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Oregon:

Published: Thursday, July 26, 2007

If there is one industry that is considered significantly large in Oregon, it has to be salmon fishing, which should not come as a surprise since in Oregon, fishing villages are abundant. Complementing this is a coastline that stretches for about 400 miles, and from a distance, rivers, streams, and lakes sing to the mountains surrounding the forest area that is said to constitute about half of the total land area of Oregon.

With such a vast set of natural attractions, Oregon is definitely another American state that is worth exploring aboard an RV. The journey may be rather long but in the end, it will not matter so long as it is complete and exhaustive.

The Oregon Regions

The land popularly referred to as the "Beaver State" has seven major regions. These include the Coast Region, the Portland Region, the Mt. Hood/Gorge Region, the Willamette Valley Region, the Southern Region, the Central Region, and the Eastern Region.

The Coast Region

The region obviously covers the coastal areas of Oregon that stretches for approximately 400 miles. The nice thing about it is that these are all public areas which simply means free access for visiting travelers, including RV-boarded tourists. Included in this vast area are endless miles of sandy beaches, wind-swept sand dunes, and green forests highlighted by rugged cliffs.

Since beaches make up a significant portion of this region, visiting RV riders will definitely want to learn how to better enjoy its benefits. For that, they have Cannon Beach City to head off to. Checking in at nearby Cannon Beach RV Resort will afford them access to such attractions as the Learn to Surf school where they are taught the basics of surfing, easily the most common form of beach activity.

The Portland Region

This particular region is sometimes referred to as the Metropolitan Portland Region owing to the urban city of Portland that lies in its midst. Yet, there is more to the region than just Portland. For one, there are regional rivers and mountains waiting to be explored, apart from six public parks offering various natural attractions that should satisfy the outdoor cravings of most RV-boarded travelers.

Still, Portland offers the best opportunity for RVers to engage in regional exploration. Apart from its vibrant and dynamic nightlife, it boasts of several museums, theaters, galleries, restaurants, and numerous shopping centers that make it a typical highly-urbanized area. However, in between these modern amenities are natural wonders like The Grotto, a 62-acre wide botanical garden known worldwide as a Catholic sanctuary where people can pray and make quiet reflections. Adding more serenity to the place is the calming presence of the Cascade Mountains set from afar aided by several reflection ponds and hundred intricately-sculpted statues.

RVers visiting this region will find Portland to be truly RV-friendly with a total of four RV parks nestled in its midst. Of the four, Fir Grove RV Park is most ideal with its proximity to The Grotto and to several other notable Portland tourist destinations.

The Mt. Hood/Gorge Region

The more complete name of this region is the Mount Hood/Columbia River Gorge Area and was termed so due to the dominating presence of its two principal attractions, namely, the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood. The latter, majestic at 11,239 feet, is considered the tallest of the mountains that comprise the Cascade Mountain Range. The former, meanwhile, is characterized by cliffs and ravines against which the raging waters from high waterfalls continue to hit hard.

Needless to say, RV-boarded travelers will find these two attractions absolutely awesome and scenic, but more so are the adventures that one can engage in while having a glimpse of them. Definitely, hiking, mountain climbing, and camping around the vicinity of Mount Hood are the more common pursuits but one can also try downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding here especially since the mountain is the only North American skiing area that offers the sport all year through.

Meanwhile, down at the Columbia River Gorge, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing ought to be exciting adventures. Additionally, RVers can engage in sightseeeing here since the thundering waterfalls make for a truly picturesque setting.

For absolute and uninterrupted enjoyment of the mountain and the gorge, RV-boarded tourists can initially try visiting Welches City and afterwards settle the RV at Mt. Hood Village Resort. An alternative, though, is to stay in the vicinity of the RV park and enjoy its own set of attractions, including several inland lakes, a trout farm, and a golf course covering 27 holes.

The Willamette Valley Region

The Willamette Valley is characterized by generally flat terrain complemented by mild weather, making it a preferred destination among hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Yet, what should attract many RVers to the region is the Willamette National Forest under whose jurisdiction the Willamette River falls. Here, trout, salmon, and steelhead fishes are abundant so it is not uncommon to see anglers regularly visiting the river.

An RV park set near Willamette River is Dexter-based Dexter Shores RV Park where RVers can enjoy, not only the inherent beauty of the Willamette River, but that of nearby Dexter Lake as well. The lake, renowned for its bass and trout variety, is also the training grounds of the rowing team of the University of Oregon.

The Southern Region

Southern Oregon is literally a region rich in outdoor recreation and it will not be totally surprising if RV-boarded travelers easily get drawn to it. Topping its list of attractions is the only state park in Oregon accorded national stature – the Crater Lake National Park.

Considered as the main attraction of Southern Oregon, the park plays host to Crater Lake, which, at its depth of 1,932 feet, is easily the deepest American lake. RVers seeing this natural wonder for the first time will be totally mesmerized by its blue waters and its thermal springs hidden underneath the lake. Even more amazing is how the lake came about after the eruption of a nearby ancient volcano.

For a more enjoyable experience at the Crater Lake National Park and in other regional attractions, the best way is to shop around for a nearby RV park, something that Crescent City can ably respond to. The city is the official home of Big Pines RV Park from where Crater Lake can be reached within an hour. Ditto for other nearby attractions like Salt Creek Falls, Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Fort Rock, and many others.

The Central Region

Central Oregon is found on the eastern corner of the Cascade Mountains which serve as shelter and protection against the onslaught of storms that occasionally hit the region. This enables Central Oregon to enjoy nearly year-round sunny skies, making it a favorite destination among outdoor lovers particularly since mountains and rivers engulfed in a rich forest area are abundant here. Complementing these attractions are at least eleven public parks, each one offering various outdoor opportunities for interested RV-boarded visitors.

One regional mountain offers a diverse set of outdoor activities that RVers can engage in during certain seasons of the year. Mt. Bachelor has traditionally been a popular skiing area in Central Oregon but its highly-adaptable ambiance has enabled it to accommodate other outdoor enthusiasts like rock climbers, hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, and backpackers as well. RVers can get to experience how it is like to be in the arms of this famous peak by visiting La Pine City and settling in at Riverview Trailer Park from where Bend-based Mt. Bachelor is accessible within 20 minutes.

The Eastern Region

For a region covering a significantly large portion of the "Beaver State", Eastern Oregon is surprisingly sparsely populated. Yet, this augurs well for many visiting RV-boarded travelers because the abundance of wide open spaces has given way to the formation of high desert lands interrupted only by imposing mountains and deep canyons where opportunities for outdoor fun become virtually endless.

The prized possession of this region is Hells Canyon, acknowledged as the deepest North American river gorge. Getting to see this breath-taking scenery is a great passion among many outdoor lovers, RVers included, and conquering it is the ultimate dream.

Yet, there are also other regional attractions that RV-boarded tourists can explore at less dangerous extremes. For example, several wildlife refuges, specifically, the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, are good venues for bird-watching and wildlife observation activities. RVers who find these pursuits just as exciting can head off to Crystal Crane Hot Springs in Burns City, park in the RV, and be awed by the majesty of rare and colorful birds flying up above.

The "Beaver State" and Her Cities

Most people see Portland as the capital city of Oregon being the most highly-urbanized and the most active among all the cities in the "Beaver State". This is highly inaccurate because little-known Salem is the official state capital. This only goes to show that in Oregon, even the least known cities can pack in relatively large surprises for the typical "Beaver State" visitor, including those coming in aboard their RVs.

Klamath Falls

Technically considered as an Oregon town and not a city, Klamath Falls nevertheless carries several attractions that should make it an interesting stop-over point for many RVers on their way to exploring the more prominent areas of the "Beaver State". For starters, it is ideally situated along the southern shores of Klamath Lake where various water-based activities await the interested RV-boarded tourist.

Meanwhile, within two hours of driving, with Klamath Falls as the point of origin, one can reach several nearby attractions like the Crater Lake National Park where travelers can opt for a hike across the 8,929-feet high Mt. Scott, take a boat ride across the waters of the Rim Drive extending for 33 miles, or camp out at Wizard Island. A good alternative, though, is a winter visit to Lava Beds National Park, likewise housed in Klamath Falls, for the opportunity to see bald eagles stopping by for their annual migration.

For RVers who find Klamath Falls an interesting enough place, they can check out Round Lake Golf and RV Resort found just outside the town. Settled in the midst of cattle and horse ranches, the RV campground offers a wide selection of outdoor activities ranging from fishing off the waters of Klamath Lake to cross-country skiing across the slopes of nearby Mount Shasta.

Elkton

Its residents number only to about 197 people, making Elkton a truly small Oregon town. Nevertheless, it offers a picturesque view with its ideal location just above the famed Umpqua River within the coastal mountains of Oregon.

Owing to its proximity to the Umpqua River, Elkton has built a solid name in the recreational fishing business. Its stock of salmon, shad, steelhead, and trout is simply outstanding although its bass variety is incomparable, thus, gaining for Elkton the title, "Bass Capital of Oregon".

Beyond the waters, though, RV-boarded travelers can expect other interesting outdoor activities at Elkton. At the Dean Creek Preserve, for example, seeing an elk in action is a regular but incredible experience while at Scottsburg Park, picnicking by the river is always a highly sought-after family endeavor.

Indeed, at Elkton, geographical size is not a restriction to what it can offer visiting RV-boarded tourists. Even RV parks are not a problem here, with one campground, the Sawyers Rapids RV Resort, providing direct access to several city attractions like the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area.

Fall Creek State Recreation Area

Nestled in Central Oregon, the recreation area has Fall Creek as its primary attraction with its waters traversing the forest region that surrounds the area. The creek is famous for its cutthroat trout and rainbow residents with many anglers trying hard to catch them.

However, the more popular endeavor here is hiking as there are about 14 miles of hiking paths in this area that has been designated as a National Recreation Trail. The hike involves a trek past deep pools and numerous side creeks while towering fir trees, along with red alder, maple, and dogwood varieties, serve as natural backgrounds.

More significantly, the Fall Creek State Recreation Area is a renowned ground for camping with about 47 camp sites found at the Cascara campground situated on the southern shore of Fall Creek where its waters eventually join that of the nearby lake. Two other campgrounds, namely, Bedrock and Dolly Varden, can be accessed near the hiking trail.

Umatilla National Forest

There are several interesting attractions that fall under the broad jurisdiction of the Umatilla National Forest, a natural landmark situated in Eastern Oregon. Two of these, however, should prove to be highly engaging for many RVers. One is the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway which offers a more relaxed driving alternative for travelers bound for the cities of Baker and Arlington in Oregon. The county drive presents a scenic view of nearby mountains as opposed to the boring freeway route of I-84.

The other attraction involves several established campgrounds nestled in various areas of the Umatilla National Forest. Of these established camping areas, Misery Spring Campground should prove to be most excellent. Situated off Forest Road 025, the campground provides a good parking area for the RV while giving owners the opportunity to see such attractions as the Seven Devils Peak of Idaho and the Eagle Cap Mountains and the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness, which are both based in Oregon.

Visiting the "Beaver State"

Oregon experiences varying weather conditions depending on the region. For example, regions situated near the coast are generally mild but are usually wet. Meanwhile, the mountains often suffer from extreme weather conditions such that during winter, snowstorms are not uncommon while summer usually brings in afternoon thunderstorms.

Another point to consider when visiting Oregon is the particular interest that one wishes to pursue. If one prefers water-based activities, the coastal area is worth visiting during early spring. Ditto during the cold months since the area will most likely be less crowded and consequently, have less traffic jams. The months running from July down to October are excellent for sunrise and sunset viewing since the weather is generally fine although the coast can be quite crowded during this particular season. In the end, it will really depend on the interest being pursued and what one is willing to give up in pursuing that interest.

Crooked River Ranch RV Park

Evolving out of what used to be Crooked River Ranch, this RV park finds itself perfectly perched in Central Oregon in between two great rivers namely Crooked and Deschutes. From these two, fishing ventures are quite common in the same way that they are popular in the countless other rivers, streams, and lakes that comprise Central Oregon.

Apart from fishing, other interesting outdoor activities commonly engaged in these parts are hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking, particularly along the slopes of renowned Mt. Bachelor. During winter, the slopes also become perfect terrains for snow skiing, providing for a more diverse outdoor pursuit.

When feeling uneasy and stressed, RV-boarded visitors can try their hand at club swinging via the resident golf course. Otherwise, they can opt for an enjoyable view of the wildlife that abounds as well in the immediate vicinity of the campground. A final alternative is taking a dip in the resident swimming pool, that is, after taking some time to secure the RV in one of 91 RV sites available for occupancy in the Crooked River Ranch RV Park.

Silver Spur RV Park

Set within the historic town of Silverton is this RV park that offers free coffee alongside a pair of donuts every morning to its visiting RV riders. Yet, that is not all that RVers can expect to get at Silver Spur RV Park because the campground boasts of several other offerings that should make every RV stay here truly unforgettable. These include cable TV showcasing more than 20 different channels, fishing ponds, playground for children, tiled and secured restrooms with showers, air-conditioned conference rooms, and 80 pull-through RV sites.

Attractions-wise, the RV campground is only minutes away from several chief Oregon tourist destinations. These include a short 15-minute trip to Silver Falls State Park, the biggest and most diverse Oregon public park where hikers, bikers, and horseback riders regularly converge.

Meanwhile, for other attractions, RVers can try visiting the Oregon Garden where a large botanical display of flowers, shrubs, trees, and various other plants are featured. Situated a mere three blocks from Silver Spur RV Park, the botanical garden provides relaxation to weary senses and renewed vigor to frail nerves.

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