Regions of Oregon

Oregon is the 9th largest state in the US by area. Its jaw-dropping, diverse natural wonders, though, consistently put it in top 3 where the natural beauty will really knock over travelers from all over the world. The coastline is simply ethereal - especially some of the southern sections could only be described as 'something else'. John Day Fossil Beds and Crater Lake are awe-inspiring. The high deserts and Mt. Hood are majestic. Alvord Desert and Owyhee Canyon are otherworldly. The Columbia River Gorge and Silver Falls State Park are magical waterfall wonderlands well within a day trip distance from Portland. And then you sprinkle on top, the scenery you pass by while simply driving from point A to point B... It's mad.

Back to the original point: Oregon is fairly big. So anyone planning a trip to Oregon could benefit from a general understanding of its different regions before nailing down the exact travel destinations and itinerary. So here we go.

Below is a map of Oregon colored by regions. Each and every region offers impressive vista and various outdoor and indoor activities. If you are planning to have a homebase in the metro area instead of jumping between lodgings, the most practical day trip (or short trip) destinations are:

• Northern Coast: pristine and peaceful beaches, old growth forests with sweeping ocean views, cute coastal towns, etc.

• Willamette Valley: the famous Trail of Ten Falls, world-famous wineries, tulip festival if you are traveling in early Spring, outlet malls with of course no sales tax if you are into shopping.

• Columbia River Gorge: countless scenic view points, impressive (and so many!) waterfalls and trails, farms, wineries. 

Image source: Oregon Office of Economic Analysis

Teaser of beautiful views to enjoy in (from left to right) the northern coast, Willamette Valley, and Columbia River Gorge.

✧Important digression for a minute✧ I meet lots of visitors feeling obliged to tour the city of Portland as part of their Oregon trip. I hope that at least my blog visitors, you, can ditch such feelings. I'm absolutely NOT saying Portland isn't worth the visit - it has the biggest, coolest independent bookstore. It has nationally acclaimed restaurants, bars, bakeries, and coffee roasteries everywhere. Not to mention the beautiful urban trails, parks, and viewpoints. I'm simply saying: don't visit Portland only because of the vague feeling of "well I'm visiting Oregon, obviously I should sightsee in Portland" rather than your true interests and priorities. Say you have 4 days in Oregon and you aim to see the vast, diverse sceneries of the coast, waterfalls, and Mt. Hood. You have barely enough time to do your top priority stuff. In this case, I promise you, Portland won't mind serving as your gateway to those destinations without being one of the destinations.

Looking at the colored map above, you might wonder "what about Central Oregon? That seems close enough for a day trip too." Well, the main attractions in this region aren't in the upper left corner unfortunately. You will be looking at about 4 hr drive from the metro to your Central Oregon destinations. So I don't recommend a day trip here, but it makes for a fantastic 3- or 4-day excursion to explore volcanic features, Smith Rock, alpine lakes, and the city of Bend. You can find plenty details on all these in our recommended itineraries that include Central Oregon.

Smith Rock in the mighty high desert of Central Oregon

Lastly, the southern and eastern Oregon. There's no big city in these regions, which is part of the appeal for people like me who cherish solitude. Here you can enjoy some impressive collection of natural wonders and activities but, due to the distance from the metro area, it would typically be the best to make them as part of a larger road trip than a sole destination. If road trip isn't really your jam, or if the travel schedule simply doesn't allow for it, just make sure to stay at least two nights when traveling to these regions to avoid feeling like you spent a half of the vacation in your car (unless that's what brings you joy). Don't hesitate to email us if you're looking for locals' advices on fitting a certain southern or eastern destination into a shorter trip.

Ready to narrow down on your travel itinerary options? You and I both know there's no way any of those one-size-fits-all "best 4-day itinerary for [Oregon, Switzerland, Seoul, you name it...]" actually satisfy all travelers. Those type of generalizing blog posts bug me to no ends, so we are here to change it starting with our home state Oregon. Use our guides and itinerary examples to nail down on a travel route that best suits your personal needs and wants, not a random blogger's or influencer's. It's your trip, your interests, your priorities. We are here simply to assist, not to tell you what's best for you. See the real Oregon, your way.