Columbia River Gorge

Terwilliger Hot Springs (also known as Cougar Hot Springs) is a five-tiered pool accessible with 0.9 miles of easy hiking. The hot springs is located in Willamette National Forest, halfway between Eugene and Bend, Oregon. Potential visitors should know that clothing is optional at the hot springs. Those who are uncomfortable with nudity may wish to seek warm waters elsewhere. ...Read more.

With its grand river and towering cliffs, the Columbia River Gorge is a tough place to build a roadway. See one of the engineering feats used to build a road through the gorge by moseying over to the Mosier Twin Tunnels. This picturesque pair of tunnels can be crossed on Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, which follows the route of the century old road that crossed the gorge long before I-84. ...Read more.

The Oregon coast is a rugged and wild with evergreen topped sea cliffs. Jagged shorelines hide tucked away beaches and dramatic rocks islands. One great place to witness this beautiful scenery is Ecola State Park, preserving 1,024-acres on Tillamook Head, which is just north of Cannon Beach and about 80 miles northwest of Portland. An 8-mile section of Oregon Coast Trail cuts through the park, including a 1 1/3-mile stretch connecting the park's two main drive-up destinations, Ecola Point and Indian Beach. ...Read more.

A two-for-one special is going on at Cape Meares State Park. Here's the deal – two short hikes for the price of one (which is free). Take one trail to a well preserved more-than-a-century-old lighthouse on the Oregon coast, followed immediately by another short trail to a sprawling spruce worthy of its name, the Octopus Tree. Combine Cape Meares Lighthouse Trail and Octopus Tree Trail for hike that's less than a mile round trip with 180 feet of elevation change and oodles of ocean views. ...Read more.

Cape Kiwanda is the southernmost of the 3 Capes in the Tillamook area on the Oregon Coast. An Oregon State Parks Natural Area protects this short, dramatic point. The park is too small to have a visitor center or hiking trails, but is a scenic spot for a walk in the sand. This short trek is 1-mile round trip (or more), beginning from a large beach on the south side of Cape Kiwanda. ...Read more.