For nature lovers, Oregon is a true paradise: almost nowhere else will you find so many different landscapes within one state. During your tour of Oregon you will encounter rainforest, coastal areas, desert, prairies and volcanic mountains!
According to smber, the state is surrounded by the states of Washington, Idaho, California, Nevada, and the Pacific Ocean. In addition to colorful, diverse natural areas, this western state has much more to offer. Here’s what you shouldn’t miss on your Oregon road trip!
Portland and other Oregon cities
During your tour of Oregon there are many nice cities that you can visit, so you immediately learn more about the culture of the state. The capital of Oregon is Salem, but most travelers still visit the famous Portland. Most people live in Portland and there is so much to see and do! An abundance of delicious food and great wines, duty-free shopping and beautiful parks are just a few of the many things Portland has to offer.
You won’t be bored for a moment in Willamette Valley either. This densely populated region is home to some of Oregon’s finest towns and wineries. The cities of Salem, Beaverton, Springfield and Portland, among others, are located in Willamette Valley.
From Oregon on to Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is an enchanting natural area in the state of Wyoming.Deep blue lakes, raging rivers and huge coniferous forests are common here. The most impressive natural phenomenon, however, is Yellowstone Lake, which is about 120 meters deep. It is located in the volcano crater and is one of the highest lakes in the world!
A tour of Northwest America often starts in lively Portland. From Portland you travel towards the Rocky Mountains where you will encounter various highlights, including Yellowstone. Want to know more about Yellowstone?
RV trip Oregon
A camper trip through America is popular among tourists! Logical, it has many advantages. The state of Oregon in America is also a good destination for a motorhome trip.
The most chosen tour of the state of Oregon is the Northwest America tour. This tour starts in Portland, and then follows the Rocky Mountains. In the Rocky Mountains, the Yellowstone National Park is visited. Oregon touring is also widely combined with Washington and San Francisco.
Who is the mole? 2017 – Tips tour Oregon
In 2017, the search for the mole was conducted in beautiful Oregon. The enchanting setting of the TV show excited so many people that bookings to Oregon tripled! Read all about the highlights of a tour in Oregon here.
- Painted Hills – a collection of colorfully striped mountains that you must see on your Oregon
- Portland– One of the most beautiful, greenest cities in America. Full of fun, but without mass tourism.
- Columbia River Gorge– A huge waterfall, carved fifteen thousand years ago by glaciers and floods.
- McKenzie Pass in Cascade Range– High altitude, black lava fields, snowy peaks and the Three Sisters volcanoes.
- Cannon Beach– Beautiful, popular beach town on the Oregon Coast near Haystack Rock.
- Mount Hood– This volcano is the highest point in Oregon. In the park you can enjoy canoeing, swimming, fishing and skiing!
- Oregon Trail– A historic trade route that runs from the Midwest to the Oregon Coast.
Nature
Nearly half of green Oregon is covered with beautiful forests. Close to the coast, you will mainly encounter coniferous forest and rainforest during your tour through Oregon, here you will also find the characteristic Douglas fir. Further east it gets drier and you see more pine trees, prairies, steppes and deserts.
During your tour of Oregon you will regularly come across inviting lakes and waterfalls. They are surrounded by colorful forests, green meadows and impressive mountains, formed by volcanism. The highest point in the state is Mount Hood at 3492 meters. The Klamath Mountains, the basaltic Columbia Plateau and the Cascade Range characterize the landscape, which is criss-crossed by many rivers. During your tour you cannot miss the water, real must-sees are the Columbia and Snake River.
The Crater Lake National Park should not be missing on your list during your Oregon tour. This is the deepest lake in the US, located in a volcanic crater! The largest living organism in the world can also be found here in the form of the Gloomy Honey Mushroom. These huge fungi are about 2400 years old and cover about 8.9 km 2 underground ! You should also not miss the Oregon Badlands Wilderness. Traces of volcanism can be seen in the colorful sand, volcanic rocks and calderas.
There is no shortage of wildlife in Oregon either. Because of the diverse landscape you will encounter a lot of animal species here. Coyotes, black bears, cougars, beavers, lynxes, moose, wolves and deer live in the areas where you make your tour. Along the coast you have a good chance of spotting seals, orcas, whales and dolphins! Bird lovers can indulge themselves in this state: many bird species live here including owls, woodpeckers, hummingbirds and the bald eagle!
Culture
Oregon has been inhabited for thousands of years, long before Europeans came to America. Traces of early inhabitants, the Paleo-Indians, have been found at Fort Rock Cave. Later the region was inhabited by Native Americans such as the Chinook, Klamath, Takelma and Nez Perce.
Today, the city is very developed in terms of technology. It is not for nothing that Silicon Forest is located here, a ‘forest’ of high-tech companies near Portland. Well-known brands such as Nike, Adidas and Lithia Motors are located here. In addition to technology, tourism and agriculture are of great importance to the state. The fishing and wood industry are important parts of this. In addition, wine and the associated vineyards are inextricably linked to Portland. The climate provides ideal conditions for Pinot Noir, among other things, and as a result, Portland has become a true wine paradise.
Climate
Many climate types can be found in Oregon, partly due to the many mountain ranges. Mediterranean and continental climates occur here. In general, winters are very wet and summers are dry. Closer to the coast there is also more precipitation, in the winter this can be in the form of snow. So don’t be surprised if you come across snowy beaches during your Oregon road trip!
Tour of Oregon
A tour of Oregon is a trip to remember because of the beautiful natural areas and rich culture. Special places such as Mill Ends Park, the smallest park in the world, make your tour unique! Adventure activities should also not be missed during your tour. In this state you should definitely go fishing, skiing, mountain biking, hiking or kayaking.
Most routes start in Portland and follow Interstate 5 south of the state, passing several major cities. Those who also want to discover the eastern side of the state, stick to this one more. From the south at Crater Lake National Park you can go up again to explore the east.
