Oregon is filled with secret surprises. One of the best parts about living in Oregon is that just when you think you’ve seen everything, you stumble upon a new and exciting place to explore. From majestic waterfalls and underground caves to ancient rock formations, here are nine of our favorite hidden places that rank among the Beaver State’s best kept secrets.

  1. Fort Rock (Lake County)

Flickr/Noël This one-of-a-kind ancient rock formation is located in a remote section of Oregon’s high desert. A pair of sandals discovered here are the oldest ever found, dating back 9,000-13,000 years. You can take a 1.2-mile loop hike through the crater to experience some of the most otherworldly views in the Beaver State.

  1. Skylight Cave (Sisters)

Instagram/away_i_flew If you’ve ever wanted to escape to a hidden underground world, it’s time to visit the Skylight Cave. You’ll enter this beautiful gem by climbing down a ladder into a cavern. Once you’re down, prepare to be enchanted by the three natural skylights. The best time to see the lights are on a sunny day in the morning hours, between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.

  1. Canyon Creek Meadows (Mt. Jefferson Wilderness)

Flickr/Joan Amero Step into a magical alpine wonderland when you visit Canyon Creek Meadows. Nestled high up in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, the meadows can be reached by taking a gentle, 2-mile hiking trail. The prime time to visit is in the summer months, when the fields come alive with colorful wildflowers.

  1. Pendleton Underground (Pendleton)

Trip Advisor/stanleb434 Discover a secret underground city with a trek down to the Pendleton Underground. Hiding beneath the streets of downtown Pendleton, this network of tunnels was once home to many businesses, many of which were illegal. A tour takes about 1.5 hours and costs $15.

  1. Indian Beach (Ecola State Park)

Flickr/penjelly There’s nothing better than stumbling upon a secluded beach on the Oregon Coast. Indian Beach in Ecola State Park is a pristine strip of coastline filled with smooth sand, majestic forests and rugged cliffs. It’s truly like something straight out of a fairytale.

  1. Mt. Hood Tiny House Village (Welches)

Facebook/Mt. Hood Tiny House Village For your next rustic getaway, look no further than the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village. This hidden retreat is tucked away in the stunning Mt. Hood National Forest, and is surrounded by alpine lakes, enchanting rivers, and hiking trails.

  1. Connie Hansen Garden (Lincoln City)

Facebook/The Connie Hansen Garden Take a stroll through this gorgeous secret garden on your next visit to Lincoln City. This delightful 1.25-acre hidden gem is filled with tranquil scenery, including woodsy canopies, a rock garden and colorful flowers. Guided tours are available.

  1. White River Falls (The Dalles)

Flickr/oregon ducatisti Oregon’s waterfalls never seem to disappoint, and White River Falls is no exception. This little-known falls is located south of The Dalles in White River Falls State Park. To reach the waterfall, you’ll take an easy half-mile trail.

  1. WWII Bunker (Tillamook Bay)

Johnny Joo via Architectural Afterlife Few people are aware that Oregon is home to an abandoned bunker that once played an important role in WWII military operations. Hidden away in Tillamook Bay, this historic bunker was built in 1943 to house aluminum. Today, the moss-covered bunker is a fascinating place to explore.

Have you visited any of these hidden gems before? Where can we find your favorite little-known destination in Oregon?

Flickr/Noël

This one-of-a-kind ancient rock formation is located in a remote section of Oregon’s high desert. A pair of sandals discovered here are the oldest ever found, dating back 9,000-13,000 years. You can take a 1.2-mile loop hike through the crater to experience some of the most otherworldly views in the Beaver State.

Instagram/away_i_flew

If you’ve ever wanted to escape to a hidden underground world, it’s time to visit the Skylight Cave. You’ll enter this beautiful gem by climbing down a ladder into a cavern. Once you’re down, prepare to be enchanted by the three natural skylights. The best time to see the lights are on a sunny day in the morning hours, between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.

Flickr/Joan Amero

Step into a magical alpine wonderland when you visit Canyon Creek Meadows. Nestled high up in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, the meadows can be reached by taking a gentle, 2-mile hiking trail. The prime time to visit is in the summer months, when the fields come alive with colorful wildflowers.

Trip Advisor/stanleb434

Discover a secret underground city with a trek down to the Pendleton Underground. Hiding beneath the streets of downtown Pendleton, this network of tunnels was once home to many businesses, many of which were illegal. A tour takes about 1.5 hours and costs $15.

Flickr/penjelly

There’s nothing better than stumbling upon a secluded beach on the Oregon Coast. Indian Beach in Ecola State Park is a pristine strip of coastline filled with smooth sand, majestic forests and rugged cliffs. It’s truly like something straight out of a fairytale.

Facebook/Mt. Hood Tiny House Village

For your next rustic getaway, look no further than the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village. This hidden retreat is tucked away in the stunning Mt. Hood National Forest, and is surrounded by alpine lakes, enchanting rivers, and hiking trails.

Facebook/The Connie Hansen Garden

Take a stroll through this gorgeous secret garden on your next visit to Lincoln City. This delightful 1.25-acre hidden gem is filled with tranquil scenery, including woodsy canopies, a rock garden and colorful flowers. Guided tours are available.

Flickr/oregon ducatisti

Oregon’s waterfalls never seem to disappoint, and White River Falls is no exception. This little-known falls is located south of The Dalles in White River Falls State Park. To reach the waterfall, you’ll take an easy half-mile trail.

Johnny Joo via Architectural Afterlife

Few people are aware that Oregon is home to an abandoned bunker that once played an important role in WWII military operations. Hidden away in Tillamook Bay, this historic bunker was built in 1943 to house aluminum. Today, the moss-covered bunker is a fascinating place to explore.

Want to explore more secret spots in the Beaver State? Check out our previous article: 9 Top Secret Oregon Waterfalls To Visit Before Word Gets Out.

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