-rich waters.
$5 Parking Fee is required or if you have a National Parks Pass or National Forest Pass these passes will cover the fee.
Tip: Combine your visit to Umpqua Hot Springs with a visit to the nearby Toketee Falls.
Southern Oregon Coast
No Oregon road trip Itinerary is complete without some stops along the beautiful Oregon Coast.
Some of the coastal towns we stopped in were
1.) Coos Bay
We visited Cape Arago State Park, Sunset Bay State Park and Shores Acres State Park.
Need a place to eat breakfast? We really enjoyed our meal at Lorraines’s Stockpot.
2.) Bandon
I think Bandon was our favorite stop along the coast. Small town charm with the most delicious food at Tony’s CrabShack. Make sure to stop by here for lunch.
We walked around old town, had coffee at Brandon Coffee Cafe before heading to Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint. On the way to Port Orford we stopped at Cape Blanco State Park.
3.) Port Orford
We didn’t do much here, we just stopped by the port and took some pictures. But if you need to stretch your legs take a stroll along the beach of Battle Rock Wayside Park.
4.) Gold Beach
In Gold Beach don’t miss out on Jerry’s Rogue Jets. This was a super fun jet boating experience along the Rogue River.
5.)Samuel Boardman State Scenic Corridor
We visited Natural Bridges, Arch Rock, Thomas Creek Bridge and Secret Beach.
6.) Brookings
In Brookings we checked out Chetco Point Park before crossing over into California.
We had the most amazing time in Oregon and highly recommend exploring this beautiful state via road trip. We can’t wait to return next year when we start our 50 States Road Trip adventure.
That concludes this post an Epic Oregon Road Trip Itinerary from Northern California.
BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE:
- A Guide to Smith Rock State Park: A Gem in the Heart of Oregon
- Utah Road Trip-A One Week Adventure
- Iceland Camper Van Road Trip: 15-Day Itinerary
Travel Resources
Here you can find all the travel site links that we personally use and recommend.
CAMPSITES/CAMPGROUNDS We like to use a couple apps for last minute campsite bookings. Our favorites are HipCamp, The Dyrt and Campendium.
ACCOMMODATION: We find the best deals with BOOKING.COM. The more you book the better the perks like free breakfast with your stay, room upgrades and even higher discounted room rates.
CAR RENTALS: We have always used RentalCars.com and find them to have the best deals, customer service and selection of locations.
FLIGHTS: Our go to for looking up flights is SKYSCANNER, but we try to always book directly with the airline.
TOURS/EXCURSIONS: GET YOUR GUIDE and VIATOR are two very reputable sites with easy and hassle free bookings.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: It’s so important to travel with insurance and for this we use SafetyWing. We are currently using them for our 1 year trip.
TRANSPORTATION: For all our bus, ferry and train transfer needs in Asia we use 12go.asia.
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