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Home > Visitors > Things to Do > Natural Wonders

Natural Wonders

Outdoor enthusiasts love Oregon for its treasure trove of amazing natural wonders and the abundance of easily-accessible forests, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, hot springs, mountain vistas and ocean coastline. Natural preserves, nature trails and observatories are common and eco-inspired travelers can discover nature in its pristine and spectacular grandeur throughout the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region.

Hike beneath towering 500-year-old trees on the Delta Old Growth Nature Trail, or get a new perspective on forests by climbing 200 feet up into the old growth tree canopy on a guided tree-top tour! Bird watchers will appreciate the nature trails around the Delta Ponds or the West Eugene Wetlands.

Take a summer gondola ride up to the top of Eagle Peak for a stunning view of the Cascades-- the athletically-inclined can mountain bike or hike back down. At Clear Lake, row a boat above a petrified forest visible beneath 100 feet of water. Cycle the McKenzie Pass - Santiam Pass National Scenic Byway (closed to cars during the cold season) to the Dee Wright Observatory at the summit, then hike through 1,500 year old lava flows.

Venture across North America's most expansive coastal sand dunes, driving over 500 foot-high dunes in an off-highway vehicle (eco-friendly guided tours reccommended). Visit America's largest sea cave, home to many bellowing sea lions.  Oregon Coast scuba divers can observe crabs and octopus at Oregon's first official dive park off Florence's North Jetty. And the stunningly beautiful Cape Perpetua is a great destination for whale watching or storm watching.

On an RV trip or have some leisure time? Drive the scenic byways of the Pacific coast or the Cascade Mountains. Grab your camera to capture spring wildflowers, colorful fall foliage or wildlife. Year-round natural adventures await you!

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Cougar Reservoir
  • Hwy 126
  • Blue River OR 97413
  • Region: McKenzie River - Cascade Mountains
  • Subcategory: Lakes & Reservoirs

Cougar Reservoir is located outside of Blue River along Aufderheide Drive, part of the West Cascades National Scenic Byway. Spend the day boating or swimming at one of MORE >>

Darlingtonia State Natural Site
  • HWY 101
  • 5 Miles north of Florence
  • Florence OR 97349
  • Region: Florence - Oregon Coast
  • Subcategory: Parks & Public Lands

An 18-acre botanical park dedicated to the preservation of the Darlingtonia californica, a rare carnivorous flower nicknamed "cobra lily." The wayside park provides MORE >>

Dee Wright Observatory
  • Hwy 242
  • (At the summit of McKenzie Pass on Hwy 242)
  • McKenzie Bridge OR 94713
  • Phone: 541.822.3381
  • Region: McKenzie River - Cascade Mountains
  • Subcategory: Parks & Public Lands

HWY 242 leading to the Dee Wright Observatory is CLOSED FOR THE SEASON. (November 2012). In the midst of a barren lava landscape discover this memorable monument. This MORE >>

Delta Ponds
  • Off Delta Hwy
  • Eugene OR 97402
  • Phone: 541.682.4800
  • Region: Eugene Oregon
  • Subcategory: Parks & Public Lands

Situated next to the Willamette River, Delta Ponds is a unique and valuable open space within an urban setting. This 150 acre (61 ha) ecosystem has become a favorite spot MORE >>

Dexter Lake
  • Lowell
  • Lowell OR 97452
  • Region: Lowell
  • Subcategory: Lakes & Reservoirs

Enjoy Dexter Lake from the water or one of the shoreline parks. On any given day sails dot the lake while powerboats cut long lines through the water and rowers slide MORE >>

Diamond Creek Falls
  • Salt Creek Falls Observation Site
  • East of MP 58 on Hwy 58
  • Oakridge OR 97463
  • Phone: 541.782.2283
  • Region: Oakridge - Cascade Mountains
  • Subcategory: Waterfalls

Fan shaped Diamond Creek falls drops 70-90 feet (21-27 m) and tiered Lower Falls drops 200-500 feet (61-76 m). To view the falls follow Diamond Creek Falls Trail #3598 MORE >>

Dorena Reservoir
  • Shoreview Dr
  • Cottage Grove OR 97424
  • Region: Cottage Grove
  • Subcategory: Parks & Public Lands

Dorena Reservoir offers swimming, boating, fishing and camping. This and other lakes and rivers near Cottage Grove provide anglers with some of the best fishing in the MORE >>

Dorena Reservoir
  • Shoreview Dr
  • Cottage Grove OR 97424
  • Region: Cottage Grove
  • Subcategory: Lakes & Reservoirs

Located in the rolling hills outside of Cottage Grove, Dorena Reservoir offers boating, fishing, swimming and water skiing. Extend your adventure by exploring the paved MORE >>

Fall Creek Reservoir
  • Wineberry Creek Rd
  • (North of Hwy 58, 27 miles southeast of Eugene)
  • Fall Creek OR
  • Region: Lowell
  • Subcategory: Lakes & Reservoirs

Less than 30 minutes from Springfield, Fall Creek Reservoir is popular with water skiers and Jet skiers yet surprisingly serene for fishing or day use during midweek. 5 MORE >>

Fern Ridge Lake
  • Clear Lake Rd
  • 14 miles (22 km) northwest of Eugene, near Veneta
  • Junction City OR 97448
  • Phone: 541.682.2000
  • Region: Veneta-Fern Ridge
  • Subcategory: Lakes & Reservoirs

Fern Ridge Lake is a popular recreation area for water sports, such as windsurfing, sailing, water skiing, flat water kayaking and fishing. Extensive wetlands provide MORE >>

Fern Ridge Lake
  • Clear Lake Rd
  • 14 miles (22 km) northwest of Eugene, near Veneta
  • Junction City OR 97448
  • Phone: 541.682.2000
  • Region: Veneta-Fern Ridge
  • Subcategory: Parks & Public Lands

Fern Ridge Lake is a popular recreation area for all water sports, and is appealing to windsurfers and sailing enthusiasts. Extensive wetlands provide opportunities to MORE >>

Gold Lake Sno-Park
  • Road #500 off Hwy 58
  • 28 miles (45 km) east of Oakridge
  • Oakridge OR 97463
  • Phone: 541.782.2283
  • Region: Oakridge - Cascade Mountains
  • Subcategory: Sno-Parks

Gold Lake Sno-Park is an ideal hub for snowshoeing and cross country skiing adventures. Around the lake enjoy hut-to-hut Nordic trails with routes suited for beginners or MORE >>

Gold Lake
  • Road #500 off Hwy 58
  • 28 miles (45 km) east of Oakridge
  • Oakridge OR 97463
  • Phone: 541.782.2283
  • Region: Oakridge - Cascade Mountains
  • Subcategory: Lakes & Reservoirs

Winter cross country ski trails, early spring fishing, late summer huckleberries, and fall wildlife viewing make Gold Lake a year-round recreation destination. The lake MORE >>

Green Waters Park
  • 48362 Highway 58
  • at milepost 36
  • Oakridge OR 97463
  • Region: Lane County
  • Subcategory: Parks & Public Lands

This Oakridge park offers exquisite views of the clean, green Willamette River. Picnic on the large rock overlooking the water, then gather the kids for an easy hike MORE >>

Harbor Vista Campground
  • 87658 Harbor Vista Rd
  • (Off Rhododendron Dr)
  • Florence OR 97439
  • Phone: 541.682.2000
  • Region: Florence - Oregon Coast
  • Subcategory: Beaches & Dunes

Beach access is a gentle one mile (1.6 km) walk from this county campground. There are day-use picnic tables and barbecue grills at the south end of the park. The MORE >>