Somewhere Stellar
Shhh... Oregon has an astronomical secret. Deep in its high desert lies the largest certified International Dark Sky Sanctuary on the planet. And the stars aren't the only showstoppers. Hike technicolor hills and towering rock spires, soak in geothermal springs, enjoy a legendary cowboy feast, sip a beer where the night sky is on tap, and sleep in heavenly hideaways. This trip doesn't get five stars. It gets five billion!
Week: 11.04.2026
Regions: Northern & Southern CA
Outback to the Future
Oregon's Outback: Dark Skies, Summer Lake, and Otherworldly Adventures
Some must-see destinations are written in the stars. Deep in Oregon's remote southern high desert lies the largest certified International Dark Sky Sanctuary on the planet. With 2.5 million acres of protected dark skies, you get the best of the celestial out here in what's known as the Oregon Outback, including geothermal soaks and an incredible playa that's a hidden gem.
Read the full storyStars, Steaks, and Strange Brews
Cowboy Dinner Tree, Stargazing, and a Retro Stay in Oregon's High Desert
Forget Michelin stars. Deep in Oregon's high desert, legendary Cowboy Dinner Tree is destination dining at its most deliciously down-to-earth, well worth the required reservation and desert drive to reach it.
Read the full storySoaks, Sleeps, and Stars
Eastern Oregon's Unforgettable Stays: Hot Springs, Ranch Luxury, and Starry Skies
Ahhh. Yahhh. Crane Hot Springs sits in Oregon's remote high desert, where the brightest lights at night are overhead. Reserve a stay to soak in geothermal waters beneath a sky drenched in stars. Or head out to Silvies Valley Ranch for a luxury escape at a sprawling working ranch with world-class golf courses and plentiful outdoor adventures.
Read the full storyRock of Ages
Three Oregon Wonders: Painted Hills, Smith Rock, and Fort Rock
Some of Oregon's biggest stars aren't in the sky. These three geological showstoppers have been millions of years in the making, with otherworldly landscapes that transport you to another planet while keeping you firmly grounded on Earth. It's a trip!
Read the full storyTrue Blue
Crater Lake National Park: Stunning by Day, Stellar by Night
It's Southern Oregon's crown jewel, and the state's only national park. And it more than lives up to its star billing, dazzling by day and under the big, dark sky at night. Crater Lake National Park is home to the deepest lake in the country. Its sapphire-blue waters are framed by sheer cliffs, with Wizard Island—a volcanic cinder cone—rising from the depths.
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