2 Weeks, 7 Wonders

April 3, 2015 (Updated July 14, 2017)

If you’ve fallen in love with Oregon’s Seven Wonders, you might be hankering to visit them all. We think you need at least two weeks, and we offer the following itinerary to get you started. We’ve highlighted some of the best photo opps along the way, too, so you can share your best snaps with us by tagging your photos #traveloregon.

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Day 1: Portland
You can tell how well Portland is loved by the plethora of nicknames bestowed upon her: Rose City, City of Bridges, Portlandia and Beervana. Take at least one day to explore this friendly, energetic city that’s cradled between the Willamette and Columbia rivers. Read more

Day 2: Portland to Astoria (97 miles/2 hours)
Take the scenic route on Historic Highway 30 from the heart of Portland to your first Wonder, the Oregon Coast. Read more

Day 3: Astoria to Newport (134 miles/3.25 hours)
From Astoria, head south on Highway 101, the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. The drive alone is one for the bucket list. Read more

Day 4: Newport to Bandon (122 miles/2.75 hours)
Spend some time exploring Newport’s historic bay front and Nye Beach neighborhoods before continuing south to the towns of Yachats, Florence, Coos Bay and Bandon. Read more

Day 5: Bandon to Crater Lake (288 miles/6 hours)
This day will be your longest yet in the car, but you’ll check two Wonders off your list as you hit the final bit of the Coast and visit Crater Lake. Read more

Day 6: Crater Lake to Bend (140 miles/2.25 hours)
Linger overnight at Crater Lake’s lodge or campground so you can take in the quiet beauty of this special place at sunset and sunrise, then head to the high desert of Central Oregon. Read more

Day 7: Bend to John Day (92 miles/4 hours)
Get ready for two more Wonders! You won’t be driving far today, but it will take you some time to get where you’re going, which includes Smith Rock and the Painted Hills. Read more

Day 8: John Day to Baker City (133 miles/3.25 hours)
Head northeast out of John Day on Highway 7 toward Baker City. Today you’ll travel the Journey Through Time Scenic Byway and see wagon ruts on the Oregon Trail. Read more

Day 9: Baker City to Joseph and the Wallowas (112 miles/2.5 hours)
Get ready for your fifth Wonder! Today’s itinerary will land you at the foot of the Wallowa Mountains, aka “Little Switzerland,” whose snowy peaks reach nearly 10,000 feet. Read more

Day 10: The Wallowas
Take this day to explore in and around the majestic Wallowa Mountains, including the Eagle Cap Wilderness and Hells Canyon. Read more

Day 11: Joseph to Hood River (268 miles/4.5 hours)
Goodbye, Wallowas; hello, Columbia River Gorge! Get ready for your sixth Wonder. The drive down I-84 takes you into the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, which stretches from the Deschutes River in the east to the Sandy River in the west. Read more

Day 12: Hood River to Mt. Hood (145 miles/3 hours)
Get ready for your seventh Wonder: majestic Mt. Hood rising 11,250 feet above sea level. Read more

Day 13: Mt. Hood to the Willamette Valley
Bid farewell to the Gorge with a hike before heading for the hills of wine country. Read more

Oh, the wonder of it all: How did two weeks pass so quickly? As you flip through your photos from your Seven Wonders road trip on the way back home, take comfort knowing you can come back and do it all over again — one Wonder at a time.

About The
Author

Eileen Garvin
Eileen Garvin lives and writes in Hood River. When she’s not hunched over her keyboard or digging in the garden, you can find her mountain biking, kiteboarding, hiking, skiing or camping somewhere in Oregon.