Oregon National Parks: A Group Travel Guide

Smell The Florigen When Going To These National Parks, Monuments, and Forests In Oregon

You’re an adventurous soul who’s been shriveling up at your desk for months staring at a screen with mere images of the outside. It’s a sad life, but it doesn’t have to be!

Grab the gang and take a little outdoor adventure!

To where you may ask?

The beautiful state of Oregon of course!

Let’s talk about the history of Oregon.

Oregon was inhabited by several indigenous tribes for thousands of years until the Europeans came along and in 1792, Captain Robert Gray sailed into the Columbia River and claimed the land for the United States.

A few decades later in the 1800s, Oregon became a popular destination for settlers traveling the Oregon Trail, but the settlers wanted their independence. 

In 1859, Oregon officially became the 33rd state in the Union.

Today, Oregon is known for its stunning natural beauty and hipster culture. From the breathtaking coastline to the lush forests to the quirky city of Portland, Oregon has something for everyone.

A Captivating Oregon National Park: Crater Lake National Park

It’s a lake! No, it’s a crater! It’s a crater lake! It’s also snowy with an average snowfall of 41 feet! Talk about an amazing place to play in the powdery snow!

This Oregon landmark was created 7,700 years ago by a violent eruption that triggered the tall peak. This lake goes deep, in fact, it’s the deepest lake in the United States.

Prepare to be shook by the captivating blue and clear lake at this Oregon national park.

This park is the ultimate destination for nature lovers, with hiking trails that offer breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

So grab your hiking boots and let’s go!

Oregon National Monument: Oregon Caves National Monument 

Deep inside the Siskiyou Mountains, there lives one of the most expensive caves in the world! 

Well one of them is anyway, why?

This Oregon park is home to a cave made of marble formations and underground rivers. The

Oregon Caves National Monument spreads over six acres.

The park even has a chateau of sorts, it was created in the 1920s and the unusual charm hasn’t changed to this day.

This location also has The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, which is the perfect destination for all you paleontologists at heart.

With a wide variety of fossils, including prehistoric horses, camels, and rhinoceroses, this Oregon park will take you on a journey back in time.

Be like a bear and hibernate in a cave, or just visit one!

Oregon National Forest: Mount Hood National Forest 

This national forest is a big one, with 1.1 million acres of land.

This giant national forest, the Mount Hood National Forest was named in 1893 and separated into multiple forests in 1908.

The name that we know today was assigned in 1924.

Are you ready to be one with the animals? There is also a lot of nature to be found as well, going to this national park means the possibility of running into a northern spotted owl, a cougar, or even an elk!

While there you can choose to take a hike or climb a mountain or even ski.

The potential is boundless!

Oregon Historical Park: Lewis & Clark National Historical Park

Most people don’t think of rainforests in American national parks but this is a rarity.

That’s not the only aspect that makes this historical park rare, The Lewis & Clark National Historical Park has a bit of a backstory to go with its name. This involves a famous expedition led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. 

This national park comes with many attributes, which include the famous Columbia River and the Pacific coast.

As far as things to do in this Oregon national park, you can take the same trail that the corps did or ride into the sunset on a horse.

If these things don’t suit you, you can explore the national park’s historical exhibits, which highlight the journey of the expedition.

Who knows, you might even feel like you’re part of the adventure!

Oregon & Volcanos: Newberry National Volcanic Monument

This volcano park became a monument fairly recently in 1990 and has 54,000 acres of lakes, lava, and geological features.

The Newberry National Volcanic Monument is often referred to as a crater and has 1200 square miles of volcanoes, which is about the size of Rhode Island!

Explore the cinder cones, lava flows, and hot springs at this Oregon national park.

Check it out, you might even get a glimpse of an active volcano!

Oregon Historical Park: Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

This Oregon national historic site is based on the north bank of the Columbia River. The Fort Vancouver National Historic Site has a bit of significance around fur trading, and military and belongs to the world’s first transpolar flight.

There are several historic structures and exhibits that highlight the area’s role in the fur trade and westward expansion of the United States.

Experience the U.S. Army’s Vancouver Barracks, Pearson Air Museum, or the McLoughlin House.

Oregon National Parks: Getting Around

Whichever route you choose you will be sure to learn a part of history.

Speaking of routes, you may be in a tizzy about how you will be able to transport you and your crew from park to park.

Not to fret, chartering a bus is a comfortable and convenient way to travel and by far the easiest to organize, book your bus today!

All of the parks listed are unique and deserving of your presence.

Don’t make these national parks wait up for you, get those fingers working and schedule your trip! You can request a quote here.