Are you looking for a different kind of vacation? The vacation where you dream of escaping the well-trodden tourist traps? A backroads road trip through the Pacific Northwest is calling you.
Like you, we believe the occasional excursion to avoid the crowds and escape back to nature is good for the soul. That’s why we’ve chosen to highlight Oregon and Washington’s best backroads destinations that show off what these beautiful states have to offer.
With unparalleled panoramic views from the Pacific coast to the interior Cascade Mountains, there is nowhere more fitting to help you beat the crowds. Prepare to enjoy the fresh mountain air, natural waterfalls, and the many backroads historical sites that these magical Pacific states have to offer as we head north on a journey of discovery on a dual-state road trip.
Starting our backroads road trip at the base of Oregon’s Pacific coastline, we’ve found an opportunity to introduce you to some of the state’s oldest ancestors – the dinosaurs. Located just off Oregon’s Coast Highway outside Port Orford are the incredible Prehistoric Gardens.
With some of the state’s dinosaur fossils dating back as far as 80 million years, the Prehistoric Gardens have created walking trails that intertwine around the park’s natural rainforest. However, these self-guided tours will have you frequently crossing paths with the park’s vibrantly colored, life-sized dinosaurs around every corner. Visitors to the park can stand side-by-side next to a towering 46-foot-high Brachiosaurus or a flying Pteranodon with its impressive 27-foot wingspan.
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Next, on our Pacific Northwest road trip, we’re moving inland into the mountains, heading towards the deepest lake in America. Crater Lake is a fantastic backroads destination where visitors can see this vast sleeping volcano that last erupted 7,700 years ago. So explosive was the eruption that it triggered the collapse of the mountain’s peak, which created a huge natural basin for rain and snowmelt water to collect.
Nowadays, you can visit this stunning blue, clearwater Crater Lake all year round. For the more adventurous among you, you can hike around the perimeter in the summer. However, winter visitors can grab a free pair of snowshoes and join a ranger-guided off-trail walk around the lake of this dormant volcano.
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Heading north now, our next stop is the state capital of Oregon – Salem. Nicknamed the “Garden Capitol of Oregon,” this beautiful city is the perfect stop for visitors to take some time out and explore the various historic sites and parks throughout.
Established in 1842, Salem is most notable for its prominent state capitol building located in the heart of the city. However, it’s the two historic Deepwood and Bush House museums that might capture your attention. These insightful museums are both blessed with an accompanying scenic garden, allowing visitors to wander around the grounds surrounded by nature.
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Leaving Salem and heading into Washington state for the first time, our next stop is the coastal city of Bellingham. We chose Bellingham as one of our backroads destinations because the town has a host of attractions and things to do for the whole family. You can spend the day enjoying the interactive activities at the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention before heading out at the end of the day to catch a stunning Pacific Ocean sunset on Chuckanut Drive.
For nature lovers, Bellingham is ideally suited for a trip to the 241-acre Whatcom Falls Park. Whatcom Falls Park features several fascinating walking trails, including one along the abandoned 100-year-old railroad trail. The park also boasts a stunning waterfall and fish hatchery and is just a short walk from downtown Bellingham. It’s the perfect way to spend a few hours surrounded by nature and just escaping it all.
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Our final destination on this backroads tour of the Pacific Northwest has to be Seaside, Washington. This coastal city takes its name from a historic holiday resort built by the railroad tycoon Ben Holladay in the 1870s. Here you can walk “The Prom,” Seaside’s historic 1920s promenade, before heading to the Seaside Aquarium on the waterfront. At the Seaside Aquarium, meet some resident seals and discover more about the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle rescue programs.
Too big to keep in an aquarium, Seaside also benefits from the visiting gray whales, who often frequent the Necanicum River estuary. However, one of the most spectacular sights to be seen is just off the coast of Ecola State Park. Standing tall and incredibly photogenic is the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, also known as “Terrible Tilly.” This 19th-century lighthouse is perched on a rocky island out in the stormy Pacific and is the perfect way to end a Pacific Northwest backroads road trip.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Ocean View Resort.