Discover Oregon: Crater Lake, Caves, Waterfalls, and Wine Country

Oregon impressively demonstrates how different a journey through one state can be: Crater Lake, caves, waterfalls, historic sites, wine regions, and long routes for cycling and outdoor experiences each create their own highlights. For planning your trip, it is therefore worthwhile to first determine your preferred focus. Are you looking for accommodation for nature observation, active days, culture and history, or culinary discoveries? The following examples will help you assess Oregon as a travel destination and tailor your choice of a vacation rental or vacation home to your travel interests.

Volcanic Craters and Caves: Nature with Striking Forms

Crater Lake lies in southern Oregon on the crest of the Cascade Range. The lake is the deepest lake in the United States and lies in a caldera that formed when Mount Mazama collapsed 7,700 years ago after a major eruption. One particularly memorable landscape feature is Wizard Island: The island rises 767 feet above Crater Lake. Those who want to make an extraordinary natural environment the focus of their trip will find here a setting that goes well beyond an ordinary lakeside landscape.

A different nature experience awaits you at Oregon Caves, the “Marble Halls of Oregon.” The caves were created and shaped by acidic water that seeped into marble over the course of ages. The Discovery Cave Tour lasts 90 minutes and takes place under the guidance of a ranger. It leads to a large chamber located 220 feet below the surface. The Oregon Caves Visitor Center sells tickets for cave tours and offers park information, exhibits about Oregon Caves and the Siskiyou Mountains, junior ranger programs, and a bookstore.

Waterfalls, Hiking Trails, and Wildlife Viewing

At Silver Falls State Park, the Trail of Ten Falls combines an intensive waterfall landscape with a clearly defined route length: The complete trail is designated as a National Recreation Trail and forms a 7.2-mile loop. At four waterfalls, visitors can walk behind the falls. Fishing is also possible in Silver Creek. This combination appeals to travelers who want to shape a day around different nature experiences rather than just a single viewpoint.

At Smith Rock State Park, activity and landscape likewise go hand in hand. There are several thousand climbing routes as well as miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. With a little luck, visitors may see golden eagles, prairie falcons, mule deer, river otters, and beavers.

History, Wine, and Regional Cuisine

Oregon also offers historic points of interest. Fort Clatsop was the winter encampment of the Corps of Discovery from December 1805 to March 1806. At the original site, visitors can see a second replica of the fort that was completed in 2006. Visitors can walk through the rooms of the replica. The Fort Clatsop Visitor Center complements the site with a museum, a bookstore, and two films. This makes it possible to add a historical perspective to a stay without making the trip exclusively about outdoor activities.

For wine enthusiasts, Oregon’s wine country is divided into seven regions, with wine and tourism information compiled for each one. Oregon wine tourism includes more than 500 tasting rooms statewide. May is Oregon Wine Month; during this period, wineries throughout Oregon offer private tastings and festive celebrations. The Oregon Food Trails are self-guided culinary routes showcasing regional offerings from farmers, fishermen, brewers, and chefs throughout Oregon. They include recommended restaurants, bakeries, markets, and breweries.

Cycling Routes, Gorges, and Water on the Columbia River

There are also specific points of reference for an active road trip. The Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway is 135 miles long in one direction. Water sports are possible on the Columbia River in the Columbia River Gorge. The Gorge is a National Scenic Area and is considered the largest area of its kind in America. Along the Historic Columbia River Highway, dozens of waterfalls plunge from basalt cliffs. An official Scenic Bikeway route begins in Sisters and follows a wagon route from the 1860s. Along the way, views open up of Mount Washington and lava flows.

These differences can usefully guide your choice of accommodation: A trip focused on wine and regional cuisine calls for a different regional search than days spent among climbing routes, caves, and waterfalls. First decide which experiences you actually want to undertake, and then select the appropriate regional starting point for your vacation rental in Oregon.

Regional Starting Points for Your Further Search

For regional orientation, the following direct starting points are available: Clackamas, Washington, Multnomah, Hood River, Clatsop, Lane, Wasco, Linn, Lincoln, Umatilla, Benton, Douglas, Yamhill County, Lake County, Klamath County, Tillamook County, Grant County, Coos County, Union County, Josephine County, Harney County, Crook County, Curry, Columbia County, Jefferson County, Gilliam County, Morrow County, Sherman, Wallowa County, Polk County, Jackson, Deschutes, Baker and Marion.

For the higher-level travel overview: USA.