📷 Photo by Karsten Winegeart on UnsplashOregon's waterfalls and volcanoes
The Columbia River Gorge, high desert around Bend and the deep blue of Crater Lake.
- Distance
- approx. 437 km (271 mi)
- Driving
- 4 h 51 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 4
- States
- OR
- Best time to go
- September–October
- Tolls and vignettes
- None expected
- Updated
- June 13, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 437 km (271 mi) with 4 stops, from Portland to Crater Lake National Park. About 4 h 51 min of driving in total. Best time to go: September–October. No toll roads expected for a car. Mountain passes: Crater Lake Rim Drive (2,300 m, usually open July–October).
More road trips in Oregon · More road trips from Portland
Photos along the route
Route description
From Portland, follow I-84 east into the Columbia River Gorge to Multnomah Falls, Oregon’s tallest waterfall at 620 feet in two tiers, reached from its own exit on the interstate. In summer a timed permit may be required, so check before you go.
Continue east to Hood River, then take OR-35 south around the flank of Mount Hood and US-26 toward Warm Springs, joining US-97 at Madras. East of the Cascades the damp fir forest gives way to juniper and sagebrush, and the high desert opens up around Bend, a lively town on the Deschutes River with volcanic buttes and lava fields close by.
South of Bend, US-97 runs through pine forest before OR-138 turns west toward Crater Lake National Park, where the deepest lake in the US fills a collapsed volcano. Rim Drive is usually fully open only from July to October, and snow can linger along the rim into early summer. Stop at several overlooks, as the color of the water changes with the light.
Which stops are on Oregon's waterfalls and volcanoes?
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Portland
OR - 253 km
Multnomah Falls
NatureBridal Veil, OROregon's tallest waterfall, 620 feet in two tiers, just off I-84 in the Columbia River Gorge. Timed permits may apply in summer.
- 3216 km
Bend
OR - 4167 km
Crater Lake National Park
NatureCrater Lake, ORThe deepest lake in the US fills a collapsed volcano. Rim Drive is usually fully open from July to October.
How do you drive Oregon's waterfalls and volcanoes in 3 days?
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Portland → Multnomah Falls · 33 mi · 0 h 35 minOvernight nearby, for example: Lewis & Clark Campground & RV Park (8 mi); Ainsworth Campground (3 mi).
- Day 2: Multnomah Falls → Bend · 134 mi · 2 h 24 minOvernight nearby, for example: Scandia RV Park (2 mi); Sun Outdoors Bend (3 mi).
- Day 3: Bend → Crater Lake National Park · 104 mi · 1 h 51 minOvernight nearby, for example: Diamond Lake Trailer Court (14 mi); Farewell Bend Campground (17 mi).
When is the best time for Oregon's waterfalls and volcanoes?
The most pleasant months are usually September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June–August. Mountain passes on this route are usually open July–October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
What should you know before driving Oregon's waterfalls and volcanoes?
No toll roads expected for a car. Mountain passes: Crater Lake Rim Drive (2,300 m, usually open July–October).
- Crater Lake Rim Drive (2,300 m). Usually open July–October; outside that window the road can be closed by snow. Alternative: The south entrance road to Rim Village usually stays open.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
More routes for the best months
Practical guides for this route
Photo by Malivez on UnsplashDriving in the US: The Rules European Visitors Most Often Get Wrong at the Wheel
Photo by Aleksandr Dalakian on UnsplashFuel, Tolls and Distances: Practical US Driving Math for Motorhome and Camper Travelers
Photo by Tracy Zhang on UnsplashUS national parks: entry fees, passes and reservations in plain terms
Themes
Plan this route for your vehicle
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FAQs
How long is Oregon's waterfalls and volcanoes?
3-day road trip of about 437 km (271 mi) with 4 stops, from Portland to Crater Lake National Park. About 4 h 51 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Oregon's waterfalls and volcanoes?
We suggest 3 days: about 4 h 51 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Oregon's waterfalls and volcanoes start and end?
It starts in Portland and ends in Crater Lake National Park.
Which states does Oregon's waterfalls and volcanoes pass through?
Oregon.
Where can you camp along Oregon's waterfalls and volcanoes?
OpenStreetMap lists 98 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Columbia River RV Park, Vancouver Mall RV Park and Lewis & Clark Campground & RV Park.
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