We saw a lot of Oregon this year, from road onions to hot springs to calm forest storodeo sites.
Once more, The Oregonian/OregonLive traveled throughout the state throughout the year to document the events, people, and locations that make this place so unique.
The southern coast and the state’s far east are featured in this year’s trip images. They were photographed inside small homes and on the summits of majestic Cascade peaks. There are mutton busters, desert freeways, shooting stars, and UFO aficionados.
Here are a few of our top picks for 2024 Oregon vacation images:
Samantha Swindler
Between Washington, Oregon, and California, the Coast Starlight train’s lounge car provides picturesque vistas.Oregonian Samantha Swindler
Children ride sheep in the Harney County Fair & Rodeo’s mutton busting competition.Oregonian Samantha Swindler
An onion collected from roadkill along Highway 201 in the vicinity of Ontario, Oregon.Oregonian Samantha Swindler
When Jeff and Jennifer Hunger, who were traveling from the Chicaco region, stayed in the Star Trek room at the Itty Bitty Inn in North Bend, they dressed accordingly.Oregonian Samantha Swindler
The 11th annual Corgi Beach Takeover, a fundraiser for the Oregon Humane Society, brought hundreds of corgis, their owners, and their supporters to Seaside on June 29. There were corgi races and costume competitions at the occasion.Oregonian Samantha Swindler
The kitchen view of the Short Circuit house in Astoria, which can be rented overnight. Ally Sheedy’s character, Stephanie Speck, lived there while the 1986 film was being filmed.Oregonian Samantha Swindler
Vickie Connor
After a 0.1-mile walk from the parking lot, visitors can reach Whitehorse Falls in southern Oregon.Connor Vickie/The Oregonian
On Wednesday, August 14, 2024, the Broken Top Loop path has No Name Lake as one of its attractions.Connor Vickie/The Oregonian
Jamie Hale
At Rockaway Beach on the north Oregon coast, the sunset is viewed via heart-shaped sunglasses.”The Oregonian” or Jamie Hale
On July 18, 2024, the first day the Warm Springs resort is accessible to the public, people swim in Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort. The recently refurbished resort, formerly known as Kah-Nee-Ta Village, had not been open since 2018.”The Oregonian” or Jamie Hale
Stargazers gather at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park for a star party on July 13, 2024, to celebrate the anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. OMSI and the Rose City Astronomers hosted the event.”The Oregonian” or Jamie Hale
A group paddles Wallowa Lake just after sunset in light-up clear kayaks provided by JO Paddle, an outfitter based in Joseph.”The Oregonian” or Jamie Hale
Barr Creek Falls is one of several waterfalls on the Rogue River found near the town of Prospect in southern Oregon. The waterfall is seen from a trail in the Prospect State Scenic Viewpoint.”The Oregonian” or Jamie Hale
A tiny house called Savannah is one of several available to book at the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village.”The Oregonian” or Jamie Hale
The stars are out on a clear fall night in the Mt. Hood Village Campground.”The Oregonian” or Jamie Hale
The old Wallowa-Union Railroad tracks run along the scenic Wallowa River in northeast Oregon. The tracks are used by a small excursion train and rail riders, but hikers can also walk the route to get a slower look at the scenery.”The Oregonian” or Jamie Hale
A carving representing the legacy of the Rogue River Trail of Tears stands outside a ceremonial plankhouse in the Grand Ronde Community. The pole was caved by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.”The Oregonian” or Jamie Hale
James Du Bois is the creator of Oregon Du Drops, art pieces made with recycled lightbulbs filled with collected rainwater. He runs the business with his wife, Cathleen Du Bois.”The Oregonian” or Jamie Hale
A private soaking tub is found inside the new glamping tents at Skamania Lodge on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge.”The Oregonian” or Jamie Hale
Wildflowers grow on a cliff above Middle Oneonta Falls, found along a rocky trail through a burn area in the Columbia River Gorge.”The Oregonian” or Jamie Hale
Willamette Falls, seen from a viewpoint on the McLoughlin Promenade in Oregon City, has become a flashpoint for conflict.”The Oregonian” or Jamie Hale
Mark Graves
The Vista House at Crown Point overlooking the Columbia River Gorge Nov. 7, 2024.Mark Graves/The Oregonian
Indigenous Peoples Day kicked off at Gordon Russell Middle School in Gresham, Oregon, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, featuring Native tacos, Native artists and clothing, social round dances, vendors, singers and a pow wow drum session. The event was free and open to the public.Mark Graves/The Oregonian
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, shown on Oct. 9, 2024, is open year-round but many trails are closed October through April so that migrating wildlife is not disturbed. A wildlife photography blind is available by appointment only, and can be reserved by emailing the refuge.Mark Graves/The Oregonian
Solar eclipse seen through the clouds in Southeast Portland, Oregon, April 8, 2024.Mark Graves/The Oregonian
An aerial view of Mt. Adams (forefront) and Mt. Rainier seen from an Alaska Airlines flight above the Columbia River Gorge looking north on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.Mark Graves/The Oregonian
Beth Nakamura
A visit with Santa is a highlight of the ride on the Mt. Hood Railroad Polar Express. Charles Norval, 2 1/2, of Hillsboro, is pictured with Santa. December 5, 2024.Beth Nakamura
Farmland at dusk in rural Ontario, Oregon, on May 28, 2024.Beth Nakamura
Dave Killen
An expanse of blackened shrubs and earth in the Lookout Mountain region in eastern Oregon near Durkee, Oregon, on July 28, 2024. The Thompson wildfire had burned through much of the area in recent days.Dave Killen / The Oregonian
Newly discovered comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is viewed in the dark night sky over Steens Mountain in eastern Oregon on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024.Dave Killen/The Oregonian
Snow blankets the Cascade Mountains in early spring, seen from the Timberline Lodge ski area on Mount Hood.Dave Killen
Sean Meagher
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are seen from Lake Oswego on Friday, May 10, 2024.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
Thousands descend upon downtown McMinnville, Oregon, for the annual McMenamins UFO Festival on Saturday, May 18, 2024.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
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