12 Unforgettable Oregon Day Trips, One For Each Month Of The Year
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Oregon is of the most beautiful states in the nation, and there’s so much to see and do here that it often feels impossible to see it all! It can be tempting to snuggle up on the couch in the winter, or hit the same old favorite spots in the summer, but this year, we’d like to challenge you to try something different. We’ve come up with 12 different day trips – one for every month of the year, and they’re located in spots all over the state. Of course, don’t think you have to limit yourself to just one day trip adventure per month!
Head to Mt. Hood to enjoy the fluffy white stuff while it lasts! If skiing and snowboarding isn't your thing, hit the tubing park.
Our most iconic waterfall is well worth a visit any time of year, but in the winter it has an ethereal beauty that can't be beat. You'll also avoid most of the tourists who show up during summer months.
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The weather might be drizzy and dreary, but you can still spend the day splashing and swimming. Head to McMinnville and look for the building with the airplane on the roof.
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Take a stroll on the boardwalk through the Painted Hills Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds to see some gorgeous geological features and fossils that are up to 39 million years old. A springtime visit ensures that the weather won't be too hot.
You can see whales year-round at Depoe Bay, but if you want to see tons of these magnificent creatures (and their calves), May is the month to visit. The migration from Baja, Mexico to Alaska brings thousands of whales right past the Whale Watching Center. The migration starts in late March and goes through the first part of June.
There's nothing like enjoying a Shakespeare play in an outdoor theater. The Shakespeare Festival in Ashland is a Tony Award-winning event, and it gets started in February, but if you want to catch the Green Show, plan your visit from June through September.
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The country's deepest, most pristine lake is a true sight to behold. During the summer, you can take a trolley tour around the 33-mile-long Rim Drive, and hop on a ranger-led boat tour that includes a stop on Wizard Island.
Bandon is one of the coast's most charming little towns. While you're there, make sure to check out Circles in the Sand, an outdoor art installation that appears on the beach for several days every month.
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The vistas and views at Smith Rock State Park always looks as though they came right out of a storybook. It's a great place to visit year-round, but during fall months the weather is particularly nice, and the climbers are out in droves. If you're not into climbing, bring your binoculars so you can watch.
Take the Trail of Ten Waterfalls to see stunning cascades surrounded by vibrant fall foliage. This state park is jaw-dropping any time of year, but it's especially pretty dressed up in autumn colors.
You can soak here year-round, but when the scenery is covered in a blanket of snow, it's a winter wonderland. Leave your cell phone and laptop behind so you can relax and rejuvenate at this special place.
The gardens at Shore Acres State Park are stunning, and there's something in bloom year-round. During the holiday season, the park is filled with colorful twinkle lights and displays.
Depending on where you live in the Beaver State, obviously some of these are doable as day trips, and others would be overnight adventures. What other day trips do you think our readers should take? Tell us in the comments!
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Featured Addresses
Mt. Hood Skibowl, 87000 US-26, Government Camp, OR 97028, USA
Multnomah Falls, Oregon, USA
Wings & Waves Waterpark, 460 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville, OR 97128, USA
Painted Hills, Oregon 97750, USA
OPRD Whale Watching Center, 119 US-101, Depoe Bay, OR 97341, USA
15 S Pioneer St, Ashland, OR 97520, USA
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, USA
Bandon, OR 97411, USA
Smith Rock State Park, Oregon 97760, USA
Silver Falls State Park, Oregon, USA
Breitenbush Hot Springs, Oregon 97342, USA
Shore Acres State Park, 89526 Cape Arago Hwy, Coos Bay, OR 97420, USA