Top Places to See When Driving From Beaverton, Oregon to Draper, Utah
Are you planning a road trip from Beaverton, Oregon to Draper, Utah anytime soon? While this drive will take you through the desert and mountains, there are plenty of places to visit along the way that offer stunning natural beauty and unique experiences.
In this blog post, we’ve compiled a list of the top places you must see when driving from Beaverton, Oregon to Draper, Utah. So buckle up, get ready, and let’s go on a road trip!
Crater Lake National Park, Klamath County, Oregon
If you’re leaving Beaverton, Oregon and heading south on I-5, make sure to take a detour east towards Crater Lake National Park. This park is home to the deepest lake in the United States - Crater Lake. The lake is over 1,900 feet deep and has stunning clear blue water that visitors can walk around and gaze at from the top of the volcano which created it.
Crater Lake National Park is a haven for hikers and nature lovers. The park has a range of trails which vary in difficulty, and hikers can choose to hike the rim of the crater, hike down to the lake, or venture out into the wilderness. If you’re into fishing, this is also a great spot as you can fish in the clear blue waters of the lake. Make sure to check opening times as the park gets snowed in during winter and will be closed.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, Tehama County, California
As you continue driving south from Oregon, you will enter California and reach Lassen Volcanic National Park. The park is home to Lassen Peak, a volcano that erupted in the early 1900s. Lassen Volcanic National Park is known for its geothermal activity, including hot springs and geysers.
The park has many trails for hikers of all skill levels. Some of the popular hikes include the Bumpass Hell trail which takes hikers to a geothermal basin with mud pots and hot springs. Another popular hike is Cinder Cone, an easy hike which takes hikers up a steep cinder cone that provides stunning views of the park. During winter, the park is also is open for snowshoeing, skiing, or sledding.
Yosemite National Park, Tuolumne County, California
Yosemite National Park is one of the most iconic national parks in the United States. Located in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Yosemite National Park is home to Yosemite Valley, which features towering granite peaks, waterfalls, and crystal-clear lakes.
Visitors to Yosemite National Park can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, cycling, rock climbing, and fishing. For those who prefer a more leisurely experience, the park offers bus tours and bike rentals. The park is open year-round and each season offers a unique experience.
Zion National Park, Washington County, Utah
As you continue your journey, you will enter Utah and reach Zion National Park. This park is known for its stunning red rock formations and natural sandstone arches. Zion National Park has a range of hiking trails with varying difficulty, and visitors can choose to hike through the canyon floor or venture up to Angels Landing for stunning views.
One of the most popular hikes in Zion National Park is The Narrows, which offers hikers an opportunity to hike through a deep gorge with cliff walls soaring up to 1,200 feet high. During winter, visitors can snowshoe or cross-country ski in certain areas of the park.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Garfield County, Utah
Last but not least on our list is Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon is often overshadowed by bigger parks like Zion or Grand Canyon, however, Bryce Canyon offers a unique experience that shouldn't be missed. The park is known for its unique rock formations known as hoodoos.
Visitors to Bryce Canyon National Park can choose to take hikes on the rim trails that lead to stunning views of the hoodoos or explore the hoodoos themselves by hiking down into the amphitheater. The park offers activities for all skill levels with hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and even stargazing.
Conclusion
This concludes our list of the top places to see when driving from Beaverton, Oregon to Draper, Utah. From Crater Lake National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park, we hope this list gives you inspiration for your next road trip! Remember to stay safe on the roads and take in all of the beauty that these national parks have to offer. Happy trails!