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Oregon's Secret Wonders: Off-the-Beaten-Path Highlights

Explore the lesser-known enchantments of Oregon with this curated collection of hidden gems. From serene natural hot springs tucked away in lush forests to historical landmarks and cultural niches, these points of interest offer a unique glimpse into the state's diverse beauty. Venture beyond the usual tourist spots and uncover the treasures awaiting in Oregon's scenic backdrop.

Natural Bridges Cove
Natural Bridges Cove

Curry County, Oregon

A breathtaking natural bridge formation along the Oregon coast, offering stunning ocean views and a unique geological experience.

Bagby Hot Springs
Bagby Hot Springs

Clackamas County, USA

Natural hot springs nestled within the Mount Hood National Forest.

Abiqua Falls
Abiqua Falls

Marion County, USA

A stunning secluded waterfall located on private land near Scotts Mills.

Hole-in-the-Wall Falls
Hole-in-the-Wall Falls

Hood River County, USA

Man-made waterfall created during a highway construction project.

Blue Pool (Tamolitch Pool)
Blue Pool (Tamolitch Pool)

Lane County, USA

Vividly blue and clear water pool along the McKenzie River trail.

Oneonta Gorge
Oneonta Gorge

Multnomah County, USA

A mossy chasm within the Columbia River Gorge housing a picturesque, hidden waterfall.

Lost Lake
Lost Lake

Hood River County, USA

A serene mountain lake with a view of Mount Hood, known for its disappearing waters.

Fort Rock State Natural Area
Fort Rock State Natural Area

Lake County, USA

A volcanic landmark with rich Native American history and sweeping views.

The Alvord Desert
The Alvord Desert

Harney County, USA

A remote, arid expanse sitting at the base of Steens Mountain.

Cape Perpetua
Cape Perpetua

Lincoln County, USA

Rugged coastline featuring Thor's Well and the Spouting Horn.

Sweet Creek Falls
Sweet Creek Falls

Lane County, USA

A series of cascades and waterfalls in a densely forested setting.

Crack in the Ground
Crack in the Ground

Lake County, USA

A two-mile volcanic fissure that offers an unusual hiking experience.

Owyhee Canyonlands
Owyhee Canyonlands

Malheur County, USA

A vast and rugged landscape with deep canyons and untamed rivers.

Cascade Siskiyou National Monument
Cascade Siskiyou National Monument

Jackson County, USA

Renowned for its biodiversity and spectacular volcanic landscapes.

Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Wallowa County, USA

Stunningly deep river gorge famed as North America’s deepest.

Pilot Rock
Pilot Rock

Jackson County, USA

An ancient volcanic plug standing boldly as a natural landmark.

Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Newberry National Volcanic Monument

Deschutes County, USA

A fascinating landscape marked by lava flows, lakes, and caves.

Cape Meares Lighthouse
Cape Meares Lighthouse

Tillamook County, USA

Historic lighthouse offering scenic views on the Oregon Coast.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument - Painted Hills Unit
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument - Painted Hills Unit

Wheeler County, USA

Striking hills painted in colorful hues showcasing an extensive fossil record.

Wizard Island
Wizard Island

Klamath County, USA

A cinder cone island on Crater Lake formed by volcanic activity.

Toketee Falls
Toketee Falls

Douglas County, USA

Renowned for its basalt column amphitheater surrounding two-tiered cascading falls.

Steens Mountain Wilderness
Steens Mountain Wilderness

Harney County, USA

Offers striking vistas, glacial valleys, and a haven for wildlife amidst steep terrain.

Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

Curry County, USA

A coastal stretch of numerous secret beaches, islands, and hiking trails.

Mary D. Hume Shipwreck
Mary D. Hume Shipwreck

Curry County, USA

The remains of an old steamer that served from 1881 to 1985, accessible by foot at low tide.

Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint
Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint

Jefferson County, USA

Awe-inspiring views of the Crooked River Canyon from a historic footbridge.

Waldo Lake
Waldo Lake

Lane County, USA

One of the purest freshwater lakes in the world, surrounded by untouched wilderness.

Cottonwood Canyon State Park
Cottonwood Canyon State Park

Gilliam County, USA

Expansive parkland alongside the John Day River offering hikes and rich geology.

Jordan Craters
Jordan Craters

Malheur County, USA

Vast basalt lava field featuring Jordan Crater, an extinct volcano system.

Devil's Staircase Wilderness
Devil's Staircase Wilderness

Douglas County, USA

This nearly inaccessible wilderness offers perhaps Oregon's wildest jungle trekking.

Tillamook Rock Light
Tillamook Rock Light

Clatsop County, USA

Abandoned offshore lighthouse known as 'Terrible Tilly', visible from the shores of Ecola State Park.

Munson Creek Falls
Munson Creek Falls

Tillamook County, USA

The highest waterfall in the Coast Range set in a moss-draped coniferous forest.

Paulina Peak
Paulina Peak

Deschutes County, USA

Offers stunning panoramic views of the Newberry Volcano and surrounding lakes.

Humbug Mountain State Park
Humbug Mountain State Park

Curry County, USA

Offers hiking trails in a dense forest leading to breathtaking mountaintop vistas of the coastline.

Fort Stevens State Park
Fort Stevens State Park

Clatsop County, USA

Historic fort with the shipwreck of Peter Iredale and miles of beach for exploration.

Port Orford Heads State Park
Port Orford Heads State Park

Curry County, USA

Picturesque trails offering views of rugged headlands and historic lifeboat station.

Vista House at Crown Point
Vista House at Crown Point

Multnomah County, USA

Historical observatory and museum perched atop scenic cliffs in the Columbia River Gorge.

Natural Bridges Cove A breathtaking natural bridge formation along the Oregon coast, offering stunning ocean views and a unique geological experience.

Natural Bridges Cove
Natural Bridges Cove A breathtaking natural bridge formation along the Oregon coast, offering stunning ocean views and a unique geological experience.
Bagby Hot Springs Natural hot springs nestled within the Mount Hood National Forest.

Bagby Hot Springs
Bagby Hot Springs Natural hot springs nestled within the Mount Hood National Forest.
Abiqua Falls A stunning secluded waterfall located on private land near Scotts Mills.

Abiqua Falls
Abiqua Falls A stunning secluded waterfall located on private land near Scotts Mills.
Hole-in-the-Wall Falls Man-made waterfall created during a highway construction project.

Hole-in-the-Wall Falls
Hole-in-the-Wall Falls Man-made waterfall created during a highway construction project.
Blue Pool (Tamolitch Pool) Vividly blue and clear water pool along the McKenzie River trail.

Blue Pool (Tamolitch Pool)
Blue Pool (Tamolitch Pool) Vividly blue and clear water pool along the McKenzie River trail.
Oneonta Gorge A mossy chasm within the Columbia River Gorge housing a picturesque, hidden waterfall.

Oneonta Gorge
Oneonta Gorge A mossy chasm within the Columbia River Gorge housing a picturesque, hidden waterfall.
Lost Lake A serene mountain lake with a view of Mount Hood, known for its disappearing waters.

Lost Lake
Lost Lake A serene mountain lake with a view of Mount Hood, known for its disappearing waters.
Fort Rock State Natural Area A volcanic landmark with rich Native American history and sweeping views.

Fort Rock State Natural Area
Fort Rock State Natural Area A volcanic landmark with rich Native American history and sweeping views.
The Alvord Desert A remote, arid expanse sitting at the base of Steens Mountain.

The Alvord Desert
The Alvord Desert A remote, arid expanse sitting at the base of Steens Mountain.
Cape Perpetua Rugged coastline featuring Thor's Well and the Spouting Horn.

Cape Perpetua
Cape Perpetua Rugged coastline featuring Thor's Well and the Spouting Horn.
Sweet Creek Falls A series of cascades and waterfalls in a densely forested setting.

Sweet Creek Falls
Sweet Creek Falls A series of cascades and waterfalls in a densely forested setting.
Crack in the Ground A two-mile volcanic fissure that offers an unusual hiking experience.

Crack in the Ground
Crack in the Ground A two-mile volcanic fissure that offers an unusual hiking experience.
Owyhee Canyonlands A vast and rugged landscape with deep canyons and untamed rivers.

Owyhee Canyonlands
Owyhee Canyonlands A vast and rugged landscape with deep canyons and untamed rivers.
Cascade Siskiyou National Monument Renowned for its biodiversity and spectacular volcanic landscapes.

Cascade Siskiyou National Monument
Cascade Siskiyou National Monument Renowned for its biodiversity and spectacular volcanic landscapes.
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area Stunningly deep river gorge famed as North America’s deepest.

Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area Stunningly deep river gorge famed as North America’s deepest.
Pilot Rock An ancient volcanic plug standing boldly as a natural landmark.

Pilot Rock
Pilot Rock An ancient volcanic plug standing boldly as a natural landmark.
Newberry National Volcanic Monument A fascinating landscape marked by lava flows, lakes, and caves.

Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Newberry National Volcanic Monument A fascinating landscape marked by lava flows, lakes, and caves.
Cape Meares Lighthouse Historic lighthouse offering scenic views on the Oregon Coast.

Cape Meares Lighthouse
Cape Meares Lighthouse Historic lighthouse offering scenic views on the Oregon Coast.
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument - Painted Hills Unit Striking hills painted in colorful hues showcasing an extensive fossil record.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument - Painted Hills Unit
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument - Painted Hills Unit Striking hills painted in colorful hues showcasing an extensive fossil record.
Wizard Island A cinder cone island on Crater Lake formed by volcanic activity.

Wizard Island
Wizard Island A cinder cone island on Crater Lake formed by volcanic activity.
Toketee Falls Renowned for its basalt column amphitheater surrounding two-tiered cascading falls.

Toketee Falls
Toketee Falls Renowned for its basalt column amphitheater surrounding two-tiered cascading falls.
Steens Mountain Wilderness Offers striking vistas, glacial valleys, and a haven for wildlife amidst steep terrain.

Steens Mountain Wilderness
Steens Mountain Wilderness Offers striking vistas, glacial valleys, and a haven for wildlife amidst steep terrain.
Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor A coastal stretch of numerous secret beaches, islands, and hiking trails.

Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor A coastal stretch of numerous secret beaches, islands, and hiking trails.
Mary D. Hume Shipwreck The remains of an old steamer that served from 1881 to 1985, accessible by foot at low tide.

Mary D. Hume Shipwreck
Mary D. Hume Shipwreck The remains of an old steamer that served from 1881 to 1985, accessible by foot at low tide.
Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint Awe-inspiring views of the Crooked River Canyon from a historic footbridge.

Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint
Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint Awe-inspiring views of the Crooked River Canyon from a historic footbridge.
Waldo Lake One of the purest freshwater lakes in the world, surrounded by untouched wilderness.

Waldo Lake
Waldo Lake One of the purest freshwater lakes in the world, surrounded by untouched wilderness.
Cottonwood Canyon State Park Expansive parkland alongside the John Day River offering hikes and rich geology.

Cottonwood Canyon State Park
Cottonwood Canyon State Park Expansive parkland alongside the John Day River offering hikes and rich geology.
Jordan Craters Vast basalt lava field featuring Jordan Crater, an extinct volcano system.

Jordan Craters
Jordan Craters Vast basalt lava field featuring Jordan Crater, an extinct volcano system.
Devil's Staircase Wilderness This nearly inaccessible wilderness offers perhaps Oregon's wildest jungle trekking.

Devil's Staircase Wilderness
Devil's Staircase Wilderness This nearly inaccessible wilderness offers perhaps Oregon's wildest jungle trekking.
Tillamook Rock Light Abandoned offshore lighthouse known as 'Terrible Tilly', visible from the shores of Ecola State Park.

Tillamook Rock Light
Tillamook Rock Light Abandoned offshore lighthouse known as 'Terrible Tilly', visible from the shores of Ecola State Park.
Munson Creek Falls The highest waterfall in the Coast Range set in a moss-draped coniferous forest.

Munson Creek Falls
Munson Creek Falls The highest waterfall in the Coast Range set in a moss-draped coniferous forest.
Paulina Peak Offers stunning panoramic views of the Newberry Volcano and surrounding lakes.

Paulina Peak
Paulina Peak Offers stunning panoramic views of the Newberry Volcano and surrounding lakes.
Humbug Mountain State Park Offers hiking trails in a dense forest leading to breathtaking mountaintop vistas of the coastline.

Humbug Mountain State Park
Humbug Mountain State Park Offers hiking trails in a dense forest leading to breathtaking mountaintop vistas of the coastline.
Fort Stevens State Park Historic fort with the shipwreck of Peter Iredale and miles of beach for exploration.

Fort Stevens State Park
Fort Stevens State Park Historic fort with the shipwreck of Peter Iredale and miles of beach for exploration.
Port Orford Heads State Park Picturesque trails offering views of rugged headlands and historic lifeboat station.

Port Orford Heads State Park
Port Orford Heads State Park Picturesque trails offering views of rugged headlands and historic lifeboat station.
Vista House at Crown Point Historical observatory and museum perched atop scenic cliffs in the Columbia River Gorge.

Vista House at Crown Point
Vista House at Crown Point Historical observatory and museum perched atop scenic cliffs in the Columbia River Gorge.