Oregon is a state of natural wonders and you will find amazing beauty throughout with historic towns and sleepy fishing villages to ski resorts and wineries. Windswept beaches, verdant forests and snow-capped peaks give way to sweeping rangelands, towering rock formations and dramatic river valleys in this incredibly diverse land.

Besides 363 miles of pristine public beaches, high-desert country, painted hills and wine-producing valleys, Oregon is home to North America’s deepest river gorge (Hells Canyon), the country’s deepest lake (Crater Lake) and the world’s second-most-climbed mountain (Mt. Hood), which also happens to host North America’s only year-round ski season.

Portland is a hip urban hotspot with national accolades for its cuisine, a vibrant arts scene, great theatres and funky shopping districts inspired by the creative spirit of the city. Whilst just a short drive from Portland, The Columbia River Gorge and majestic Mt. Hood offer year-round recreation opportunities including; skiing, snowboarding, hiking, camping and biking.

Cowboy adventures, whitewater rafting, quiet mountain retreats – Central Oregon has it all too. The region’s geological history, marked by explosive volcanic activity, is showcased at several parks, and its rich cultural history is on display at the High Desert Museum in Bend. And the spirit of the West is alive and well in the high desert of Eastern Oregon, where snow-capped mountains, dusty plains and jagged red rocks look down on rolling hills of sage, wild rivers and fertile wheat fields.

Whatever your passion, Oregon’s natural and scenic variety – coast, mountains, rivers, high desert, plains, forests and valleys – lends equally to exhilarating outdoor adventure or tranquil exploration. Come experience Oregon’s hidden travel gems for yourself – a ward-winning golf courses, culinary masterminds, world-class spas and tucked-away luxury properties, all in the midst of wide open beaches, jaw-dropping waterfalls, lush forests and amazing mountain peaks. Oregon also has more scenic byways and tour routes than any other state as well as no sales tax and plenty of shopping opportunities so what are you waiting for?

Weather
Oregon’s climate is influenced by its unique landscape. Two large mountain ranges run through Oregon from north to south. The coastal mountain range separates the Willamette River valley from the Pacific ocean. Further inland, a second mountain range – the Cascade Range – reaches heights of over 11,000 feet (3,000 meters). These two ranges influence the weather, climate and vegetation for the entire state. The western part of Oregon has a mild, maritime climate. Weather systems move in from the Pacific and lose moisture: first on the Coastal Range and then on the Cascade Mountains. This creates lush vegetation and excellent conditions for agriculture in the Willamette Valley. In contrast to the western part of the state, Eastern Oregon, in the rain shadow of the Cascades, has dry weather. This and the higher altitude create “the high desert.”