Plan Your Eugene, Cascades & Coast Visit with Stories and Trip Ideas

Find inspiration for exploring the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region, including travel stories, recommendations, itineraries, road trips and curated lists.

Trip Ideas

Autumn Waterfalls in Full Color

By Taj Barnhart Morgan | Aug. 28, 2026

Visit favorite waterfalls during the fall season, when summer crowds and heat have faded. Follow quieter trails through vivid leafy groves, old-growth evergreens and moss-covered creekside landscapes. Pack additional layers and a warm hat, then plan to warm up with a hot springs soak or a hot autumn drink at the…

Make a Weekend of a Fall Football Trip to Eugene

By Andy Vobora | Aug. 28, 2026

Add a full weekend of autumn activities to your Eugene trip for a Ducks football game. Cooler weather and fall colors spreading throughout the state make this an ideal opportunity to experience Oregon in the fall…

An Autumn Escape to Cottage Grove

By Taj Barnhart Morgan | Aug. 28, 2026

Spend two days touring covered bridge country during the height of fall color. Cottage Grove sits at the southern edge of the Willamette Valley, between the Coast and Cascade Mountain range, and offers a small town with abundant beauty. Discover covered bridges, waterfalls and bike rides along…

Inviting Lodges and Cabins for Fall

By Taj Barnhart Morgan | Aug. 28, 2026

A warm, comfortable place is an especially welcome refuge when temperatures drop. Imagine rain against the windows, a fire crackling nearby, a comfortable chair and a good book, or the scent of a hot beverage and freshly baked scones. These are the pleasures waiting after a day of adventures, mountain climbs and beach walks…

Heceta Head Lighthouse in Every Season

By Taj Barnhart Morgan | Aug. 28, 2026

Heceta Head Lighthouse offers a year-round experience. This Instagram-worthy Oregon Coast landmark draws travelers along Highway 101 and is near Florence, the Oregon dunes and the famous Sea Lion Caves. The lighthouse is a must-visit site, where you can…

An Oregon Guide to Brilliant Fall Foliage

By Taj Barnhart Morgan | Aug. 22, 2026

Oregon makes an excellent destination for seeing leaves change color. Fall brings crisp, cool conditions along with plenty of sparkling sunshine. Bright reds, oranges and yellows stand out against the deep green of evergreen Douglas fir, Oregon's state tree, giant sequoias and ponderosa…

Oregon Coast Road Trip

By Taj Barnhart Morgan | Aug. 22, 2026

Road trippers and adventurers come from across the country to experience the Oregon Coast and its miles of public shoreline. Take several days to travel the scenic Highway 101 along coastal cliffs, through forests and across sand dunes for a fuller Central Oregon Coast experience. Good for:…

Oakridge Mountain Biking

By Taj Barnhart Morgan | Aug. 18, 2026

Welcome to what is known as “the Mountain Biking Capital of the Northwest.” Oakridge has earned that distinction through more than 300 miles (482.80 km) of world-class singletrack trails that are accessible year-round. The town also has a passionate mountain biking community, including the Oakridge Trails Alliance, organized to…

Riverfront Places to Stay on the McKenzie River

By Taj Barnhart Morgan | Aug. 18, 2026

Choose a McKenzie River lodge or cabin positioned directly beside the water. From autumn through winter, brilliant leaves fill the forests against dark evergreens, crisp air surrounds the area and charming accommodations offer a cozy retreat. For a riverfront escape that soothes your soul…

Short Trails with Extraordinary Views

By Taj Barnhart Morgan | Aug. 15, 2026

Looking for a sweeping, far-reaching view without a long journey? These trails offer an awe-inspiring natural experience only a short distance away, with the feeling of a remote landscape while remaining easy to reach. Here are several trails…

Eugene, Cascades & Coast Visitor Center

Visit the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Visitor Center in the Market Alley in downtown Eugene's Market District. Get guidance about things to do and see in Lane County and purchase park passes…