The 7 wonders of Oregon
I can wax eloquent all day on these wonders – especially the ones I have already seen. But, have you seen Travel Oregon’s new promotional campaign in an ad or on TV “Seven Wonders of the World”? Here’s how it goes:
Mt. Hood was left off the list. So was the Oregon Coast. The Columbia River Gorge was somehow overlooked. As were the Painted Hills. Smith Rock and the Wallowas are both missing from it.
All we can figure is whoever named the seven wonders of the world never set foot in Oregon. ‘Cause even Crater Lake was left off their list.
So we see your wonders world, and raise you seven of our own. And we invite you to come experience them. Our wonders aren’t just for looking at, you’ve to explore them, feel them beneath your feet. Just remember, this is Oregon, how you go about doing that is entirely up to you. The seven wonders of Oregon. See one, or better yet, see them all.
This about sums up my feelings about Oregon as well.
Columbia River Gorge
I would rank the Columbia River Gorge among the most beautiful places in the world. The gorge was carved by the mighty Columbia River over the ages cutting through the Cascade mountains. Lush green everywhere, the Columbia River Gorge has many amazing waterfall hikes, and is a must-do for anyone visiting Portland, Oregon. These are but a few of the falls I would rank as a must-do:
- Multnomah falls
- Punch Bowl Falls
- Tunnel Falls
- Wahclella Falls
- Wahkeena Falls
- Elowah Falls
- Latourell Falls
- Oneonta Gorge
- Metlako Falls
Beautiful Wahclella Falls in fall
Directions to Multnomah Falls is listed here below:
Oregon Coast
I have only done the Washington coast line west of Olympic National Park, and have yet to do the Oregon Coast. Apparently, it is every bit as magical, with sea stacks and tide pools with starfish. I have these on my bucket list, and hope to see them soon. Would love to hear from you guys on other must-see places in the Oregon Coast.
- Thor’s Well, Cape Perpetua
- Devil’s Cauldron, Oswald West State Park
- Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach
- Astoria-Megler Bridge, Astoria
- The wreck of the Peter Iredale, Fort Stevens State Park
Smith Rock
There is nothing like a Golden & Blue hour view of the majestic Smith Rock – the quintessential western view with its sheer cliffs and a winding river. Thanks so much to my buddy Cheran & his lovely family for playing fantastic hosts for a part of my journey & introducing me to this gem in Central Oregon.
Smith Rock at Golden Hour
Directions from Portland, OR to Terrebonne, OR (where Smith Rock is located) are as shown below:
Painted Hills
Painted Hills is a geological wonder that is part of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. It’s layers of painted rock in different colors and patterns reveal millions of years of history. It feels like you’ve landed in another planet altogether. This national monument is set in a very remote and hot location. Do fill up gas whenever you get a chance as gas stations are few and far between. Also, do not forget your sunscreen, shades and a hat. The more comfortable you are, the longer you can stay.
Painted Hills in the blazing afternoon sun
Directions from Portland, OR to Painted Hills is shown below:
Crater Lake
Another one on my bucket list, Crater Lake is famous for its deep blue pristine water and its amazing vistas. It’s average depth is over 1000 feet and it is a must-do for anyone visiting Oregon. The lake’s waters is apparently entirely due to snowmelt and rain; there is no other water source feeding it.
Wallowas
Dubbed the ‘Alps of Oregon’, the Wallowa Mountains is a beautiful mountain range that runs through 40 miles in the North East of Oregon. I have yet to see this – it is about 5 hours east of Portland, and there are quite a few scenic spots in and around Portland that I have never gotten to prioritizing this on the top of my list. However, it is supposed to be very beautiful, and has quite a few ghost towns as well making them a great photo opportunity.
Mt. Hood
The majestic Mt. Hood has an omnipotent presence all over the state of Oregon and southern Washington as well at 11,240 feet. It is the tallest peak in Oregon, and is a dormant volcano covered with glaciers. The area around Mt. Hood has some of the best forests in the country, and is filled with hiking opportunities. It is also home to the famous orchards and vineyards of Oregon.
Tamanawas Falls, our favorite hike in the Mt. Hood Wilderness Area
The directions to Tamanwas Falls in the Mt. Hood Wilderness area from Portland, OR is listed below: