Hands down, the best and most comprehensive hot springs option in Southern Oregon is Jackson Hot Springs in Ashland. This historic hotel and hot springs is now a wellness and eco-resort, called Jackson Wellsprings. On site, guests can enjoy an olympic sized pool, soaking pools, hot tubs, steam rooms, and private pools. The entire resort…
Thanks for the question! There are some very easy-to-follow routes for waterfall lovers. I recommend you either order a free copy of the Oregon Scenic Byways magazine or view it online as it really outlines the routes with beautiful pictures. As far as the time of year, there will be more water at other times…
Oh, wow, you are in for a treat! Klamath Falls is a beautiful area with lots to see. Bird watching and boating are popular on its many waterways. There is also a fantastic geological destination south at Lava Beds National Monument. Try fishing or rafting with Roe Outfitters. If you are up for a two hour…
The towns I love for wine tasting are Newberg, McMinnville and Dundee. All three are driving distance of each other in Yamhill County. In Newberg there are lots of great B&B’s and vacation rentals. Here are a few favorites: dreamgiversinn.com/ lepuy-inn.com/ lobenhaus.com/ distinctivedestination.net/lionsgateinn/ For dinner, The Painted Lady is seriously top notch. Recipe- A Neighborhood…
For natural wonders between Astoria and Florence, I would suggest starting at Ecola State Park near Cannon Beach. There are wonderful views of the coastline including Oregon’s iconic Haystack Rock and the offshore Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. You can visit Haystack Rock by parking in Cannon Beach and if you visit at low tide you can…
My favorite and most scenic hikes in Portland: Forest Park at any entrance Hoyt Arboretum Oaks Bottom near Sellwood Leach Botanical Garden There are tons more but this is a good list to begin with. Just outside of the Portland area near Multnomah Falls is whole other list so let me know if you’d like…
Salem is a good city to stay in because it is a central location to all sorts of places to visit in Oregon. It is also the capital so if you want, you can visit our state’s capital building located in downtown Salem. Inside the building are murals painted depicting our state history. Outside are…
February and early March on the Oregon Coast are part of the quiet seasons, though Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day weekend do see an increase in visitors. This can be a great time for general sightseeing since attractions, State Parks and natural areas are less crowded. You do have to be prepared for a variety…
There are some really cool places to visit where you can enjoy a vacation rental with access to kayaking. Twin Lakes Resort is a paddler’s dream as no motorized boats are allowed. It is in a rather remote area between the Willamette Valley and Bend. The drive is beautiful along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway….
Thanks for the question. I suggest a trip east on Highway 126 from Eugene. You can raft on the McKenzie River. There are numerous guided trips. I highly recommend Helfrich Outfitters and if you want to begin and end at Belknap Hot Springs Resort check out High Country Expeditions. To get a great view of the Cascades…
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…
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,…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
