Oregon Road Trip: Portland to the Rogue River Loop

Explore the Best of Oregon on this Epic Road Trip from Portland

An Oregon road trip is an outdoor lover’s dream vacation. This adventurous 10-day loop from Portland takes you to the outdoor hub of Bend and then Crater Lake National Park before heading to the Rogue River, where you’ll ditch the car for a few days for an Oregon whitewater rafting adventure. Finally, you’ll head to the beach and travel an iconic stretch of Oregon’s scenic Pacific Coast back toward Portland. Explore the route and discover how to make the most of your time on the road.

10-Day Sample Itinerary

• Day 1: Hike at Smith Rock State Park & discover the Bend Ale Trail
• Day 2: Hike to Tumalo Falls & paddle the Deschutes River in Bend, OR
• Day 3: Visit Crater Lake National Park
• Day 4: Check out art in Grants Pass, OR
• Day 5 – 7: Raft the Wild & Scenic Rogue River
• Day 8 – 10: Play at the Dunes & explore the Oregon Coast Highway
• Extend your trip: Additional Oregon road trip ideas

Day 1: Smith Rock State Park + Bend Ale Trail

From Portland, head east on Highway 26 to Highway 97 south toward Bend, a.k.a. “the mountain town that has it all.” Before you arrive in Bend, stop off at Smith Rock State Park for a scenic stroll along the Crooked River which winds its way through the heart of the park. If you’re feeling ambitious, combine the River Trail with the Misery Ridge Trail for a 6.2-mile loop through the park, or take on one of the several thousand rock climbing routes, which Smith Rock is known for.

Afterward, start your journey on the Bend Ale Trail, the largest beer trail in the West. With 22 breweries on the route, you won’t be able to try them all, so aim to enjoy good beer and killer food at the same time. 10 Barrel Brewing, Crux Fermentation Project and Worthy Brewing Company are just a few of the breweries in Bend pairing delicious pub fare with their brews.

Day 2: Tumalo Falls Hike + Paddle Bend

Grab breakfast in Bend’s charming downtown district before hiking the 6.8-mile Tumalo Falls Loop. The earlier the better for this trail, which is popular with both hikers and mountain bikers. While the upper viewpoint of this 97-foot fall is impressive, don’t turn around here or you’ll miss out on the many other picturesque waterfalls that cascade down upper Tumalo Creek.

In the afternoon, take advantage of Bend’s paddling scene and head to Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe to rent a stand-up paddleboard or inflatable tube to float the Deschutes River which flows right through downtown Bend. The seasonal Ride the River shuttle transports paddlers and floaters between Riverbend Park and Drake Park all day and is the best way to avoid parking and logistic headaches.

For dinner, check off another brew pub on your Bend Ale Trail passport, or head downtown to dine at one of the city’s other exciting restaurants.

Day 3: Crater Lake National Park

From Bend, this Oregon road trip continues south on Highway 97 to Highway 138 to Crater Lake National Park, where you’ll find the deepest lake in the U.S. Take in the jaw-dropping views of the emerald crater as you spend the day exploring the sights and hikes along the park’s Rim Drive. If you want to dip your feet in the lake or go for a swim, the steep 2.2-mile roundtrip Cleetwood Cove Trail provides the only shore access to Crater Lake.

Plan your visit well in advance so you can enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the park’s Historic Crater Lake Lodge, which overlooks the lake.

Day 4: Watchman’s Peak + Wild & Scenic Rogue River

Grab one last sweeping view of Crater Lake on the 1.6-mile hike to Watchman Peak. Afterward, hop back in the car and head east to Grants Pass, situated along the Rogue River. Stroll through dowtown and take in the local art scene, unwind in Riverside Park, or catch some live tunes and burgers at the Laughing Clam, a longtime local favorite hangout. Stay overnight in this charming town and you’ll be well-positioned to head out on a Rogue River rafting trip in the morning. Be sure to book your rafting adventure well in advance to ensure availablilty.

Day 5 – 7: Rogue River Rafting

Meet up with a river outfitter for a 3-day Wild & Scenic Rogue River rafting trip (or opt for a 4- or 5-day trip if your travel schedule has some flexibility). This quintessential Oregon adventure has it all: beautiful river camps, adventurous side hikes, inflatable kayaking, waterfalls, warm water for swimming, and abundant wildlife. It’s also the perfect way to immerse yourself in nature and recharge after being on the road for a few days. Arrange to have your car shuttled from your hotel in Grants Pass to the Foster Bar take-out so you can continue your road trip along the Oregon Coast Highway without backtracking inland.

Say good-bye to your river guides and head west to the coast and the town of Bandon, along Highway 101. Bandon’s Old Town District features a waterfront boardwalk and a number of restaurants featuring fresh seafood. Snag an outdoor spot at Tony’s Crab Shack and try Bandon’s Famous Crab sandwich before settling down for the evening at a nearby inn.

Day 8 – 10: Oregon Coast Highway + Dunes National Recreation Area

Grab breakfast at Bandon Coffee Cafe and then drive to nearby South Jetty County Park for the Bandon Oregon Coast Walk, a 4.4-mile out and back jaunt that follows the beach past the area’s famous Face Rock, as well as many other picturesque rock formations, sea caves, tidal pools and more.

The road trip continues north to Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, which spans 40 miles between Coos Bay and Florence and offers up ample opportunities for beach strolls, dune hikes, and even sandboarding if you’re feeling adventurous.

Extend Your Oregon Road Trip Adventure

From Florence, it’s approximately a 3-hour drive back to Portland if you head inland. But with another 100-plus miles of coastal highway, state parks, scenic viewpoints, wildlife preserves and quaint oceanside towns to explore, consider extending your Oregon road trip by a day or two to continue north on Highway 101. Here are a few more ideas for what to do along the route:

• Hike the moody trails of the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area near Yachats for iconic rugged coastal Oregon views
• Explore the tidepools at Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area
• Go whale watching in Depoe Bay where a pod of grey whales reside offshore from March through December
• Tour the Tillamook Creamery and share a basket of their gooey battered cheese curds or grab a scoop from their ice cream counter

For more road trip inspiration, check out our library of itineraries from some of the West’s biggest travel hubs.

Please remember to travel responsibly & always Leave No Trace in any area you’re visiting.