We are visiting Oregon in mid-October and I need some advice about distances and where to stay. My husband and I will fly in and out of Portland ( from Boston) and will rent a car to see the coast, and hopefully Crater Lake. Unfortunately we only have a total of 8 nights, and that includes arriving in the evening and flying out very early in the morning. I figure we need to limit ourselves to 3 nights in Portland and bookend with Portland again, spending one of those days on a day trip to Mt Hood. I was thinking roughly of overnight in Cannon Beach ( visit Astoria), spend night in Newport or Yachats ( advice on which is better?), spend night in Eugene, and then visit Crater Lake following day. At this point, I am stymied as to where to plan to spend the night. If we stay in Crater Lake area, is it a reasonable distance drive to return to Portland? Where in the CL area should we stay? Is highway 5 the fastest and easiest option to return to Portland? Should we skip making Mt Hood as a day trip from Portland and return to Portland via route 97 and include Mt Hood on the return? Is that too ambitious? It all sounds beautiful, and we don't want to be locked into the car, needing to make the miles each day. We want to stop and view, visit as we go. However, we opted for a "driving trip" now because my husband is recovering from a leg injury and can't do extensive hiking and walking, but we don't want to be imprisoned in our car, either!
Thanks for any advice and suggestions from you fellow travelers who know Oregon!

So am I right in thinking that your eight days is really six?

Regardless, given that short a time window, and the fact that you're talking about mid-October with declining daylight hours and the (unfortunate) likelihood of at least some wet days, I'd frankly suggest dropping Crater Lake from this trip.

My reasons are first that it's a very long drive - at least 5 hours from Portland and close to the same from the coast, and if you "don't want to be imprisoned in our car," that's pretty much going to be the case in an outing to Crater Lake.

The second reason is that it would take the bulk of two days out of six for an attraction (and it IS beautiful, no mistake) that - absent walking around etc. - you'll spend two or three hours oohing and aahing (at most if you're like me) and then it's back in the car and off to someplace for the night, and no, there aren't very many places to stay close to the national park. Plus the last time I went to Crater Lake in the fall it was completely socked in - could barely make out the water from the rim - and cold as hell. (The altitude is quite high.)

Instead of which, you could use those two days with more time on the coast, or - especially in October - in the Columbia Gorge - Mt. Hood - Hood River area, which is so full of gorgeous things to see and do that the head spins.

The waterfalls along the Gorge walls will have some water in them (assuming it's rained by then, a fair assumption) and the orchards and vineyards in the Hood River Valley will be in full harvest swing. There will be good fall color on the slopes of Mount Hood, maybe even some early snow for the skiers.

Farther east the land is transformed into sagebrush "old west" landscapes - rocky canyons, big sky - where the sun will likely be shining (as the mountains block the rain off the Pacific.) Visit the funky Maryhill museum for some Rodin (yes) and wonderful Native American art, and visit the nearby Stonehenge replica overlooking the rock walls above the river. http://www.maryhillmuseum.org/ Nearby (in fact extending from Hood River all the way to Walla Walla) are numerous wineries producing excellent products. Hood River is a pretty little town that's a big center for wine making and craft brewing.

My suggestion would be to look at a loop something like this - https://goo.gl/maps/jMeUydLrfn12

The beauty of the Gorge is that it's VERY close to Portland airport, so if you're arriving late you can stay at the airport and really hit the ground running the next morning - take the Historic Columbia River Highway past the many waterfalls and you're in the middle of the scenery in 10 or 15 minutes after leaving the airport.

I've shown a route that takes you out to the coast at Waldport, from which Yachats and Newport are close by. You'd then head north to Ecola State Park and Cannon Beach, visit Astoria then cross the (awesome) mouth of the river to visit Cape Disappointment with its lighthouses and marvelous Lewis and Clark interpretive center. You can also stop at Waikiki Beach. Bet you didn't plan on that on this trip http://www.outdoorproject.com/sites/...?itok=eGA24-Ej

I'd actually consider staying in the little fishing village of Ilwaco (WA) next to Cape Disappointment. Not very touristy, a couple of comfortable lodging options and a couple of good restaurants and that's about it, but fairly picturesque. From there you follow the historic and in parts quite scenic NORTH bank of the Columbia back to I-5 and Portland. If you had an extra day (say if the weather is bad on the coast) and IF the weather isn't cloudy/rainy, you could even swing up to Mount St. Helens on the way back to Portland. The smoking caldera is quite a sight from the Johnston Ridge visitor center.

I can't argue against Gardyloo's excellent suggested itinerary, but as an alternative that includes Crater Lake, you might consider a route that looks like this: http://tinyurl.com/zq73e7w. It covers your highlights plus gives you a peek at the redwoods in Jedediah Smith State Park in northern CA. Note also that it's over 850 miles, which is a lot in 7 days, but doable if you're not dilly-dallying too long in any one place.

In the interest of time, I'm suggesting you start your coastal drive at Newport and head south. I love Cannon Beach and the north Oregon coast, but IMO central and south coast scenery/sights are just as good and in some cases, better. So I don't think the north coast adds incremental bang-for-the-buck to your already tight itinerary.

Other thoughts/considerations:
- As mentioned, weather. It wouldn't be unusual have snow at Crater Lake by mid-October, not to again mention the possibility that the view may entirely obscured by clouds/fog. So best to stay near there, giving yourselves parts of two days at the view. If there's no room in the Lodge, consider the Prospect Hotel: http://www.prospecthotel.com/.
- Our favorite towns/lodgings along the coast include Overleaf Lodge in Yachats, and any of the several overlooking the spectacular beaches south of Bandon's downtown.
- Suggest you spend only 2 nights at the beginning in Portland, then see the Columbia River gorge on your last day as you approach the city from Hood River. Maybe plan to spend the night before in Timberline Lodge.

When you're coming all this way, from Boston, it does make sense to cover the bases.


So if you have your focus on Crater Lake, of course you should see it while you have this one chance.


I too would limit nights in Portland at the beginning, and instead of a day trip, make Mount Hood/Timberline part of the circuit.

To hit the ground running, and heading right toward The Gorge, from Portland, seems the most sensible, since it is relatively nearby, AND represents the northern/eastern edge of your circuit.

The next move, after Maryhill, WA / Hood River / Timberline... seems logical that a straight shot to the south, via BEND, and right to Crater Lake. The mountain views from spots near to Bend/Sisters are truly awesome, especially to someone from the east coast.

From Crater Lake, you would drive all the way to the coast, at one point or another, and then drive straight up the coast, seldom even touching Interstate 5 on the whole trip.

Save your time in Portland for the end, so you can bite into that time for better things along the way.

These are such thoughtful and exciting responses! You have given me a lot to consider and think about. I also appreciate seeing the maps with your suggestions. Thanks so much!

Based on the feedback from you all and after studying tour books etc I have reworked our plan to be more realistic and, I think, more enjoyable. I would love feedback from people who are familiar with the area before I make too many reservations, etc. and commit to this timeline.

Arrive in Portland and stay in a hotel near the airport,
Day 1 tour Mt Hood area and stay overnight in the area
Day 2 tour Mt Hood area, get to Maryhill Museum, drive to Portland, sleep in Portland
Day 3 explore Portland, sleep in Portland
Day 4, head to coast, Astoria, sleep in Cannon Beach area
Day 5 visit Ecola State Park, Tillamook, 3 Capes Scenic Loop
sleep in Newport
Day 6 Oregon Coast Aquarium, explore coast to Yachats, sleep in Newport
Day 7 explore more, eventually drive back to Portland, sleep in Portland/ Portland airport area
Day 8 return home early am flight

Feedback, please!

At a quick glance...

You'd probably do better if arriving at PDX, and then taking the train into central Portland for that first night. Then rent a car IN TOWN, to save money on airport fees and taxes, before setting off on your journey.

Also, the stuff in Portland in the center of the journey isn't particularly efficient with your time.


I'd either drive right through Portland, and toward the coast, OR, better yet, drive SOUTH from Mount Hood, toward Bend, and west from there (if you cannot be convinced to stay with your original wish to see Crater Lake, which is what I'd do, IF coming from Boston)

Any accumulated time allocated to Portland is best condensed into one continuous time frame, at the end. (this making it possible to return the car to a downtown location and then taking the train back to the airport, considerably reducing your rental car bill in the process)


If you miss a doughnut or a used book, well, so what...

If you still would like to see a lake, within a crater and a little closer to Bend, check out Paulina Lake and East Lake. They are both in the bottom of the Newberry Crater- not quite the same impact as Crater Lake but still beautiful. There are many easy hikes in the area- I suggest the Big Obsidian Flow. Magnificent views from the top or drive to the top of Paulina Peak- only have to cross the parking lot for magnificent views of the lakes and lava flows.

I agree with northwestmale about condensing your time in Portland at the end of your trip. One of the things I really enjoy about Portland is not needing a car when playing tourist. I think it would also give you more time on the coast- it's easy to get distracted in Portland, but Astoria and CB are worth at least one (very) full day.

Ok, you've given me more food for thought. I think I have to plan a return trip to the area to be able to see Crater Lake and Bend and Sisters, it's really too much for the time we have. We do want to get out of the car some of the time, ha ha. I think we will take the suggested advice of putting the time in Portland together, I didn't like the coming and going and needing to park a car that we didn't need, so the advice is helpful in deciding.
We'll pick up a car in Portland, then day 1 drive to Mt Hood area, sleep at Timberline and day 2 drive through Portland to Astoria and the coast. Sleep one night in Cannon Beach, one night in Newport, then return to Portland, return the car and have 3 full days in Portland. The savings from the rental and not needing to park the car pays for the taxi to the airport @ 5 am on Sat.!
thanks for the advice and suggestions!

Well, I have to say that does sound like a realistic, and very do-able trip.

It still saddens me that you had "...hopefully Crater Lake" in your very first sentence, and that you won't get to it on this trip.

But The Bend area isn't that far down...

And your latest post doesn't even hint at seeing The Columbia Gorge, though I'm not sure what your intentions are.


And does "day one" still begin the morning AFTER a first night in/near Portland Airport??

If that is the case, then you could indeed drive east along the Columbia River, perhaps to Hood River, where you might then cross into Washington, and drive farther east, to Maryhill, where there is Stonehenge, and the Museum, and great views of the Gorge and of Mount Hood in the distance.

Then BACK to Hood River, and on toward Mount Hood (from the east and south), for a night at Timberline Lodge.

(maybe THAT is what you ARE thinking, but it just wasn't clear here)


If you chart things as your latest post says, you will go from (a night in) Newport back to Portland (on an undisclosed route, but I'm guessing inland, and up I-5 ).



For an example, I just used MSN Maps and charted the path from Timberline Lodge (in both cases)


Path A: (as you described) Timberline-Astoria-Cannon Beach-Newport-Portland

and got 9 hrs. 17 minutes, and 414.5 miles


Then, I charted path B: Timberline-Bend-Newport-Cannon Beach-Astoria-Portland


and got 11 hours, 49 minutes, - and 517.1 miles.


This would let you avoid driving back through the Portland metro area AND afford the chance to see some of the awesome mountain views from central Oregon.


And, if you got really energetic, Crater Lake is a 4 1/2-hour round trip from Bend (that's driving time.


Of further interest, Bend-to-Newport says "181 miles / 4 hours"

while Bend-to-Crater Lake-to-Newport says "341 miles / 7 hours" of driving time.


At any rate, at least consider the more scenic and efficient path that includes Bend, and then a trip west through the mountains toward Newport, while including all of your earlier-mentioned stops.