Northwest Travel Guide 2025: Beach spots, backpacking trips and cozy spas galore

Buzzy beach towns, big backpacking trips and a novel way to go wine tasting are all in store for your Pacific Northwest travel plans in 2025.

This year’s Northwest Travel Guide once again offers 25 of the best places to go and things to do around the region, covering some of the destinations, outdoor adventures, lodging options, attractions and road trips that make our corner of the world so special.

The theme for 2025 is to just get out there already.

If you’ve always wanted to backpack Broken Top, taste Oregon’s original corn dog or drive up to the North Cascades — what are you waiting for? There’s no time like the present. Take these words as the impetus to clear your calendar, reserve your vacation time and book your travel now.

So, which Northwest landmarks speak to you? What places are calling your name? Whatever they are, heed their call. If you need a few ideas, we have you covered right here.

PLACES

OREGON CITY

A perfect day trip destination from the Portland area, Oregon City is perhaps best seen on a bright spring day, when the flowers are blooming along the McLoughlin Promenade and Willamette Falls is roaring in the distance. There are restaurants aplenty in town: try The Hive Social, which is open all day, Ingrid’s Scandinavian Food, The Corner 14 food cart pod or the local outpost of Portland restaurant Canard.

ROCKAWAY BEACH

One of the north Oregon coast’s more overlooked destinations, Rockaway Beach has a lot to offer those who stop and explore. The Original Pronto Pup, home of Oregon’s famous corn dog, is the obvious attraction, but there’s also the Rockaway Big Tree hike, the recycled light bulb art at Oregon Du Drops, fish and chips at Old Oregon Smoke House and the beach itself, which has a great view of Twin Rocks.

HOOD RIVER

If you still think Hood River is just a beer and windsurfing town, you might need to revisit. As recently as five years ago, the Columbia Gorge city was best known for its sheer number of craft breweries, elbowing for room at the base of Mount Hood. And while those brewpubs will still be crowded, you’ll also find people stopping in vintage shops, driving the Fruit Loop, and grabbing tables at Solstice Wood Fire Pizza by the waterfront. That’s not to mention the city’s excellent wine scene.

LONG BEACH

One of the few true beach towns on the Washington coast, Long Beach is a laid-back getaway with a lot of space to spread out. Grab a beach house, rent a bike and cruise down the 8.5-mile Discovery Trail, a paved pathway that runs between the ocean and the town, ending at the rugged and beautiful Cape Disappointment State Park. It’s no wonder hip lodging options have found a foothold here, with Sou’Wester Lodge and the new Snow Peak Campfield now in town.

WHITE SALMON-BINGEN

Found just across the Hood River bridge, the twin towns of White Salmon and Bingen are great gateways into the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. White Salmon is home to a charming downtown with a shocking number of good dining options at spots like Everybody’s Brewing, White Salmon Baking Co. and Feast Market & Delicatessen. Bingen, which is smaller, boasts The Society Hotel, a sleek boutique hotel with a public soaking pool and spa. Visit in the spring for a chance to tour the Wildflower Corridor on either side of the river.

OUTDOORS

KAYAKING WALLOWA LAKE

One of Oregon’s most spectacular natural attractions, Wallowa Lake is known for its clear waters, stunning geology and (from the north end at least) great views of the Wallowa Mountains. The best way to see it? On the water, of course. Kayak rentals are available at the Wallowa Lake Marina, or from local outfitters like JO Paddle, which is famous for its light-up nighttime kayak tours.

HORSEBACK WINE TASTING

A lot of people tour Willamette Valley wine country by bus or even bike, but how about horseback? Equestrian Wine Tours offers guided horseback adventures in the Dundee Hills, with wine tours that typically stop at three wineries over the course of five hours. The tours meander between the grapevines year-round.

BACKPACKING BROKEN TOP

Broken Top Loop is one of Oregon’s best loved backpacking adventures for good reason: The roughly 24-mile trail boasts emerald-green lakes, wildflowers and endless mountain views — as well as some decent elevation gain. A three-day trip is enough to walk it all, though those with more time might want to take it a little slower. Late summer to early fall is the best season to do it, as long as wildfires don’t interfere.

HIKING THE WILDFLOWER CORRIDOR

You’ve heard of the Waterfall Corridor of the Columbia River Gorge, but what about the Wildflower Corridor? The seven-mile stretch of river between Hood River and The Dalles has six distinct places to see wildflower blooms between April and June. It’s by no means the only place to see wildflowers, but with spectacular spots like Rowena Crest, Catherine Creek and Mosier Plateau, it’s easily one of the best.

BIKE THE AUFDERHEIDE SCENIC BIKEWAY

For the first time in seven years, Oregon has a new scenic bikeway. The Aufderheide Scenic Bikeway, designated this past November, runs through a scenic stretch of the Cascade Mountains between Oregon 126 and Oregon 58, winding along the McKenzie and Willamette rivers in the Willamette National Forest. Clocking in at 60 miles with more than 4,000 feet of elevation gain, the ride is considered intermediate to difficult.

LODGING

FRENCHGLEN HOTEL

Way out in southeast Oregon, the Frenchglen Hotel is a perfect place for a remote retreat. Found at the foot of Steens Mountain, the historic hotel is owned by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, but managed privately. In 2023, management changed hands for the first time in over three decades, starting a new era for the hotel. While you’re there, you might as well drive up Steens Mountain and hoof it out to the Alvord Desert.

Frenglen Hotel is open March 15-Oct. 31; 39184 Highway 205, Frenchglen; to book a room visit historicfrenchglenhotel.com or call 541-493-2825

SNOW PEAK CAMPFIELD

When Snow Peak, the stylish Japanese outdoors brand, picked Long Beach as the site of its first U.S. campground, it immediately gave the Washington coast town a fresh injection of cool. Snow Peak Campfield initially opened 56 tent sites, then added the dreamy Ofuro Spa and the beautiful Jyubako Cabins designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma. Bookings are available nine months out, and typically fill up fast.

Snow Peak Campfield is open year-round; 5411 Sandridge Road, Long Beach, Wash.; to book a site visit snowpeakcampfield.com or call 833-662-7624.

SKAMANIA LODGE

One of the best places to stay in the Columbia River Gorge, Skamania Lodge offers an all-inclusive experience with a wide variety of lodging options, from single rooms to upscale treehouses and new glamping tents. It’s a gateway to a number of outdoor experiences in the Columbia Gorge, like nearby Beacon Rock State Park, but the lodge also has its own activities, including golf, ziplines, hiking, hot tubs and bike rentals.

Skamania Lodge is open year-round; 1131 S.W. Skamania Lodge Way, Stevenson, Wash.; to book a room visit skamania.com or call 509-314-4177.

STEPHANIE INN

You’d think it would be hard for a hotel to stand out in busy Cannon Beach, but the Stephanie Inn manages to do it. The upscale 42-room hotel on the south side of town was named one of the “15 Best Beach Resorts in the U.S.” in 2024, thanks to what Travel+Leisure called “a kind of small-town warmth and collegiality” found on the intimate property. The hotel is considered one of the more romantic getaways in Oregon, thanks in part to its policy of not allowing any guests under the age of 12.

Stephanie Inn is open year-round; 2740 Pacific Ave., Cannon Beach; to book a room visit stephanieinn.com or call 844-374-2107.

KOKANEE INN

Joseph is one of Oregon’s best vacation destinations, and as such there’s no shortage of places to stay. The Kokanee Inn has found a foothold in that busy lodging scene with a friendly atmosphere that finds itself at the intersection of B&B and boutique hotel. The rooms are cozy and relatively affordable, and the outdoor space is a great amenity, offering several nooks and crannies to unwind among the garden and balcony areas with Wallowa Mountain views.

Kokanee Inn is open Feb. 1 to Oct. 31; 700 S Main St., Joseph; to book a room, visit kokaneeinn.com or call 541-432-9765.

ATTRACTIONS

THE ORIGINAL PRONTO PUP

You might as well call it the Church of the Corn Dog. While the people at The Original Pronto Pup will tell you that Rockaway Beach is the birthplace of the corn dog (a much-disputed claim), that’s beside the point — the Oregon coast attraction is best known for its giant fiberglass corn dog, its mechanical corn dog ride and its full menu of deep-fried “pups.”

The Original Pronto Pup is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 602 U.S. 101, Rockaway Beach; 971-306-1616.

ENCHANTED FOREST

Enchanted Forest, the Willamette Valley’s own fairy tale-themed amusement park, has been charming Oregonians for more than 50 years. It’s no Disneyland, but Enchanted Forest is still a big hit among families, with so many interesting things to see, rides to ride and places to explore. And at $29 for adults and $26 for kids, it’s also a lot more affordable than those major amusement parks.

Enchanted Forest is open March 22-Sept. 30; 8462 Enchanted Way S.E., Turner; $29 for adults, $26 for kids and seniors; 503-371-4242.

COLUMBIA RIVER MARITIME MUSEUM

Since it opened in 1963, the Columbia River Maritime Museum has primarily housed boats, artifacts, art and exhibits focused on the last 200 years of EuroAmerican maritime history. But a pair of new Indigenous exhibits is ushering in a new era for the Astoria museum, including the phenomenal “Cedar and Sea” that showcases Northwest Native artists working in their traditional lifeways.

The Columbia River Maritime Museum is open 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; 1792 Marine Drive, Astoria; $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and students, $8 for kids; 503-325-2323.

PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

An airport might seem more like a place to travel through than to, but with the Portland International Airport’s impressive new renovation, it is becoming a destination in its own right. Whether you’re killing time before a flight or looking for a place to eat and shop in Portland, PDX has more than enough food and retail options to keep you busy. You should at least go to ogle the new roof.

COWBOY DINNER TREE

While ostensibly a restaurant, the Cowboy Dinner Tree is in truth a whole experience. The Oregon eatery is found down a dirt road in remote southern Oregon. There are only two items on the menu: a 30-ounce top sirloin steak or a whole roasted chicken. And it is usually booked up for months. Appealing to fans of the Old West aesthetic (or at least folks with a big appetite), the restaurant has become a big destination in rural Lake County.

The Cowboy Dinner Tree is open year-round but days vary by season; 50836 E. Bay Road, Silver Lake; reservations are required and the restaurant accepts cash only. To make a reservation, call 541-576-2426.

ROAD TRIPS

OREGON’S ALMOST NATIONAL PARKS

National park fanatics are quick to point out that Oregon has only ONE full-fledged national park at Crater Lake (ignoring the state’s three other spots run by the National Park Service), but at least FOUR other landmarks were once considered for national park designation. A road trip to those four almost national parks — Mount Hood, Hells Canyon, the southern Oregon coast and Silver Falls — is a great way to see a wide area of the state.

SOUTHERN OREGON’S HIGHWAY OF WATERFALLS

Oregon 138, the highway that crosses the Cascade Mountains between Roseburg and Crater Lake, might as well be called the Highway of Waterfalls. Several beautiful falls are found just off the road, where rivers and streams plunge from mountain cliffs. Toketee Falls is the crown jewel here, but Watson Falls, Slide Creek Falls and even little Whitehorse Falls are all worth a visit.

OREGON FILM TRAIL

Oregon has served as the backdrop for several generations of movie fans, whether you were an “Animal House” person, a “Goonies” kid or a Twihard. The Oregon Film Trail has been erecting signs around the state commemorating some of the biggest movies filmed in Oregon, including “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Free Willy” and “Paint Your Wagon.” The Oregon Film Trail map offers a wide-ranging road trip across the state.

NORTH CASCADES

If you want your well-traveled friends to stop telling you all about how you have to make it to the North Cascades, you’ll just have to pack your bags and make a road trip up there. The far-flung region of Northwest Washington is home to the North Cascades National Park, where drivers, boaters and backcountry hikers can all find a slice of breathtaking scenery. Hikers should aim for Cascade Pass at least. Boaters should head to Ross Lake. And the Diablo Lake Overlook is the place to get THAT picture.

OREGON COAST TRAIL

The Oregon Coast Trail is advertised as one of the state’s premier long-distance hikes, covering the entire length of the Oregon coast. In truth, the trail is exceptionally difficult to through-hike, requiring navigating tides, long walks along the side of the highway, and tricky crossings over river mouths. And then there’s the dicey proposition of camping. As it stands, the Oregon Coast Trail is better seen on a road trip, with stops at some of the most beautiful, and more accessible trail segments, including a spectacular stretch in the Boardman Corridor.

–Jamie Hale covers travel and the outdoors and co-hosts the Peak Northwest podcast. Reach him at 503-294-4077, [email protected] or @HaleJamesB.

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