Oregon is a very special state for many reasons, but one of the main reasons that we love The Beaver State so much is because it is full of natural wonders. There’s so much beauty all across this state, and we are so lucky to live here. We asked our readers to tell us their favorite natural places in the state and for photos to match, and the response was overwhelming! We put together this list of spots that were mentioned numerous times; many thanks to everyone who sent in their best shots. Check out this readers’ choice list of the best natural wonders in Oregon and get out there and get exploring our great state today!
- Wallowa Lake
Barbara Fields/Facebook Wallowa Lake in the northeast part of the state is striking and looks as if it belongs in Canada. That’s because this 1,508-square acre, high-elevation lake was created by glaciers and moraines. It’s breathtaking from any angle. Wallowa Lake, Oregon 97846, USA
- Mount Hood
Michael Iles/Facebook Mount Hood is a symbol of Oregon and with good reason. This 11,249 foot tall stratovolcano stands out in the landscape and can be seen from vast distances all over the state. It could erupt at any time, but it probably won’t. Until it does, it’s a perfect place for camping, hiking, and other outdoor adventures. Mount Hood, Mt Hood, Oregon 97041, USA
- Steelhead Falls
Jerry Golbek/Facebook Steelhead Falls is north of Bend and is one of many, many waterfalls in our great state. The hike to it is moderate, but not long, and it’s well worth the journey to get there. Northwest Steelhead Falls Drive, NW Steelhead Falls Dr, Oregon 97760, USA
- Oregon Dunes
Casey Allen Kately/Facebook Oregon Dunes are a unique place to visit and are not like anything else in the United States. They are the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in the United States, and are one of the biggest in the world, too. They’re more than 100,000 years old and stretch 40 miles along Oregon’s southern coast. Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, 855 US-101, Reedsport, OR 97467, USA
- The Oregon Coast
Randy Wilson/Facebook The Oregon coast in general is one of the state’s most amazing natural wonders. Many of our readers submitted specific spots along the coast that they love, but it’s all so spectacular and gorgeous that we thought the entire coast deserved its own entry. Oregon Coast Highway, Oregon Coast Hwy, Florence, OR, USA
- The Columbia River Gorge
Benjamin Philip Perri/Facebook The Columbia River is the border between Oregon and Washington, but we’re partial to the Oregon side, of course. The Columbia River Gorge is a canyon that stretches 80 miles along this border and it is 4,000 feet deep in places. Like Mount Hood, the Columbia River is a big part of what makes Oregon Oregon, and it’s a place that everyone should spend time exploring as much as they possibly can. Columbia River Gorge N S A Boundary, Washington 98671, USA
- The Painted Hills
Peggy Thompson/Facebook John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is an exceptional place throughout, but many of our readers mentioned The Painted Hills geologic site - one of three units of the park - as their favorite natural wonder in the state. The colors are due to differences in the elements in the soils that have met here, and the resulting array of color is unforgettable. Painted Hills, Oregon 97750, USA
- Alvord Desert
Allyson Westfield/Facebook The Alvord Desert is in the southeastern portion of Oregon and few visit it. Those who do will be treated to incredible vistas like this one. It’s just 12 by 7 miles in size and is the dry bed of an ancient lake. It’s absolutely worth a visit. Alvord Desert, Oregon 97721, USA
- Smith Rock State Park
Karla Lynn Kennaday/Facebook Smith Rock State Park is near the center point of the state. The park is popular with campers, hikers, and especially rock climbers; in fact, it’s considered to be the birthplace of American sport climbing by some. Smith Rock itself is 3,200 feet high. The rock formations in this area are of volcanic origin. Smith Rock State Park, Terrebonne, OR 97760, USA
- Little Crater Lake
Sydney Teachworth/Facebook Little Crater Lake is not near Crater Lake National Park, but it is named after it. This small lake is a geologic oddity that scientists still are not able to explain, but it’s likely somehow volcanic in origin. The hike to it is easy and the colors you’ll see there will stay with you for a good long while. Little Crater Lake, Oregon, USA
- Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area
Nancy Dehn Johnsen/Facebook This natural rock bowl on the central coast of Oregon is a heavily visited landmark. It’s amazing to watch the tide roll in and out here as the ocean water churns, swirls, and foams. Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area, Otter Rock, OR 97369, USA
- Siuslaw National Forest
Sofia Freebird/Facebook The Siuslaw National Forest covers more than 630,000 acres in southwestern Oregon. It includes a variety of ecosystems from coastal forest, to old growth forest, to sand dunes, to temperate rainforest, and more. It’s a beautiful forest and it is full of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Siuslaw National Forest, Oregon 97390, USA
- Shore Acres State Park
Cherise Glaze/Facebook Shore Acres State Park is just 745 acres in size, but it’s a great park to visit. The sandstone cliffs on the ocean here offer views of some of the biggest and loudest crashing waves you’ve ever seen. Shore Acres State Park, Coos Bay, OR 97420, USA
- Broken Top
Joyce Owen/Facebook Broken Top is a 9,177 stratovolcano in the Three Sisters Wilderness. This mountain is immediately recognizable due to the distinctive bowl created by eruptions 100,000 years ago and the erosion by Bend and Crook Glaciers that followed. Broken Top, Oregon 97413, USA
- Crater Lake
Raymond Randall/Facebook Crater Lake is a volcanic crater lake in Crater Lake National Park. It’s strikingly beautiful due to the deep blue of the water in the lake, and the lake is the deepest lake in the United States at 1,949 feet. Like Mount Hood and the Oregon Coast, Crater Lake symbolizes Oregon not only for those of us who live here, but for people all around the United States and the world. Crater Lake, Oregon 97604, USA
Oregon is amazing and it’s not like any other place in the world. This list is an incomplete one when it comes to all of the fantastic natural wonders within the state’s border, but it’s a good start. Which is your favorite? How many have you visited so far? Whether you’ve been to them all or just a few, these natural wonders await you – get on out there and explore!
Barbara Fields/Facebook
Wallowa Lake in the northeast part of the state is striking and looks as if it belongs in Canada. That’s because this 1,508-square acre, high-elevation lake was created by glaciers and moraines. It’s breathtaking from any angle.
Wallowa Lake, Oregon 97846, USA
Michael Iles/Facebook
Mount Hood is a symbol of Oregon and with good reason. This 11,249 foot tall stratovolcano stands out in the landscape and can be seen from vast distances all over the state. It could erupt at any time, but it probably won’t. Until it does, it’s a perfect place for camping, hiking, and other outdoor adventures.
Mount Hood, Mt Hood, Oregon 97041, USA
Jerry Golbek/Facebook
Steelhead Falls is north of Bend and is one of many, many waterfalls in our great state. The hike to it is moderate, but not long, and it’s well worth the journey to get there.
Northwest Steelhead Falls Drive, NW Steelhead Falls Dr, Oregon 97760, USA
Casey Allen Kately/Facebook
Oregon Dunes are a unique place to visit and are not like anything else in the United States. They are the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in the United States, and are one of the biggest in the world, too. They’re more than 100,000 years old and stretch 40 miles along Oregon’s southern coast.
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, 855 US-101, Reedsport, OR 97467, USA
Randy Wilson/Facebook
The Oregon coast in general is one of the state’s most amazing natural wonders. Many of our readers submitted specific spots along the coast that they love, but it’s all so spectacular and gorgeous that we thought the entire coast deserved its own entry.
Oregon Coast Highway, Oregon Coast Hwy, Florence, OR, USA
Benjamin Philip Perri/Facebook
The Columbia River is the border between Oregon and Washington, but we’re partial to the Oregon side, of course. The Columbia River Gorge is a canyon that stretches 80 miles along this border and it is 4,000 feet deep in places. Like Mount Hood, the Columbia River is a big part of what makes Oregon Oregon, and it’s a place that everyone should spend time exploring as much as they possibly can.
Columbia River Gorge N S A Boundary, Washington 98671, USA
Peggy Thompson/Facebook
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is an exceptional place throughout, but many of our readers mentioned The Painted Hills geologic site - one of three units of the park - as their favorite natural wonder in the state. The colors are due to differences in the elements in the soils that have met here, and the resulting array of color is unforgettable.
Painted Hills, Oregon 97750, USA
Allyson Westfield/Facebook
The Alvord Desert is in the southeastern portion of Oregon and few visit it. Those who do will be treated to incredible vistas like this one. It’s just 12 by 7 miles in size and is the dry bed of an ancient lake. It’s absolutely worth a visit.
Alvord Desert, Oregon 97721, USA
Karla Lynn Kennaday/Facebook
Smith Rock State Park is near the center point of the state. The park is popular with campers, hikers, and especially rock climbers; in fact, it’s considered to be the birthplace of American sport climbing by some. Smith Rock itself is 3,200 feet high. The rock formations in this area are of volcanic origin.
Smith Rock State Park, Terrebonne, OR 97760, USA
Sydney Teachworth/Facebook
Little Crater Lake is not near Crater Lake National Park, but it is named after it. This small lake is a geologic oddity that scientists still are not able to explain, but it’s likely somehow volcanic in origin. The hike to it is easy and the colors you’ll see there will stay with you for a good long while.
Little Crater Lake, Oregon, USA
Nancy Dehn Johnsen/Facebook
This natural rock bowl on the central coast of Oregon is a heavily visited landmark. It’s amazing to watch the tide roll in and out here as the ocean water churns, swirls, and foams.
Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area, Otter Rock, OR 97369, USA
Sofia Freebird/Facebook
The Siuslaw National Forest covers more than 630,000 acres in southwestern Oregon. It includes a variety of ecosystems from coastal forest, to old growth forest, to sand dunes, to temperate rainforest, and more. It’s a beautiful forest and it is full of opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Siuslaw National Forest, Oregon 97390, USA
Cherise Glaze/Facebook
Shore Acres State Park is just 745 acres in size, but it’s a great park to visit. The sandstone cliffs on the ocean here offer views of some of the biggest and loudest crashing waves you’ve ever seen.
Shore Acres State Park, Coos Bay, OR 97420, USA
Joyce Owen/Facebook
Broken Top is a 9,177 stratovolcano in the Three Sisters Wilderness. This mountain is immediately recognizable due to the distinctive bowl created by eruptions 100,000 years ago and the erosion by Bend and Crook Glaciers that followed.
Broken Top, Oregon 97413, USA
Raymond Randall/Facebook
Crater Lake is a volcanic crater lake in Crater Lake National Park. It’s strikingly beautiful due to the deep blue of the water in the lake, and the lake is the deepest lake in the United States at 1,949 feet. Like Mount Hood and the Oregon Coast, Crater Lake symbolizes Oregon not only for those of us who live here, but for people all around the United States and the world.
Crater Lake, Oregon 97604, USA
Are you ready to head out there today? This natural wonders road trip is a great way to get started! This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You Oregon Like You’ve Never Seen It Before
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