Carol_Kurczak

Looking for road trip route for a June vacation to Oregon and Washington, 7-10 days, we like state and national parks, easy hikes, not much city, 58 year olds, flying in from Chicago. (hotel 2 nights, drive day, hotel 2 nights, drive day, repeat)

Tomsd

There are some other recent, more detailed posts in here on this. Having grown up in Oregon - I am partial to the beautiful Oregon Coast, traversing east of Portland along the mighty Columbia - the "Gorge" - and seeing some of the 7 main waterfalls - including Multnoma, staying up at Timberline Lodge/Mt Hood for say 2 nights - http://timberlinelodge8-px.trvlclick.com/visit/ - and from there - perhaps driving south on 97 to say Crater Lake - whatnot. http://tinyurl.com/6o67aol

Washington Stata also has the beautiful Olympic Park - and you might even take a ferry across to lovely Victoria on Vanvoucer Island - and there are other sights - such as huge Mt. Ranier.

happytrailstoyou

In case you don't know, summer in Western Washington starts in early July.

<i> (hotel 2 nights, drive day, hotel 2 nights, drive day, repeat)</> With "repeat" this adds up to 12 nights, but you also say you are planning on 7-10 days. Which is it? It makes a big difference.

I suggest Oregon Coast staying at Cannon Beach, Newport, Yachats, or Bandon; the redwoods in northern California; Crater Lake; and the Columbia River Gorge.

HTTY

Carol_Kurczak

I mean a total of 7 to 10 nights, staying 2 nights at each location, with a full day of sightseeing at each location, you wake up there, sightsee, and you go to sleep there, then the next day you wake up and drive to the next location.

pdx

I'm with Tom on the Columbia Gorge. I don't think there is anything like it, but then, I probably haven't been to that many nature scenes in the U.S. It has several beautiful waterfall hikes and some of the most gorgeous vistas (like Crown Point and the Vista House http://vistahouse.com/gallery/ ) It's true about summer starting in July. I don't usually turn my heat off until sometime in June and we though I often start my tomatoes in May I know I'm taking a chance. Not trying to dissuade you, but be prepared for any sort of rain, cold or beautiful weather.
Are you using a round trip flight (vs an open jaw)?

NorthwestMale

Carol, it might help if you had some sense of, say, 3 or 4 things YOU want to see.

Were it me, and coming from Chicago, I might first fly to Seattle, then drive 60-70 miles north, and stay in/near Mt. Vernon, WA... THEN, the next day, drive over the spectacular North Cascades Highway to Winthrop, WA (for two nights there). Plenty of hiking/stopping/photo opportunities along that impressive N.C. Highway.

After two nights in quaint little Winthrop, I'd drive 300 miles (5 hrs. 15 minutes) to The Dalles, Oregon, pick a spot there for two nights. Your sightseeing there includes the Columbia Gorge, and Mount Hood.

Then, maybe drive 220 miles (3 1/2 hours) to the Newport area on the central Oregon coast, for two nights. (sightseeing up and down the coast) (OTHERS will pick a more pleasant spot there, I just picked one with central geography).

That's 7 nights so far... IF it costs considerably less to fly into and out of Seattle, than it would to fly into Seattle and out of Portland, then maybe you stay another couple of days, with a choice of driving up the coast to Aberdeen, WA, and then inland, OR going to and through Portland, and up the interstate.

If inclined to cut the trip shorter, then just return to Portland and fly home from there.


This had to be SO RANDOM because I didn't have enough of your own parameters/preferences to design something specific based on what YOU would like. I fully left-OUT the two major cities, based on what you did offer as to your preferences.

Carol_Kurczak

Thanks everybody. I'll start by investigating what is suggested here, then I may ask some more detailed questions later. I'll first check my calendar for July and August.

Tomsd

You have many choices to ponder, and I don't think you can go wrong by seeing any of the beantiful sights/nature in both Wash St and Oregon.

You might see about flying back from Portland - but if not - it's only about two plus hours from Portlant back to SeaTac.