Can we see Multnomah Falls and the Oneonta Gorge in one day?

You can absolutely visit both the waterfalls and then make the “loop” around the mountain to visit Mt. Hood thanks to extended summer daylight hours, or if you plan on getting an early start.

I would suggest taking I-84 east, then taking the Corbett exit to join the historic highway. While most people start in Troutdale, you really won’t be missing any of the major sights, and this will save you some time if you plan on making the loop around the mountain.

After you reach Corbett, make sure to stop at both Women’s Forum and Vista House/Crown Point. Both spots have incredible panoramic views of the Gorge. Vista House is a beautiful historic building, originally built as a “rest area”, but you will have a hard time believing that after you see it.

From there, you will enter the “waterfall area”. Besides Oneonta Gorge and Multnomah Falls, you will definitely want to stop at Latourell Falls, Wahkeena Falls, and Horsetail Falls. Let me know if you would like me to suggest any hikes in this area. There are some nice, short ones in this area well worth your time.

Shortly after Horsetail Falls, you will rejoin I-84. Continue on to Bonneville Dam. The Fish Hatchery here is well worth a stop to see the HUGE sturgeon, and if you have some extra quarters feed the trout.

From there, return on the freeway east and you can stop either in Cascade Locks for lunch, or continue on to Hood River to eat. It all depends on how hungry you are. There are some great brewpubs in Hood River.

From Hood River, you will travel on Highway 35 around Mt. Hood. This will take you through the heart of the “fruit loop“, filled with orchards, wineries, and other attractions.

You will see some beautiful scenery as you travel around the mountain and then join Highway 26. There are some great places to stop for views of the mountain. Let me know if you would like some specific suggestions on scenic spots.

One definite MUST STOP is Timberline Lodge. The craftsmanship of the place is incredible. It was all hand built during the depression. From there you will travel highway 26 and head back towards Portland.

Let me know if you want any dining suggestions, or have any more questions. I realize this is probably a little information overload, but wanted to make sure I got everything covered for you.

Have fun planning your adventure!

Where can I go gold panning in Oregon?

Greetings from Southern Oregon! Our region is one of the state’s most prevalent for gold mining. Two of the four areas set aside on the state’s federal lands for recreational gold panning are located here:

Butte Falls Recreational Area:
Located in southwestern Oregon, Medford District, Bureau of Land Management (free site).
3040 Biddle Road
Medford, OR 97504
(541) 618-2200.

Applegate Ranger District:
Located in southwestern Oregon, Rogue River National Forest (four fee sites where there is a charge of a dollar a day for panning in areas adjacent to campgrounds).
Applegate Ranger District
6941 Upper Applegate Road
Jacksonville, OR 97530
(541) 899-3800.

Additionally, in Oregon, areas below the vegetation line on navigable rivers and streams and ocean beaches belong to the state and are therefore open for recreational gold panning.

If you want more guidance, there is an outfitter in Southern Oregon that specializes in gold mining:

Oregon Gold Trips, LLC.
P.O. Box 285, Grants Pass, OR 97528, toll free: (877) 672-8877, email: [email protected]; www.oregongoldtrip.com

What towns with lodging are near Crater Lake?

Because Crater Lake is in a very remote part of the state, there are few accommodations nearby. The closest actual town to Crater Lake is Prospect, which has a historical hotel (here’s a story about it from the Mail Tribune newspaper: http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050817/BIZ/308179989&cid=sitesearch).

Another 20 miles south on Highway 62 is the town of Shady Cove, which has an Edgewater Inn. Medford, which has numerous accommodations is still another 20 miles down the road. All of those towns are on “Crater Lake Highway,” making them the most convenient.

Staying in Ashland would require you to drive on Interstate 5 about 15 miles from Medford. The drive between Ashland and the national park takes about two hours.

Are there dog-friendly campgrounds on the Southern Oregon Coast near Florence?

Nearly all Oregon State Park campgrounds welcome dogs. Pets must be confined by the owner, or on a leash not more than six (6) feet long, and kept under physical control at all times. The closest State Park campground to Florence would be Honeyman State Park.

The following link is to Oregon State Parks brochure on pets in parks: http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=main.loadFile&load=_siteFiles/publications/pets-in-parks.pdf

The following link is to Oregon State Parks “Find a Park” page and you can check all of the State Park campgrounds south of Florence: http://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=visit.dsp_find

There are also countless private and Forest Service campgrounds that are dog friendly, but rules can vary.

Happy exploring!

Where can we have a dog sledding adventure this winter?

Did you know that the Wallowas are the site for the only qualifier for the Iditarod in the lower 48? The event is called the Eagle Cap Extreme and it’s held every January.

So, I’d recommend getting in touch with the organizers for more detailed information about routes in the Wallowas, and there are lodgings that accept dogs as well, including Barking Mad Farm.

That should certainly get you started in the right direction. Let me know if you need any more on-the-ground information.

Where are some good spots for a scenic Oregon camping and fishing trip?

Thanks for the question! As you can imagine there are a ton of great places to camp and fish in Oregon. The following is a list of my favorites based on region.

Coast: Gold Beach or Loon Lake near Reedsport. There are some really cool coastal campgrounds in both locations. Tugman State Park and Umpqua Lighthouse both offer yurt rentals on site and are close to fishing sites. Lobster Creek Campground is a small site with access to both river fishing on the Rogue and proximity to saltwater fishing.

Central Oregon: Is home to numerous lakes with fishing and camping. Waldo Lake, Crescent Lake and Odell Lake near Oakridge, Elk Lake near Bend, Detroit Lake, and Lake Billy Chinook.

Southern Oregon: Summer Lake (Ana Reservoir) and Klamath Lake

These are just a few of the places in the state that you can fish and camp, but some of my favorites.

Let me know if I can help with any more questions. Fish on!

What is the weather like on the Oregon Coast during the holiday season? We’ll be in the Lincoln City area.

Temperatures in December and January on the Oregon Coast are typically mild, ranging from low temperatures in the high 30s to high temperatures in the low 50s. Weather can vary greatly this time of year, so be prepared for warmer or colder conditions. You should also be prepared for rain. This is typically the wettest month on the Central Coast with precipitation in double digits (averaging over 11 inches in December). Come prepared and you will enjoy a season like no other. Huge crashing waves, wildlife sightings and maybe experiencing a famous Oregon Coast storm are all possibilities.

You will be arriving during the peak of winter whale watching season and the week of December 26-through January 1, a program called Whale Watching Spoken Here is conducted at over 25 of the coast’s best whale watching sites. Trained volunteers assist visitors in spotting migrating Gray Whales. The Whale Watch Center in Depoe Bay, less than a half hour south of Lincoln City, is one of the best spots for seeing whales year round. The seawall at Depoe Bay and the nearby wayside of Boiler Bay are great locations for watching crashing waves. The seawall at Depoe Bay has “spouting horns,” the coast’s answer to geysers, where when surf is up, water is forced through small channels in lava rock and shoots through small openings high into the air. A little further south is Devils Punchbowl at Otter Rock, another of the coast’s best spots for watching winter waves.

Happy exploring!

Is September a good time to visit the Painted Hills?

September is an excellent time to visit the Painted Hills, since the days will still be sunny but cooler and more comfortable for seeing the sites. The main site of the Painted Hills, one of 3 units in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is just outside of Mitchell, OR. This is where you’ll find the closest lodging as well as restaurants.

This website gives you a great overview of the area with photos. http://mitchelloregon.us/

Here are links to available lodging:

The Oregon Hotel http://www.theoregonhotel.net/

Painted Hills Vacation Rentals http://www.paintedhillsvacation.com/accommodations.htm

Sky Hook Motel http://www.visiteasternoregon.com/entry/skyhook-motel/

The Painted Hills Cottage http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p164794

We want to go camping near good breweries in Eugene. What do you suggest?

Thanks for the question!  There are a couple of camping options near Eugene.  I think the best one is Armitage County Park.  It’s about equal distance to Hop Valley and Agrarian Ales.  You could actually bike to both, there is a very wide shoulder or bike lanes.  The campground is also conveniently located to Coburg Road which runs right into downtown Eugene and close to Interstate 5.  The price is a little on the expensive side because the sites are really catered to RV camping.  Some other campgrounds that are just a little further away from the city center are Schwarz Park in Cottage Grove on Dorena Lake, Sharps Creek in Cottage Grove and Richardson Park along the shores of Fern Ridge.

I hope this helps.  There are more options if you look for sites near Fall Creek Reservoir, Blue River Reservoir and out towards the coast in the Whittaker Recreation Area (not the same Whittaker as the new Brewery District in Eugene).

When is the best time to visit Crater Lake?

Timing your visit to Crater Lake depends on which activities you most enjoy. Summer, obviously, is the most popular time to visit because the park is most accessible. In addition to viewing the lake from the rim or by boat in the caldera, there are opportunities for hiking, camping and learning about the lake’s history and unique ecology.

In wintertime, outdoor activities turn to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing (free, guided hikes are offered by volunteer rangers generally from November to April). Crater Lake officials always say winter is the park’s dominant season, considering that it is snow-shrouded most years from October to May.

Travel alert for 2025-2029: The Cleetwood Cove Trail, the park’s only trail to the water, serves about 10% of park visitors each year. It will undergo repairs by the National Park Service starting summer 2026 to keep visitors safe for years to come.

While no swimming and boating will be allowed during that closure, there are still many other ways to enjoy the park. Take a scenic drive or bike ride around Rim Drive. Look for 250 species of birds. See the park film at the Steel Visitor Center. Have a picnic at an accessible viewpoint. Take a ranger-led hike. Enjoy nearly two dozen trails through the forests, meadows and around the lake, ranging from easy to strenuous.

For more information, head to nps.gov and search for “Cleetwood Cove Trail.”

Whatever you do, be safe, be responsible and respect all staff and signage. Visit early and mid-week to avoid crowds.