One thing I love about Oregon is that you get the opportunity to experience all four seasons. In the summer there’s appropriate warm weather and sunshine, in the fall there’s an array of beautiful leaves changing, spring brings a lot of rain and newly blossoming flowers, and in the winter, Oregon receives a fresh coat of snow. As winter approaches, it’s tempting to cozy up with a cup of hot cocoa and watch endless Christmas movies, but there are tons of incredible places to explore around Oregon during the winter season.
The winter is the perfect opportunity to experience some of Oregon’s gorgeous destinations in all of it’s frosty and winter wonderland glory. I highly recommend getting the appropriate gear, going outside and exploring some of the hiking trails to avoid cabin fever and to not get stir crazy. To inspire you to get outdoors for the holiday season, I’ve provided some of my favorite places to hike and explore during the winter that will lead to an unforgettable adventure.
All of the photos below were taken by Savannah Mendoza Photography. (@savannahkaree)
Favorite 5 Places to go:
1. Tamanawas Falls
During the winter season, hiking into Tamanawas Falls feels like you’re walking in a winter wonderland. This magnificent waterfall lies in the old-growth of the eastern part of the Mount Hood National Forest. In the midst of winter, you’ll get the opportunity to snowshoe along the moderate trail for 3.80 miles to the waterfall and back. While more popular and often crowded during the summer, the trail is only moderately congested during the winter based on the limited access to roadside parking and the near-freezing temperatures. As you reach the end of the trail, the 150-foot falls showcase a breathtaking winter scenery. The snow-covered trees and the icicles hanging from the cave behind the waterfall present great photography opportunities. With only a gradual incline of elevation, you can gain beginner snowshoe experience and take in all the beautiful and inspiring views of the forest. Tamanawas Falls is one of the many easy to moderate hikes you can enjoy during the winter.
Location: Mt. Hood National Forest
2. Crater Lake
Located in the heart of the Umpqua National Forest, Crater Lake is a popular and accessible destination during the summer, but throughout the winter, this place can be truly magical. The entire outer rim of the lake is covered with a blanket of snow. To get one of the greatest winter adventures, you can visit Crater Lake on skis, for an intermediate back-country ski trip or snowshoe around the rim of the lake. Either experience you choose, you’ll get to see a breathtaking view of Wizard Island (the cinder cone in the middle of the caldera lake) with an untouched layer of snow. Be sure to check the weather conditions before your trip to Crater Lake to get your preferred winter experience because large snowfall begins around October or November and lasts until June.
Location: Umpqua National Forest – South/Central Oregon
3. Silver Falls
Silver Falls, also known as “The Trail of Ten Falls,” is a beautiful place to visit during all seasons of the year. In the winter, make sure to bundle up with plenty of layers that are comfortable and insulted if you want to take the journey of experiencing all 10 waterfalls for yourself along the 8.7 mile loop. There are also shorter routes to take that are more family-friendly and perfect for all age groups. Each of the waterfalls is unique and majestic as the water cascades down with immense power, resembling a gorgeous picture straight out of a magazine. At the end of a hike, you can stop by the Silver Falls Lodge to warm up by the fire and get a cup of delicious, hot espresso.
Location: Near Silverton, about 20 miles southeast of Salem
4. Tamolitch Blue Pool
Taking a winter trip to Tamolitch Blue Pool is a breathtaking and memorable experience. As you explore along the McKenzie Scenic Byway, Blue Pool is a necessary stop to make if you have the time and the gear to make the 5-mile roundtrip trek. Once you reach the end of the trail, you immediately notice the astonishing blue color of the pool and with the contrast of the white snow surrounding the area, the pool is even more beautiful during this time of year.
Location: Willamette National Forest – Along the McKenzie River Trail
5. Trillium Lake
Trillium Lake is one of the best places to see an iconic view of Mount Hood, Oregon’s tallest mountain. Most the time, the view of the mountain may be blocked by thick clouds, but you can still take in peaceful and beautiful views around the lake. During the winter season, you can snowshoe the main route circling the lake, an ideal hike for snowshoe beginners. While wandering around the area, you can immerse yourself in the snow-covered woods and enjoy the scenery from the shoreside. For more winter activities, you can take a 10-minute drive from Trillium up to Mt. Hood Ski Bowl for snow-tubing, snowboarding and more!
Location: Mt. Hood National Forest