The Perfect 10 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

Years ago, when I lived in Texas, I decided to visit the beautiful state of Oregon. Since I love exploring mountains and beaches, I decided to make the most of it and do an ultimate Oregon road trip! I fell in love with this state and all that it has to offer, and it was one of the many reasons I moved to the Pacific Northwest. Now I visit this excellent state at least twice a year. I mean, it is so dang close to me now! So I wanted to make it easy for you and highlight my favorite things to do there! Hikes, restaurants, viewpoints, etc. I hope you love Oregon as much as I do after your trip.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you. 

Oregon Road Trip Map

Below is a screenshot of the route and a Google map you can download and use throughout your trip.

Oregon Road Trip

Day 1 – Portland

What I loved most about Portland was the food! OMG, everywhere that I ate, I was mesmerized. We even found one of the spiciest dishes of our life, and we love spicy food. Some popular things include:

• Drinking a beer at Deschutes Brewery
• Visiting Powell’s Bookstore
• Eat At Voodoo Doughnut for breakfast
• Checking out the International Rose Test Garden
• Check out the Portland Japenese Garden

>>>Book A Portland Tour Here

Where To Stay In Portland

• The Mark Spencer Hotel: An excellent hotel a few minutes away from Powell’s Bookstore and the Japenese Garden. >>>Book Here

Day 2 – Columbia River Gorge

Hikes and Viewpoints

I am in LOVE with the Columbia River Gorge. I go to this area at least once a year now. I am captivated by all the waterfalls, the views of Mount Hood, the wineries, restaurants, and farms. It is such a fun area, and it is the number one thing to do in Oregon. If someone told me there was only one area I had to pick to explore, it would be this one.

The number one thing to do in the Columbia River Gorge is to chase waterfalls. There is a road called the Historic Columbia River Highway, and there are many waterfalls here! Some popular ones include Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Wahkeena Falls, Fairy Falls, Multnomah Falls, Horsetail Falls, Ponytail Falls, and Dry Creek Falls.

Read More: The Ultimate Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Road Trip

You can also hike around the gorge to get a better viewpoint of the Columbia River. I loved wandering the Mosier Plateau Trail during the spring, as the flowers are all out.

Food And Drinks

Unwinding after some waterfall chasing around the Hood River Waterfront Park is a must. This place is so stunning and relaxing! We grabbed some pizza at Solstice Wood Fire Pizza – Cafe & Bar and took it to the park. It was a beautiful sunny day, and we watched people kayak the Columbia river.

I also loved eating at the Riverside restaurant for brunch and loved Garnier Vineyards as well as the Mt. Hood Winery.

Kayaking

If you want to go kayaking or windsurfing, you can rent it at Big Winds. This is a popular thing to do in the summer in Oregon.

Where To Stay In Hood River (Stay Here For Two Nights)

Hood River Hotel: Hood River Hotel is the oldest hotel in Hood River, Oregon, and has been updated with a cute modern style. There is a restaurant on-site, and it is pet-friendly.>>>Book Here

Day 3 – Mt. Hood

Mount Hood is such a perfect place to visit in the summer. The mountain is stunning, and there are so many fun things to do outdoors!

Farms

I am such a sucker for good fruit! I love visiting local farms, and Mt. Hood has a ton of them. My favorite farm was Kiyokawa Family Orchards, as you can pick your fruit, and it has such a fantastic view of Mount Hood. If you want a map of all the farms in the area, click here.

Great Hikes

• Tom Dick and Harry Trail: Great views of Mirror Lake and Mount Hood and labeled as hard.
• Trillium Lake Loop: Easy trail and great if you want an epic photo of Mount Hood with a lake.
• Tamanawas Falls: Moderate waterfall hike on the east side of the mountain.
• Ramona Falls: Another excellent waterfall hike.

Day 4 – Silver Falls State Park

Read More: Trail of Ten Falls, Oregon Guide | Silver Falls State Park

Trail Of Ten Falls

Silver Falls State Park is one of the most underrated state parks I have ever seen. This park is outstanding, and there are so many waterfalls here! Around 10 of them, and they are all epic. When I heard about this place, I thought one or two waterfalls would be beautiful and the rest would be mediocre, but nope! They were all fantastic and stunning.

The main trail is called the “Trail of Ten Falls,”. It is 7.4 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 1,200 ft and is rated moderate. When I did the hike, it was closer to 8 miles. This is pretty much an all-day adventure, so pack your hiking equipment and drive to this lovely park. Parking at Silver Falls is $5 per vehicle.

Where To Stay In Salem

• Hotel Hampton Inn and Suites Salem: >>>Book Here Now

Day 5 – Bend

Take A Hike

Some popular hikes in the area include South Sister Summit, and Green Lakes Trail. I will tell you about my all-time favorite waterfall hike, which is a little out of the way from Bend (an hour and a half). It is Proxy Falls, and it is shown below. It is only 1.6 miles with an elevation gain of 147 ft. and I highly recommend it! Get up early in the morning and hike this trail, then drive to Bend, relax and enjoy the rest of your evening :-).

Visit A Brewery

I have been to Oregon many times, and something I have regretted in the past was not spending enough time in Bend. This town is so much fun! It is hip and filled with food trucks, breweries, and wineries.

Read More: Amazing Things to Do in Bend, Oregon | 20 Top Activities & Attractions

Bend is known for its breweries, so you have to visit at least one of them! Most have food, so it is still fun to visit even if you aren’t a beer person. Some of the popular ones include:

Where To Stay In Bend (Stay Here For Two Nights)

• Hotel SpringHill Suites by Marriott Bend: We stayed at this hotel, and I loved it. It was clean, close to many restaurants, breweries, and had a nice bar. >>>Book Here

Read More: Where to Stay in Bend, Oregon | 7 Top Hotels & Hidden Lodgings

Day 6 – Smith Rock State Park And Painted Hills

Painted Hills

When I explored Oregon for the first time, I was surprised at how much the landscape changed after driving only a few hours. You can go from lush green forests to a desert in a mere few hours. An entertaining and different area to explore is Painted Hills. It is located in Eastern Oregon and is a combination of many hills with red, yellow colors swirling around. You can’t get too close to the red-yellow area, but the Painted Cove Trail features close-up views of the red formations.

Out of everything I experienced in Oregon, this is probably my least favorite thing on this list. So if you are limited on time and don’t want to make the drive here, you can skip it and do an activity much closer.

Pro Tip: Fill up on gas before heading out to Painted Hills as there is not much around there.

Smith Rock

After exploring Painted hills in the morning, head out to Smith Rock for sunset. You can hike around this stunning place and do trails like Painted Cove Trail, Misery Ridge, and River Trail, or the Rim Rock trail. You can also rock climb Smith Rock which is what we did and it was a blast!

Read More: The Ultimate Guide To Smith Rock Hiking Trails

Day 7 – Umpqua National Forest

Toketee Falls

If you want something that is more bang for your buck, then check out Toketee Falls! This waterfall hike is only 0.9 miles with a 167 ft elevation gain. I loved this trail! It was so easy to do, and the trees are lush and green.

Umpqua Hot Springs

One of the most popular hot springs in Oregon is the beautiful Umpqua Hot Springs. There are around eight pools that can fit about 2-4 people. The trail is approximately 0.8 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 305 ft. The hot springs are only open from sunrise to sunset, so you cannot camp there overnight. Also, the parking lot only holds ten cars, so get there early!

I also want to say that this area is known to be constantly trashed. Please pick up after yourself and don’t leave any items behind. That includes food (seeds and banana peels), and beer cans.

Read More: 25 Best Hikes in the Pacific Northwest + Packing List & Tips

Watson Falls

Watson Falls is another easy trail that has a magnificent waterfall viewpoint. The trail is only 1 mile long with an elevation gain of 524 ft. It is relatively close to Toketee Falls, so make sure you check this waterfall out!

Diamond Lake

Diamond Lake is a great place to stop if you want a great mountain view with a lake. Here you can have a perfect view of Mt Bailey with Diamond lake in the foreground.

Where To Stay Near Crater Lake (Stay Here Two Nights)

• Crater Lake Lodge: One of the few hotels located in the National Park. >>>Book Here

Read More: Where to Stay Near Crater Lake National Park | Lodging & More

Day 8 – Crater Lake National Park

I dream of revisiting Crater Lake National Park! This place is a gem. I almost took this out of our itinerary years ago, and I am so thankful my husband told me to include it. My jaw dropped when I saw it. I had never seen such a dark, sapphire-blue lake in my life. It is known to be the deepest lake in the United States!

Read More: 14 Best Things To Do at Crater Lake National Park

Things to Do At Crater Lake

• Go to some of the viewpoints: The best ones are Watchman Overlook, Phantom Ship Overlook, and Cloudcap Overlook.
• Drive Around: You can drive around the whole lake to take in its beauty.
• Hike and Swim: There is only one way to swim in the lake and that is by hiking the Cleetwood Cove Trail. We did this, and it was so fun but freezing! Even on the hottest day, the water was chilling.

Day 9 – Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor is located on the southern coast of Oregon. It has become one of the most popular Instagram spots in Oregon, and for a good reason. The area is filled with cliffs and waves crashing into them and sea stacks filled with evergreen trees. It is breathtaking!

Most viewpoints are pretty easy to get to, making it a perfect spot to relax or take pictures. No extensive crazy hiking is needed to get these views. Popular viewpoints include the Whaleshead Beach, Cape Ferrelo viewpoint, House Rock Viewpoint, and Indian Sands Viewpoint.

The most popular area is the Natural Bridges which is best to see for sunrise. This area can be a bit difficult to get to. At the parking lot take a right (if you are facing the beach). Then take two lefts when you get to the junctions. The trail is very steep so bring good hiking shoes.

Want To Learn More On Samuel H. Boardman : Check Out My Post On The Best Oregon Coast Road Trip

Where To Stay Near Samuel H. Boardman

Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge (Gold Beach): This place is fantastic and nestled in a beautiful forest area.>>>Check It Out Here

Day 10 – North And Central Coast

Exploring the Oregon Coast is a must on your Oregon road trip! There are many cute coastal towns like Cannon Beach (my fav)! If you want to extend your trip to be a bit longer than ten days, then stay a few days on the coast. There is so much to see and to do here.

Some of my favorite stops on the coast include:

There is so much more to do than what I listed above. Those are just a couple of my favorite areas. I do feel like you need more than one day to explore the central and northern coast. But if you are limited on time, I would only stop at Cape Kiwanda and Cannon Beach. Cannon Beach is the cutest town and has many hotels and yummy restaurants.

Want To Learn More On The North And Central Coast : Check Out My Post On The Oregon Coast

Where To Stay In Cannon Beach

Surfsand Resort(Cannon Beach): This is where we stayed the first time we came to Cannon Beach. They have oceanfront rooms and a heated indoor swimming pool and hot tub. I enjoyed our stay here, and I loved that we could walk easily to the beach. >>>Check It Out Here

Day 11 – Go Home

Such a sad day! Going home is hard. Oregon has some of the most epic sceneries in the country. When I first came to Oregon, I vowed to come back, and what do you know, I moved to the state right next to it. I now visit Oregon at least twice a year, and every time I am still amazed by its beauty.

What To Pack When You Travel In Oregon

1. Sunscreen: Super important and it is part of the ten essentials!  >Buy Sunscreen
2. Chapstick: This one has SPF so your lips won’t get burned! >Check Out This Chapstick
3. Hiking Boots/Shoes: If you use tennis shoes, you can easily hurt your toes hitting a rock by accident (Trust me, I have done it so many times before). >Check Out My Hiking Shoes
4. Hiking socks: Having the correct socks helps you prevent getting blisters. Smart Wool is probably my favorite brand out there. >Buy Hiking Socks
5. Water Reservoir: Water reservoirs help prevent me from getting dehydrated while hiking. The great thing about this reservoir is that it doesn’t have the plastic taste. >Here Is My Water Reservoir
6. Water: Stay nice and hydrated.
7. Sunglasses: It can get sunny, so make sure to pack some sunglasses. >Check Out These Sunglasses
8. Snacks: The best snacks are jerky, nuts, and energy bars. >>>Love These Snacks Here
9. Camera: The Sony A6000 was one of the first cameras I started traveling with. The Sony A6000 is an excellent camera for people that want to start improving at travel photography.  >Buy Sony Camera Here
10. First Aid Kit: This is one of the first things I bought when I first started going on adventures. It is super portable. >Buy This Awesome First Aid Kit Here
11. Day Pack to carry all your things: To carry all your gear, water, and food, you need a good backpack. Osprey is known to have some of the best backpacks in the market. >Buy This Great Quality Backpack
12. Headlamp: A headlamp is an absolute must in case you get stranded in the dark! It is a lot more portable and easier to use than a flashlight. >Buy A Headlamp Now
13. Leggings or Hiking Pants: I always wear leggings while hiking because it is what I feel most comfortable with! >Click For My Favorite Hiking Leggings
14. Breathable sweat-wicking shirts: Cotton shirts soak up your sweat when hiking, so make sure to wear something breathable. >Check out this awesome breathable shirt here.
15. Mid Base Layer: It can get chilly in Oregon even in the summer. >Check Out My Sweater Here
16. Sports Bra: For women. >Check This One Here
17. Jacket: I always have a jacket in my backpack, even if it is hot. I do it just in case of an emergency.  >Buy My Favorite Jacket
18. Rain Jacket: The worst feeling in the world is being wet and cold while hiking. You can get hypothermia, so always carry a poncho or a rain jacket when you hike Oregon. >Check Out My Rain Jacket Here
19. Tripod: This is an optional item, but it is excellent for getting the ideal sunset pictures. >Check out this tripod
20. Knife: I always carry a knife in my backpack just in case. >Check Out My Knife Here

7 Day Oregon Itinerary

If 10 days is too long, then I have made a smaller 7 day Oregon road trip. I have only listed my seven favorite spots.

4 Day Oregon Road Trip

Final Thoughts On Best Oregon Road Trips

Thanks for reading about road trips in Oregon! If you need other PNW inspiration, make sure to check out my other blog posts:

• The Ultimate Pacific Northwest Road Trip Itinerary
• Best Hikes In Washington State
• 25 Amazing Oregon Waterfalls You Need To See Today
• The Ultimate Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Road Trip
• The Best Things To Do On The Oregon Coast
• 16 Fun Things To Do In Astoria Oregon

Pin For Later: Road Trip To Oregon