From countless waterfalls to the coastal and cascade mountain ranges, embark on an adventure with jaw-dropping national parks, scenic byways enjoyed by car or by bike, historic lodges that sit 6,000' up Oregon's tallest peak and adventure sports galore. Start planning your adventure below!
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Loading LoadingDay 1: Settle Into Oregon With Luxe Stays, Local Cuisine (California to Klamath Falls)
As you arrive in Oregon on U.S. Highway 97, conveniently located along Amtrak’s Coast Starlight route, Klamath Falls offers diverse outdoor recreation. With an assortment of hotels to fit every budget, stay in the heart of the city—where historic buildings and facades, locally owned shops, and popular restaurants are within easy walking distance. Running Y Resort, 15 minutes north of Klamath Falls, offers plenty of adventure of its own—with an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, a luxe day spa, and the on-site Ruddy Duck restaurant, which serves New American cuisine crafted with fresh ingredients.
Day 2: Head Outside With Zipline Rides, Kayaking, Waterfall-Watching, and More (Klamath Falls to Westfir/Oakridge)
Start your day with a shot of adrenaline at Crater Lake Zipline, whose nine zips speed through the forest canopy. For a more relaxing adventure, Roe Outfitters offers glass-bottom kayaking tours on the pristine Spring Creek. Nearby Moore Park hosts over 10 miles of multi-use trails and overlooks Upper Klamath Lake—famous for its annual bird migrations. Head north to Crater Lake National Park on a guided day trip with Explore Southern Oregon; the outing takes you along the dramatic Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, and a local’s perspective adds to the beauty you’ll enjoy.
Head north from the park on Highway 97, and turn west onto Oregon Route 58 en route to Oakridge. Along the way, stop at the Salt Creek Falls Observation Site and Picnic Area, where a five-minute stroll ends at a wheelchair-accessible viewing platform that offers top-down views of the second-highest waterfall in Oregon (measuring 286 feet). An optional hiking trail heads to the bottom of Salt Creek Falls and onto the nearby Diamond Creek Falls. Either way, note that there is a $5 day-use fee.
Continue east for another 30 minutes toward Oakridge, where you can enjoy a late lunch or early dinner at 3 Legged Crane Pub—a local watering hole that serves fresh-brewed ales and home-cooked comfort food. Check into nearby Westfir Lodge for the night; the refurbished inn offers seven cozy rooms, an on-site market, and more in the heart of the Willamette National Forest.
Looking to get outdoors? Westfir Lodge runs Cascades Outdoor Center, whose seasonal guided experiences include whitewater rafting, hikes, mountain bike shuttles, and snowshoe trips; if you’re a night owl, consider the stargazing tour via stand-up paddleboard or kayak.
Day 3: Bask in the Natural Beauty with Scenic Drives, Mountain Bike Rides, and Day Hikes (Westfir/Oakridge to Silver Falls State Park)
Wake up in the Westfir Lodge to fresh, home-baked goodies and strong coffee to get your day started right. Westfir is a small community on the Aufderheide Scenic Byway (itself part of the longer West Cascades Scenic Byway), which runs from Oregon Route 58 in the north to Highway 126 along the McKenzie River in the south. The lodge sits across the road from the Office Covered Bridge (Oregon’s longest covered bridge), where hiking trails begin and the epic Alpine Mountain Bike Trail ends. Ease into the day with a Forest Bathing session led by Cascades Outdoor Center.
When you’re ready to hit the road, take Oregon Route 58 westbound back toward Eugene, following the Middle Fork of the Willamette River along the way. Enjoy a quick stretch at the Lowell Covered Bridge on Dexter Reservoir; interpretive panels here explain how 50 covered bridges were built—and why they remain such a beloved part of the cultural and historical landscape today.
Continuing westward on Oregon Route 58, head north on Interstate 5, and stop for lunch in downtown Salem; Wild Pear serves the Pacific Northwest’s seasonal flavors with fresh ingredients, while groups appreciate the lineup at Fork Forty Food Hall—an elevated food hall with over five food vendors and an on-site bar.
From Salem, head east on Oregon Route 22 to Silver Falls State Park, the "crown jewel" of the Oregon State Parks system. Embark on the wildly popular Trail of Ten Falls—a 7.2-mile loop trail that takes you to the foot of (and even behind) 10 thundering waterfalls. If you’re not up for the full hike, smaller loops and connecting trails make it easy to shorten your day. For a genuinely breathtaking look at the park’s forests, consider a trip with Tree Climbing at Silver Falls—the only tour operator in the United States who guides participants up old-growth trees measuring 200 to 300 feet tall. After a full day of adventuring, have dinner at the Big Leaf Coffeehouse & Grill at Silver Falls State Park, and spend the night at the on-site Smith Creek Village, which hosts cabins and cottages a short walk from dinner!
Day 4: Get on the Water With Paddling, Rafting, and More (Silver Falls State Park to Mount Hood)
Grab brunch and coffee back at the Big Leaf Coffeehouse & Grill—or head out of the park and toward Little Leaf Cafe in nearby Silverton—before heading north via Oregon Routes 214, 213, and 211. After just over an hour, you’ll arrive in the community of Estacada—the gateway to the Clackamas River Corridor and home to fishing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and some of the best whitewater rafting in Oregon. Rent your gear from Clackamas River Outfitters, or sign up for a whitewater tour with Blue Sky Rafting, Oregon River Experiences, eNRG Kayaking, or some of the other outfitters on the river.
After your outdoor adventures, head 30 minutes up to the Mt. Hood National Forest for an overnight stay at the Mt. Hood Oregon Resort—a popular stop that includes two restaurants, 27 holes of golf, an on-site spa, and more amid the old-growth forests of Mt. Hood. Dinner options around the resort include Skyway Bar and Grill (dishing barbecue on one of the region’s largest, most fun patios) Koya Kitchen (serving Japanese dishes, Indian cuisine, and several fusion offerings), Chicali Cantina (preparing hearty Mexican fare), and Al Forno Ferruzza (noted for thin-crust, wood-fired pizzas).
Day 5: Savor the Views of (and From) Oregon’s Tallest Peak (Mount Hood)
Take time to explore the forested slopes of Mount Hood—which many call “Portland’s outdoor playground.” This magical landscape boasts over 1,000 miles of well-marked hiking and biking trails, gravity- and lift-assisted mountain biking terrain, alpine lakes, rivers, and more. Rent a mountain bike from Mobile Mountain Adventures, which will deliver your bike to your hotel or meet you at the location of your choosing. For hiking inspiration, visit the Zigzag Ranger Station, where friendly U.S. Forest Service rangers are happy to offer recommendations for your time constraints, skill level, and desired experience. While on the mountain, make time to visit the iconic Timberline Lodge, a certified National Historic Landmark that sits at an elevation of 6,000 feet on Mt. Hood. (Fun fact: The exterior of Timberline Lodge was featured in Stanley Kubrick’s famous film, “The Shining.”) Give your car a break, and visit most of these hikes and attractions (including Timberline Lodge) via public transportation on the Mt. Hood Express. Visit mthoodexpress.com for routes and times.
