barefootbeach

Looks like I need to revise my planned trip, and we'll have another night to spend either on the way from Crater Lake to Portland or spend 3 nights in Portland vs. 2.
Should we take a scenic route through the Cascades, or near Bend or along the Umpqua River and spend the night to break up the trip from Crater lake to Portland....or should we spend one more night in Portland (arriving on Saturday night and leaving Tuesday morning)? Thanks for your advice!

happytrailstoyou

Definitely spend that extra night on the magnificent Oregon Coast.

From Crater Lake drive 138 and I-5 to scenic 38, which follows the Umpqua River to Reedsport. Spend the night in Yachats at the Overleaf Lodge or the less expensive sister property, Fireside Motel (my preference).

The drive from Crater Lake to Yachats is about 230 miles and from Yachats to Portland via Cannon Beach it is about 220 miles.

(When we have three nights to spend in Oregon, we spend one of them in Hood River and the other two on the coast unless we are visiting family in Bend or want the quiet of the Wallowa Mountains in the NE corner of the state.)

barefootbeach

happytrailstoyou,
sorry, I should have mentioned that we'll have already seen the coast....this is a circle trip starting in Hood River area, thru Willamette Valley, Arch Cape, Yachats, Rogue River/Grant's Pass area (to visit family) then, Crater Lake and back to Portland....so should we stop at Bend for the night and take the scenic Cascades road there....or some other way to go?

Fodorite018

I would definitely stay a night in Bend or Sisters. I think I have read on your others posts that your trip is in October. If that is so, and depending on your dates and such, there is a nice harvest festival in Sisters in early/mid October. Just south of Bend is the High Desert Museum which is excellent, and Lava Butte. Can't remember when Lava Butte closes for the season though, off the top of my head. In downtown Bend there is the Old Mill District. Outside of Sisters is the Dee Wright Observatory, Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery, and you can hike along the Metolious River. All great things to check out.

OregonInnKeeper

DON'T miss the Upper Rogue River!!
Stay at the Prospect Hotel, enjoy all the waterfalls RIGHT there, Great Food, and the innkeepers can tell you all about the tons of cool things to do and see right there. It is only 28 miles from there to Crater Lake.
Eat at the hotel for dinner. Sunset Magazine says it is the best between Medford and Crater Lake!

barefootbeach

Thanks to both of you...I'll look into these. Yes,mms we are traveling mid-October so I wonder if we'll have trouble crossing the mountain passes in the Cascades.

Fodorite018

Mid October will be fine. Up at Crater Lake there might be a bit of snow, but through Santiam Pass you will be fine.