Have you heard of the 7 wonders of Oregon? Even if Oregon’s natural wonder’s don’t make one of the 7 wonders of the world, it’s a beautiful state and there are many places that deserve to be known. If you’re limited on time here, these 7 make the short list.
If you’re staying a while, there’s plenty more to explore! So far we’ve been to five of them and they’ve kept us coming back for more.
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Last Updated: June 21, 2020
The 7 Wonders of Oregon
We’ve been to all 7, although we spent more time at a few of them and only had a short visit at others. You can click on the links to get more detailed info on each destination.
There are so many gorgeous waterfalls just along the Columbia River Gorge alone, that it’s not even fair to the rest of the US. This includes the famous Multnomah Falls too.
Did you know that Oregon has over 250 waterfalls? Here are just a few hikes we already blogged about in the Gorge.
Crater Lake is Oregon’s one and only national park and is the deepest lake in the US. Each season gives the lake a unique look and brings different activities to the park! Check out Guide and Photo Diary.
Picture a hill with distinct colors of yellows, golds, blacks, and reds and you have yourself the Painted Hills. Depending on how the light hits these hills, it may look different every time you visit. Read more about the area:
Smith Rock is a mecca for sport climbers, but even if you’re not a climber, the views are amazing to see. If you like hiking, the Misery Ridge trail is one of the best hikes in the park. P.S. It’s called misery for a reason. Read more posts about Smith Rock:
5. The Wallowas
Alpine summits, high desert, and fields of fauna make the Wallowas a must see in Oregon. The Wallowa Mountains and Hells Canyon are the highlights, but everything around is beautiful! You can read more about the Wallowas on our Eastern Oregon Road Trip Guide.
6. Mount Hood
We’ll see if we have time this summer to summit Mount Hood (and learn how to mountaineer for the first time). If you’re simply looking for amazing views of Hood, there are plenty of great spots. Here’s a few to start you off: Pittock Mansion in Portland, Trillium Lake, Wooden Shoe Farm during the tulip festival, Jonsrud Viewpoint, Buzzard Point, Timberline Lodge, or at the vineyards, lavender farm, and fruit farms on the Hood River Fruit Loop. Read more posts on Mount Hood:
- Snowshoeing Trillium Lake (Winter to Early Spring)
- Apple Picking on the Hood River Fruit Loop (Fall)
- How to Summit Mount Hood (Advanced / Technical)
We just got back from driving all 363 miles of Oregon’s coast! It’s now one of our favorite road trips to date. You can see a 7-day itinerary and all the best stops here. The dramatic landscapes and amazing photo spots will keep us going back! Read more posts about the Oregon Coast:
Map of the 7 Wonders of Oregon
Have you visited any of these wonders? What are some wonders in your state?
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, which is one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found both 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.
Kate - Travel for Difference
11 May 2017Your images are amazing! The Painted Hills look so beautiful, I think I definitely need to plan a visit to these beautiful locations X
Esther JuLee
12 May 2017Thank you so much Kate! :D I hope you get to visit Oregon soon. We really love the diverse landscapes here!
Emily
8 May 2017Oregon has so many different landscapes. I love it!
Esther JuLee
8 May 2017It does! And it’s not that big of a state that it’s all relatively easy to drive to! :)
Juliette | Namastay Traveling
8 May 2017I didn’t realize there was so much in Oregon outside of Portland! I’m sold. These outdoor adventures looke amazing.
Esther JuLee
8 May 2017Yes, come back for a visit! I would say I love what’s outside of Portland even more. :)