Must see's in Oregon and Washington?

sdspearo

NAXJA Member
NAXJA Member
Location
Encinitas, Ca
This Saturday I'm leaving for a two week camping/fishing trip thru Oregon and Washington with my very active 13 y.o. son. You guys have any "must sees", leads on cool camp grounds, swimming or fishing holes?

We'll be traveling in a F350 4x4 PSD with Lance camper, no Jeepin' on this trip. No set itinerary, but the basic route will be up thru central Oregon to the Columbia Gorge, follow the Columbia River east and start meadering our way up to NE Washington to Ione/Metaline where my bro has some property. The route back to So Cal is totally open, but we'll be staying away from the coast (did that trip a couple of years ago).

So far, I've heard that Oneonta Falls and rafting on the Deschutes are must do's. Any other recommendations?
 
The oregon house of mystery. 10min. Off I-5 on the way to crator lake. House where gravity and the laws of physics are defied. Its been on tons of shows like ripleys and history channel shows. Google it.
 
Not really a destination but if you get far enough north and far away from city/town lights keep your eyes on the sky as on a couple of occasions camping as a kid we (my dad and I) have seen the aurora borealis. It has to be a realy dark clear night.
 
Eagle Creek off the Columbia Gorge is one of the spots that inspired the President to create the National Forest Act. waterfalls, eagles, high bridges etc.

Bagby Hot Springs is nice for a good soak in a cedar tub filled with natural hot and cold water taps form the spring. Free too.

If you're by the Descheutes River be sure to hike around Smith Rock, it's beautiful at sunset or sunrise. May even catch some climbers doing impossible stuff on it too.
 
Cool, I'm making a list of all your suggestions and marking them on the map :)

Concerning the aurora borealis...I just checked tide calendar and there's a waning half moon on the 22nd (around the time we'll be furthest North). I'll be sure to check out the Northern skies, who know's, might get lucky.

Thanks for the info!
 
The North Cascascades Highway (Hwy20) in Washington is a pretty scenic drive. There are also a couple campgrounds at Diablo Lake. Very beautiful area.
 
Crater Lake, The Vista House, Mt. Saint Helens, Rainier, and the Merwin Tap.
 
There are a couple really cool hikes in Washington

The APE Caves - by Woodland

And the ICE Caves - North of Stevenson,

Both are really cool.

Both in southern washington

If your going to be in the Gorge, you have to check out Multnomah Falls, second highest fall in north america.. can't pass up that action.
 
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