Oregon is a gorgeous, biological wonderland. There are countless gems to be found in the folds of this great state. Lily L Niehaus will share a few of her favorite and underrated spots right here in Oregon.
There are many great places to hike, swim and be in nature within Oregon. Many of them are well-known, specifically: Crater Lake, Table Rock, and Mount Hood. However, there are some overlooked places in Oregon that are considerable places to visit with friends or family. The benefits of these locations are that they are less crowded and less demanding. These places include Wallowa Lake, Watson Falls and Wildlife Safari.
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The first location is Wallowa Lake. It is located near Joseph, Oregon, the North-east side of Oregon. According to the Wallowa Lake official website, “Wallowa Lake is the largest of several glacial cirque lakes in the area. It was formed by repeated periods of glaciation that began some 3 million years ago and ended about 15,000 BC.” Many people enjoy going there to hike, camp and have family getaway time. Many say the area around Wallowa Lake is similar to the Swiss Alpine Village. There are 10,000- foot drop-offs and peaks. The location “is a paradise for hikers, horseback riders and naturalists.” This is a great place to visit for those that enjoy views and the outdoors.
The second site is Watson Falls, located near Roseburg, Oregon. It has steep hiking trails, leading toward a waterfall and a swimming hole. According to the Umpqua National Forest Service, “Watson Falls is the highest waterfall in Southwest Oregon and the third highest in the state with a stunning 294-foot drop over a basalt lava flow. The trail begins across from the trailhead on the other side of Forest Road 37.” It is open year-round, but currently has three inches of snow. There are no fees to commence the Watson hiking trail/waterfall. The terrain is basaltic rock caused by a volcanic eruption many years back. The fresh water is tinted green and cold.
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Another choice other than hiking and swimming is Wildlife Safari. Wildlife Safari is located in Winston, Oregon closer to the Oregon coast. It is a drive through zoo, meaning that visitors stay in their cars and drive through a wildlife tour. There are many animals including: rhinos, lions, bears and even reindeer and emus that can be fed along the way. The founder of Wildlife Safari is Frank Hart. Hart's goal was to design a place in Oregon that would rescue endangered species from all over the place. Wildlife’s Safari official website says, “Almost 50 years later, Wildlife Safari has grown into an internationally recognized non-profit wildlife park dedicated to conservation, education, and animals in wide open spaces.” The smaller animals and reptiles are located in the free small walk-around area, usually done after the drive through tour. This is a good place to go for those who like seeing animals out in the open and cage free in the safety of their cars.
These places named above are just a few of the many naturally beautiful places to visit in Oregon. Oregon is 96,003 square miles, but has so much to offer. Oregonians have many opportunities to take advantage of the place they live in and make their love for Oregon grow.
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Sources:
Wallowa Lake Information: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=20
Watson Falls Information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umpqua/recarea/?recid=63654
Wildlife Safari Information: https://wildlifesafari.net/