There is no doubt that visiting Crater Lake National Park will leave you awestruck, even if you only visit the pullouts easily accessible by your vehicle.  But if you want to get some even more incredible views, we highly recommend getting out on one of the trails.  You may not have realized that there really is some great hiking in Crater Lake, so to help you out we put together this list of what we consider to be the best hikes in Crater Lake National Park! The best news is that there are a variety of hikes to head out on, from very easy ones that will take only about 30 minutes ..read more

Though the season is short, getting a chance to spend a night or two camping in Crater Lake National Park is something that is worth doing if you can arrange it into your vacation plans.  There aren’t many options in the park, but they two that are available will allow you to be in the park early in the morning when (we think) the light is the best for photography and crowds are typically at the lowest point in the day.  Crater Lake doesn’t have much in the way of nearby lodging options outside of the park, so if you don’t stay in the park then you are faced with a 60-to-90-minute dr ..read more

If you’ve been following us for any length of time, you know we’re big fans of Newberry National Volcanic Monument.  One of the most impressive spots in the monument is the Big Obsidian Flow.  This amazing landscape is actually the youngest lava flow in the entire state of Oregon. Obsidian isn’t rare-this black glass is found in many places around the globe.  Formed by the rapid cooling of lava, it’s been used for years by native tribes for tools such as arrowheads and even sharp knives and surgical tools. Even though Obsidian isn’t that rare, it’s likely you have never been to ..read more

Located in the high desert of Central Oregon, Smith Rock State Park is home to dramatic rock spires that rise above the winding Crooked River. The park is a world-famous destination for rock climbing, but Smith Rock also offers miles of trails for hikers to experience the diverse high desert landscape and majestic rock scenery. If you are seeking a challenging hike that yields great rewards, you must check out the Misery Ridge Trail!           PARKING AND TRAILHEAD FOR THE MISERY RIDGE TRAIL   Misery Ridge Trail parking area, courtesy of the Oregon State Parks ..read more

Located in Oregon’s beautiful Deschutes National Forest, Newberry National Volcanic Monument is full of unexpected treasures.  Not only does the monument contain the largest volcano in the Cascades, it is packed full of beautiful vistas, a varied and rugged landscape, an impressive waterfall and plenty of places to explore.  The landscape is so unique and “otherworldly” that it was once even used as a training ground for astronauts between 1964 and 1966 to help train for the lunar landing!  This little-known National Monument is just about 20 minutes south of Bend, Oregon.  ..read more

Wizard Island is the well-known volcanic cinder cone located just off the western shores of Crater Lake. 7,700 years ago, the eruption and collapse of Mount Mazama created the Crater Lake caldera. A series of later eruptions caused the formation of several cinder cones on the floor of the caldera. The tallest of these cones and only one to rise above the current surface of Crater Lake is Wizard Island! The top of Wizard Island is just under 7,000 feet above sea level and rises about 760 feet above the surface of Crater Lake. It may not look very big when compared with the size of the lake, but ..read more

Paulina Falls is a terrific short hike, located just south of Bend, OR in the little-known Newberry National Volcanic Monument.  While this “hike” is more of an easy stroll, the reward for the effort is fantastic. The trail is less than half-mile in total (round-trip) with several options, including one with little elevation gain that heads to the top of the Paulina Falls.  You can also head down to the bottom of Paulina Falls for a different perspective (with some elevation change). Additionally, you can make Paulina Falls part of a much longer hike (see the “Paulina Creek Falls Tra ..read more

In the remote southeast corner of Crater Lake National Park sits the Pinnacles Overlook and Pinnacles Trail.  This little-known part of the park is not heavily trafficked and definitely not what jumps to mind when most people think of Crater Lake.  However, the lack of people in the area only adds to the enjoyment for most.  The trail is less than a mile (round-trip) with only a small amount of elevation gain and leads to pumice spires that seem as if they are man-made for an amusement park attraction.  For those not up to the short hike, the Pinnacles Overlook is accessed from ..read more

The Pacific coastline is known for some amazing stretches of road, and the Oregon Coast is no exception. Drive along Highway 101 to experience hundreds of miles of scenic viewpoints, sandy beaches, charming seaside towns, forested headlands, sea stacks and historic lighthouses. We’ve visited coastlines up and down the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, but the Oregon Coast is one of a kind. With public access to every mile of Oregon’s beautiful coastline and numerous state parks, the opportunities for coastal adventures and exploration are endless! An article in a magazine about Cannon Beach is what ..read more

Located just a short drive north of popular Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park stretches along nine miles of Oregon coastline. The 1,023-acre park is probably best known for its rugged beauty and scenic vistas—some of which have been featured in movies such as The Goonies, Point Break and Twilight! The park offers views of sea stacks punctuating the shoreline to the south, forested headlands, a historic lighthouse and pristine beaches. Although the views and beaches draw a lot of attention, this park is also rich in history and an 8-mile segment of the Oregon Coast Trail travels right through Ecol ..read more