The Wild, Wild East

Adventures in Vast and Beautiful Eastern Oregon

Woman in the Painted Hills in Eastern Oregon

Gloriously uncrowded and teeming with terrain both sublime and rugged, Eastern Oregon is truly wild, with natural hot springs, the deepest canyon in North America, and the extraordinary Painted Hills. Go on these adventures and book local expert guides in the region to take the hassle out of planning. Find more inspiration at Oregon, Still Only Slightly Exaggerated.

Steamy and Dreamy

Eastern Oregon hot springs

Alvord Desert in Eastern Oregon

biking the Alvord Desert in Oregon

Frog Spring Alvord Desert

The Alvord Desert is a vast terrain of cracked sediment resembling a jigsaw puzzle pieced perfectly together to create the dreamiest of landscapes. And it doesn’t get any dreamier than soaking in a hot spring backed by beautiful Steens Mountain. Find two soaking pools at Alvord Hot Springs, where the water reaches a balmy 100 to 110 degrees. Stay in one of the new heated bunker units during winter. For a bigger soaking space that’s perfect for sunset viewing, try Crystal Cane Hot Springs.

More Awe-Inspiring Places in Eastern Oregon

Painted Hills

woman hiking Painted Hills Eastern Oregon

guys hiking the Painted Hills in Eastern Oregon

A hilly rainbow of hues shifting with the light of day is one of the most incredible sights in Eastern Oregon. Located in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, the Painted Hills can be viewed from a distance, or accessed more closely via five easy and short paved trails in this unit of the park alone (there are two other units in the area). Gaze in awe as the hues on the hills shift with the daylight in ribbons of marigold and amber and midnight blue. The best time for photography is late afternoon. Winter can cape the hills in snow. Water is not available here, and ideal times to visit are the cooler months.

Burger & Beer Tip: Nearby in the town of Mitchell, stop by Tiger Brewing Co. and pair a burger (including vegetarian options) with a craft IPA.

More Awe-Inspiring Places in Eastern Oregon

The Swiss Alps of Oregon!

hiker in Wallowa Mountains Oregon

Oregon’s “Little Switzerland” is big on natural beauty. More commonly known as the Wallowa Mountains, this magnificent wilderness runs wild, from rivers and summits to seasonal sensations like wildflowers. Its namesake lake is central to the surrounding scenery, which is the ancestral homeland of the Nez Perce tribe. In late spring, early summer, or autumn, embark on a 10-mile hike with waterfalls and wowing vistas via Hurricane Creek Trail, or make it a family day by taking the tram to the top of Mount Howard for panoramas, hiking trails, and a meal at the Summit Grill & Alpine Patio. You can access the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway from here as well, to witness the deepest river gorge in North America. Go jet boating or fishing with the expert outfitters at Hells Canyon Adventures.

Visit the Wallowa Mountains

Homespun Pendleton

Pendleton Hat Company

Pendleton Rodeo

Pendleton River Walk

If the first thing that comes to mind when you hear Pendleton is the beautiful and distinct wool blankets, you’d be correct that Pendleton is where this magic is spun … but there’s a whole lot more to weave into a trip here. Pendleton was named a 2021 Top 10 Western Town in the country for good reason. With the Umatilla River running through its downtown, Western history runs deep, including the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla tribes who lived in the area for over 10,000 years. The annual Pendleton Round-Up is legendary, and craftsmanship among locals is beautiful, from exquisite woolens to the best leather boots—not to mention delicious beer and whiskey. Get a glimpse of the town’s infamous history on the Pendleton Underground Tour.

Photo credits: Travel Oregon, Central Oregon Film Office, Mountains Legacy, Elena Pressprich, Joni Kabana, and East Oregonian.

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  1. Taking the Stage: Tyler Ranch

    Hike the recently opened Tyler Ranch Staging Area in Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, with 18 miles of new trails. This 6.5-mile loop up Sunol Peak is a challenge and rewards with exceptional views of seasonal iridescent hills.

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  2. A woman stands at Dante's View in Death Valley, looking out to Telescope Peak and Manly Lake, Badwater Basin below.

    Sunset Hike (and Manly Lake Vista!) at Dante's View

    It’s one of the world’s best places to watch a sunset. Dante’s View is a 5,476-foot vantage of the whole southern basin of Death Valley from the top of the Black Mountains. On clear days you get views of both the highest and lowest points in the contiguous U.S. 

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  3. Swing into Spring

    Swing into this 7.1-mile hike in the hills of Half Moon Bay! It’s got gorgeous views, fields of spring wildflowers, and a hidden rustic tree swing.

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  4. The Carson Show

    Carson Falls is ready for primetime. This three-tiered, 100-foot stunner is hidden back in a canyon outside of Fairfax and reached on a 3.25-mile (round-trip) hike.

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  1. Lava Lava

    Once a land of volcanic activity, Mojave National Preserve shares plenty about its past via a quick yet adventurous hike to the Lava Tube in the Cima Dome Volcanic Field.

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  2. Kelso Dunes

    The hike to the top of Kelso Dunes in the Mojave National Preserve is only 3 miles (out and back), but you’ll feel like you’ve hiked much farther by the time you’re done.

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  3. William Kenyon Overlook

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  4. Beaudry Bountiful

    There are no cars allowed on Beaudry Loop, but this 6-mile hike takes you on a wild ride. You’ll be climbing 1,500 feet up the southern Verdugos along a chaparral-lined trail with gorgeous mountain and urban vistas every step of the way.

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