Oregon's Most Scenic Overlooks and Viewpoints

Oregon's overlooks deliver some of the Pacific Northwest's most dramatic combinations of volcanic peaks, deep canyons, and coastal headlands.

Crater Lake Rim Village and Garfield Peak
The standard view from Rim Village (7,100 ft) — the lake's deep blue color and the perfect circularity of the caldera rim make this one of the most extraordinary lake views in the world. Garfield Peak (8,060 ft), a 3.4-mile round trip hike from Rim Village, gives the best elevated view of the entire lake. The lake's color changes through the day from cobalt blue to deep indigo at sunset.

Rowena Crest Overlook (Columbia River Gorge)
Off the Historic Columbia River Highway east of Hood River — Rowena Crest gives a sweeping view of the Columbia River's oxbow bends through the basalt plateau. The Rowena Plateau below blooms with wildflowers in March-April (balsamroot, lupine). The Rowena Dell, visible from the crest, is one of the finest viewpoints in the Columbia Gorge.

Timberline Lodge View (Mount Hood)
From the Timberline Lodge (6,000 ft) on Mount Hood's south face — the volcanic summit, the Palmer Glacier, and the broad sweep of the Willamette Valley and Cascades are visible. At night, Portland's lights are visible 60 miles to the west.

Cape Perpetua Overlook (Oregon Coast)
The highest viewpoint directly on the Oregon coast — Cape Perpetua (800 ft) gives a panoramic view of 150 miles of coastline. The trail from the visitor center ascends through Sitka spruce forest to the summit of the headland. The Devils Churn (a sea channel cut in basalt) and the Cook's Chasm spouting horn are visible below.

Steens Mountain Summit (9,733 ft)
The highest point in southeast Oregon — accessible by road (the Steens Mountain Loop Road in summer and early fall). The view east from the summit drops 5,000 feet to the Alvord Desert playa below — one of the sharpest escarpment views in the US. Kiger Gorge (a U-shaped glacial valley on the west slope) is one of the finest glacial features in Oregon.