Oregon’s rugged beauty captivated me the first time we visited in the summer of 2017. Back then we had rented an RV and took our four youngest on an 8-day road trip across the state. The kids still talk about how much they loved that first road trip. So, when we were planning a vacation with our extended family this summer, it wasn’t hard to pick a destination: an RV trip through Southern Oregon and Northern California.

We embarked on a road trip that took us from the volcanic majesty of Crater Lake to the charming coastal area of Coos Bay to the soaring redwoods of Redwood National and State Parks.

Rough Starts Don’t Mean a Rough Trip

We loved our road trip, filled with beautiful locations and A LOT of laughter and fun with our family. But the first day had a few bumps in the road (pun intended, lol). We picked up our first rental RV (yep, first as in there was a second) late the evening before we were to hit the road. As soon as Jon pulled into the driveway, we could smell propane. Unfortunately, we quickly learned it was unusable, and I had to scramble to find a backup option.

Thankfully, Cruise America has a big rental lot near us. We were able to book something that night and pick it up early the next morning. (Shout out to my sister who reached out to them and helped calm me down!) We had initially been hesitant to use the RV rental giant because their vehicles don’t have pullouts and we’d heard they weren’t the best quality.

We were pleasantly surprised with our RV and would definitely use Cruise America again. They were flexible with our pick-up time, and the vehicle was clean and in good condition. Our one tip would be to purchase the daily insurance. It was $20 a day and gave us peace of mind because it covers just about everything. One of our kids accidentally ripped part of the bedroom divider curtain and it covered that.

Hitting the Road

We got on the road late morning the next day. We were feeling good that even with the later start, we’d make it to our campground before they closed. But as the saying goes, “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”

A freeway fire, horrific traffic and a flat tire all conspired to delay our trip and we unfortunately didn’t make it by 9pm. Thankfully, they had a parking lot nearby that we could park and sleep in overnight. While there were a few hiccups to getting the trip underway, it also offered extra time to see some of the beauty on the drive.

Diamond Lake: A Great Campground for Visiting Crater Lake

Crater Lake is Oregon’s only National Park, and it’s a treasure trove of activities and natural beauty. There are two campgrounds within the park. However, because of the time of year we were there and the fact we needed 3 separate RV sites, neither were an option. We opted to camp at Diamond Lake Resort RV Campground, and we loved it. The campsites are nestled among a forest of trees, and it’s just a quick walk down to the lake. Diamond Lake offers beautiful views of nearby Mt. Thielsen and Mt. Bailey.

We enjoyed the Diamond Lake area so much that we could have spent an additional day or two at the campground. The morning that we headed out, Jon biked around the entire lake and said that it was a stunning ride offering a variety of landscapes to take in.

Crater Lake: An Endless View of Deep Blue

If you want to take advantage of Crater Lake’s summer activities, like hiking or a boat ride on the lake, the best time to go is between July and September. But because of our schedules, we visited in late June so weren’t able to take advantage of all of the trails and opportunities.

We started our day at the Rim Village. It was roughly a 1.5-hour drive from our campground because the north entrance was still closed due to snow. After getting a lay of the park and trail conditions, we chose to do the Rim trail to Watchman’s Peak. I highly recommend this trail for anyone visiting the park. It’s great for any hiking level, including families with small kids, because it’s fairly flat. Plus, you’re rewarded with gorgeous views of the park’s namesake throughout the hike.

Formed by the collapse of a volcano thousands of years ago, and the deepest lake in the United States, Crater Lake is renowned for its sapphire blue waters. It’s a color so deep and rich that it seems almost unreal. I’m sure I drove everyone crazy with how many times I stopped to take pictures. But each new view felt like a unique glimpse of nature’s beauty.

Whether you’re an avid hiker, a photography enthusiast or simply someone seeking tranquility, Crater Lake National Park has something to offer everyone. We’ll definitely be back again when we can hike down to the lake’s shore.

Waterfall Highway: The Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway

We split our time in Oregon between the Crater Lake area and the coast. Oregon has so many amazing places to explore, it can be hard to narrow it down.

On our drive to the coast, we explored the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway. This highway winds through the Umpqua National Forest and along the Rogue and Umpqua Rivers, past several cascading waterfalls. We didn’t get to explore all of them this trip, but here are a few must-see falls along the way.

  • Toketee Falls: One of the most famous waterfalls in Oregon, Toketee Falls features a unique two-tiered drop. The upper tier cascades 40 feet and the lower tier plunges 80 feet into a deep pool. A short hike leads you to a viewing platform with a spectacular view of the falls. In 2021, we explored this waterfall, and we were captivated by its beauty.

  • Watson Falls: As the third-highest waterfall in Oregon, Watson Falls drops 272 feet. The trail takes you to the base of the falls, where you can feel the power of the cascading water up close. This was the one we chose to hike this trip, and everyone LOVED it! Our teenagers said it was their favorite experience of the trip.

  • Susan Creek Falls: Susan Creek Falls is a 50-foot waterfall surrounded by verdant foliage. The gentle hike is suitable for all ages and provides a peaceful retreat into nature.
  • Lemolo Falls: Tucked away in the forest, Lemolo Falls is a powerful 102-foot waterfall. A 3-mile round trip hike takes you through scenic woods and along the North Umpqua River. The trail offers breathtaking views of the falls from various vantage points.

This list is just a glimpse of the waterfalls you can check out along the Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway. I highly recommend taking at least a full day to explore the area and as many waterfalls as possible. But if you’re limited on time, make sure to visit Toketee and Watson Falls.

Southern Oregon Coast: Tranquil Beauty

As we transitioned to the coastal portion of our trip, our destination was Beach Bound RV Park. The campground was a hidden gem that provided the perfect base for our coastal adventure. Nestled a stone’s throw away from the Pacific Ocean, the campsite welcomed us with its lush greenery, bright pink rhododendrons, and well-maintained facilities.

The park’s spacious sites easily accommodated our RV, and the owners were super friendly. Belinda greeted us on arrival, getting us familiar with the campground and offering a free bundle of firewood.

One of the perks to the campground was how close it was to the ocean. It was a quick ten-minute walk, which we took advantage of both nights. As sunset approached, we’d make our way down to the wide expanse of beach. It was the perfect spot to take in the sky’s changing colors as the sun sank below the horizon.

While Coos Bay is not as tourist focused as nearby Bandon, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at 7 Devils Brewery. The food was good, and the beer was even better. But the real winner of the afternoon was the ice cream at Face Rock Creamery. I ordered a scoop of their Cookies and Cream, and it was by far, the best cookies and cream ice cream I’ve ever had! If you’re ever in the area, it’s a must try.

There are so many beautiful areas along the Southern Oregon coast to explore. We really enjoyed the Bandon/Coos Bay area and highly recommend it as a destination if you’re visiting Southern Oregon.

Southern Oregon to Northern California’s Soaring Redwoods

After an unforgettable journey through Southern Oregon, our RV adventure brought us to the awe-inspiring redwoods of Northern California. The scenic drive along the Pacific Coast Highway offered spectacular views, making it clear why this route is a favorite among road-trippers.

This was the shortest leg of our trip, so we only had time to explore a small portion of Redwood National and State Parks, which spans over 130,000 acres. We decided to hike the Trillium Falls Trail. It winds through dense forests of towering redwoods and lush ferns, and its namesake is a picturesque waterfall that cascades down a moss-covered cliff.

For our last night, we stayed at Azalea Glen RV Park, an RV campground in Trinidad. It was cute and quaint, with several campsites that had a deck overlooking a lagoon. It was the perfect spot to sit around the fire with family, playing games and enjoying s’mores cocktails for the adults and actual s’mores for the kids.

Conclusion

From the majestic mountains of Crater Lake to the rugged beauty of the Oregon coast to the awe-inspiring redwoods of California, this road trip was a perfect blend of natural wonders and relaxation. If you’re looking for an unforgettable adventure, consider hitting the road in an RV and exploring these incredible destinations.

Have you ever been on an RV road trip? What was your favorite destination? Share your experiences in the comments below!