If you want to feed your kids’ sense of adventure, build their confidence and fill them with wonder, you’ll find an Oregon family holiday has everything you need, and a lot of it is outdoors.
Painted Hills, Eastern Oregon
The 10th largest state in the US – ninth if you count its waterways – Oregon is pretty much the land of adventure and it certainly doesn’t stint on wonders. In fact, it’s home to both the deepest lake and the deepest river gorge in the US, as well as the second most climbed mountain in the world and the world’s largest sea cave.
But what’s really astonishing is how easy it is to have an adventurous Oregon family holiday whether you like the idea of Portland, have a craving to explore the 363 mile long Pacific coastline, want to walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs, gaze on the Painted Hills or take a tour and see the lot: 29 Scenic Byways alone make Oregon a road trip classic.
So where to start? To help you out with that we’ve picked some of our favourite outdoor adventures across every region. Of course you can try to do them all in one visit, but the real challenge is stopping at just one Oregon family holiday. Have a read and you’ll see what we mean.
Cannon Beach, Oregon Coast © Satoshi Eto
Expect some wild adventures on the Oregon Coast
The 363-mile long Oregon Coast stretches from Astoria in the north right down to southerly Bookings. But we’re going to suggest you stop in the city of Florence at the midway point and put aside some time for several out-there experiences which take complete advantage of the sand and sea here.
Head to Sandlands Adventures just outside Florence for a day of fun that starts with a tour of the astonishing Oregon Dunes on a Giant Dune Buggy (it’s as exciting as it sounds). The hour long tour lets you see the shifting sands, tree islands and stunning Siuslaw River up close, then heads down to the Pacific Ocean for a wild beach ride too. After all that, if you’re still up for more thrills, you can splash around on Bumper Boats, race go-karts, play mini-golf or even chill for a bit on the cute Cloverline Railroad.
Central Coast Fatbike, Florence © Dylan Van Weelden
Add the world’s largest sea cave to your Oregon family holiday
The Sea Lion Caves is America’s largest sea cave: 12 storeys high and as wide as a football pitch. An amazing natural phenomena for sure, but also home to a huge colony of Stellar sea lions. You could probably have guessed that from the name, but nothing prepares kids for the experience of observing them in their natural habitat, courtesy of a viewing area accessed by a specially designed elevator.
The Sea Lion Caves sits on the coast just a short drive from Florence and, apart from the cave itself, it’s a protected wildlife and bird sanctuary, as well as one of the best places to spot migrating Gray Whales on the Oregon Coast, between December and January, and again, from March to June.
City of Portland and Mt. Hood
What’s the big deal about Portland? Where do we begin?
Direct flights from the UK year round make Portland most family’s first experience of Oregon, and there’s no denying it’s a major urban adventure; from the largest independent bookshop in the world to its vast city forests, it goes big and thrilling in practically every direction.
What you might not expect are all the very non-urban places to take kids hiking, within easy reach of the city centre. Smyth and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area is one of the largest wetlands in the US and has no fewer than three wildlife viewing points. If kids are up for a bit of climb, Powell Butte Nature Park in Southeast Portland is the place for that. And for a short walk that’s packed with fairy tale potential, try Forest Park and a hunt for the eerie Stone House.
Forest hiking, Washington Park, Portland
Head to Washington Park and meet the resident wildlife
One of the most popular places to walk in Portland has to be Washington Park, which is not much a surprise as it’s where to find Oregon Zoo, home to almost 3,000 animals from around the world and globally recognised for its commitment to conservation. The zoo is also the place to catch the little train that takes you into Washington Park forest, it’s a fun, short journey: perfect for younger kids.
Portland Japanese Garden is in the park too and delivers not just remarkable prettiness, but also the Umami Café for snacks that run to the likes of miso soup and mochi ice cream. If home-grown comfort food is more your thing, the park is also home to The Daily Feast, one of Portland’s favourite stops for brunch.
Kayaking, Steelhead Falls, Central Oregon
Central Oregon lets you play in its waterfalls
When you hear the landscape of Central Oregon described as ‘sunny high-desert’, you probably don’t expect it to be famous for some of the state’s most spectacular water features. How wrong you are.
The Central Oregon Waterfall Trail includes eight stunning falls ranging from the 226 feet drop Proxy Falls – one of Oregon’s highest – to the Steelhead Falls, much loved by rafters, kayakers and cliff jumpers.
Of course, you can just drop in and visit one or two falls, but the Waterfall Trail is also a great excuse for a road trip, not least because every stop along the way has amazing hiking potential, several falls are safe for swimming and, if you have older kids along for the ride, the aforementioned kayaking adventures aren’t restricted to Steelhead: Dillon Falls are famous for challenging expert paddlers.
Crater Lake National Park, Southern Oregon
Point your Oregon family holiday southwards for serious wonders
Between the Umpqua and Rogue Valley wineries and the arty cities of Ashland and Jacksonville, as well as some of the darkest Dark Skies on earth, Southern Oregon is a bit of a wonderland all by itself.
Although almost nothing here compares to its wonder-of-wonders, Crater Lake. It’s the deepest lake in America, one of the ‘Seven Wonders of Oregon’, and seeing its impossibly blue waters is one of those holiday memories your kids will hold on to forever. But naturally, because they’re children and awe-struck gazing only goes so far, you’ll be pleased to know there’s plenty to do here apart from staring.
Start at the Rim Village Visitor Centre, pick up all the information you need on hiking, picnicking, boating or driving, and take it from there. Or if you want someone else to do the driving, catch the Crater Lake Trolley for a two-hour tour round the lake rim.
Crater Lake Zipline, Southern Oregon
Zipline over Southern Oregon’s gold rush hills
Ziplining is another way to see Crater Lake – from a distance – as well as Mt. McLoughlin, Table Rocks and many other Southern Oregon icons. But Rogue Valley Zipline Adventures aren’t just about zipping you over the scenery. This is a much more immersive experience, which involves five progressive ziplines spread over an enormous private park, with guided hikes between the zips so you learn about the history of the gold rush hills that surround you, before you have the thrill of flying across them.
Wildlife Safari, Southern Oregon
You can even safari on an Oregon family holiday
Excitement of a different sort altogether is what you can look forward to at Wildlife Safari in the city of Winston. That might be the last thing you’d expect in Southern Oregon but this part of the state is always going to surprise you, in a good way.
Amazingly enough, Wildlife Safari is over 50 years old and today its 600-acre park protects more than 550 animals from around the globe. And conservation-keen kids will be pleased to know that it is also the number one cheetah breeding facility outside Africa, and number two in the entire world.
Kayak tour, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Kayak through glacier-melt waters in Columbia River Gorge
Central Oregon’s waterfalls aren’t the only natural phenomena that invites families to come kayaking. Guided kayak tours of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, let you glide through glacier-melt waters so clear you can see fish swimming beneath you. Raise your eyes from that marvel and there’s a chance you’ll spot osprey or even eagles overhead, and heron being still and stately in the shallows is a not uncommon sight either. Although those in the know recommend taking a sunset tour for the most scenic experience of all.
Cooper Spur Mountain Resort, Mt. Hood
Winter sports aren’t just for winter mighty Mt. Hood
Timberline is the only ski area in the US open 10 months of the year, and it’s in Oregon. Or, to be precise, it’s near the top of 11,245 foot high Mt. Hood: Oregon’s tallest mountain and also a dormant volcano. With a vertical winter drop of 4,450 feet, as well as an enviably hi-tech lift network, this is obviously a magnet for serious skiers, so it’s even better to hear that it’s also very family-friendly, right down to having beginner terrain parks and the Timberline Kids Club to get little skiers as young as four snow-confident in a safe and encouraging environment. Families are particularly welcome at historic Timberline Lodge too, opened in 1937 it is the place to sleep on the mountain, and often has kids-stay-free and other offers throughout the year.
Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail
Hit Willamette Valley on your Oregon family holiday
Willamette Valley, between the Cascade Mountains and the Coast Range, is where you’ll find Salem, Oregon’s capital city. It’s another region that’s famous for waterfalls, though here they’re mixed with rich farmland and romantic covered bridges. Farm stays are big round these parts too, but not quite as big as farm-to-table dining, which is best paired with excellent Willamette Valley wines.
Understandably all that might be less interesting to kids than the Enchanted Forest outdoor theme park. Family owned and operated for over 50 years, this Oregon icon is a short drive from Salem and features cute stuff like Storybook Lane as well as mighty rollercoasters and the legendary Big Timber Log Ride: the biggest log ride in the Northwest.
Now find out how to plan a family road trip round Oregon with your kids
