Most Beautiful Places In Oregon That Are Not So Popular

Oregon is home to a number of national parks and features that are widely popular among visitors and we have already written about the top 10 tourist attractions that we think are worth considering, especially if you are a visitor. However, there are also a number of hidden gems that only the people of Oregon are well aware of.

Most of these places are spectacular, and what is more, you won’t find a huge number of visitors waiting to access these sites. Here you will feel nature belongs to you.

We went out and collected several of these hidden places and compiled our list.

Lava River Cave

Located in the Deschutes National Forest, the Lava River Cave is one of the best underground adventure trails in Oregon. The whole journey downwards takes roughly 90 minutes and it features a number of stair cases, uneven surfaces and flat boardwalks too.

You’ll definitely appreciate the experience once you get to the end. You’ll also get to see some of the best views complemented by an array of ice crystals.

Note: You’ll have to carry along a flashlight in order for you to be able to see in the dark.

Anthony Lakes

Many people usually assume that the best skiing location in Oregon is located in Mount Hood. However, many locals will tell you otherwise. Little known Anthony Lakes holds the spot for the best location for an adventure-filled skiing experience, and you will find great powder skin here. The ski resort is located in Eastern Oregon’s Blue Mountains and is approx. 7,100 feet high above sea level.

The ski resort is relatively cheaper and has 21 runs that cover over 30 kilometres. If you are looking for a more secluded spot for your winter vacation in Oregon, then this might just be the place for you.

Little Crater Lake

Don’t let the name confuse you, this lake is not related to Crater Lake in anyway. You can find this secluded location in the dense Mount Hood forest, only a few extra yards from a trailhead. Although not as extensive as Crater Lake, it does have its own secluded spot where you can study the local flora. It is easily located near Portland and does not have as many crowds as those found in other more popularly known sites.

Activities you can enjoy include hiking and camping, which is well worth it for the chance to get out and feel the benefit of nature over a long weekend. If you want a special getaway with your partner or a location where you can relax with the kids, then this is a great location.

Klamath Basin

The Klamath Basin is home to a number of wildlife refuges. Most notable are the different bird species that call it home and so it is a bird watcher’s paradise. Expect to see tundra swans and bald eagles among others. If you want to be guaranteed a full prospect of the species that visit you will find an excellent resource by the Klamath Basin Birding Trail contains details of what to see and when.

There are also other activities that you can engage in such as going on canoe rides in the Upper Klamath Lake and visiting the scenic Klamath Falls.

Wallowa Mountains

One of the best things about the Wallowa Mountains is the fact that they are located in the ‘Far East’. The journey to this place is quite long which may explain why it has fewer visitors, compared to other attractions. These mountains are usually covered by flowers in summer and snow during winter, much like the mountains located in Switzerland (hence its name “Little Switzerland”).

You can engage in hiking expeditions, mountain trails or visit one of the many glacier lakes located here. This is also a great place for camping, and the best times are usually during sunrise and sunset when the sun’s rays are visibly seen against the backdrop of the mountains.

Thor’s Well

We definitely saved the best for last. This is one of the few places in Oregon that will blow your mind – literally. This gaping hole is definitely dangerous – you don’t want to get too near it – but captivating at the same time. It’s a great place to marvel at Mother Nature’s creations and there’s a high probability that you’ll end up uttering the same words as those of one famous poet and playwright

“I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it.”

Source: William Shakespeare

So if our first list left you wanting more, we hope you found plenty to get on with in these lesser known and equally stunning locations. You can also check out this list from Only In Your State to find out more captivating places that are hardly known.