Leslie Gulch and the Owyhee Canyonlands: A Desert Backpacking Adventure in Southeast Oregon
Leslie Gulch is one of Oregon's most dramatic and least-visited landscapes—a maze of towering rhyolite columns and slot canyons in the remote Owyhee Uplands. Here's how to explore it on foot.
Oregon Desert Trail: Planning a Section Hike Through Hart Mountain and the Steens
The Oregon Desert Trail's Hart Mountain to Steens Mountain section is 80-100 miles of remote high desert wilderness. A complete guide to timing, water planning, permits, wildlife, and what makes this route one of Oregon's finest backcountry experiences.
Newberry Volcano National Monument: A Summer Guide to Oregon's Volcanic Caldera
Newberry Volcano National Monument sits 20 miles south of Bend and contains two alpine lakes, an obsidian flow, cinder cones, and miles of uncrowded trails — all inside the collapsed caldera of one of the largest volcanoes in the Cascades.
Elkhorn Crest Trail: A 3-Day Wilderness Traverse Through Oregon's Blue Mountains
The Elkhorn Crest Trail in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest offers 23 miles of high alpine ridge walking, granite lakes, and panoramic views across northeastern Oregon. Here is how to plan a 3-day traverse from Anthony Lakes to Marble Creek Pass.
Badger Creek Wilderness: A 2-Day Loop Through Mount Hood's Forgotten Eastern Reach
Badger Creek Wilderness sits in the rain shadow of Mount Hood — drier, quieter, and less crowded than anything on the west side. This 2-day loop gives you alpine meadows, old-growth forest, and solitude.
Mount Washington Wilderness: A Weekend Backpacking Loop Through Oregon's Wildest Lava Landscape
The Mount Washington Wilderness offers one of Oregon's most dramatic and undervisited backpacking experiences — a rugged lava landscape punctuated by the jagged volcanic spire of Mount Washington itself. Here is how to plan a 2-day loop.
North Umpqua Trail to Umpqua Hot Springs: Oregon's Best 2-Day Hot Spring Hike
The Umpqua Hot Springs sit along one of Oregon's most scenic rivers, accessible via a stunning stretch of the North Umpqua Trail. Here's the complete 2-day route, camping info, and what to expect at the springs.
Drift Creek Wilderness: A Weekend Backpacking Trip Through Oregon's Old-Growth Coast Range
The Drift Creek Wilderness in Lincoln County protects one of the largest remaining stands of old-growth temperate rainforest on Oregon's Coast Range. Here's everything you need for a weekend trip.
North Fork John Day Wilderness: A 3-Day Backpacking Loop Through Northeast Oregon's Remote Gold Country
The North Fork John Day Wilderness in Oregon's Blue Mountains offers solitude, pristine trout streams, and gold rush history. Here's a complete 3-day backpacking route guide for this undervisited gem.
Gearhart Mountain Wilderness: A Summer Backpacking Loop Through Southern Oregon's Forgotten High Country
Gearhart Mountain Wilderness in Southern Oregon's Fremont National Forest is one of the state's least-visited designated wilderness areas — and one of its most rewarding summer destinations.
Bull of the Woods Wilderness: A Weekend Backpacking Loop Through Oregon’s Northern Cascades Old Growth
Just an hour from Portland, Bull of the Woods Wilderness offers dense old growth, alpine meadows, and solitude that most Oregon hikers have never found. Here’s the best weekend loop.
Diamond Peak Wilderness: A 2-Day Summer Backpacking Loop in Oregon's High Cascades
One of Oregon's most rewarding yet undervisited wilderness destinations — Diamond Peak rises to 8,744 feet above subalpine lakes, wildflower meadows, and old-growth forest. Here is the full route guide for a 2-day loop.