12 Beautiful Natural Wonders in Oregon

 Tourism contributes some $12.5 billion dollars a year to Oregon's economy and the only wonder is that the total is not higher since some of the natural wonders in the state are as beautiful as any in the world. 

The Beaver State of Oregon is absolutely loaded with beautiful natural wonders that tourists love to visit.

From the deepest lake in the United States to the fabulous coastline to amazing waterfalls and stunning mountains, Oregon is a nature lovers dream. These are the beautiful natural wonders in Oregon.

12 Beautiful Natural Wonders in Oregon

Crater Lake

Crater Lake is located in Crater Lake National Park in southwestern Oregon. At 1,949 feet deep Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and ninth deepest lake in the world. Crater Lake was formed when the Mt. Mazama volcano collapsed some 8,000 years ago. The clear blue lake is known for its deep blue hue which is the product of Crater Lake having no outlets or inlets and being entirely filled with rainwater and snow melt.

Located on the southwest rim of the lake is the pretty 71 room Crater Lake Lodge which was built in 1915 and still accommodates overnight tourists today. Crater Lake is one the most beautiful natural wonders not just in Oregon but in the world.

Painted Hills

The Painted Hills are located in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in eastern Oregon south of Kimberly. The Painted Hills are named for the exposed rich beautiful layered colors of soil that make up the hills.

Columbia River Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge stretches some 80 miles along the Columbia River in northern Oregon. The gorge was carved out by the river which forms the boundary between Oregon and Washington. The Columbia River Gorge is a very popular tourist destination in Oregon filled with stunning vistas and beautiful waterfalls.

Oregon Caves National Monument

Oregon Caves National Monument is located in southwestern Oregon and contains marble caves full of flowstones and other cool looking formations. Located in the monument is the Oregon Caves Chateau which was built in 1934 in rustic fashion and still serves as a hotel lodging facility for tourists visiting the caves. There are plenty of other motels and visitor accommodations located in nearby Cave Junction.

Silver Falls State Park Waterfalls

Silver Falls State Park is the largest state park in Oregon and is located in the northwestern part of the state about 20 miles east of Salem. Inside the park are many spectacular waterfalls many of which are located along the Canyon Trail also known as the Trail of Ten Falls which follows along the banks of Silver Creek. Pictured above is the magnificent 177 foot high South Falls which is located along the Trail of Ten Falls on Silver Creek.

Newberry National Volcanic Monument

Newberry National Volcanic Monument is located in central Oregon about 15 miles south of Bend. Newberry National Volcanic Monument contains two beautiful Alpine Lakes, the potentially active volcano called Pauline Peak which is 7,985 feet high, Lava River Cave which is a lava tube through which lava once flowed and might again, Lava Butte which is a 500 foot high cinder cone, Lava Cast Forest and the Big Obsidian Flow which is 700 acres of shiny black obsidian.

Mount Hood

Mount Hood is the highest mountain in Oregon at 11,249 feet and is located in the northern part of the state about 50 miles east of Portland. Mount Hood is a very popular tourist attraction in Oregon and certainly one of Oregon's most well known natural wonders.

Timberline Lodge is located on the south side of Mount Hood and this grand hotel attracts more than 1 million visitors per year and is well known for serving as the exterior of the Overlook Hotel in the Jack Nicholson horror movie The Shining. There are plenty of other hotels and motels in the area and six ski resorts are located on Mount Hood which also popular with mountain climbers.

Oregon Coast

The entire Oregon Coast is a natural scenic wonder filled with unbelievably impressive cliffs, rocks, rock formations, beaches, trees and amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. There are plenty of hotels, motels, lodges, campgrounds and other visitor accommodations located all up and down the Oregon Coast to serve tourists in this incredibly beautiful part of the world.

Fort Rock

Fort Rock is a natural wonder volcanic landmark located in Fort Rock State Park in central Oregon. Fort Rock is what is known as a tuff ring which was formed when volcanic magma coming up from the ground hit a muddy lake bottom which caused the magma to shoot upward through a vent and as the magma rained down in blobs of hot lava it formed a ring around the vent as it cooled.

Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls is a beautiful natural wonder waterfall that drops some 620 total feet over two steps located in northern Oregon about 20 miles east of Portland. Multnomah Falls is a huge tourist attraction in Oregon as the falls are not only the tallest waterfall in Oregon but is easily accessed by tourists right off I-84.

At the falls there is a rest area for parking and a hiking trail takes visitors across the 45 foot long Benson Footbridge which is situated 145 feet above the lower step of the falls and provides amazing views of the upper falls. The trail goes beyond the footbridge to the top of Multnomah Falls to a viewing platform that offers views of the Columbia River Gorge as well as Multnomah Falls.

Salt Creek Falls

Salt Creek Falls plunges some 286 feet along Salt Creek in southeastern Oregon about 60 miles southeast of Eugene. It's easy to get to Salt Creek Falls, which is located right off Route 58, also known as the Willamette Highway.

Oregon's Mountains and Valleys

The state of Oregon is filled with many beautiful natural wonder mountains and valleys.