Over half of Oregon is covered in public lands and forests. In fact, it’s the lower 48’s largest exporter of timber. But Oregon isn’t just trees. It’s also home to mountains, rivers, waterfalls, beaches, deserts, plains, and even volcanoes. Whatever your taste in scenery, you can find it in Oregon. 

In Eastern Oregon, you can traverse the largest living organism on Earth which is hiding in plain sight (read on to find out what it is). On the coast, beachcombers can walk through a “Ghost Forest” at low tide, examining the barnacle-covered remains of 2,000-year-old trees. Seasoned hikers should make the trek to No Name Lake: a sparkling, turquoise body of water located in Central Oregon. Only accessible by foot, the 15-mile hike is well worth it. 

Oregon is the perfect escape for nature lovers hoping to reconnect with the earth. Opportunities for backpacking and hiking are so abundant it can be hard to choose which trails to take. With that in mind, we’ve assembled a list of places that offer unique stories and tranquil beauty.