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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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Salt Creek Sno-Park
  • Approximately 6 miles (10 km) west of
  • Willamette Pass at Milepost 58.6
  • Oakridge OR 97463
  • Phone: 541.782.2283
  • Region: Oakridge - Cascade Mountains
  • Subcategory: Sno-Parks

Salt Creek Sno-Park is popular for sledding and tubing and is a maintained Snowplay Area. It features a tubing hill cleared of trees and a vault toliet. Nearby MORE >>

Salt Creek Falls
  • Approximately 6 miles (10 km) west of
  • Willamette Pass at Milepost 58.6
  • Oakridge OR 97463
  • Phone: 541.782.2283
  • Region: Oakridge - Cascade Mountains
  • Subcategory: Waterfalls

Day Use Fee Area/Northwest Forest Pass. Oregon's second-highest waterfall, Salt Creek Falls is a popular place for visitors to explore. Viewing platforms are MORE >>

Siltcoos Lake
  • South of Florence on Hwy 101
  • Florence OR 97439
  • Region: Florence - Oregon Coast
  • Subcategory: Lakes & Reservoirs

Siltcoos Lake, south of Florence, is home to great warm water bass fishing, boating, hiking and the start of the Siltcoos River Canoe Trail. MORE >>

Siltcoos Recreation Area
  • Hwy 101
  • 7 miles (11 km) south of Florence
  • Turn west on Siltcoos Beach Access Road
  • Florence OR 97439
  • Phone: 541.750.7000
  • Region: Florence - Oregon Coast
  • Subcategory: Beaches & Dunes

Beach day use with paved parking and direct pedestrian beach access. Great for beachcombing, horseback riding and hiking. Stagecoach Trailhead includes the accessible MORE >>

Siuslaw Falls
  • Siuslaw Falls Rd past MP 36
  • Lorane OR 97451
  • Phone: 541.683.6606
  • Subcategory: Waterfalls

Picturesque Siuslaw Falls provides a great backdrop for a morning of fishing, a summer swim in the creek or a fall photo shoot. The park is approximately 28 miles from MORE >>

Siuslaw National Forest
  • 3200 SW Jefferson Way
  • Corvallis OR 97339
  • Phone: 541.750.7000
  • Region: Florence - Oregon Coast
  • Subcategory: Parks & Public Lands

The Siuslaw National Forest offers several public campgrounds, from Reedsport to Waldport, and in Hebo. Also available are a visitor center, hiking trails and MORE >>

Siuslaw River
  • Siuslaw River
  • Florence OR 97439
  • Region: Florence - Oregon Coast
  • Subcategory: Rivers

The Siuslaw River starts in the hills west of Eugene and winds its way westward to the Pacific, passing through Mapleton and historic old town Florence. The river MORE >>

Skinner Butte Park & RiverPlay Playground
  • Cheshire Ave
  • Eugene OR 97401
  • Phone: 541.682.4800
  • Region: Eugene Oregon
  • Subcategory: Parks & Public Lands

Situated along the Willamette River with panoramic views of Eugene. At RiverPlay Discovery Village Playground children can scale a play replica of Skinner Butte, uncover MORE >>

South Jetty Day Use
  • South of Florence on Hwy 101
  • Turn west on South Jetty Rd
  • Florence OR 97439
  • Phone: 541.750.7000
  • Region: Florence - Oregon Coast
  • Subcategory: Beaches & Dunes

South Jetty Day Use activities include OHV riding, picnicking, beach access, crabbing, fishing, surfing, beach combing, dog walking, and wildlife viewing from twelve MORE >>

South Jetty Day Use
  • South of Florence on Hwy 101
  • Turn west on South Jetty Rd
  • Florence OR 97439
  • Phone: 541.750.7000
  • Region: Florence - Oregon Coast
  • Subcategory: Parks & Public Lands

South Jetty Day Use activities include OHV riding, picnicking, beach access, crabbing, fishing, surfing, beach combing, dog walking, and wildlife viewing from twelve MORE >>

Stonefield Beach State Recreation Site
  • Hwy 101
  • 17 miles (27 km) north of Florence
  • Florence OR 97439
  • Region: Florence - Oregon Coast
  • Subcategory: Beaches & Dunes

Easy beach access, recommended for beach combing, sunbathing and whale watching. Hunt for agates at Tenmile Creek to the north. Enjoy the sunset along the shoreline. MORE >>

Sutton Lake
  • Hwy 101
  • Florence OR 97439
  • Region: Florence - Oregon Coast
  • Subcategory: Lakes & Reservoirs

Travel the short channel from Western Sutton Lake and discover Eastern Sutton Lake. Spot coastal birds from a kayak in the lake's marshes or fish for largemouth bass, MORE >>

Sweet Creek Falls
  • Hwy 126 to Sweet Creek Rd
  • Mapleton OR 97453
  • Phone: 541.563.8400
  • Region: Florence - Oregon Coast
  • Subcategory: Waterfalls

At Siuslaw bridge in Mapleton, leave Highway 126 and go south on Sweet Creek Road. A beautiful 11-mile (18-km) drive will take you to the first trailhead. Eleven MORE >>

Tamolitch Falls (Blue Pool)
  • McKenzie River Trail
  • Linn County OR 97413
  • Region: McKenzie River - Cascade Mountains
  • Subcategory: Lakes & Reservoirs

Now a dry fall, the basin is filled from underground, resulting in a dazzling clear pool of amazing colors. The water is very cold. Be careful on the steep cliffs MORE >>

Terwilliger Hot Springs (Cougar Hot Springs)
  • 5 miles east of Blue River
  • (Aufderheide National Scenic Byway)
  • McKenzie Bridge OR 97413
  • Phone: 541.822.3381
  • Region: McKenzie River - Cascade Mountains
  • Subcategory: Hot Springs

A short hike to six natural pools in a gorgeous waterfall setting under shady trees. Day use only, strictly enforced by the Forest Service. Nudity is not permitted in the MORE >>