Best Oregon

The Zumwalt Prairie Preserve in Oregon is a large grassland maintained by The Nature Conservancy that protects a globally unique ecosystem.

The marionberry is a cultivated blackberry hybrid developed through the United States Department of Agriculture breeding program in cooperation with Oregon State University. Released in 1956, it was named for Marion County, Oregon, where it underwent extensive field testing. The berry is known for i...

Phil Knight is an American entrepreneur who co-founded the company that became Nike with track coach Bill Bowerman. Established as Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964, the business initially distributed Japanese running shoes before introducing Nike footwear and adopting the Nike name in 1971. Knight served...

The Heceta Head Lighthouse is a historic structure located on Oregon’s coast. Built in 1889, it remains operational, providing crucial navigational support for vessels entering Tillamook Bay. Its isolated location and dramatic setting offer significant scenic value. The lighthouse serves mariners an...

The Willamette Meteorite is an iron meteorite found in Oregon and classified as a type IIIAB iron. Weighing about 15.5 metric tonnes, it is the largest meteorite discovered in the United States and is displayed at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Its deeply pitted surface was shap...

The Yaquina Head Light stands on a prominent Oregon headland marking the mouth of Yaquina Bay. Constructed in 1873, it’s notable for being the state’s tallest lighthouse at 93 feet and houses a historic Fresnel lens—an exceptional optical instrument dating back to 1868. This landmark guides mariners...

Founded in 1966 by David and Diana Lett, this historic winery is located in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. The estate is recognized for being the first to plant Pinot Noir in the region, helping to establish the Willamette Valley as a prominent wine-producing area. Eyrie Vineyards gained internati...

Rogue River Blue is an American blue cheese produced by Rogue Creamery in Oregon. It’s notable for its unique flavor profile developed through aging in small-batch wheels and wrapping in Syrah grape leaves infused with pear brandy. This process contributes to a complex aroma and taste, earning it nu...

Pacific Dunes is a renowned links-style golf course located in Bandon, Oregon. Designed by Tom Doak, it’s notable for its challenging coastal terrain and demanding play within sight of the Pacific Ocean. The course offers a unique experience for serious golfers seeking a traditional test of skill an...

Domaine Drouhin Oregon was established in 1987 when the Drouhin family, fourth-generation winemakers from Burgundy, France, purchased land in Oregon's Willamette Valley. The winery pioneered the application of traditional Burgundian winemaking techniques to American-grown Pinot Noir grapes. Under th...

Crater Lake National Park protects a stunning caldera lake within Oregon’s Cascade Mountains. Formed by the cataclysmic eruption and subsequent collapse of Mount Mazama over seven thousand years ago, it features exceptionally clear water and dramatic volcanic landscapes. The park is accessible to vi...

Cristom Vineyards is a family-owned estate winery located in the Eola-Amity Hills American Viticultural Area of Oregon's Willamette Valley. Established in 1992, the winery focuses on producing single-vineyard Pinot Noir from estate-grown grapes. Cristom is known for its traditional winemaking techni...

The Painted Hills are one of the three units of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in central Oregon. Their bands of red, gold, black, and gray record changing environmental conditions in ancient floodplain deposits, with the visible colors produced by different minerals and degrees of soil deve...

To Bolt or Not to Be is a significant sport climbing route located within Smith Rock State Park in Oregon. It’s notable for being one of the earliest routes graded at 5.14a difficulty in the United States, established by Alan Watts in 1986. The route presents technical challenges and sustained movem...

Autzen Stadium is a collegiate football venue located on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene, Oregon. Constructed in 1967, it’s renowned for its unique bowl shape which creates exceptional acoustics and enhances the game-day experience. The stadium primarily serves as the home field for the Or...

Founded in 1986 in Ribbon Ridge, Oregon, by Michael Etzel and wine critic Robert Parker, this estate is known for its terroir-driven Pinot Noir. The winery is located in the Willamette Valley, a region recognized for cool-climate grape cultivation. Etzel's son, Mike Etzel Jr., has since taken over w...

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is a protected area in eastern Oregon preserving an extensive record of Cenozoic plants, animals, and environmental change spanning roughly 40 million years. The monument comprises the Clarno, Painted Hills, and Sheep Rock units, each with distinct geology and...

Silver Falls State Park features a remarkable series of eight distinct waterfalls cascading down a moss-covered gorge in Oregon's Silverton district. The trail provides a unique walkable experience allowing visitors to closely observe the tiered falls and surrounding lush rainforest environment. It’...

Dream of Wild Turkeys is a renowned climbing route located within Smith Rock State Park, Oregon. It’s a challenging traditional climb graded 5.14a, notable for its sustained and technical nature. The route's difficulty and historical significance—first ascended by Peter Croft in 1987—make it a favor...

Multnomah Falls is a prominent waterfall located within Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge. The falls feature two distinct tiers reaching a combined height of approximately 189 meters. It's notable for its dramatic appearance and accessibility, attracting visitors from around the world. Primarily enjoyed...

Terwilliger Hot Springs are a series of wild hot springs located within the Oregon Wilds of the Willamette National Forest. Four natural pools offer varying temperatures, typically reaching up to 112°F. The springs' location deep in a forested area and undeveloped nature makes them appealing for tho...

Bandon Dunes Golf Course is a renowned links-style course located on Oregon's coastline. Designed by David McLay Kidd in 1999, it’s notable for its challenging terrain and dramatic coastal views. The course has significantly influenced modern golf, attracting serious players seeking a traditional go...

Umpqua Hot Springs consists of a series of natural hot springs terraces located in a wild forest area of Oregon. The pools are accessible via a trail and offer geothermal bathing opportunities. These springs are popular with hikers and those seeking a remote, undeveloped outdoor experience within th...

The West Eugene Wetlands Prairie is a conservation and restoration area located in the western Willamette Valley in Oregon, near Eugene. It protects rare wet prairie habitat within an urban environment, including federally listed plant species such as Bradshaw's lomatium and Willamette daisy. The pr...

"Honey in the Horn" is a debut novel by Harold L. Davis, published in 1935 and awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction the following year. Set in early-twentieth-century Oregon, the narrative follows a diverse cast of drifters, settlers, and ranchers as they navigate the state's sprawling frontier la...

Haystack Rock is a basalt sea stack at Cannon Beach on the northern Oregon coast, rising approximately 72 meters above the beach. Formed from ancient volcanic rock and subsequently isolated by coastal erosion, it is accessible on foot at low tide but surrounded by water as the tide rises. Its intert...

Just Do It is a renowned sport climbing route situated within Smith Rock State Park in Oregon. The route's significance stems from being one of the first confirmed 5.14c climbs in North America, achieved by Jean-Baptiste Tribout in 1992. It’s notable for its technical difficulty and sustained moves....

Monkey Face is a freestanding rock pillar in Smith Rock State Park in central Oregon. Its weathered profile resembles a monkey's head, and a cavity high on the formation is incorporated into several climbing routes. The pillar is composed of volcanic tuff and is a prominent landmark within a park cl...

The Britt Festivals Amphitheater is an open-air performance venue situated on the wooded hillside estate of pioneer photographer Peter Britt in Jacksonville, Oregon. Established in 1963, it serves as the home of the Britt Music & Arts Festival, a non-profit organization that hosts a summer-long seri...