Oregon Coast to Crater Lake Bike Tour

Meet in Portland early and shuttle (~2.5hrs) south to a town called Crow. Ride a little-trafficked, winding, remote, paved, forest road over the Central Oregon Coast Range. Cruise down the Smith River to meet the Oregon coast at Reedsport. Now a hub for the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Reedsport began as a camp for the workers who built the Southern Pacific Railroad. Chainsaw carvings and painted totem poles adorn the town. Spend tonight near the ocean at the Salbasgeon Inn.

Head south along the oceanfront with a prevailing tailwind providing a gentle boost. Soak up views of the sparkling Pacific Ocean and the Oregon Coast’s famous rock formations, or ‘sea stacks.’  Bicycle through forests and along pristine beaches with sand dunes and lighthouses. At our lunch stop at Cape Arago, marvel at the northernmost breeding grounds for elephant seals and watch for whales offshore. We offer two routes today – a longer day with more out and back options and a shorter, more direct route. In the afternoon, the rolling hills of the aptly-named Seven Devils Road drop out onto the coast again at the Sunset Oceanfront Lodge in Bandon, a charmingly vibrant fishing and resort town.

We skip a less-scenic, inland portion of Hwy 101 this morning, shuttling south to spectacular Cape Blanco – the western-most point in Oregon – to begin riding on the “Wild Rivers Coast Scenic Bikeway”. The Bikeway takes you inland at first, following the Elk River on a quiet road dotted with swimming holes. Take your pick! And yes, watch for elk – they may be the only traffic you come across. The afternoon is filled with more glorious wild coastline. Sandy beaches beckon from below rocky cliffs. Waves pound against rocky sea stacks. Not much else happens here. Our finish line is Gold Beach, a sport-fishing town in the heart of Oregon’s “Banana Belt.” Boasting more sun than any other town on the Oregon or Washington coasts, Gold Beach is so far from any major metropolitan area that its gorgeous beaches remain wonderfully uncrowded. Dinner is on your own tonight, so you’ll have time to explore. Stay at Jots Resort.

Savor the last miles of coastal riding today on the loneliest stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway in Oregon as we approach Crescent City, California. Once across the state line, we veer inland to have lunch under the spell of the ancient redwoods in Jedediah Smith State Park’s Stout Grove. No words here. Just silence. And awe. Maybe a sore neck if you stare upward too long. From Jedediah Smith we transfer (~2hrs) back into Oregon. Stay tonight at Morrison’s Rogue River Lodge, a rafting and fishing resort located right on the river. 

Enjoy a leisurely morning today. You can go for an optional ride along the river, or just relax and enjoy the placid surroundings. After lunch, take a scenic and historic raft trip (included) through the gorges, canyons and old-growth forest along the Rogue River. You can opt for an inflatable kayak if you prefer. After rafting, we shuttle (~2.5hrs) up to Crater Lake – the result of the explosion of Mt. Mazama some 8,000 years ago. From Crater Lake’s rim, gaze down 1,500 feet to the stunningly blue lake below. It is the deepest lake in the U.S. at almost 2000 ft. Spend the next two nights at the world-famous Crater Lake Lodge perched right on the rim of this mind-boggling caldera.

Today, bicycle around Crater Lake’s rim. This 35-mile ride is considered by Bicycling magazine to be one of the most spectacular one-day rides in the entire country. At an elevation of 7,000 feet and with plenty of ups and downs, the rim ride includes the highest paved road in Oregon and is more challenging than the 35-mile distance would indicate. However, if you feel the need for more, you can detour down to the Pinnacles overlook – a stunning geological feature – and back adding another 13.5 miles and 1300 ft of elevation. Even better, you get to experience this amazing ride traffic-free! We will be joining the group event Ride the Rim Oregon in the morning (entry fee included). No cars! In the afternoon, take a trip down to the lakeshore, or hike up to Garfield Peak for phenomenal views of the lake and surrounding region.

Pedal north out of Crater Lake to another gorgeous gem today – sparkling Diamond Lake, beloved by fishermen and wilderness enthusiasts alike. Ride a paved bicycle path around the lake, through wetland meadows laced with sparkling streams, then follow the North Umpqua River through evergreen forests and out into the farmland near Roseburg. Enjoy lunch at beautiful Clearwater Falls Park before heading on to Roseburg and tonight’s lodging at the Holiday Inn Express.

Sample yet another flavor of the Oregon countryside as you ride up, down and through the Umpqua Valley today: Wine! Sometimes referred to as the “hundred valleys of the Umpqua,” this is where the Klamath Mountains, the Coast Range and the Cascade Mountains collide. Growing season temperatures vary dramatically from north to south in this region, creating a gradient of possibilities for winemakers to produce cool-weather Pinots, warm-weather Merlots, and many varieties in between. Enjoy a creek side picnic lunch in the shade before shuttling north to your drop-off in Eugene or Portland.

*Bicycle Adventures operates under special use permits while on Federal Lands managed by the National Forest Service (USDA), National Parks and Bureau of Land Management. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.