If Oregon Caves already is on your itinerary and you’re coming from Bend, you shouldn’t miss Oregon’s only national park, Crater Lake. Along with the Caves, it’s this region’s premiere attraction, as noted in this recent story for the Mail Tribune newspaper.

If you’re coming from Bend south, the most logical route is through the Cascades right past Crater Lake on part of the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway. After Crater Lake, stop at the natural bridge area and Mill Creek Falls. If you keep taking the byway from Highway 62 to Highway 234, you’ll pass right by locals’ favorite spot for hiking, the Table Rocks. These mesas are among the region’s
most distinctive geographic and geologic features. This route also takes you past several vineyards with tasting rooms.

There also are several opportunities for world-class whitewater rafting on the Rogue River between Shady Cove and Grants Pass. Lodging along this route is available at Diamond Lake Resort,  Prospect Hotel, Edgewater Inn in Shady Cove, yurts at the region’s best state park, Valley of the Rogue, as well as numerous options in Grants Pass.