Ecotourism in Oregon

Today, many visitors seek out the story behind their destination. Eco-inspired travelers want to meet the locals, learn the culture, and explore the terrain on a deeper, more meaningful level. As tourists, we want nothing more than to explore a breathtaking destination that is beautifully preserved and full of natural life.

Oregon for a long time has had the reputation of being environmentally aware and eco-friendly, and today many businesses throughout the state are doing what they can to become more sustainable. The state’s tremendous stock of forests, parks, and preserves is a big reason there’s been such a push here to balance growth with preservation.

Nature and outdoor lovers are spoilt for choice in the US Pacific Northwest. Once you’ve had your fill of Portland’s craft brews and food cart delights, get out of town and enjoy Oregon’s many eco-tourism thrills.

Columbia River Gorge. The Columbia River Gorge is a canyon of the Columbia River. Up to 4,000 feet deep, the canyon stretches for over eighty miles as the river winds from the Cascade Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, marking much of the border between Oregon and Washington. It’s all year round recreational area offers many outdoor activities, camping, biking, golf, kayaking, windsurfing, and whitewater rafting, to name a few! Although a visit to the area is definitely not complete without a hike to the breathtaking waterfalls. Home to so many beautiful trails, there is truly an adventure for all.  You can either visit the area with an organized guided tour or explore solo, Columbia River Eco Tours is just one of the many recommended day trips to go on, so you will not miss a thing.

Mount Hood.

Towering over northern Oregon and within eyesight of the streets of Portland, the majestic Mount Hood stands at 11,240 feet and is the highest mountain in the state. This dormant stratovolcano is home to ski resorts, summer recreation areas, and historic tourist attractions. It is also the centerpiece for more than one million acres of National Forest. the only year-round ski resort in North America, and the second most climbed mountain in the world!

The historic Timberline Lodge is designed to run aligned with the mountain. Constructed out of stone and wood from the surrounding forest, it’s also a great place to just sit by the fire, have a glass of Pinot Noir from the nearby winery, and gaze at the incredible summit outside.

Umpqua National Forest Famous for its hot springs, and also some of the state’s tallest and most beautiful waterfalls. Umpqua National Forest has many hidden gems to discover. The forest is home to hundreds of plant and wildlife species. You can hike every stretch of terrain on roughly 350 miles of scenic, well-maintained trails, making it an explorers paradise. For those of you seeking a bit more adventure, climb to the top of the falls for breathtaking, panoramic views, just be sure to take the appropriate shoes, as it can get slippery.

Hells Canyon. Home to parts of the Snake River, Hell’s Canyon recreational area out-ranks the Grand Canyon when it comes to depth. Parts of the canyon surrounding the river gorge are as deep as 8,000 feet. Creating crazy river rapids and distinct rock formations, there’s something to discover around every bend.

Since this area is so remote and only a few pathed roads lead into the area, most visitors opt to enter the canyon by boat, horseback, or even on foot. Although some trails are accessible by car, it is highly recommended to go only with 4×4 vehicles. Touring the canyon on a white water raft is a popular activity, check out Western River Expeditions for a professional, educational, and fun-filled adventure. But if rafting isn’t your thing, then maybe an overnight horseback journey is. With eco-friendly Del Sol Wilderness Adventures, you will discover the spectacular wilderness and have a “true western experience”.

Crater Lake National Park.

Not only is it one of the most picturesque places in Oregon, but Crater Lake is also the deepest lake in the United States, at 1,932 feet deep. Although it’s not actually a crater, but rather an ancient caldera of an extinct volcano, Mount Mazama. It’s sapphire blue, snow-and-rain-fed water is among the purest throughout the entire world and truly a bewitchingly beautiful sight. 

Today, roads and hiking trails along its rim allow visitors to drive, cycle, and walk the circumference of this prehistoric natural monument, there is also one place where you can go swimming.

Getting around:

The way we get around makes a difference in our health and our environment. Oregon’s a big state, but there are plenty of options to get around.

Hiking. Oregon definitely has more than its fair share of hikes. Wherever you go, you won’t be disappointed. You’ve got your work cut out for you if you want to see them all, but here’s a great app to help find your way around – start planning now! 

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/alltrails-hike-bike-run/id405075943

Andriod: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alltrails.alltrails&hl=en

Bicycle. Of course, it’s hard to get greener than by riding a bike. At Escape Adventures, they offer both road and mountain-bike tours, and the sag wagons are fueled by used cooking oil in an effort to be as carbon-neutral as possible. 

Car hire. If you rent a car from Alamo, Enterprise, or National, you can opt to pay a small additional amount to offset carbon dioxide emissions. You can also choose to rent a hybrid from Enterprise and other rental car companies. 

Shuttle tour. For a larger group, ecoShuttle meets all your eco-friendly needs, Whether its a trip to the slopes or a hike through the enchanted forest, their service utilizes alternative fuels while reducing peak-hour congestion, parking problems, and air pollution. 

Conclusion:

Ecotourism gives travelers the opportunity to give something a little extra from the trip, unlike other forms of tourism, where travelers take mostly just memories. This way has a lower negative impact on the environment and gives back to the local communities.

So if you plan on traveling the world, why not become an ecotourist? If more and more people adopt this idea, the world will have no problem sustaining our natural resources, which will greatly dictate the kind of future we will preserve for the future.