Oregon: Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls
- Kaitlen Daigle
- Jun 14, 2024
- 3 min read
Let me just start by saying that Oregon is amazing and one of my favorite states. We drove up there from southern California and our first stop was Crater Lake National Park. Established in 1902, Crater Lake National Park encompasses the stunning caldera of Mount Mazama, formed over 7,000 years ago by the catastrophic eruption that created one of the deepest and clearest lakes in the world. It's truly a phenomenal site to see. After visiting the National Park, we went to our campsite at Diamond Lake. Forever in my mind, I keep thinking this lake is called Pyramid Lake and I've corrected myself so many times. So if you hear me talk about Pyramid Lake, just know it was actually Diamond Lake. While the name is easily forgotten in my mind, the place is engrained in my memory because it was absolutely beautiful. It had one of the top 10 sunsets I've ever experienced in my life.
The next morning when we left... Diamond Lake, we wanted to see some waterfalls and we definitely saw some amazing ones. The first one was Clearwater Falls, which is an easy walk from the parking lot but the most beautiful waterfall I've ever seen. I felt like I was in a storybook or something. Then we headed to Whitehorse Falls, which was pretty close to the parking lot as well. We continued to Watson Falls. This one we hiked to get a better vantage point. It was a gorgeous hike with green everywhere, I was in awe the whole time. After that hike, we decided to stop at one more waterfall. We stopped at Toketee Falls, which was a short hike but so worth it. All of these waterfalls were stops along the road we were driving to to get to our next campsite, which was along a river. Just before stopping at the campsite for the night, we stopped to get pizza at Abby's Legendary Pizza and it was so good!
The next morning we started driving west to the coast to stop at a couple of beaches. First, we stopped at a winery, which was very nice. We eventually ended up in Bandon, where we stayed for the night. We got some seafood and walked around the town. The next day we started driving south to California. We stopped at Gold Beach and walked around. It was cold but my mom insisted on us putting our feet in the water, which was absolutely freezing. Then we continued on our way to the Redwoods in California.
If you want to visit Oregon, here's a list of possible things to see and do:
Crater Lake National Park: Visit the stunning Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the United States, formed in the caldera of Mount Mazama.
Columbia River Gorge: Explore this breathtaking canyon carved by the Columbia River, with numerous waterfalls, hiking trails, and scenic viewpoints.
Portland: Spend some time in Oregon's largest city, known for its vibrant arts scene, eclectic neighborhoods, craft breweries, and delicious food carts.
Oregon Coast: Drive along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway and visit charming coastal towns like Cannon Beach, Newport, and Florence. Don't miss the iconic Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach.
Multnomah Falls: Marvel at one of Oregon's most famous waterfalls, located in the Columbia River Gorge.
Mount Hood: Whether you're into skiing, snowboarding, hiking, or just enjoying the views, a visit to Mount Hood is a must. It's the highest peak in Oregon and offers year-round outdoor activities.
Willamette Valley Wine Country: Oregon is known for its excellent wine, especially Pinot Noir. Explore the wineries and tasting rooms in the Willamette Valley for a delightful culinary experience.
Smith Rock State Park: A paradise for rock climbers, this park features dramatic rock formations, hiking trails, and panoramic views of the Cascade Range.
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area: Experience the unique landscape of massive sand dunes along the Oregon Coast, perfect for ATV riding, hiking, and sandboarding.
Silver Falls State Park: Hike the Trail of Ten Falls and marvel at the beauty of multiple cascading waterfalls surrounded by lush forest.
If you want more suggestions on what to do in Oregon, I suggest you check out their tourism website.
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