America’s backyard is impressive in its beauty. The Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, Yellowstone National Park and the Delaware Water Gap often come to mind as must-see destinations for travelers on a road trip. Stretching 172 miles, Oregon’s Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway also bursts with brilliance and wonder at every turn.
Vertical Horizons Treehouse Paradise, Cave Junction, OR
Deep within the Cascade Mountains you’ll see picturesque waterfalls (the Byway is commonly known as the “highway of waterfalls”), and a mountainous peak shaped like rabbit ears that was created by a volcano over 7 million years ago. Park your car at a rest area and enjoy the unique sight of the North Umpqua River and the Little River meeting head-on. This is one of only a few places in the world where two rivers collide.
After witnessing such beauty along the byway in the Oregon’s Southern Region, take a trip to Ashland, OR, to witness the Shakespearean tragedies and triumphs at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. From mid-February through the end of October, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival will perform classics such as The Taming of the Shrew and King Lear. When the play is over and the curtain comes down, take a leisurely drive back to Abigail’s Bed & Breakfast Inn and relax in the luxurious comforts of the inn. When you awaken, enjoy a breakfast of pastries and chocolate Belgian waffles before taking a short walk over to downtown Ashland and enjoying its local attractions such as shopping, restaurants, and sightseeing. End your day relaxing on the quaint front porch admiring the colorful gardens and sipping wine or tea.
If you didn’t snap enough pictures of the soaring trees that guided your journey through the Byway, why not get really up close and personal with nature’s skyscrapers? At Vertical Horizons Treehouse Paradise in Cave Junction, OR, tree lovers and guests with an adventurous spirit will enjoy sleeping with the birds in one-of-a-kind tree houses. Enjoy your breakfast in the main house where a gourmet cook prepares your food using locally grown and raised products. Tree-climbing events and marshmallow roasting are available later in the day.
Take a drive along the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway and discover why the Umpqua Native Americans of south central Oregon call the Byway “a land of beauty and diversity as unique as its name.” This road trip experience delivers stunning views and spectacular waterfalls you won’t soon forget.
Looking for road trip inspiration? Visit our “Road Trip, Anyone?” Pinterest board for ideas on scenic byways to travel and photo-friendly stops along the way. We’ll also cover a few more famous drives in the next couple of weeks so make sure to check back!
