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!
January - Mt. Hood Ski Bowl
Mt. Hood Ski Bowl/Facebook 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.
February - Multnomah Falls
Image Source/Getty Images 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.
March - Wings & Waves Waterpark, McMinnville
Wings & Waves Waterpark/Facebook 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.
April - Painted Hills Unit At John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
Anna Gorin/Moment Collection/via Getty Images 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.
May - Depoe Bay
kellyvandellen/iStock/via Getty Images 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.
June - Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland
perrin w/Tripadvisor 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.
July - Crater Lake National Park
Bruce Shippee/EyeEm/via GettyImages 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.
August - Bandon
Circles in the Sand/Facebook 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.
September - Smith Rock State Park
David Gn Photography/Moment Collection/via Getty Images 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.
October - Silver Falls State Park
Michael Riffle/Moment Collection/via Getty Images 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.
November - Breitenbush Hot Springs
Riggs TOK 003/Google 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.
December - Shore Acres State Park
ilovepics11/flickr 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!
Mt. Hood Ski Bowl/Facebook
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.
Image Source/Getty Images
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.
Wings & Waves Waterpark/Facebook
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.
Anna Gorin/Moment Collection/via Getty Images
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.
kellyvandellen/iStock/via Getty Images
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.
perrin w/Tripadvisor
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.
Bruce Shippee/EyeEm/via GettyImages
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.
Circles in the Sand/Facebook
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.
David Gn Photography/Moment Collection/via Getty Images
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.
Michael Riffle/Moment Collection/via Getty Images
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.
Riggs TOK 003/Google
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.
ilovepics11/flickr
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.
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Address: Mt. Hood Skibowl, 87000 US-26, Government Camp, OR 97028, USAAddress: Multnomah Falls, Oregon, USAAddress: Wings & Waves Waterpark, 460 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville, OR 97128, USAAddress: Painted Hills, Oregon 97750, USAAddress: OPRD Whale Watching Center, 119 US-101, Depoe Bay, OR 97341, USAAddress: 15 S Pioneer St, Ashland, OR 97520, USAAddress: Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, USAAddress: Bandon, OR 97411, USAAddress: Smith Rock State Park, Terrebonne, OR 97760, USAAddress: Silver Falls State Park, 20024 Silver Falls Hwy SE, Sublimity, OR 97385, USAAddress: Breitenbush Hot Springs, Oregon 97342, USAAddress: Shore Acres State Park, Coos Bay, OR 97420, USA
