Heading to Oregon on an epic road trip this summer? If yes, that’s a fantastic choice! Oregon is one of the most beautiful states in the country, with natural beauty everywhere you look! From the Oregon coast and its phenomenal beaches to verdant forests and snow-capped mountains, the Beaver State is sensational! There’s so much to see, do, explore and enjoy; you could spend weeks here! We put together the following list to help you get the most out of your journey. If you’re searching for what to do in Oregon on your summer road trip, read on. We’ve got a bunch of excellent, enjoyable, and exciting suggestions below to make your Oregon adventure unforgettable!
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First, Some Oregon Travel Tips
Before setting out on your Oregon summer road trip, here are a few tips to help make it even better.
-Purchase a Parks Pass
You can purchase various Passes that will lower your cost to visit Oregon’s State and National parks. All of them can be purchased online or in person. Also, if you plan to visit several, an annual pass might be more economical. The major Park Passes include:
America the Beautiful Annual Pass
-You Can’t Pump Your Own Gas
Did you know that Oregon and New Jersey are the only 2 states where you can’t pump your own gas? It’s true! When you pull into a gas station, all you need to do is roll down your window, open your gas tank, and…wait. A gas station attendant will promptly come and pump your gas for you! You can, however, get out to use the facilities, wash your windows or purchase a snack.
-Use the ODOT Trip Check Website
Sure, Google and Waze are great, but if there’s inclement weather, road work, or snow, they won’t tell you. That’s why we highly suggest you bookmark the ODOT Trip Check website. You’ll find accurate, updated traffic information there that, in some cases, might save you from a huge headache.
-Download the AllTrails App
If you plan to do lots of hiking on your Oregon summer road trip, the AllTrails app is a must. It’s perfect for reviewing trails, finding them, and, most importantly, recording your tracks as you hike! (AllTrails for Google.)
Bend, Oregon
No trip to Oregon would be complete without a visit to Bend! The reason why is simple; it’s a spectacular city for outdoor adventures! From mountain biking and hiking to rock climbing, skiing, and more, outdoor sports enthusiasts love Bend, Oregon! One of the best activities is to float the Deschutes River. (It’s even better with a few locally brewed beers in tow!) Then there’s Drake’s Park, which is gorgeous and hosts live music all summer long. For hiking, you’ve got several incredible choices, including:
- Pilot Butte
- Shevlin Park Trail and Tumalo Creek Loop
- Tumalo Falls
- Deschutes River Trail
Oregon’s Beautiful Coast
Many folks consider Oregon’s Coast to be one of the best in the United States! It’s over 363 miles long and passes through some of the most scenic areas you’ve ever seen! Picturesque fishing towns, historic bridges, immense rivers, and pine forests that seem to reach up to the heavens.
Now, here’s the thing; this is a huge area of the state, over 5,200 square miles! For that reason, you can spend your entire summer here and still not see everything! That’s why we recommend at least four or five days to take in Oregon’s incredible coast. Some of the nicest towns you’ll find include:
- Astoria- The downtown and waterfront are very interesting.
- Coos Bay- North End- The largest town on the list.
- Newport- The iconic Yaquina Head Lighthouse and spectacular Newport Aquarium make this town a must-see!
- Cannon Beach- Simply beautiful, It’s the quintessential Oregon beach town.
- Florence- Huge coastal sand dunes and the historic Siuslaw River Bridge await you here.
- Tillamook- Yes, that Tillamook.
- Lincoln City- Pacific on one side and Devil’s Lake on the other offer both fresh and saltwater activities to enjoy!
- Yachats- One of the prettiest downtown areas in the state.
- Manzanita- Less crowded but still beautiful.
Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia River is one of the most breathtaking in the United States. Running from Hood River to Portland, the river cuts a huge canyon through our state, the spectacular Columbia River Gorge. With hundreds of amazing trails, waterfalls, kitesurfing opportunities, and more, you’ll need at least a few days to see everything! That includes many of the charming little towns you’ll find along the way. A few of the must-see places in Columbia River Gorge include:
- Rowena Crest Viewpoint
- Bridge of the Gods
- Multnomah Falls Trail
- Wahkeena Falls Loop Trail
- Vista House
- All sorts of Waterfalls!
Marvelous Mount Hood
One of the “7 Wonders of Oregon”, Mount Hood is spectacular! First, it’s the tallest mountain in Oregon at just under 11300 ft. Mount Hood also features the only year-round ski lift in the country and one of the best campgrounds located at Trillium Lake. The 7-mile Ramona Falls Trail is one of the most popular around Mount Hood and offers incredible scenery. Campgrounds around the mountain include:
- Trillium Lake Campground
- Tollgate Campground
- Camp Creek Campground
- Toll Bridge Park
Hood River Fruit Loop
Sure, Oregon has plenty of wine and beer trails to enjoy. (Beervana, here we come!) If fresh fruit and produce are more your thing, though, the Fruit Loop is fantastic! A loop of 26 you-pick farms, you’ll find fruit, flowers, cider, food, and, yes, wine as you go. Even better, in summer, you’ll find every location open. (Some close in winter.) Here’s a link to the Fruit Loop map!
These Oregon Summer Road Trip Ideas brought to you by Northwest Self Storage
At Northwest Self Storage, we help folks store their stuff all over Oregon. That includes all of their adventure gear, RVs, boats; you name it! No matter where you decide to go on your summer road trip, Northwest has an Oregon self-storage location nearby.
If you have questions about renting a self-storage unit in Oregon, please chat with us online. You can also drop by the Northwest Self Storage location nearest you. The on-site manager will answer your questions and help you choose the Oregon storage unit that fits your needs perfectly. Until then, we wish you a truly epic summer road trip in the Beaver State! Have fun, be safe and enjoy all the adventures Oregon offers!