Before leaving Eugene for good, there are many nearby destinations that everyone should hit. Below is a list of places visited in our “Day Trip!” series, organized by region, and then by video. Check out the video series here.
Eugene
Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley was once a part of the continental shelf, under the ocean. As the ocean and North American plates collided, it was raised to its present position.
Alton Baker Park
This park is a great place to see the river, for which our valley is named, and the wildlife that inhabit its riparian zones.
Mount Pisgah
A labyrinth of paths on this butte, open the way for exploration. It’s a great place to see some of the oak savanna that once covered the valley.
Spencer Butte
Ascend through a forest of Douglas fir to a thin ridge of lava for a stunning view that includes the valley, the coast range, and Cascades and the Klamath mountains.
Saturday Market
The market downtown is a great way to get connected with local vendors and check out some of Eugene’s natural food.
Sweet Cheeks Winery
Sweet Cheeks is one of a handful of Eugene wineries, with a view that can’t be beat. Although no food is served, outside food is allowed so pack a picnic.
Agrarian Ales
Agrarian is a hop farm and brewery, serving locally sourced food – some being from the farm itself.
Thistledown Farm
Along River Road towards Junction City are three farms open to the public featuring local produce, meats, flowers, animals with corn mazes and pumpkins in the Fall.
The Willamette Valley was once a part of the continental shelf, under the ocean. As the ocean and North American plates collided, it was raised to its present position.
Alton Baker Park
This park is a great place to see the river, for which our valley is named, and the wildlife that inhabit its riparian zones.
Mount Pisgah
A labyrinth of paths on this butte, open the way for exploration. It’s a great place to see some of the oak savanna that once covered the valley.
Spencer Butte
Ascend through a forest of Douglas fir to a thin ridge of lava for a stunning view that includes the valley, the coast range, and Cascades and the Klamath mountains.
Saturday Market
The market downtown is a great way to get connected with local vendors and check out some of Eugene’s natural food.
Sweet Cheeks Winery
Sweet Cheeks is one of a handful of Eugene wineries, with a view that can’t be beat. Although no food is served, outside food is allowed so pack a picnic.
Agrarian Ales
Agrarian is a hop farm and brewery, serving locally sourced food – some being from the farm itself.
Thistledown Farm
Along River Road towards Junction City are three farms open to the public featuring local produce, meats, flowers, animals with corn mazes and pumpkins in the Fall.
Coast
Oregon Dunes
These Dunes represent the largest coastal dune field in North America. Trekking through the sands is pretty unique, but these places are being threatened by encroaching beach grasses that were brought in decades ago to safeguard developed areas.
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Areas
The forest service administers a large swatch of the dunes with many trails and access points throughout that are perfect for hiking, camping and viewing wildlife.
Sweet Creek Falls
The trails follows Sweet Creek, with several rapids and smaller falls along the way, culminating at the larger waterfall for which the trail is named.
C&M Stables
This business north of Florence offers horseback riding through the dunes with stunning ocean views.
Rugged Coast – Near Florence, OR
Stop by this section of the Oregon Coast to go fishing or take pictures of the stunning sea cliffs that are hundreds of feet high.
Sea Lion Caves
This wild place is one of the largest natural sea caves on the continent, and it’s home to a huge colony of sea lions. The habitat is currently at risk due to the rise of sea level, which will flood some of the haul out areas.
Heceta Head Lighthouse
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, this scenic lighthouse sits above a cobble beach surrounded by trails through the hills and cliffs that are high above the sea.
Newport, OR
The coastal town of Newport, and the surrounding area, is excellent for tide pooling and whale watching. Many grey whales spend their summer feeding here, although ocean acidification caused by climate change is a huge threat to the marine food web.
Marine Discovery Tours
This company takes you out into the bay for guided nature tours, including watching whales and viewing other wildlife like sea lions, sea birds and crabs.
Yaquina Head Lighthouse
Standing at 93 feet, this is the tallest lighthouse on the Oregon coast. It is perched on a volcanic promontory, and is believed to be the oldest structure in Newport.
These Dunes represent the largest coastal dune field in North America. Trekking through the sands is pretty unique, but these places are being threatened by encroaching beach grasses that were brought in decades ago to safeguard developed areas.
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Areas
The forest service administers a large swatch of the dunes with many trails and access points throughout that are perfect for hiking, camping and viewing wildlife.
Sweet Creek Falls
The trails follows Sweet Creek, with several rapids and smaller falls along the way, culminating at the larger waterfall for which the trail is named.
C&M Stables
This business north of Florence offers horseback riding through the dunes with stunning ocean views.
Rugged Coast – Near Florence, OR
Stop by this section of the Oregon Coast to go fishing or take pictures of the stunning sea cliffs that are hundreds of feet high.
Sea Lion Caves
This wild place is one of the largest natural sea caves on the continent, and it’s home to a huge colony of sea lions. The habitat is currently at risk due to the rise of sea level, which will flood some of the haul out areas.
Heceta Head Lighthouse
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, this scenic lighthouse sits above a cobble beach surrounded by trails through the hills and cliffs that are high above the sea.
Newport, OR
The coastal town of Newport, and the surrounding area, is excellent for tide pooling and whale watching. Many grey whales spend their summer feeding here, although ocean acidification caused by climate change is a huge threat to the marine food web.
Marine Discovery Tours
This company takes you out into the bay for guided nature tours, including watching whales and viewing other wildlife like sea lions, sea birds and crabs.
Yaquina Head Lighthouse
Standing at 93 feet, this is the tallest lighthouse on the Oregon coast. It is perched on a volcanic promontory, and is believed to be the oldest structure in Newport.
Cascades
Delta Old Growth Trail
Only a tiny portion of our old growth forests remain, trek through this one and see what makes them so special. The .5 mile trail is easily accessible and features many different streams full of trout and salmon.
McKenzie River Trail
This trail is over 20 miles long and goes all the way to the source of the river, there are hot springs, waterfalls, forests and rapids along the path. The McKenzie River Mountain Resort offers cabins and lodge rooms with rentals for recreation including mountain bike tours and river rafting.
Terwilliger Hot Springs
Take a quick 1/4 mile hike in the Willamette National Forest to these five soaking pools, which are separated by rock walls. Clothing is optional.
Salt Creek Falls
Near Willamette Pass, the second highest waterfall in Oregon falls over a cliff of igneous rock formed by lava flow. There are trails to the bottom of the falls and beyond.
Odell Lake
The lake sits in the Deschutes National Forest and the resort offers activities year round. There are rentals available for fishing, kayaking and rafting as well as skiing and snowmobiling.
Clear Lake
The “lake born of fire” is the source of the McKenzie river, and is an incredibly clear lake located deep in the mountains. The temperature of the lake is not suitable for swimming, but the area is great for picnicking and bird watching.
Koosah & Sahalie Falls
Koosah and Sahalie are off the McKenzie River Trail, just downstream of Clear Lake. Stop by the viewing platform at Sahalie Falls for scenic views of the plunging water.
Deer Creek Hot Springs
Downstream from the falls is a small rock pool, hot spring on the river itself. This spring is inaccessible when the water level is high, so make sure to go during the Summer and Fall.
Only a tiny portion of our old growth forests remain, trek through this one and see what makes them so special. The .5 mile trail is easily accessible and features many different streams full of trout and salmon.
McKenzie River Trail
This trail is over 20 miles long and goes all the way to the source of the river, there are hot springs, waterfalls, forests and rapids along the path. The McKenzie River Mountain Resort offers cabins and lodge rooms with rentals for recreation including mountain bike tours and river rafting.
Terwilliger Hot Springs
Take a quick 1/4 mile hike in the Willamette National Forest to these five soaking pools, which are separated by rock walls. Clothing is optional.
Salt Creek Falls
Near Willamette Pass, the second highest waterfall in Oregon falls over a cliff of igneous rock formed by lava flow. There are trails to the bottom of the falls and beyond.
Odell Lake
The lake sits in the Deschutes National Forest and the resort offers activities year round. There are rentals available for fishing, kayaking and rafting as well as skiing and snowmobiling.
Clear Lake
The “lake born of fire” is the source of the McKenzie river, and is an incredibly clear lake located deep in the mountains. The temperature of the lake is not suitable for swimming, but the area is great for picnicking and bird watching.
Koosah & Sahalie Falls
Koosah and Sahalie are off the McKenzie River Trail, just downstream of Clear Lake. Stop by the viewing platform at Sahalie Falls for scenic views of the plunging water.
Deer Creek Hot Springs
Downstream from the falls is a small rock pool, hot spring on the river itself. This spring is inaccessible when the water level is high, so make sure to go during the Summer and Fall.
Central Oregon
High Desert
The lava plains of the high desert host juniper and sagebrush steppe. Check out this stunning landscape with volcanic origins and be sure to head over to the High Desert museum to catch up on some history.
Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint
This viewpoint features a trail on the edge of a steep sided 300 ft gorge, with three bridges stretching across it. It is great for views of the Cascade volcanoes and birds of prey such as osprey, hawks and bald eagles.
Richardson’s Rock Ranch
This business features a good sized rock shop, which hasn’t been closed for a single day since its opening 42 years ago. You can also get some tools and hunt for your own selections, including jasper and agate, on their thunderegg beds.
Lava Lands
See some of the most recent lava flows in the state, and the ponderosa forests surrounding them. A trip to the visitor center will help refresh your geology knowledge.
Lava Butte
Walk along the surface of a lava flow from Newberry National Volcanic Monument and learn about its formation along the way. With views of the cascade mountains, this destination is a great spot for hiking and picnicking.
Lava River Cave
Go underground into the longest known continuous lava tube in Oregon. The cave is a mile long and takes about an hour and a half to tour the entire thing, but make sure to wear close-toed shoes and warm clothing.
Smith Rock
Smith Rock State Park is one of the seven wonders of Oregon and the birthplace for modern rock climbing, but with so many visitors on a daily basis there is a threat to its infrastructure and ecology.
Misery Ridge Trail
This trail scales Smith Rock over a series of stairs and switchbacks. During the 3.8 mile hike you’ll be rewarded with bird’s eye views of the Cascade volcanoes and the Crooked River.
The lava plains of the high desert host juniper and sagebrush steppe. Check out this stunning landscape with volcanic origins and be sure to head over to the High Desert museum to catch up on some history.
Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint
This viewpoint features a trail on the edge of a steep sided 300 ft gorge, with three bridges stretching across it. It is great for views of the Cascade volcanoes and birds of prey such as osprey, hawks and bald eagles.
Richardson’s Rock Ranch
This business features a good sized rock shop, which hasn’t been closed for a single day since its opening 42 years ago. You can also get some tools and hunt for your own selections, including jasper and agate, on their thunderegg beds.
Lava Lands
See some of the most recent lava flows in the state, and the ponderosa forests surrounding them. A trip to the visitor center will help refresh your geology knowledge.
Lava Butte
Walk along the surface of a lava flow from Newberry National Volcanic Monument and learn about its formation along the way. With views of the cascade mountains, this destination is a great spot for hiking and picnicking.
Lava River Cave
Go underground into the longest known continuous lava tube in Oregon. The cave is a mile long and takes about an hour and a half to tour the entire thing, but make sure to wear close-toed shoes and warm clothing.
Smith Rock
Smith Rock State Park is one of the seven wonders of Oregon and the birthplace for modern rock climbing, but with so many visitors on a daily basis there is a threat to its infrastructure and ecology.
Misery Ridge Trail
This trail scales Smith Rock over a series of stairs and switchbacks. During the 3.8 mile hike you’ll be rewarded with bird’s eye views of the Cascade volcanoes and the Crooked River.
