fvsue

We are planning an RV trip North from California going through Oregon and see several possible routes. Can anyone suggest a route that is scenic and includes some "can't miss" visits. We like back roads and are not too much in a hurry.

Ranger

IMO the most scenic route by far would be 101 up the coast. The Bandon area is nice, Florence, Newport, Cannon Beach is a must see..Can head east from Cannon beach toward Portland, then head up the Columbia River Gorge, Mt Hood area.Take the old scenic highway at Troutdale to catch all the waterfalls.

BTilke

I'm not trying to be rude in any way, but if you are RVing and "not much in a hurry", as you motor along Route 101 and other two lane highways, please remember to use the short "pullover" lanes whenever possible to let cars pass you. When we lived in the NW and traveled extensively along the coast and the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State, it was not uncommon to see RVs ambling along at a leisurely pace, with LONG lines of cars behind them. The local drivers can get pretty annoyed at RVers who don't take advantage of those pullover lanes!

kimamom

It depends on what you like. I would do the Oregon Coast if you love beautfiul, coastal scenery. Once you have decided on a route, I can be more specific in helping you.

If you choose to do the Interstate, Ashland, Grants Pass, Cottage Grove (beautiful covered bridges), Salem, Portland, all offer very unique things worth exploring. How far north will you be traveling in Oregon? ***kim***

Ranger

Boy BTilke, I bet your the life of the party!! LOL

maryann

Loved those pull out lanes-used them all over WY, too.

Wish all the states had them.

fvsue

Thanks for all the input. This trip will take us all the way to Alaska, so any other tips will be appreciated. Per your advice, I think we will go up through the center of Oregon and return by the coast. Yes, to BTilke, we use turnouts. --Sue

Orcas

Here are some slightly out of the way places that are worth exploring.
We really enjoyed the Oregon Caves National Monument in Southern Oregon. It's the largest marble cave in the world and full of stalactites and stalagmites. You can only access the cave on a ranger guided tour.
You will find the lakes of Newberry Crater National Monument pretty cool. Also there is a lava tube you can walk through south of Bend. The temps are always low in it, so you'll need a jacket even on a hot day, and you need more than a very bright light to see. Nearby is a lava butte with trails, that has shiny obsidian lava like in Hawaii.
The Deschutes River offers great white water raft trips out of Maupin, east of Mt. Hood.
I think you can find more about these places on the internet.