The 15 Best Backpacking and Hiking Trips in Oregon

Oregon is a beautiful and compelling state that holds many special adventures and spectacular scenes you will want to experience first hand.

Oregon is full of big sky views and vast mountainous ranges that make it one of the most rugged but beautiful frontiers in the United States.

Oregon also takes a very active role in the civic organizations of the state and communities and are always happy to help people who are new-comers to connect to the right sources that will help them enjoy Oregon and find what they need.

If you are new to Oregon and in need of auto insurance, start comparison shopping for the best auto insurance rates by entering your ZIP code above!

Oregon’s Original Hikers and Trail Blazers

Two of Oregon’s original hikers and trailblazers were the famed expedition pair, Lewis and Clark. These two adventures and sojourners paved the way in Oregon’s history and helped influence the future of the state of Oregon.

The Lewis and Clark Trail is an actual trail that you can travel today located in northern Oregon that spans several miles across the state.

The Oregon Trail is a historical landmark that represents the original immigration into the state of Oregon and the track that ancient settlers took.

The trail also has an association to the famed Lewis and Clark expeditions which involved Thomas Jefferson who wanted a water route to the Pacific.

Sacajawea, a Native American woman, served as a guide for the Lewis and Clark expedition to help them discover the resources, minerals, and specimens that were later sent to Thomas Jefferson.

Oregon is an ideal spot for hiking and backpacking because it is a historical wilderness area that allows you to explore without being interrupted by cities and traffic and allows you to see some of the original American Frontier.

The 15 Best Backpacking and Hiking Trips in Oregon

The following are some of the location’s best backpacking and hiking spots in the state of Oregon.

#1 — Timberline Trail

Timberline Trail is a rugged trail that features lots of rocks and rapids among a vast array of pine and fir trees and small cliffs and inclines.

Located in the Mt. Hood area, you’ll see Mt. Hood, Mt. Saint Helens, Mt. Rainer, and many other big volcanoes and the resulting lava and ash that was left behind by their eruptions.

Most people take about four days and three nights to hike this rugged trail, beginning at Timberline Lodge.

#2 — Chambers Lakes

Chambers Lakes allows the visitor and backpacker to see icebergs up close and personal. The icebergs are at least 8-feet thick and show no signs of melting.

Even in late summer, the icebergs survive, and you can view them up close when you backpack and hike this trail.

The reason the icebergs are there is that the Chambers Lakes are the highest accessible lakes in the Cascades and feature a cluster of six sapphires. The average elevation in this area is around 7,000 feet. So the waters stay cold year-round.

You may want to take three or four days to cover this trail to take your time and see all of the lakes and enjoy each scene, allowing plenty of time to rest between them.

#3 — Three Sisters Wilderness Westside

The Three Sisters Wilderness Westside hike offers a beautiful hiking option that is a good experience for either the less-experienced or expert backpacker and hiker. You’ll see various lakes along the way and enjoy views of Obsidian Falls and great vistas of the Three Sisters mountain range at all times.

You won’t experience a difficult trail for the first 24 miles then there will be a gain in elevation that may challenge those that are not used to hiking or the higher elevations.

The trip can be made in one day, but it is an all-day trip so prepare to take lots of snacks and bottled water.

#4 — Glacier Lake

Glacier Lake is a picturesque, clear body of water that rests at the edge of Eagle Cap. It is sapphire-blue in color and feeds that Wallowa River.

It is an all-day or two-day journey with nearly 13-miles of a trail from Wallowa Lake to Glacier Lake.

You’ll see beautiful wildflower-laden fields along the way coupled with tall granite peaks that include the Hurwal Divide.

#5 — Steens Mountain

Steens Mountain allows you an opportunity to climb to the highest road in Oregon to view the mile-high cliffs and canyons in the desert of Oregon.

The hike consists of three short paths that lead to Kiger Gorge, the East Rim, and Steens Summit. There is also a longer trail that descends to Wildhorse Lake to a field of wildflowers.

Though you are hiking at the highest road in Oregon, you get to that part by car.

The actual hike is an easy one-mile hike with 250 feet of elevation and the trip to Wildhorse Lake is a 2.4-mile hike with 1100 feet of loss of elevation. This makes it a fairly good choice for the novice hiker as well.

This is an easy half day hike, so take your time and enjoy it.

#6 — Rogue River Trail

The Rogue River Trailhead is a forty-mile track that you should expect to take four to five days to complete.

It is at the heart of the National Wild and Scenic Rogue River Canyon. The Rogue is one of eight Oregon rivers that were originally designated under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968.

This trail follows the north bank as it finds its way toward the Pacific Ocean. You’ll also see a view upriver of Sanderson Island.

This trail is considered challenging and long, and you should prepare accordingly.

#7 — Broken Top Crater

Broken Top Crater is the fourth highest peak in the Three Sisters Wilderness.

It is an ancient volcano that last erupted 100,000 years ago. The mountain itself is 9,175 feet and features a turquoise pool and view of the Three Sisters Mountain Range.

This trail can also be reached from the Todd Lake Trailhead, but it is a difficult trail that is fourteen miles round trip with 2,380 feet of incline on the way.

This is a great hiking and backpacking opportunity that is both educational and challenging.

#8 — Mount Jefferson

Mount Jefferson is the second highest mountain in Oregon. It includes very steep rock and ice and is considered one of the hardest volcanoes to climb.

Only the most experienced climbers should try to climb the surface of the mountain. The mountain itself is above 10,000 feet.

You should keep in mind that this is a mountaineering adventure, not just a hiking adventure and you should travel with trusted friends and take precautions due to the extreme difficulty of the climb.

Alternately, you could drive as much of the trail as possible and view it from afar.

#9 — Strawberry Mountains Loop

Strawberry Mountains Loop takes you right beside Strawberry Falls, High Lake, and Slide Lake. The Strawberry Mountain summit stands at 9,033 feet and offers a spectacular view in isolation from the rest of the world.

There are over one hundred miles of hiking trails. You’ll see lots of wildlife on this trail as well, including mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and many others.

#10 — Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park features Crater Lake, which was created by a stratovolcanic, features a 1,946-foot lake. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States.

You can hike to numerous peaks along the rim and see some of the best views around. You’ll see Garfield Peak, Discovery Point, The Watchman, and Sun Notch along the way.

The hike is about five miles long so it is considered a relatively easy trip that can be done in one day or less.

#11 — Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls is a 542-foot waterfall that falls into a misty forest cavern below and inspires many hikers and backpackers annually. It’s well worth the trip if you are willing to take on the 700-foot elevation along the way to the top.

You can also take the 5.4-mile loop to Wahkeena Falls instead that has 1,600 feet of elevation.

To get to this hiking trail, drive down Interstate 84 east of Portland to 31 miles to Multnomah Falls exit 31, then walk under the overpass.

#12 — Silver Falls State Park

Silver Falls State Park is considered the crown jewel of the Oregon State Parks system and is located in Oregon’s largest park. There are ten waterfalls on this trail, and it spans an 8.7-mile track through the wilderness.

The track is family-friendly and not considered difficult, and there are many people usually taking this track, making it safer in general than more solitary paths.

#13 — Cape Perpetua

Cape Perpetua features rugged lava landscape, tidepools, blowholes, and many other interesting attractions.

It gives you a view of some of Oregon’s most beautiful ocean scenery, and the track is family-friendly.

#14 — Odell Lake Overlook

Odell Lake Overlook is a 2.5-mile quick hike from Gold Lake Snow Park to Odell Lake Viewpoint.

It is appropriate for all skill levels and is accessible year-round. It’s an easy hour hike and allows for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing during winter months.

#15 — Fort Stevens Loop

Fort Stevens Loop begins at the Military Museum and takes you through the remnants of a 1906 shipwreck. You’ll see many historical points of interest as well as a coastal lake along the way.

Where to Begin

All of these hiking trails and backpacking opportunities are unique to explore and well worth the journey if you’re up to it. If driving to the hike’s beginning point, you will likely be using your car.

So you should consider the following:

• Are you fully covered for auto insurance?
• Do you have comprehensive insurance in case of theft or damage?
• Have you considered what would happen if you encountered an animal that did damage to your car?
• Coverage for damage from another vehicle that isn’t at the scene when you return

Things to Consider for Longer Hikes

For longer hikes, consider the following:

• How will you get back to your car after the hike if the trail is not looped?
• Do you have a friend who could drive you?
• Could you leave the key with your friend to move your car at the end of the trail?

What is the right coverage for someone to drive your car?

It is important to know the rules in your area regarding whether insurance follows the car or the driver.

If you decide to share a ride with others on your trip, connect with someone to see if you can work it out with them before you go.

Comparison Shopping

The best thing you can do to make sure you have enough coverage before your Oregon trip is to compare insurance plans.

Check into extra coverages such as:

• Uninsured Motorist
• Underinsured
• Comprehensive

You never know what you might encounter on your voyage, so it helps to be prepared.

Prepare your auto insurance before traveling to Oregon. Start comparison shopping for the best auto insurance rates by entering your ZIP code below!