An Adventurous 7-Day Itinerary in Oregon

  • Day 1: Crater Lake National Park
    2 hours 15 minutes (97.4 miles) from Eugene

    Start your trip with a visit to one of Oregon's most picturesque natural wonders, Crater Lake National Park. The lake's striking blue color and surrounding vistas are sure to take your breath away. Spend the day hiking, fishing or taking a boat tour on the lake.

  • Day 2: Mt. Hood National Forest
    2 hours 10 minutes (111 miles) from Crater Lake National Park

    Visit the stunning Mt. Hood National Forest for a day of adventure. Hike the Timberline Trail, which offers incredible views of the Cascade Mountains, visit the Trillium Lake for kayaking, fishing and enjoy scenic views of Mt. Hood.

  • Day 3: Bend
    2 hours 14 minutes (129 miles) from Mt. Hood National Forest

    Head to Bend for a day of outdoor adventure. Try your hand at rock climbing at Smith Rock State Park or hike the famous Deschutes River trail and finish with water rafting, canoeing, or kayaking in the Deschutes river.

  • Day 4: Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
    2 hours 36 minutes (143 miles) from Bend

    Visit the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area to experience the unique coastal ecosystem of Oregon, where you can enjoy sandboarding, beach hiking, and fishing. Don’t miss the amazing views of Pacific ocean and hike the John Dellenback Dunes Trail that takes you to the top of the largest dunes over 500ft high.

  • Day 5: Willamette Valley
    2 hours 19 minutes (112 miles) from Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

    Spend the day touring the world-renowned wineries of Willamette Valley. Take a hot air balloon ride above the rolling hills, and enjoy wine tastings and vineyard tours. After a long day sip a glass of wine while enjoying the sunset over the vineyards.

  • Day 6: Columbia River Gorge
    1 hour 15 minutes (56.9 miles) from Willamette Valley

    Visit the Columbia River Gorge, a canyon of the Columbia River with incredible views and unique rock formations. Go hiking to see the Multnomah Falls, the second-tallest waterfall in the United States, drive around scenic highways or swim in the crystal clear waters of Oneonta Gorge.

  • Day 7: Mount Bachelor
    3 hours 10 minutes (177 miles) from Columbia River Gorge

    End your trip with a visit to Mount Bachelor for some skiing, snowboarding or snowmobiling. The resort one of the popular winter sports destinations in Oregon offers an excellent range of runs for all levels of skiers and snowboarders.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Entrance fee to Crater Lake National Park (1 day pass) - (free entry 9/24/2023) (1-7 days pass cost $30 per vehicle)
  • Kayak rental at Trillium Lake (2 hours) - $40
  • Smith Rock State Park entry fee (1 day pass) - $5 per person
  • Beach hike at Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area (1-7 days passes cost $5 per person)
  • Hot air balloon ride in Willamette Valley (1 hour) - $250 per person
  • Entrance fee to Columbia River Gorge (free entry)
  • Mount Bachelor lift ticket (1 day) - $100
  • Total Estimated Costs - $430

Transportation

For this itinerary, renting a car is ideal to explore and get around Oregon's diverse regions. The average cost of a car rental is $70-80 per day, and a 7-day rental is approximately $500. However, it's best to factor in seasonal rates and gas expenses. When calculating travel time and distances, consider traffic, road and weather conditions, especially during the winter months.

Useful Tips

If you have additional time, consider visiting Cannon Beach and visiting its famous Haystack Rock. Alternatively, you can drive the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway for a more scenic route. For those wanting more outdoor activities, consider visiting the Painted Hills, John Day Fossil Beds or explore the Oregon Coastline. For those with less time, we recommend skipping the ski resort or spending less time at wineries.

Airports

The largest airport in Oregon is Portland International Airport (PDX), located 12 miles from Downtown Portland. Eugene Airport (EUG) is another option, located in the southern part of the state, approximately 107 miles from Portland, and offers national and international flights.

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