Road trips in Oregon can take you to some of the most scenic wilderness areas in the West. Hike through remote wilderness backcountry at Opal Creek. Kayak forested lakes above Eastern Oregon’s high desert. Hike through rain forest and under waterfalls along the Cascade Mountain Range. Camp in your tent, RV, trailer, or bivy sack in some of the best state and federal campgrounds in the Pacific Northwest. Fish pristine lakes. Explore indigenous history. Learn about Chinese-American communities in Eastern Oregon. Live your best Oregon Life. Explore Oregon Road Trips with the Mod Fam.
Some of the best camping in Oregon is a long way away from the coast and the I-5 corridor. You may be surprised to find the high desert oasis of Clyde Holliday State Park, a campground and day-use area near John Day, Mt. Vernon, and Magone Lake.
Thinking of planning your own Oregon Road Trip? Our recommended Oregon road trip itinerary includes full-day activities for each of the three days. Click on any of the days in our itinerary contents list below to jump to that part of the itinerary.
Download FREE high resolution images of the Kam Wah Chung & Company Museum in John Day, Oregon. These images are free to use for educational purposes.
One of the most significant and interesting historical sites in Oregon sits near John Day, Oregon’s Main Street. Chinese immigrants Ing Hay and Lung On bought Kam Wah Chung & Company in 1880. They turned the dry goods store into a successful, 50-year partnership, providing medical care, dried goods, lodging, entertainment, writing and translation services, and other important services to both the Chinese and non-Chinese communities.
Visit Opal Creek, Oregon and the Ancient Forest Center, a private, non-profit educational center in Oregon’s Opal Creek Wilderness. The historic settlement sits along Opal Creek near a Depression-era water wheel and power station in the wilderness area.
If you’re looking for the best lake to kayak in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, check out Magone Lake, near Mount Vernon and John Day, Oregon. This roughly 50-acre lake offers calm water, beautiful natural features, and miles of shoreline to explore. Keep reading for kayak access points, directions to Magone Lake, and more.
If you want to know about Oregon, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve been exploring Oregon most of our lives. And we’ve put together some of our favorite recommendations so you can get right to the good stuff. Explore Eastern Oregon’s historic towns and state parks. Hike ancient forests in wilderness reserves. Ride a tram to Howard Peak overlooking the Eagle Caps and visit the land of the Nez Perce and Chief Joseph. Learn about one of the largest Chinese settlements in the West in John Day. Road Trip Oregon to live the Oregon Life. Click on any of our Exploring Oregon posts above, or use the menu above to plan your next Oregon Road Trip.
Explore Oregon Life with our helpful resource guides. We’ve packed our Oregon Guides full of recommendations for the BEST outdoor recreation. Explore Oregon’s vast wilderness areas. Experience the state’s thriving urban areas. Expand your perspective of the Beaver State. From hiking and backpacking to camping state and federal parks, we’ve filled our guides full of useful, relevant information. Get all the information you need to plan your next hike, route, or trip. Explore Oregon with the Mod Fam and come explore Oregon with us!
