The Best 10 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary: Ultimate Guide
10 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary for Adventurous Souls
If you’re an adventurous soul like me, you must visit this breathtaking state! Here is a 10 day Oregon road trip itinerary I’ve put together to help you plan your trip!
Oregon is a beautiful state located in the Western USA, just South of Washington State and above California. In my opinion, Oregon is very underrated.
Before going to Oregon, my family and friends asked me, “why Oregon? What’s even there?” and I just gave them a weird look and said, “why not? It’s freaking beautiful!”
It is an incredibly diverse place for its small size being only 255km². From waterfalls and mountains to badlands and deserts, this has been one of my favourite road trips to date.
We spent about 11 days here just driving around and exploring Oregon’s beautiful sights. Keep reading to plan your 10 day Oregon road trip! This is one of the best Oregon road trip itineraries for adventurous souls like you and me!
In this guide, you will mostly find adventures, hikes, waterfalls and anything that leads to a fantastic view. I haven’t added many other activities here, but feel free to add and remove them as you please!
Now, it’s time to plan a road trip to Oregon!
Let’s go!
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10 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary Overview
Oregon, 10 day itinerary overview coming your way!
I wanted to give a quick rundown of the next 10 days before we get into full detail.
Some of these days on your Oregon 10 day itinerary are jam-packed with activities. As I mentioned, feel free to remove and add as you please!
Day 1
- Multnomah Falls
- Wahclella Falls
- Trillium Lake
- Mount Hood
Day 2
- Painted Hills
- Smith Rock State Park
Day 3
- Crater Lake
Day 4
- Umpqua National Forest
- Watson Falls
- Toketee Falls
- Umpqua Hot Springs
Day 5 – Oregon Coast
- Southern Oregon Coast exploring begins!
- Harris Beach
- Whaleshead Beach
- Indian Sands
- Secret Beach
- Natural Bridges
Day 6
- Pistol River State Park
- Meyers Creek Beach
- Kissing Rock
- Face Rock
- Battle Rock
- Sister’s Rock
Day 7
- Oregon Dunes
- Rent a dune buggy
- Enjoy the beach
Day 8
- Northern Oregon Coast exploring begins!
- Heceta Head Lighthouse
- Devil’s Churn
- Thor’s Well and Spouting Horn
- Yachats
- Chubby Lil Mermaid Baker
- Oregon Coast Aquarium
- Yaquina Head Lighthouse
- Devil’s Punchbowl
Day 9
- Whale watching in Depoe Bay
- God’s Thumb via the Knoll
Day 10
- Hug Point
- Cape Kiwanda
- Tunnel Beach
- Cannon Beach
Related Posts:
Why do people travel?
Best Oregon Coast Road Trip Spots
Oregon’s Painted Hills Guide
The Best 10 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1
Multnomah Falls
You’ll want to get up fairly early to get to Multnomah Falls in order to beat the crowds. Good thing it’s only about a 30-minute drive from Portland, Oregon.
Once you arrive at the parking lot, you can cross through the tunnel to get to the falls. Here you will find the main lookout point.
We stopped to take some photos and take in the beauty of the falls before we hiked up the trail just past the stairs going up so we could get to the bridge.
There is a trail that goes higher, and you can get a lookout from the top, but me and my friend didn’t go all the way up, and we just went to the bridge and back down because that’s where the view was that we were really there to see.
Wahclella Falls
After leaving Multnomah Falls, we drove off to Wahclella Falls. The hike to the falls is about 3km and relatively easy.
There are inclines and declines throughout the hike, and the path is mainly dirt with a few bridges to cross along the way, and it takes roughly an hour to complete.
It’s a nice short hike, considering the incredible waterfall you get to see at the end. This one is a must for your 10-day Oregon road trip itinerary!
Trillium Lake
We only stopped here for a minute and kept going because the parking lot was full and the area was packed. But here you can stop and spend the afternoon paddleboarding and swimming.
It’s a beautiful lake with a picturesque view of Mount Hood in the back. It’s only just over an hour from Wahclella Falls, making it a great stop to relax for a bit.
Mount Hood
Your Oregon 10 day itinerary must include Mount Hood!
Okay, so this is a busy day, but next, you can head to Mount Hood and try one of the hikes there.
We did Bald Mountain from Lolo Pass Trail. It’s a 10.8km out-and-back trail rated as moderate with a 454m elevation gain.
It’s a challenging hike for the first portion, but it becomes relatively easy once you get up the steep slopes. If you decide to do this trail, download the map on AllTrails before you go. It takes roughly 3.5-4 hours to complete, depending on your hiking skill.
We hiked up to watch the sunset and get some beautiful golden hour photos, which meant we were hiking down in the dark. If you do this, make sure to bring some headlamps or flashlights.
There are some shorter trails around the area, so feel free to switch it up if you’re not down to do something for so long. But we wanted to get the most beautiful view possible.
Mount Hood is a bucket list destination and is a must to have the best Oregon road trip.
Where to Stay
There are several campgrounds nearby, including Trillium Lake Campground, Barlow Tail Campground and Camp Creek Campground. Or you can opt to stay in a hotel or a lodge nearby in places like Mount Hood Village.
Another option is to drive towards Painted Hills and find a place to stay to shorten the duration of your dive for the following day.
Day 2
Painted Hills
You can head to Painted Hills first thing in the morning. If you’re travelling there in the Summer, try to get there as early as you can so you can beat the heat.
It is a badlands area, and yes, it is usually significantly hot here than in other places in Oregon. While we were there, it was over 34℃, and the next day, when we got to the coast, it was only 14℃. That is an insanely huge difference!
You can pretty much see all of Painted Hills within 2.5 hours, which is pretty great. All of the trails are super short. My favourites are Painted Cove and Painted Hills Overlook. You can read my complete guide on Oregon’s beautiful Painted Hills here!
The Painted Hills is famous for the red hills that are super Instagram-worthy, so this is a must for your Oregon 10 day itinerary!
Smith Rock State Park
Next, you can drive over to Smith Rock State Park, where are numerous different hikes you can do. Smith Rock has mountains which is why I loved it so much.
We decided to hike Misery Ridge, which is a 3.6km trail up a 3300-foot summit. It was tough – or maybe we were just super weak – haha!
The elevation gain is a whopping 1,100 feet up a steep incline!
The views along the way are well worth the pain the hike put us through, and you can see Monkey Face. At the very top, you can see the breathtaking landscape below with the stunning Crooked River.
As we hiked, we ended up on River Trail, which made the hike a little longer, being 6.5km, but the views were so worth it!
We even saw a rattlesnake in the middle of the path digesting its dinner!
We probably spent 6 hours here, but keep in mind we take a lot of photos, so extra time is needed! (and by a lot, we can spend like 30 mins in one spot just taking a gazillion photos)
If you want the best Oregon road trip, be sure to stop at Smith Rock State Park!
After you leave Smith Rock State Park, it’s time to head to your next destination on your 10 day Oregon road trip: Umpqua National Forest. The drive is about 3.5 hours and get’s pretty scenic!
Or you can stay somewhere in between so you are doing a little less driving that day.
Where to Stay
There are plenty of options for places to stay in Bend, Oregon. This is a great midway point because you will be driving to Crater Lake tomorrow!
Day 3
Explore Crater Lake
One thing I didn’t make time for on my trip that I would do differently is adding Crater Lake to my exploration list!
Crater Lake is absolutely breathtaking, and I will be adding it to my itinerary next time I head down to Oregon!
Here you can find all the trails at Crater Lake and pick the ones you think you’d like to do the most!
Crater Lake is about a 2-hour drive from Bend, Oregon.
Head to Umpqua Forest
After you’re done exploring around Crater Lake, head to your next destination: Umpqua National Forest.
In Umpqua National Forest, we stayed in a small a-frame cabin at Umpqua’s Last Resort – Wilderness Cabins, RV Park and Glamping. It was such a cute little place, and I recommend it!
Day 4
Umpqua Hot Springs
Okay, so the reason you should get to Umpqua National Forest the night before is so you can get to Umpqua Hot Springs during sunrise. If you do this, you will beat most of the crowds, and there will be much fewer people.
Parts of the trail here are steep, and there are several trails that veer off, so make sure to download the map off AllTrails before you go.
Spend a few hours here just relaxing after your previous day of hard hiking! This is a perfect stop to make sure you have the best Oregon road trip.
Watson Falls
Now we have a couple of really short hikes to add to your adventure list. Watson Falls is a short 1.3km loop trail that takes you to an incredible waterfall. It takes roughly 40 minutes to complete, so it won’t take up too much of your day!
Watson Falls is a 272-foot waterfall, making it the 3rd highest in Oregon, that falls over basalt lava cliffs.
Toketee Falls
You absolutely cannot miss Toketee Falls during your 10 day Oregon road trip, and it is a must for your Oregon bucket list!
The hike to Toketee Falls is also very short, being only 1.4km and takes only 30 minutes to complete.
There is a path down to the bottom of the falls, but it is super treacherous and rigid. There are ropes to help you get down. If you decide to go down, be very careful.
You can also jump into the water to take a dip, but the water is freezing. I refuse to ever jump in that water again!
I froze my poor little butt off!
Toketee Falls is definitely one of the best Oregon road trip stops!
Where to Stay
As I mentioned and highly recommend: Umpqua’s Last Resort – Wilderness Cabins, RV Park and Glamping. The staff were super kind, and it was such a cute little place.
You can stay in this area for two nights if you’d like, or you can head over to Brookings, where you will continue for the best Oregon Coast itinerary!
10 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary: The Coast
These next few days will be your road trip along the Oregon Coast, starting in the Southern Oregon Coast and moving up to the North. I won’t go into full detail on each location during these next few days, but you can check out my complete Oregon Coast guide for all the information on each stop!
Keep on reading to start planning your Oregon Coast 101 road trip!
Related Posts:
Why do people travel?
Best Oregon Coast Road Trip Spots
Oregon’s Painted Hills Guide
Day 5
Harris Beach State Park
The first Oregon Coast 101 road trip spot is Harris Beach State Park!
This was a really stunning spot on the Southern Oregon Coast!
There are several parking areas to get down to the beach, but each one gives you some really scenic views,
The beach is massive, and there is so much to explore. I also spotted a bunch of little hermit crabs and purple and orange starfish all over the beach!
This is a great beach to stop and picnic on, or you can choose a different beach on this day to enjoy a picnic!
There are some short hiking trails along the beach that bring you up to have a higher viewpoint of the gorgeous views.
It’s a great spot to add to your itinerary when you road trip Oregon!
Whaleshead Viewpoint
This is a must for your 10 day Oregon road trip itinerary!
Whaleshead beach is just a short walk down an incline path down to the beach. You can spend a couple of hours walking down the beach and enjoying the views.
The view right at the “whale’s head” is by far the best spot along the beach, but it’s worth spending some time here just enjoying the view.
Indian Sands
Indian Sands is a really gorgeous trail on the Southern Oregon Coast drive. It’s a 1.8km loop trail close to Brookings, Oregon.
The trail is rated as moderate and has incredible views. Here you will get a mixture of stunning scenery like ocean views, sandy areas, forested areas and more! The views at the coast are the most gorgeous of all!
Secret Beach
You will want to plan to go during low tide for this beach. This stunning beach is along Secret Beach Trail and is a 2.6-mile long out-and-back trail.
It’s rated as moderate due to the steep sections of the trail.
It’s the perfect beach to pack a picnic on, so as I said, make sure to plan to go during low tide so you can actually explore this stunning beach!
I made the mistake of going as the tide was coming in, so I didn’t get the chance to explore the beach much, but I’ve heard there are some really cool sea caves that are worth checking out!
Secret Beach is a stunning spot for a picnic during your Southern Oregon Coast road trip!
Natural Bridges
Okay – you abso-fricken-lutely can not miss this epic view during your Oregon Coast 101 road trip part of your adventure!
Natural Bridges is one of my favourite locations on this 10 day Oregon road trip itinerary for obvious reasons.
As you can see from the photo, this place is incredible!
You can stop just off the highway, take a short walk to the viewpoint, and take a picturesque view of the natural bridges.
Or, if you are feeling brave, you can hike down the trail to get to the really incredible views. More about this is on my Oregon Coast guide.
If you decide to go down, be very careful, as I’ve heard that people have died there. So go at your own risk!
Natural Bridges is definitely one of the best Oregon road trip stops!
Where to Stay
You’ll stay in Brookings for this night. There are many places to stay in this area, so just find something that fits into your budget!
Day 6
Today you will be driving North and stopping at some beautiful viewpoints along the way! We stayed in Coos Bay after making all of these stops but had we planned our trip in advance, we would have stayed in Bandon this night and on day 7.
Pistol River State Park
We only stopped here quickly and took some photos at the viewpoint, but if you want and have the time, you can take a walk down the beach for some stunning views or even book horseback riding.
We saw people off in the distance, which looked like a beautiful experience!
At Pistol River, you can find hiking trails, windsurfing, beach access, fishing and some really gorgeous views.
Meyers Creek Beach
This is another quick stop you can make and is part of the Pistol River State Scenic viewpoint and is a short couple hundred meters away from your previous stop on the Oregon Coast road trip itinerary.
Kissing Rock
This is another quick stop you can make during your trip along the Oregon Coast! We didn’t stop here for long, and I didn’t happen to take any photos, but it’s still worth checking out, even if it’s only for a few minutes!
Face Rock
This gorgeous view is so perfect on a moody day like we got during our Oregon Coast road trip!
There is a short trail down to the beach, and it is perfect for exploring during low tide.
Battle Rock
I didn’t take any photos here, and we didn’t stay for long. This stop would probably only take you about 10 minutes before you depart for Sister’s Rock.
Sisters Rock
Okay – this place is incredible!
It literally feels like you are in Scotland and has those highlands / Isle of Skye type of vibes.
This is an absolute must for your 10 day Oregon road trip itinerary. Trust me; you will love it just as much as I did!
The views here are just spectacular!
You’ll see amazing coastal beaches, and it also features a cool sea cave that is worth checking out! Just whatever you do, don’t go inside. You’ll see why when you get there.
Day 7
Oregon Dunes
Now that we are halfway through the trip, you deserve a little break before spending a good portion of your day hiking the Sahara Desert!
Okay – I’m only kidding.
When you road trip Oregon you must add this incredible place to your itinerary! It sure does make you feel like you are in some desert in another country!
I have a lot more information about the Oregon Dunes here that you can check out to get all the information you need.
You can hike up to the dunes on John Dellenback trail, or you can do the full trial all the way to the beach and spend some time on the beach.
One thing I wish I had done was rent a dune buggy and drove around on the dunes! Now that would have made for an extra fun experience. Add that to your itinerary if you love that kind of thing!
Make sure to add the Oregon Dunes to your Oregon bucket list because it is truly so diverse. It is different from the rest of this US State, making it one of the best Oregon road trip stops!
Day 8
Heceta Head Lighthouse
This is a really gorgeous Lighthouse to add to your 10 day Oregon road trip itinerary!
It’s roughly 1.5 hours north of Bandon, so you’ll have a little bit of a drive in the morning.
Many people actually say that Heceta Head Lighthouse is one of the most stunning lighthouses in the world!
There is a viewpoint a few miles south of the Lighthouse parking lot where you can see the stunning lighthouse from afar.
Devils Churn
Devil’s Churn is known as one of Oregon’s natural wonders.
You won’t need too much time here, but going during high tide, if you can, will give you a better experience since that’s when the Devil’s Churn puts on the best show!
Thor’s Well and Spouting Horn
You can’t do the Oregon Coast road trip without stopping at Thor’s Well! Anything with Thor’s name in it is worth stopping at. (I just rolled my eyes at myself)
This is another stop that is best to do during the high tide if you can since, like Devil’s Churn, that’s when Thor puts on his best show for you.
It’s a relatively short and easy hike down, and the trail features some stairs to get down to the coast.
Read about Thor’s Well and Spouting Horn on my Oregon Coast guide for more information.
Yachats
Stop in Yachats and spend a few hours exploring this cute, enchanting coastal town.
I wish I had made more time to explore this cute little place!
It’s the perfect little town to explore when you road trip Oregon!
Visit the Chubby Lil Mermaid Bakery
If you’re doing the Oregon Coast 101 road trip, you must stop at this little bakery!
The Chubby Lil Mermaid Bakery has to be the cutest bakery I have ever been to!
The theme is mermaids (duh, Krista), and they have such tasty treats there, from baked goods to small meals to go.
They also have some adorable souvenirs there. It’s definitely worth a quick stop to grab a snack on your Oregon road trip adventure!
Oregon Coast Aquarium
So I didn’t actually do this, but I really wanted to!
The only reason I didn’t is that we only heard it existed after we passed by, and we had our whole day planned out!
So you’re welcome!
Now you know, and you should definitely add it to your list of activities for your road trip to Oregon!
You can read more about it in my Oregon Coast blog post!
Yaquina Head Lighthouse
This incredible lighthouse is another stunning spot to add to your Oregon Coast road trip!
It is about 45 minutes north of Yachats.
There are a few areas you can park to see the lighthouse, but the easiest is right at the Visitor’s Center parking lot.
There is also a super cool interpretive exhibit and a souvenir shop you can check out.
Below the lighthouse, you can find Cobble Beach, which is also a really popular spot among tourists.
Devils Punchbowl
This is a really cool spot that I didn’t get to make it to since the parking area was packed full for the long weekend.
It’s a location popular with surfers, tourists, and whale watching.
Here you can explore tidepools on the northern part of Devil’s Punchbowl and check out the Devil’s Punchbowl itself.
Where to Stay
Drive just 30 minutes north to Lincoln City and spend the next 3 nights here. There are great hotel and AirBnB options at all price ranges.
Day 9
Whale Watching in Depoe Bay
If you are into this sort of thing, this is a great activity to add to your Oregon road trip itinerary!
I went whale watching in Nova Scotia years back, and it was an incredible experience. I got to see a ton of dolphins.
I didn’t book it in the plans for my trip to Oregon, though, but I know it would have been an enjoyable activity to do in Oregon!
I’ve heard that Depoe Bay is one of the best spots on the Oregon Coast to go whale watching!
If I hadn’t gone whale watching before, I definitely would have added it to my itinerary! It’s an excellent option for an activity when you road trip Oregon.
God’s Thumb via The Knoll
The Knoll is a stunning hike that takes you to the absolutely stunning God’s Thumb.
It’s a longer hike being, about 7km long and takes about 2.5 hours to complete. It’s a tough trail, but the view at the end is worth the hike.
I’ll judge you hard if you don’t add this hike to your 10 day Oregon road trip itinerary! (only kidding – but seriously, you should do it!)
Read more about it in my Oregon Coast blog post here!
Day 10
Each of the destinations for this day are super close to Lincoln City, making it the perfect home base for these last few days.
Hug Point
This is a stunning, expansive sandy beach with beautiful views.
Here you can picnic, explore caves, see a little waterfall and more.
Be sure to go here during the low tide to get the most out of your experience!
Cape Kiwanda
Cape Kiwanda features a 1.6km loop trail that takes you for an adventure to some really stunning viewpoints!
It says it only takes about 30 minutes to complete the trail, but as always, give yourself some extra time!
It’s another short stop to add to your Oregon itinerary!
Tunnel Beach
This beach is super cool as it features a dark, manmade tunnel that leads you to Tunnel Beach.
You have to park at Oceanside Beach to get to this area, and you will find a path down to the beach.
To get to the tunnel, hang a right on the beach, and you will see a tunnel that passes through the coastal rock.
Be careful walking through the tunnel, as there are a ton of branches and rocks.
Cannon Beach
This will likely be your final stop during your Oregon Coast 101 road trip!
Cannon Beach is an iconic tourist destination and probably the most beautiful beach on the Oregon Coast. So you must add this to your Oregon road trip itinerary!
The most important tip I can tell you is to go for sunrise! There won’t be as many people there, although sunset is a whole other vibe, but hundreds, if not thousands, are on the beach during that time.
People are drawn to this beach to view the iconic Haystack Rock, which is such an incredible sight!
Even though there are a gazillion people here, it’s still worth stopping.
It’s a definite Oregon bucket list destination, and you must add it to your itinerary for when you road trip Oregon!
Related Posts:
Why do people travel?
Best Oregon Coast Road Trip Spots
Oregon’s Painted Hills Guide
10 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary Map
I’ve put together a map of the 10 day Oregon road trip itinerary so you can visualize where everything is and how far apart it all is!
This map will help you plan the best Oregon road trip!
How many days do you need to visit Oregon?
I personally needed more than 10 days on my road trip to Oregon. There is surprisingly so much to do and see for such a small US state!
A 10 day Oregon road trip will give you plenty of time to see many of the most beautiful places in Oregon, plus do a few activities.
If you have less than 10 days, you’ll miss out on many beautiful places, but there is no necessary amount of time you need to explore Oregon.
I could have easily spent 3 weeks just driving around and exploring. I would have loved to do more of the hikes in Smith Rock State Park, Mount Hood, do some hikes around Crater Lake, and see more of the stunning waterfalls.
Even with 10 days, there will be so much of Oregon left untouched, but either way, it’ll be worth it, and you’ll love it.
How many days do you need for the Oregon Coast?
3-5 days along the Oregon coast is plenty of time. There are a ton of stops, but many of the stops are quick viewpoints that you stop at for a short amount of time before moving on to the next.
You can get so much done within these 3-5 days on the Oregon Coast, but it also depends on if you plan any activities like horseback riding, whale watching, the Oregon Coast Aquarium, renting Dune Buggies, chilling by the beach or whatever you choose to do.
What is the best time of year to go to the Oregon Coast?
So now you’re wondering, “What is the best month to visit Oregon?“
The Summer months are definitely the most popular to visit Oregon. You’ll get the best weather, but many tourists flock to the most popular sights.
Summer is perfect for visiting the beaches, hiking, camping and boating.
Autumn is a beautiful time of year, although it tends to rain a bit more. On the bright side, there will be fewer tourists than during the Summer, and you’ll get some really gorgeous fall colours!
Autumn is also an excellent time for hiking and camping.
Of course, it gets colder during the winter, but there are fewer tourists during this time, and it’s often described as being wet and chilly.
I went right at the end of August, with most of my trip being at the start of September, and it was an amazing time.
Places like Smith Rock State Park and Painted Hills were scorching, being around 35℃. The next day when we got to the coast, it was a whole 20 degrees colder, only 15!
So if you go, make sure you pack clothing for cooler weather and extremely hot weather.
What is the best road trip in Oregon?
There is no specific “best” road trip in Oregon, but if you start in Portland and make a loop down, east, up the Oregon Coast, and back to Portland, you will hit many of the highlights that Oregon has to offer.
You can also go the other way if you prefer, starting in Portland, heading down the Oregon Coast, west and back up in a loop as well.
Either way, this loop is perfect for making the best Oregon road trip itinerary!
You will love it even if you only have time to do the Oregon Coast road trip!
But if you only do the coast, you’ll miss out on the many beautiful waterfalls and mountains, which, in my opinion, are breathtaking!
What is the prettiest part of the Oregon Coast?
All of it!
Seriously! You gotta just do it all!
Okay, but in all seriousness, I would choose to do the Southern Oregon Coast over the Northern Oregon Coast since more of my favourite places are in the South.
The North does have Cannon Beach, though, which is a must for your Oregon Coast road trip!
In the South, you’ve got places like Sister’s Rock, Natural Bridges, the Oregon Sand Dunes on John Dellenback Trail, Whaleshead Beach, and Indian Sands!
We flew through the Northern Oregon Coast, not because we didn’t enjoy it, but because the stops were much shorter. I must also admit that I found the stops in the South a lot more breathtaking.
Conclusion: 10 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary
Ta-dah!
And that’s my 10 day Oregon road trip Itinerary that I’ve put together to help you plan the best Oregon road trip!
I wanted to make this guide as in-depth as possible for you because I know how hard it can be to plan a trip sometimes, especially when there is so much to see!
Which place are you most excited to see? Let me know in the comment section below!
Thank you for stopping by, and happy adventuring ♡
Krista x.
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Wow! Such a beautiful place! We’ll have to go someday! ♥️