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Crater Lake National Park -

Oregon's Crater Lake National Park embraces one of North America's great natural wonders, Crater Lake. Cherished for its deep blue color and water clarity, the lake—the deepest in the United States—is especially alluring during the winter months when its rim is dusted with snow.

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Crater Lake -

Crater Lake is a year-round destination. Throughout winter, the lake's environs can be explored by snowshoers and cross-country skiers. Summer recreational activities include hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, and camping.

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Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area -

The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is celebrated for the Multnomah Falls, a spectacular waterfall that drops 189 m (620 ft) past a footbridge and provides a jaw-dropping view of the upper falls.

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Cannon Beach -

The resort town of Cannon Beach is set on the northern Oregon coast and is famous for Haystack Rock, a 72 m (235 ft) sea stack that juts out along the sand. The destination itself is noted for a collection of fine hotels, plenty of good restaurants, and lively nightlife.

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Mount Hood National Forest -

At 3,426 m (11,420 ft), Mount Hood is Oregon's tallest peak. The landmark mountain looms large over a landscape of expansive forest, lakes, and streams, and a network of picturesque hiking trails. The historic town of Government Camp is an ideal base from which to explore this pristine wilderness.

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Pacific Crest Trail -

A segment of the legendary Pacific Crest Trail crosses the southwest flank of Mount Hood. Commencing on the US border with Mexico, this long-distance footpath covers 4,270 km (2,653 mi) along the nation's coast, meandering through the states of California, Oregon, and Washington before terminating at the border with Canada.

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Willamette National Forest -

Willamette National Forest, located in the central portion of the Cascade Range, embraces probably Oregon's most photographed waterfall, Proxy Falls. It's hidden away in dense but accessible forest within the Three Sisters Wilderness.

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Bend -

If you're seeking a base in Central Oregon, carry on until you reach Bend. Hemmed in by forest, high desert, and ancient volcanic peaks, the city is nourished by the Deschutes River.

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White water rafting -

Deschutes is known for its challenging white water, and attracts rafting enthusiasts from across the state. The Big Eddy rapid (pictured) is a class III rapid that gets the heart pounding and the adrenaline flowing.

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Newberry National Volcanic Monument -

A popular excursion out of Bend is to Newberry National Volcanic Monument. This is where you'll find Lava Butte (pictured), an old cinder cone capped by a crater. The cone's lunar-like landscape proved an ideal training ground for Apollo astronauts during the 1960s.

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Paulina Lake -

The area around Newberry National Volcanic Monument features an inviting body of water, Paulina Lake. The lake is served by a superb camping site—Little Crater Lake Campground.

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Smith Rock State Park -

Also accessible from Bend is Smith Rock State Park, near Terrebonne. This is climbing territory, the sheer cliffs of tuff and basalt testing even the most seasoned of exponents.

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Misery Ridge Trail -

Smith Rock's prized footpath is the Misery Ridge Trail. Don't be put off by its foreboding name: Misery is a long-developed premium hiking track and rewards those who make the effort to follow it with a stellar park panorama.

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Rogue River -

Rogue River courses through southwestern Oregon and is also known for its excellent whitewater rafting. But visitors can also take advantage of the jet boats that motor the river out of the city of Grants Pass.

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Astoria -

Astoria in Oregon's far northwest has long been a favorite location with filmmakers. Movies shot here include 'The Goonies' (1985), 'Kindergarten Cop' (1990), 'Free Willy' (1993), and 'The Guardian' (2006). The city's engaging Oregon Film Museum, located in the old Clatsop County Jail, chronicles the history of movie making in the region.

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Astoria Column -

While in Astoria, make sure you climb the 164-spiral steps to the observation deck crowning the Astoria Column for outstanding views across the vicinity. Built in 1926, the structure features an exterior mural illustrating significant events in Oregon's history.

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Hood River -

Hood River is named for the nearby river that laps this scenic city. The river is another watersports destination, and serves windsurfers and kiteboarders.

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Columbia River -

Hood River is a port city and in fact lies on the wider and larger Columbia River. This is a more challenging waterway for watersports enthusiasts as it's more susceptible to the strong winds that whip through the Columbia River Gorge.

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Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor -

The Oregon coast is as visually rewarding as the state's interior, a fact exemplified by the stunning Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. Located between Brookings and Gold Beach on the southern Oregon coast, the 19-km (12 mi) park trail snakes through patches of thick forest and along steep and rugged cliffs.

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Oregon Coast Trail -

The corridor forms part of the grand Oregon Coast Trail, a glorious path that meanders for about 43 km (27 mi) through the park. Hard-core hikers can continue south along this route to meet the California border.

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Newport -

Noted for a spectacular coastline, Newport is all about the ocean. The landmark Yaquina Head Lighthouse sets the scene, with fabulous beaches and well-preserved Victorian-era architecture adding suitable character to the destination. The town, incidentally named for Newport in Rhode Island, is a good base camp for exploring the central coast and for whale watching.

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Oregon Coast Aquarium -

In keeping with the nautical theme, Newport is home to the wonderful Oregon Coast Aquarium. This world-class facility was home to Keiko, the orca who starred in the movie 'Free Willy.'

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Silver Falls State Park -

Located a short distance southeast of Salem, the state capital, Silver Falls State Park showcases a dazzling display of assorted waterfalls, in fact 10 in all. Pictured is the breathtaking South Falls.

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Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area -

South of the the coastal city of Florence is the awesome Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Some of the dunes here reach a colossal 150 m (500 ft) above sea level. But these are easily scaled by the dune buggies that offer visitors a nail-biting ride through these monstrous mountains of sand. A more sedate but no less thrilling way of experiencing the destination is by sandboarding at Sand Master Park.

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Willamette Heritage Center at The Mill -

Salem, Oregon's unassuming state capital, is worth a diversion for the Willamette Valley and the Willamette Heritage Center at The Mill. This cultural facility exudes a tangible sense of history, most notable at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill. Dating back to 1895, this former industrial plant has been preserved for posterity, with all the original machinery maintained to working order.

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Hells Canyon National Recreation Area -

Did you know that Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in the United States? Set within Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and marking the state border with Idaho, the gorge is divided by the wild and scenic Snake River, which runs at the bottom of the canyon and is popular for whitewater rafting.

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Portland -

While Oregon is most definitely an outdoor pursuits destination, the state does surprise and delight with a number of cultural draws. In Portland (pictured), the city's art museum includes in its collection works by Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Pierre Renoir.

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Hollywood Theatre -

Portland, however, is especially noted for its thriving music, film, and performing arts scene. The city's historic movie theaters, including Hollywood (pictured), date back to the 1920s and are regarded as architectural gems.

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Washington Park -

Washington Park is a beautiful and tranquil Portland greenspace appreciated for its horticultural show-stoppers, including the International Rose Test Garden and the impressive Japanese Garden (pictured).

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Oregon Zoo -

Among the amazing creatures resident at Portland's Oregon Zoo are a pair Siberian tigers, housed in the Discovery plaza. Needless to stay, these big cats are totally at home during the bitterly cold Oregon winter.

Sources: (National Park Service) (NASA) (US Forest Service) 

See also: The tiger's enduring cultural appeal 

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