Top 10 National Parks and Sites in Oregon

Oregon offers a diverse range of landscapes—from snow-capped mountains to the stunning Pacific coastline. This state boasts a rich human history marked by migrations and cross-country journeys, preserved at its national parks and sites. These unique areas highlight the natural beauty and historical significance of Oregon, which features 111,619 miles of rivers and streams, 296 miles of coastline, and countless lakes. Are you ready to plan your adventure in the Beaver State? Here are ten of the finest national parks and sites in Oregon.

Oregon's National Parks

Crater Lake National Park

Although it's Oregon's only official national park, Crater Lake National Park is among the most cherished landscapes in the nation. The park's highlight is Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the U.S. and one of the clearest bodies of water on the planet. Beyond its stunning appearance, the lake has a fascinating origin story — it formed when a volcano collapsed, leaving a massive crater filled with rain and snowmelt.

Visitors to the park can explore the Rim Drive around the crater or take a boat ride to Wizard Island, a cinder cone located near the lake's western edge.

Oregon National Monuments, Trails, Recreation Areas, and Sites

Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve

Revered as the “Marble Halls of Oregon,” this maze of dark, winding passages deep within the Siskiyou Mountains is one of the state’s most breathtaking natural wonders. Beyond the intricate network of caves, visitors can enjoy a 4,554-acre park perfect for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing, featuring bears, cougars, and bobcats.

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

At Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, you can explore four distinct locations, each telling a different story. This site offers insights into the region's fur trading past, the U.S. Army's Vancouver Barracks, its significance in the history of aviation, and the very beginnings of the Pacific Northwest. It's the perfect destination for those eager to grasp Oregon's history and those wishing to appreciate its present beauty.

Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail

The origins of this national trail trace back to the end of the last Ice Age when an ice dam in northern Idaho collapsed, flooding the Columbia River and eventually reaching the Pacific Ocean. This catastrophic event reshaped the landscape of the Pacific Northwest, affecting areas in Oregon, Montana, Idaho, and Washington. In Oregon, the remnants of the flood include Hat Rock, a monolith sculpted by the floodwaters, and the Tualatin Ice Age Trail, which features traces of ice, rock, and bone dating back 18,000 years.

Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail

While the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail spans 16 states and nearly 4,900 miles, the explorers aimed for the coastline of present-day Oregon and Washington. Oregon is rich in historic sites, including Netul Landing & River Trail, where Lewis and Clark navigated and set up a winter camp, and Les Shirley Park, where they searched for a beached whale to replenish their dwindling supplies.

Lewis and Clark National Historic Park

The park’s most popular attraction is the replica of Fort Clatsop, where Lewis and Clark spent the winter. After discovering their journey, you can embark on your own adventure — the historic park boasts an extensive network of trails that wind through rainforests and provide breathtaking views of the Oregon coastline.

Nez Perce National Historical Park

The Nez Perce National Historical Park spans four states — Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Oregon — featuring an impressive 38 sites that narrate the story of the Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) people, who have inhabited this land for generations. In Oregon, notable sites include the Joseph Canyon Viewpoint, which overlooks one of the Nimíipuu’s winter residences (where Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt, known as Chief Joseph, is believed to have been born), as well as Chief Joseph’s gravesite.

Oregon National Historic Trail

While several states claim a segment of the Oregon National Historic Trail, none hold as much significance as Oregon itself, which represents the conclusion of the cross-country trek. The trail traverses the northern region of the state, revealing ruts left by the original pioneers’ wagons, along with numerous historic sites and museums.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument preserves a vital chapter of Earth’s history, showcasing ancient ecosystems, the evolution of plants and animals, and the effects of climate change through its vibrant rock formations. The monument spans over 40 million years of history — an experience you can explore firsthand on one of the site’s picturesque hikes.

California National Historic Trail

The largest mass migration in American history occurred during the 1840s and 1850s, when over 250,000 individuals journeyed to California in search of gold and fertile land. The California National Historic Trail begins west of Salem, Oregon, and travels southward. A notable stop along the way is the Douglas County Museum, home to Oregon's most extensive natural history collection.