Best Things to do on a Road Trip from Brookings, Oregon to Eugene, Oregon
Brookings, Oregon, and Eugene, Oregon, are two beautiful cities located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. There are many exciting things to do when taking a road trip from Brookings to Eugene, making it a great adventure for families, friends, or even solo travelers. The halfway point between these two cities is North Bend, OR. From the stunning beaches, natural landscapes to unique attractions, below are the top five best things to do on a road trip from Brookings, Oregon, to Eugene, Oregon.
1. Crater Lake National Park
The Crater Lake National Park is a must-visit attraction when on a road trip from Brookings to Eugene, Oregon. This park is situated in the Cascade Mountains and boasts of a stunning blue lake that was formed after a volcanic eruption 7,700 years ago. Visitors can take scenic drives, hike trails, swim or even fish in the lake.
Interesting Fact: Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, reaching a depth of 1,949 feet.
2. Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
One of the best places to explore while on a road trip is the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. The Area covers over 40 miles and features the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America. Visitors can enjoy off-road vehicle riding, camping, fishing, and wildlife hunting. For those interested in hiking, there are nine trails to the top of the dunes.
Interesting Fact: The wind shapes and reshapes the Oregon Dunes daily, moving as much as four feet per year.
3. Thor's Well
Thor's Well is a unique tourist attraction located in the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area near Yachats, Oregon. By waves crashing against the shore, Thor's Well creates a hole in the ground leading to the ocean below, and it looks like a bottomless pit, which moves in a tremendous, watery bowl shape. Visitors can get a fantastic view of the well at high tide.
Interesting Fact: Thor's Well is sometimes referenced as the "Gates of the Dungeon" or "The Drainpipe of the Pacific."
4. Sea Lion Caves
Sea Lion Caves is an incredible attraction located near Florence, Oregon. The largest sea cave in the world attracts thousands of visitors each year. It's a natural sea mammal habitat where visitors can come and observe the hundreds of sea lions lounging on the rocky shore. Visitors can also use the viewing area to watch the marine life in their habitat.
Interesting Fact: The sea cave has a height of 125 feet and is 300 feet across the mouth, making it a perfect rock formation for sea lions to live in.
5. Mount Pisgah Arboretum
When exploring Eugene, visiting the Mount Pisgah Arboretum is a must. The arboretum spans over 200 acres and contains over 20 different plants and trees to explore. Visitors can hike along the river trails, enjoy wildlife, and learn the history of native plants and trees.
Interesting Fact: Mount Pisgah features the tallest redwoods in the Willamette Valley region of Oregon.
Taking the time to enjoy these attractions will require a two-to-three-day road trip. But it's worth the time to see the beauty of the Oregon coastline, the unique geological locations, and the natural landscapes. Visitors can also stop halfway at North Bend, OR, which is a great location for shopping and dining before continuing their road trip.
In conclusion, a road trip from Brookings, Oregon, to Eugene, Oregon, is a perfect way to discover the beauty of the Oregon Coastline while exploring some of the coolest attractions in the state. Regardless of an individual's budget or preferences, there's always something fun to do, and this list will make this journey an unforgettable one.