Portland, Oregon to Redwood National Park

Spring or early fall, IMO. Allow a leisurely 4 or 5 days...more is better. Take 18 or 26/6 over to 101 and drive 101 south to the California border and beyond. Coming back, take 199 from near Crescent City to Grant's Pass and the freeway. Doing the coast southbound makes it easier to access viewpoints and state parks. With enough time, a little backtracking on I-5 will get you to 62 on and up to Crater Lake.

definitely do the coast drive first--it's easiest to do it southbound so you can pull on and off 101 easily at beaches, scenic overlooks etc. I would allow a minimum of 3 nights, more is better. i did the drive in mid-march a couple years ago and had great weather but late spring, summer or early fall is probably more reliable for good weather.

just to clarify, i meant 3 nights for the drive down, not the whole trip.

Definitely down the coast, and please continue on to Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

HTTY

Thank you all so much for the quick info and suggestions on doing the coast going south. Makes sense!! I can't wait now to plan and book it!!

If you are looking for a great place to stay in Redwood National Park- Check out the Elk Meadow Cabins-very clean/ nice 3bdr. 2 bth-full kitchen, sleep up to 8 people-fully furnished.
www.redwoodadventures.com

This is what we did- Eugene to the Redwoods - first day Eugene to Oregon Caves - stayed one night.
Day 2- Oregon Caves to Trinidad- we stayed at Trinidad Inn 2 nights- very nice place to stay - some units have kitchens and BBQ for guests to use.
Day 4- Scotia Inn in Scotia- 2 nights- another very nice place to stay with a good restaurant on site
Day 6 - Crescent City - 1 night Curly Redwood Motel- kind of a funky 50's place but OK to stay at and interesting because siding and paneling all from one tree
Next day home to Eugene

If you're considering a visit to Crater Lake (and you should), early - mid September would be best, since the rim road around the lake typically isn't cleared of snow until late June.

If you drive in (or out) on Highway 199 ( between Oregon Caves Junction and Crescent City, please make a short stop at Simpson-Reed Grove. It is just west of the entrance to Jedediah Smith State Park, with a small turn-out and subtle signage, so you really have to be watching for it. This was one of the most beautiful and informative trails in the redwoods.

boy scout trail also at Jed's.

whoops, forgot the link:
http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060317/LIFE/70414071

Thanks for all the info. Yes, I want to do Crater Lake too. I have never been there. Anyone got suggestions on lodging at Crater lake?

We stayed at Crater Lake Lodge. It's right on the lake--where you want to be. If you want to stay there, don't be put off if you are told it is booked. Just keep trying at places like this--people cancel all the time and you may just call at the moment a room becomes available.

HTTY

I just wrote somewhere else about Crater Lake B+B(866)517-9560 which was about 20 minutes from the exit in Fort Klamath. Also, there was a hotel and buffet right at the exit (I'm not sure if it qualifies as a national park lodge). The Crater Lake Lodge would be the best of all. Crater Lake was gorgeous.

Crater Lake lodge is the best if available - less expensive is Prospect Hotel in the town of Prospect- its an old stagecoach stop - one part is cute rooms in the main building furnished with antiques and then they have more motel like arrangements in a couple of other buildings.
They serve a fabulous breakfast.

An upscale place to stay within driving distance to Crater Lake is Steamboat Springs Inn - lovely place on the river.

For the Crater Lake stop, you can try to book a studio, cabin or motel room at Diamond Lake lodge if you can't do the Lodge at Crater Lake. There is a restaurant, store, etc. there and it is just a short drive down Highway 138 towards Roseburg and I-5. A bit warmer and a slightly lower elevation. Late summer or EARLY fall would be my recommendation. You can't go wrong staying up there.