Southern Oregon Road Trip
When I would tell people I’d never been camping, they would always look back at me in shock. “How, growing up in Oregon, have you never been camping?!” The answer was easy - my parents liked hotels, I enjoyed sleeping in a bed, and when I lived in Los Angeles for eight years, none of my friends camped - we might rough it by having too many people in a hotel room, but sleeping in a tent never crossed our minds. I’d been back in Oregon for a few years, and decided that this would be something I’d finally cross of the list of things I’d done.
I enlisted my friend Sarah as my co-pilot for an Oregon (and a little bit of California) road trip. Easily the most outdoor-oriented person I know, Sarah is off camping, hiking, or on some sort of adventure more weekends than not, and I knew she’d have plenty of suggestions for spots to check out on our long weekend away. First up was heading down the Southern Oregon coast, with stops in Bandon for lunch and Port Orford for a hike, before making it down to Humbug Mountain to catch the sunset.
After a restful night of sleep, we woke up early the next morning to head to Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, which is the place I was most looking forward to seeing. The hikes and beaches here were beautiful, and there were even some daredevils tightrope walking across the park. Growing up in Portland, I’m used to the beaches in the northern part of the state, but was taken aback by how pretty the beaches down here were. There were far fewer people, the weather was much warmer, and the water seemed more vibrant. While I love Cannon Beach and Manzanita, driving along the 101 from Bandon to Brookings, the beaches seems more rustic and unspoiled.
After a couple days exploring beaches, we headed inland - and south - to California’s Jedediah Redwood State Park. I knew redwoods were big, of course, but you can’t really understand just how massive they are until you’re standing next to them. We walked around, enjoyed feeling tiny, crossed the clearest river I’ve ever seen, and then hopped back into the car to make it to our destination for the night.
After a few days of being active, I was ready for a more relaxed day of wine, and the Rogue and Applegate Valleys in Southern Oregon are known for their wineries. While the Willamette Valley is a highly popular destination for tourists and locals alike, the Applegate and Rogue Valleys are much more casual. The tasting rooms we went to were beautiful, the tasting fee was only $5 (!!!) and the wines were exceptional. After we got our vino fix, we headed toward the campsite, where I spent 10 hours in a tent, thereby completing my first (and still only) camping experience.
Like every other day, I woke up, counted down the minutes until I could have a cup of coffee, and hit the road as quickly as we could, eventually making it to Crater Lake National Park. I’d been here once as a kid, and I remembered being bored and just wanting to go back to the hotel pool. Seeing this landmark for the second time though was a completely different experience. I was taken aback by how massive and vivid the lake was, the calmness of the water, and the geography of it all. We walked around, took about a hundred photos (no exaggeration), and decided to head toward Bend so we could (finally) shower and enjoy a good meal.
I absolutely love Central Oregon, and it was a great place to end the trip. We stayed in this adorable barn-turned-Airbnb, hiked along the Deschutes River, and I got to take a long, hot shower after my single night of camping. In just five days, I’d seen so many beautiful parks and areas, and it cost hardly anything. This road trip was everything I’d hoped for.
When Planning A Road Trip…
Make sure you’ll be able to get along with your co-pilot in close quarters for a few days. If you tend to get annoyed by them after a couple hours, chances are you’ll want to strangle them during a road trip. Only do a road trip with a friend you know you’ll be able to have a good time with.
Play to each other’s strengths. If one of you is great at finding stuff to do in nature, maybe the other finds the hotels and restaurants. Or divide things up by day - Sarah was in charge of the days when we were in the redwoods and wine-tasting, and I handled the itinerary for the beach days. That way, we both got to plan things we wanted to do, while also seeing and doing things we may not have thought of if it wasn’t for the other person.
And on that note, plan a loose itinerary. You won’t need to schedule every day out entirely, but it’s good to have your campsite and hotels booked and major activities planned so that you accomplish what you set out to and can relax knowing you’ll have a safe place to sleep.
Apps can make things a lot easier. We discussed a budget for the trip ahead of time, and used the app Splitwise so that expenses were divided up, such as gas and food. And download directions from Google Maps before you head out (and when you have Wifi) so you’ll know where you’re going, even if you don’t have service.
Oregon Road Trip Itinerary
On day one, take off toward the coast and make stops along the way, such as at Devil’s Punchbowl or Hart’s Cove. We had lunch in Bandon and took a hike at Cape Blanco. Have your camera (or phone) ready for lots of pictures! We slept at the Pacific Reef Hotel in Gold Beach; it was no-frills but also dog-friendly, which is what we were after. If your budget allows, splurge and enjoy a peaceful (and luxurious) retreat at Tu Tu Tun Lodge.
After a good night’s sleep, head to Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. I’d recommend bringing a swimsuit just in case the urge strikes (we didn’t pack any and were pretty disappointed once we realized how nice the beaches were), and don’t forget your sunscreen. There are lots of spots along the way to park and wander, so spend the day exploring the various trails in the park. Tip: Pack a picnic, because there aren’t any restaurants nearby.
Next up, drive south to the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. This is just past the border in California, and it’s every bit worth the detour to get to see the magnificent trees. Walk around these giants and along the Smith River, easily the clearest river I’ve ever seen. One thing to note when heading here is that the trails are not dog-friendly, so you’ll have to keep your pup inside the car. Once you’ve seen it all, start driving back toward Oregon and get ready for wine in the Applegate and Rogue Valleys. A few I recommend are Foris Wine, Troon Vineyard, and Schmidt Family Vineyards. We ended up camping at Joseph Stewart State Park, which was a great first-time camping spot for me because they had restrooms with electricity. If camping isn’t your thing, the historic McCully House Inn in downtown Jacksonville is an adorable boutique hotel with high-end amenities and plush beds.
On Day four, take off toward Central Oregon. On the way, make a stop at Crater Lake National Park to get an eyeful of the deepest lake in the U.S., at 1,949 feet deep, with the caldera 5-6 miles in diameter. Hike around and grab something to eat at the the lodge before continuing on toward Bend. Once you arrive here, get your legs moving with a stroll along the Deschutes, then grab a beer at Crux Fermentation Project. We stayed in Bend, but you could also head further north and end your night at Suttle Lodge, located about 45 minutes away. Whatever you do, don’t leave Bend without picking up an ocean roll at Sparrow Bakery.
