Oregon Coast to Crater Lake Bike Tour

Meet in Portland early and van (2.5 hours) southwest over the Central Oregon Coast Range to Newport. Pedal south with the coastal tailwind providing a gentle boost. Soak up the views of the sparkling Pacific Ocean and the Oregon Coast’s famous rock formations, or ‘sea stacks.’  Ride through tiny coastal villages, beachfront shaded by forests, and sand dunes. Spend tonight near the ocean in Reedsport at the Salbasgeon Inn.

Head south along the coast, bicycling through forests and along pristine beaches with sand dunes and lighthouses. 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.

Today is another day of cycling Oregon’s wild coastline: sandy beaches; rocky cliffs; waves pounding the rocky sea stacks. The finish line is Gold Beach, a sportfishing 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.

Today, enjoy more scenic, wild beauty along the Coast Highway as it approaches Crescent City, California. Lunch is a lovely picnic on the beach at Crissey Field, an Oregon State Recreation Site perched between the California border and the Winchuck River. Continue riding south to explore the magnificent old-growth redwoods of Jedediah Smith State Park. Stay tonight at Morrison’s Rogue River Lodge, a rafting and fishing resort located right on the river.

Take a thrilling whitewater raft trip through the gorges, canyons and old-growth forest along the Rogue River (the raft trip is included in your tour price). After lunch at Morrison’s, head to Union Creek, the birthplace of the Rogue. Pedal your bicycle through the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest across a high meadow covered with volcanic pumice from the explosion of Mt. Mazama some 8,000 years ago right to the rim of Crater Lake. From Crater Lake’s rim, gaze down 1,500 feet to the stunningly blue lake below. Spend the next two nights at the famous Crater Lake Lodge perched right on the rim of this mind-boggling caldera.

Today, bicycle around Crater Lake’s rim. This 34-mile (or 47-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 is more challenging than the distance would indicate, but if you need even more you can detour down to the Pinnacles overlook and back adding another 13.5 miles and 1300 ft of elevation. We will be joining the group event Ride the Rim Oregon for the morning. Your event entry fee is included. A boating expedition to the caldera’s tiny Wizard Island is on today’s schedule as well; the boat tour is also included as part of your trip package. Not a boater? If you prefer, hike up to Mt. Scott or Garfield Butte 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 Oregon countryside as you ride up, down and through Winchester Wine Country. Enjoy a creekside 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.