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The Ultimate Oregon Bucket List – Best Things to Do in Oregon

Which of these spots in Oregon have you been to and what are you going to add to your bucket list?

We’re currently homeless! Well, sort of. We’re spending time with some friends and family in Atlanta while transitioning between Portland and NYC. We just put our application in for an apartment!

When we lived in Portland, we wanted to use it as a home base to explore all of the PNW. It turned out that there was so much to see in Oregon, that we spent most of our time in the state. We still left so much unexplored! That just means we have plenty to look forward to when we go back to visit.

The Ultimate Oregon Bucket List in Regions - Greater Portland, the Gorge, Oregon Coast, Willamette Valley, Central Oregon, Eastern Oregon, and Southern Oregon // Local Adventurer #oregon #traveloregon #usa #pnw #pacificnorthwest #travel #bucketlist

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Last Updated: February 20, 2024

The Ultimate Oregon Bucket List

There were over a thousand places in Oregon we wanted to explore, including all the waterfallsstate parks, mountains, lakes, breweries, etc.

For the sake of making this post easier to digest, this is a condensed checklist of 101 things to do divided by region. You can click the links for more info on each destination or region.

Greater Portland

  1. 1.

(Best to visit in June) Roses are typically in bloom from late May through September.

  1. 3.
    Powell’s Books

The store covers an entire city block.

  1. 4.
    Tom McCall Waterfront Park

(for Cherry Blossom season) Well-kept walkway and greenspaces alongside the river.

  1. 5.

(Mar-May – dates vary each year) Mid-April typically has the best overlap of color between the early, mid and late blooming tulips.

See More: 101 Things to Do in Portland Oregon

The Gorge (Columbia River Gorge)

  1. 6.
    Drive the Historic Columbia River Hwy

22 miles of waterfalls and lush forests.

  1. 7.

About 5 miles round trip with a gradual incline, amazing viewpoint

  1. 8.

Best viewpoints in the Columbia River Gorge, imo.

  1. 9.
    Eagle Creek Trail

Currently closed as of April 2020, due to Eagle Creek fire. Mostly flat, various terrain.

  1. 10.

There’s a parking lot and path at the entrance to assist visitors.

  1. 11.

Currently closed as of April 2020, due to Eagle Creek fire. Trail is slick, covered with loose gravel and very exposed.

  1. 12.
    Multnomah Falls

Really crowded with tourists but still worth one visit.

  1. 13.

Trail tends to get congested especially on Summer weekends.

  1. 14.

Dogs are not allowed on this trail.

  1. 15.
    Vista House

Built in 1917 to provide travelers a place to rest.

  1. 16.

$5 cash fee to use the park upon entering.

  1. 17.

(Washington Side) Best in spring. Difficult hike, but worth the views.

Mount Hood

  1. 18.

(2.0 mi RT, 550 ft, easy)

  1. 19.

Twenty-nine stands offer a variety of wines, fruits, vegetables, and more. Located at the foot of Mt. Hood.

  1. 20.
    Hood River Lavender Farm

Or Lavender Valley Lavender Farm. U-Pick lavender April-October.

  1. 21.
    Mirror Lake

Popular snowshoe hike in wintertime.

  1. 22.
    Mt Hood Meadows Ski Resort

The largest ski resort on Mt. Hood. Great hiking trails in the spring and summer.

  1. 23.
    Ramona Falls

(Mt Hood National Forest) If you plan on crossing the river, be prepared to walk on logs. Not suitable for dogs or small children.

  1. 24.
    Timberline Lodge

Famous for being in the Shining.

  1. 25.
    Timberline Trail

Most popular backpacking trail around Hood.

  1. 26.

(Mt Hood National Forest) Popular snowshoe spot in winter.

See More: 15 Best Wildflower Hikes in the Pacific Northwest

Oregon Coast

  1. 27.

Check out the amazing view from the top of Astoria Column.

  1. 28.
    Bandon

Wizard Hat, Howling Dog, and more.

  1. 29.

Iconic monolith rock adjacent to the beach. Also known as Goonies Beach from The Goonies.

  1. 30.
    Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area

Haystack Rock 2 | Part of the Three Capes Scenic Route (along with Cape Meares and Cape Lookout). Another Haystack Rock can be seen from Cape Kiwanda.

  1. 31.
    Cape Lookout State Park

Popular camping spot. Yurt rentals also available.

  1. 32.

Dog and kid friendly trails.

  1. 33.
    Ecola State Park

Hike to the beach.

  1. 34.
    Face Rock State Scenic Park

Can see Haystack Rock 3 in a distance.

  1. 35.
    Florence Sand Rail Tour

Ride in some cool dune buggies. Reservations recommended.

  1. 36.
    Gold Beach

Shark Fin Rock. Really cool rock formation that looks like a shark fin seen from the beach.

  1. 37.
    Harris Beach State Park

Convenient and clean camp sites close to the beach.

  1. 38.
    Heceta Head Light

Self-guided panels are located along trail to lighthouse.

  1. 39.
    Kentucky Falls

(Siuslaw National Forest) Easy day hike with flatter terrain and stunning scenery within the forest.

  1. 40.
    Lewis and Clark National and State Historical Parks

We recommend the watercraft paddle tour.

  1. 41.
    Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

Open year-round. Try Sandboarding.

  1. 42.
    Oswald West State Park

Secluded sandy beach and tons of trails leading to the Pacific Ocean.

  1. 43.

Not too crowded, tons of landscape photo ops.

  1. 44.
    Sea Lion Caves

Largest sea cave in the US.

  1. 45.
    Sweet Creek Falls

(Siuslaw National Forest) Easy to get to, great trail for kids and lots of waterfalls.

  1. 46.

A bucket list item for photographers, approach with caution.

  1. 47.
    Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site

Picnic tables and a trail that leads to the Yaquina Bay lighthouse.

  1. 48.
    Yaquina Head Light

Lots of great tide-pooling.

See More: All the Best Stops Along the Oregon Coast

Central Coast

  1. 49.
    Bend

Stop by Crux Brewery.

  1. 50.
    Cascade Lakes Scenic Highway

(66 mi, 3-5 hours, Jun-Oct) Ancient volcanic landscapes, alpine lakes, and tons of lush forest.

  1. 51.
    Chush Falls Hike

(Three Sisters Wilderness | 5 mi, easy) These falls are much wider in size compared to other waterfalls in Oregon.

  1. 52.
    Lost Lake

The lake that disappears every year.

  1. 53.
    Mount Bachelor

Ski area. Famous for its dry snow for the Pacific Northwest.

  1. 54.
    Sahalie Falls + Koosah Falls

This famous falls can be seen in the Disney movie, Homeward Bound.

  1. 55.
    Skylight Cave

We recommend downloading an offline map of the area in advance since there is little to no service most of the way.

  1. 56.

(Terrebonne) Great for hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking.

  1. 57.
    Sisters Loop Hike

Moderate to difficult hike, we recommend spending a couple of days on the trail.

  1. 58.
    South Sister Summit Hike

Views of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, and more.

  1. 59.
    Sparks Lake

(Deschutes National Forest) Bring bug repellant! Mosquitoes and biting flies are abundant in the summer.

  1. 60.
    Steelhead Falls

(Terrebonne) Swimming hole and cliff jumping.

  1. 61.
    Richardsons Rock Ranch

Authentic experience digging for thunder eggs.

  1. 62.
    Tumalo Falls

(Deschutes National Forest) $5 day pass. Tumalo Falls is viewable just a few minutes from the trailhead.

  1. 63.
    White River Falls State Park

Short, but steep hike. Picnic tables and small rec area.

  1. 64.
    Whychus Creek Falls

(Deschutes National Forest) The spray from the falls during peak discharge is intense. Be prepared!

See More: 7 Amazing Things to Do at Smith Rock State Park

Willamette Valley

  1. 65.
    Enchanted Forest Theme Park

Go horseback riding.

  1. 66.

Do the Trail of Ten Falls, our favorite waterfall hike in Oregon.

  1. 67.
    Abiqua Falls

You need a 4 wheel drive with high clearance.

  1. 68.
    Breitenbush Hot Springs

Holistic retreat center with geothermal hot springs.

  1. 69.
    Cougar Hot Springs

Or Terwilliger Hot Springs. $6 per person per day for hotspring usage.

  1. 70.
    Diamond Creek Falls

(Willamette National Forest) Up close waterfalls access and vast canyon views.

  1. 71.
    Opal Creek

(Willamette National Forest) Wide gravel trail with about 300 feet of elevation gain.

  1. 72.
    Proxy Falls

(Willamette National Forest) Family-friendly hike. Not ADA accessible.

  1. 73.
    Salt Creek Falls

(Willamette National Forest) Oregon’s second highest single drop waterfall.

  1. 74.
    Sweet Creek Falls

Visit in late April to late May to see pretty woodland wildflowers.

  1. 75.
    Tamolitch Blue Pool

(Willamette National Forest) You can swim in the pool, but the water is consistently at 40°F, so expect it to be cold!

  1. 76.
    Trestle Creek Falls

(Umpqua National Forest) Mossy rock grotto surrounding the falls.

  1. 77.
    Willamette Falls

(Willamette National Forest) One of the last places where tribal members in the area can still come and harvest.

  1. 78.
    Waldo Lake

The water is extremely clear and pure. Waldo Lake set the world-record for depth of visibility at 157 feet.

  1. 79.
    Willamette Valley Wine Tour

Set aside half a day for wine tastings and vineyard tours.

Eastern Oregon

  1. 80.

Great photo op, flat and dry year-round.

  1. 81.
    Cottonwood Canyon State Park

Oregon’s largest state park.

  1. 82.

(19 mi RT, 4000 ft, difficult) Lots of wildlife, watch out for bears!

  1. 83.
    GLACIER Lake

(Wallowas) Be sure to check out the wildflower-blanketed meadows around the lake.

  1. 84.

(Includes Painted Hills) Best light for photography in the late afternoon.

  1. 85.
    Wallowa Lake

(Wallowa-Whitman National Forest) Take an aerial cable gondola lift to get a spectacular view of the lake.

  1. 86.
    Ice Falls + Ice Lake

(Wallowas) One of the most coveted destinations in Oregon, especially during the summer.

  1. 87.
    Leslie Gulch

(Jordan Valley) Unique rock formations and canyon located on the east side of Owyhee Lake.

  1. 88.
    Steens Mountain Wilderness

Camping, picnicking, and exploring the open country on horseback.

  1. 89.
    Succor Creek State Natural Area

A great spot for thundereggs, similar to geodes, but filled with volcanic ash layers.

  1. 90.

(Wallowas | 9.9 mi RT, 2830 ft, moderate) Gentle slopes, grass-covered moraines, moderate hike.

  1. 91.
    Hells Canyon Overlook

(Umpqua National Forest) Closed in the winter, no fees, reservations or permits necessary to visit.

  1. 92.

(Closed) Thousands of hybrid poplar trees, neatly arranged in evenly spaced rows. Great photo op.

  1. 93.
    Pendleton

Settlers passed by in the 1840s when traveling on the Oregon Trail.

  1. 94.
    National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center

Tons of cool exhibits on natural history, pre-emigrant travelers and explorers, Native Americans, pioneer life, and more.

See More: Your Ultimate Guide to Road Tripping in Eastern Oregon

Southern Oregon

  1. 95.

Crater Lake National Park is Oregon’s only National Park.

  1. 96.
    Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve

Take a cave tour! We liked the family-friendly candlelight tour.

  1. 97.
    Hike / Raft Rogue River

If you raft under the Grave Creek Bridge, check out the swallow nests.

  1. 98.
    Summer Lake Hot Springs

If you raft under the Grave Creek Bridge, check out the swallow nests.

  1. 99.
    Tate Creek Slide

(Rogue River) Natural water slide!

  1. 100.
    Toketee Falls

Less than a half mile hike to the falls.

  1. 101.
    Umpqua Hot Springs

Small natural springs, usually pretty busy, so go early or off-season.

See More: Top Things to Do at Crater Lake National Park

Essential Tips for First Time Visitors

  • Before your trip, visit TripCheck to see weather conditions and make sure roads are open.  Each region has very different climates and road conditions. Be sure to do some research to find the best times to visit each area. In high elevations, roads may be closed until late summer. Certain parts of the state are more developed than others. Check road conditions to see if you need a four-wheel drive and high clearance vehicle. In Eastern Oregon, for example, you will run into more dirt/gravel roads.
  • Waterfalls are gushing in the winter, but you also get the rainiest weather. If you go in early summer you can get decent weather and the waterfalls aren’t dried up to a trickle compared to late summer.
  • We always recommend being prepared with layers (especially a rain jacket) and waterproof shoes that give you support. Bring crampons if you are going anywhere with snow or ice.
  • Pick up an Oregon State Park PassNW Forest PassAmerica the Beautiful Pass to save money when visiting all the parks.
  • Our go-to camera set up: Canon R5 35mm + 70-200mm

Where to Stay in Portland

Planning Checklist

Have you visited Oregon? What’s at the top of your list?

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Esther and JacobPin

Esther + Jacob

Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.

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