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Oregon

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Oregon [1] is an American state in the Pacific Northwest. It features rugged rocky coastlines, dense forests, fun cities, mountains, deep canyons, and desert in the southeastern part of the state.

[edit] Regions

Oregon Regions
  • Cascade Mountains - Numerous wildernesses, thick forests, fresh air and water which divide western Oregon from Central Oregon
  • Central Oregon - Gateway to the High Desert
  • Columbia Gorge - Wind and beauty
  • Eastern Oregon - Cattle, timber and sage country
  • Oregon Coast - Spectacular and rugged coastline, modest and affordable accommodations
  • Southern Oregon - Beautiful old-growth forests, world-class fishing, breath-taking waterfalls, emerging wine region, gateway to Crater Lake
  • Willamette Valley - Home to Oregon's most populous cities, as well as its breadbasket.

[edit] Cities

[edit] Other destinations

  • California National Historical Trail - The road to California carried over 250,000 gold-seekers & farmers to the gold fields & rich farmlands of California during the 1840's and 1850's as well as those who choose to head north to the Oregon Territory
  • Crater Lake National Park -- Deepest lake in the world above sea level, Oregon's only national park
  • Lewis and Clark National Monument - 12 park sites located on a 40-mile stretch of the Pacific coast located at the western end of the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
  • Mount Bachelor -- skiing and snowboarding (November through May)
  • Mount Hood -- snowboarding & skiing (lift serviced year round), snowshoeing, alpine slides, hiking, backpacking, camping
  • Painted Hills -- Part of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, 75 Miles East of Bend, approximately 1000 Ha, 3132 Acres, one of the most photographed areas in Oregon. Colors change as the sun moves in the sky, making an extended visit quite worthwhile. Brilliant yellow wildflowers bloom in rivers of color down the "valleys" of the hillsides in late April/early May.
  • Oregon National Historical Trail -- As the harbinger of America's westward expansion, the Oregon Trail was the pathway to the Pacific for fur traders, gold seekers, missionaries and others.
  • Willamette National Forest -- Offering numerous outdoor recreation activities including hiking, sailing, and camping at Waldo Lake.
  • Wallowa Lake -- One of Oregon's finest lakes. Beautiful scenery, camping, boating, fishing, hiking, eating, and lodging in the quiet town of Joseph.
  • Silver Falls State Park - Located 26 miles East of Salem this state park has 10 waterfalls. Take the canyon trail on a 6.9 mile hike and see all 10. For a shorter hike take the shortcut and see 8 waterfalls in a 5.1 mile loop.

[edit] Understand

If driving in Oregon, be aware of a state law that does not allow self-service at gas stations. A gas station attendant must pump the gas.

Also, be aware that the name of the state is pronounced "OR-ah-ginn"; a popular saying that is often recited to tourists and newcomers is "if you say 'or-eh-GONE', you should be."

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

The three largest commercial passenger airports in Oregon are:

  • Portland International Airport (PDX) in Portland
  • Mahlon Sweet Field (EUG) in Eugene
  • Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR) in Medford

Scappoose Airport Hillsboro Airport Salem Airport

Portland International is served non-stop by most major airlines and by several international carriers; it is the only international port of entry for Oregon. Mahlon Sweet Field and Rogue Valley Airport are served non-stop by feeder lines to Portland and other regional hubs such as San Francisco, Seattle, and Salt Lake City.

[edit] By train

Amtrak [2] offers several ways to enter and travel thorughout Oregon by train:

  • The Empire Builder runs between Chicago and Spokane, Washington, where it then splits, with half of the train continuing to Seattle, and the other half to Portland.
  • The Coast Starlight. Regarded by many as America's most scenic train ride, the Coast Starlight runs between Los Angeles, California, and Seattle, Washington, stopping at many Oregon towns including Portland, Salem, Eugene, and Klamath Falls.
  • Amtrak Cascades. The Cascades is a special service that operates between Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada), and Eugene using special high-speed Talgo rolling stock. Stops include Portland and Albany. See Amtraks website.

For more information, see Amtrak's website, Wikitravel's article Rail travel in the United States, or the Wikipedia pages on each of this train services.

[edit] By car

Oregon has two Interstate Highways:

  • Interstate 5 connects Medford, Eugene, Salem, and Portland, running north to the Canadian border of British Columbia, and south through the Willamette Valley all the way to San Diego, California, therefore connecting Canada and Mexico via 3 west coast states.
  • Interstate 84 connects Portland, The Dalles, and Pendleton, running east to Boise, Idaho.

Federal and state highways effectively serve the remainder of the state, arranged in a grid-like lattice, but warped by mountain ranges:

  • Highway 101 winds along the Pacific coast and goes through the main street of most every town along the way
  • Highway 99 is the predecessor to I-5, but goes through many towns in the Willamette Valley. At Junction City (just north of Eugene), it splits as 99E and 99W which meander along the respective sides of the Willamette River; both terminate in Portland. South of Eugene, it is the same as I-5.
  • Highway 97 is the main Central Oregon north/south route. When I-5 is closed by winter storms, this is usually a good alternate as it is east of the Cascades and subject to much less precipitation.
  • Highway 26 goes from the northern coast through the coast range, through Portland then over the south flank of Mount Hood then generally follows an east-west path tracing the north Oregon border 50-75 miles south almost to the Idaho border at Vale.
  • Highway 20 goes from the north central coast in Newport to the eastern border roughly midway through the state.

Oregon is one of two states in the U.S. (along with New Jersey) where self-serve gasoline stations are not allowed by law. The speed limit along the interstates is generally 65 miles per hour (mph) except in the urban areas of interstate 5 where it is 55 mph. On highways it is generally 55 mph. For more details see Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 811.111 [3] and 810.180 [4].

[edit] By bicycle

The Oregon Coast is a premier destination for cycling, although traffic, narrow shoulders, heavy winds and rains, and windy roads make it dangerous. Nevertheless, many people cycle the entire Oregon Coast each year. In the summer months take Highway 101 north to south starting in Astoria through Lincoln City and onto Brookings to get breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. The prevailing winds will be at your back all summer long. For the seasoned cyclist head north in winter months as the winds are out of the SW at that time of year.

[edit] By foot

The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (which runs from Canada to Mexico) passes through Oregon along the Cascade Mountains. With almost no civilization along its route and very few highway crossings (four in the northern 150 miles of the trail), it is exceptional for experiencing nature while avoiding civilization.

[edit][add listing] See

Hundreds of species of birds and wildlife in Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

[edit][add listing] Do

  • Southern Oregon has the Ashland Shakespeare Festival, Crater Lake, Rogue River, and Oregon Coast.
  • Raft the Rogue River, Grants Pass, [5]. Spend four days rafting the Class III rapids of the Wild and Scenic Rogue River. Camping and lodge trips are available.
  • Enjoy the outdoors by camping at Devil's Lake, Ft. Stevens, Tillamook State Forest or Detroit Lake State Recreation Area.
  • Nearly 40 miles of coastline Dunes at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area between Florence and Coos Bay: get sand in your hair by driving ATVs or dune buggies.
  • Take a Oregon Coast [6] getaway or extended vacation. Visit the 363 miles of coastline and sandy beaches. Enjoy your stay at one of the most romantic places in the world.
  • OHV Riding in Oregon
  • Rock climbing at Smith Rock.
  • Visit Warm Springs Indian Reservation Resort and Casino.
  • Watch a Portland Trail Blazer game.
  • Watch a Portland Timbers game.
  • Watch a Portland Winterhawks game.
  • Go to the Oregon Zoo.
  • Smell the International Rose Test Gardens for free
  • Ski or Snowboard on Mt. Hood. In August if you want.
  • Go Bike Riding on the Spring Water Trail or in downtown Portland.
  • Go to the Beach at Lincoln City, Seaside, or Newport.
  • Visit Saturday Market in downtown Portland for wonderful local food, arts & crafts and music
  • Soak in the natural hot springs at Bagby Hot Springs, Breitenbush Resort, or the edge of Alvord Desert

[edit][add listing] Eat

  • Four star dining in hiking boots and jeans? This is perfectly acceptable (as are suits and tuxedos) at Timberline Lodge's Cascade Dining Room which offers seasonal northwest cuisine year round. Excellent breakfast, lunch and dinner selections. Dinner reservations are helpful most evenings, but a necessity at holidays and nice summer weekends.
  • Visit one of 30 microbreweries within Portland city limits

[edit][add listing] Drink

McMenamin's has several breweries and pubs throughout the state, including ones in Portland, Bend, McMinnville, and Eugene.

[edit] Respect

Oregonians are fanatically proud of the natural beauty of their state; littering or otherwise causing harm to the scenic beauty - including wildlife - found here is bound to draw attention to you that you probably do not want, up to and including that special type which only an officer of the law can give.

That being said, keep in mind that while Portland and the rest of the Willamette Valley is very cosmopolitan and culturally similar to San Francisco and Seattle, Eastern Oregon and Southern Oregon are more akin to Idaho and Nevada; that is to say, quite conservative. Contrary to popular belief, not all Oregonians are liberal, a fact which will become abundantly clear to you on a trip to a place such as Burns, La Grande, or Prineville.

[edit] Stay safe

Oregonians are known for being exceptionally kind and welcoming people; accordingly, violent crime in Oregon is quite low and visitors are not likely to have any harm come to them during their stay. Be aware, however, that violence has been on the rise in the Portland and Salem areas due to increasing gang activity - troubles which have likely been exacerbated by the state's 10.5% unemployment rate (November, 2009). Property crime is always a problem. The most dangerous neighborhood in the entire state is probably the King neighborhood in Northeast Portland (and even this area is not too risky if traveling in a group at night). The Rockwood district in suburban Gresham is also known for disturbingly high levels of violent and property crime. A casual visitor, however, will not likely have any reason to go to either of these places - in fact, most residents don't, either. For hazards specific to these cities, please see their respective WikiTravel pages.

Natural hazards are also few, but include mountaineering fatalities (Mt. Hood in particular), (very rare) tsunamis on the coast (please make note of the "Evacuation Route" signs); sudden snowstorms in the Cascade Mountains from October to May; the usual perils of desert travel in the Southeastern part of the state; and rattlesnakes, bears and other wildlife(particularly east of the Cascade range). If you venture out of the Willamette Valley during your stay, please ensure that your automobile is well fueled and in suitable condition: while Portland is modern and well-populated, Eastern Oregon includes some of the most sparsely populated areas in the United States (Harney County in the Southeast part of the state, for example, is slightly smaller than Massachusetts but is the home to only about 7,000 people). Breaking down out there will, in best case scenarios, make for a very long and annoying day; at worst, the consequences can be tragic.

Finally, as the subject of the vast emptiness of Oregon has been broached, remember to always have an adequate map (Benchmark Maps makes an exceptionally good one), especially if traveling into the wilderness on foot: each year many hikers go missing and, sadly, some never return. Know where you are going, and make sure someone else does too.

  • Oregon State Police: (503) 378-3720
  • Oregon State University offers a Saferide Program [7] throughout the week.

[edit] Get out

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