Mountain Lakes Wilderness: Backpacking Southern Oregon's Ancient Volcanic Caldera in the Winema National Forest
The Mountain Lakes Wilderness near Klamath Falls protects a seldom-visited volcanic caldera filled with alpine lakes and old-growth fir — one of Oregon's best kept backpacking secrets.
Cummins Creek Wilderness: Backpacking Oregon's Old-Growth Coast Range Above Cape Perpetua
The Cummins Creek Wilderness is 9,000 acres of old-growth Sitka spruce above Cape Perpetua — and almost nobody goes there. Here's how to do a 1-night backpacking trip into one of Oregon's most atmospheric and overlooked wilderness areas.
Lostine River Canyon: Backpacking Into the Eagle Cap Wilderness on the Wallowas' Best Kept Secret
The Lostine River drainage is the Wallowa Mountains' most underrated backpacking corridor — less crowded than the main Lakes Basin, just as dramatic, and home to some of the highest country in Oregon's Alps.
North Fork Malheur Wilderness: Backpacking Eastern Oregon's Remote River Canyon
Tucked into the Malheur National Forest in Grant and Harney counties, the North Fork Malheur Wilderness offers 65,000 acres of remote canyon country, a wild redband trout river, and some of the least-trafficked trails in the entire state.
Fremont-Winema National Forest: A 3-Day Backpacking Loop Through Southern Oregon’s Ponderosa Highlands
The Fremont-Winema National Forest covers nearly 2.3 million acres of southern Oregon ponderosa highland, yet most backpackers skip it entirely. This 3-day loop through the Fremont corridor rewards off-the-beaten-path adventurers with solitude, wildlife, and stunning volcanic views.
Twin Pillars Trail: Backpacking Oregon's Ochoco Highlands on a 2-Day Loop
The Twin Pillars Trail in the Ochoco National Forest delivers basalt columns, open ponderosa ridges, and real solitude just 35 miles from Prineville. Here's how to do it right.
Kiger Gorge Trail: Backpacking Oregon's Most Spectacular Glacial Canyon on Steens Mountain
Kiger Gorge is one of the most dramatic glacial canyons in North America, carved 3,000 feet deep into the side of Steens Mountain in Oregon's high desert. Here's a complete guide to backpacking this remote and unforgettable route.
Lower Deschutes River Trail: Backpacking Oregon's Best Wild and Scenic Canyon
The Lower Deschutes River trail runs 25+ miles through basalt canyon country from Maupin to the Columbia. It's one of Oregon's premier desert backpacking routes — and almost nobody thinks to hike it.
Table Rock Wilderness: A Summer Backpacking Loop Through Oregon's Molalla River Country
Just 45 minutes from the Portland metro, the Table Rock Wilderness offers old-growth solitude and dramatic basalt plateau views — and almost nobody knows it exists. Here's how to explore it in a weekend.
Mount McLoughlin: Summiting Southern Oregon’s Highest Volcano and Camping the PCT
At 9,495 feet, Mount McLoughlin is the highest peak in the Southern Cascades and one of Oregon’s most rewarding climbs. Here’s the full guide to the summit trail, nearby PCT camps, and what to expect on Oregon’s forgotten giant.
Grassy Knob Wilderness: Backpacking Oregon's Remote South Coast Rainforest
Tucked in the Siskiyou National Forest above Port Orford, the Grassy Knob Wilderness is one of Oregon's smallest and least-visited designated wilderness areas — but it delivers old-growth Sitka spruce, dramatic coastal views, and genuine solitude.
Imnaha Canyon to Eureka Bar: A 3-Day Wilderness Hike Through Oregon's Most Remote Hells Canyon Country
The lower Imnaha River canyon route to Eureka Bar on the Snake River is one of the most remote and rewarding backpacking trips in all of Oregon. Here's a complete guide to the 3-day route, logistics, and what to expect when you drop into North America's deepest river gorge.