Oregon destinations, parks and attractions

Are you going on a road trip to Oregon, looking for tips about the destinations so you and your party can enjoy it, be comfortable and not spend a fortune?

Here are some of the top destinations in Oregon and tips about visiting them

National parks and monuments in Oregon

California National Historic Trail, Various States CA,CO,ID,KS,MO,NE,NV,OR,UT,WY.

Follow in the footsteps of over 250,000 emigrants who traveled to the gold fields and rich farmlands of California during the 1840s and 1850s: the greatest mass migration in American history. The California National Historic Trail is over 5,000 miles long and covers portions of 10 states. Step into history along more than 1,000 miles of ruts and traces from travelers and their overland wagons.
Crater Lake National Park, Crater Lake, OR.

Crater Lake inspires awe. Native Americans witnessed its formation 7,700 years ago, when a violent eruption triggered the collapse of a tall peak. Scientists marvel at its purity: fed by rain and snow, it’s the deepest lake in the USA and one of the most pristine on earth. Artists, photographers, and sightseers gaze in wonder at its blue water and stunning setting atop the Cascade Mountain Range.
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Vancouver, OR,WA.

Located on the north bank of the Columbia River, in sight of snowy mountain peaks and a vibrant urban landscape, this park has a rich cultural past. From a frontier fur trading post, to a powerful military legacy, the magic of flight, and the origin of the American Pacific Northwest, history is shared at four unique sites. Discover stories of transition, settlement, conflict, and community.
Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, WA,OR,ID,MT.

At the end of the last Ice Age, about 18,000 to 15,000 years ago, an ice dam in northern Idaho created Glacial Lake Missoula in Montana. The ice dam burst and released flood waters across Washington and down the Columbia River back flooding into Oregon before eventually reaching the Pacific Ocean. Happening perhaps a 100 times. Forever changing the lives and landscape of the Pacific Northwest.
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Kimberly, OR.

Colorful rock formations at John Day Fossil Beds preserve a world class record of plant and animal evolution, changing climate, and past ecosystems that span over 40 million years. Exhibits and a working lab at the Thomas Condon Paleontology and Visitor Center as well as scenic drives and hikes at all three units allow visitors to explore the prehistoric past of Oregon and see science in action.
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, Sixteen States: IA,ID,IL,IN,KS,KY,MO,MT,NE,ND,OH,OR,PA,SD,WA,WV.

The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is approximately 4,900 miles long, extending from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the mouth of the Columbia River, near present day Astoria, Oregon. It follows the historic outbound and inbound routes of the Lewis and Clark Expedition as well as the preparatory section from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Wood River, Illinois.
Lewis and Clark National Historic Park, Long Beach to Cannon Beach, OR,WA.

Explore the timeless rainforests and majestic coastal vistas. Discover the rich heritage of the native people. Unfold the dramatic stories of America's most famous explorers. The park encompasses sites along the Columbia River and the Pacific Coast. Follow in the footsteps of the explorers and have an adventure in history.
Nez Perce National Historic Park, four states ID,MT,OR,WA.

Since time immemorial, the valleys, prairies, mountains, and plateaus of the inland northwest have been home to the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) people. Extremely resilient, they survived the settling of the United States and adapted to a changed world. Nez Perce National Historical Park consists of 38 places important to the history and culture of the Nimiipuu. Explore these places. Learn their stories.
Oregon National Historic Trail, Various States ID,KS,MO,NE,OR,WA,WY.

Imagine yourself an emigrant headed for Oregon: would promises of lush farmlands and a new beginning lure you to leave home and walk for weeks? More than 2,000 miles of trail ruts and traces can still be seen along the Oregon National Historic Trail in six states and serve as reminders of the sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs of early American settlers.
Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, Cave Junction, OR.

Deep within the Siskiyou Mountains are dark, twisting passages that await your discovery. Eons of acidic water seeping into marble rock created and decorated the wondrous “Marble Halls of Oregon.” Join a tour, get a taste of what caving is all about, and explore a mountain from the inside and out!

Oregon State parks and historic sites

There are more than 250 state parks in Oregon, so if you're looking to flee the riots, filth and crime in the cities, and find some peace in nature, you have lots to choose from.

Click here for Oregon State Parks.

Oregon Seasons, bugs, topography and climate

Oregon has varied climates, depending upon where you area! The coastal areas are mild and damp. But across the mountains, the eastern side is arid with extreme temperatures. Overall, July temperatures average about 70 °F (21 °C), with 65 to 70 percent of the possible sunshine; January averages about 40 °F (4 °C).