Oregon is a unique state that offers a variety of climates and environments such as the rainy southwestern coast, the snowy northern mountains, and the dry Alvord southeastern desert. Up and down the state are forests and mountain ranges situated alongside fertile valleys and plains. Deciding when to visit Oregon depends largely on your interests and favorite activities, especially since the weather can affect plans for outdoor recreation. While browsing the numerous vacation rentals in Oregon, take a look at this guide to learn about the state’s seasonal differences, so you can enjoy your getaway to the fullest.
Visiting Oregon in the Summer
During the summer months from June to September, the temperatures top of at 82 F with lows of 48 F. While precipitation during this season is unpredictable, there’s generally far less of it with under 2 inches per month. In fact, July and August are the hottest and driest of the summer months with less than .5 inch of rain and temperatures of 82 F and lows of 53 F. This means low humidity as well as low heat. With these sort of weather conditions, you need to pack a light jacket for those cooler nights, but otherwise, a t-shirt and shorts are perfect. If you’re hiking — one of the major activities during summertime along with water-related activities — bring a pair of long pants for cool upper elevations and thick ground-level vegetation. Get an Oregon vacation rental close to the beach or redwoods, and you have easy access to some of the region’s natural beauty. The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has old-growth redwoods that you can view along the Oregon Redwoods Trail, just make sure to bring bug spray as the summer brings out the insects. With the forest right by the coast, you can then take a scenic drive along the coast up Interstate 101 to Newport and Cannon Beach for swimming and kayaking. This is also a conveniently good time for whale watching. Head inland to the Wallowa and Elkhorn Mountains to view wildflowers. With such high elevations, spring and summer take their time, so flowers bloom in late July.
Visiting Oregon in the Fall
The autumn is almost as good a time to visit Oregon as summer and only slightly less bustling, thanks to the fall foliage on Oregon’s heavily forested west side. Hiking is still popular in these areas, especially at Silver Falls State Park, Forest Park, Deschutes River Trail, Upper Klamath Basin, and Lithia Park with the golds, reds, and oranges of the leaves. With temperatures between 38 and 64 F and between 3 and 6 inches of rainfall, you can go for a scenic drive instead when it gets too cool or wet. Both Mount Hood Scenic Loop and Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway offer amazing views of the region with plenty of places to pull off for photo ops. The weather is colder and more unpredictable, so it’s best to bring a jacket, umbrella, long-sleeve, shirts, and long pants on your vacation. With this unpredictable weather, however, comes interesting cloud formations, mysterious fog, and sparkling rain, so keep your camera close at hand.
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Visiting Oregon in the Winter
Winter has many faces when it comes to Oregon. On the coast, there’s less snow and more rain, with temperatures that fall to nearly freezing and hover around the 46 F to 56 F mark, so be prepared with raincoats, coats, and umbrellas. If you’re anywhere near Shore Acres State Park by Coos Bay in southern Oregon, join in the Christmas marine-themed festivities. In Umpqua Valley, between the coast the national forests, there’s a drive-thru light show. Head up to northern and eastern Oregon for some snow fun. The winter brings in 4 to 7 inches of precipitation, much of it snow in this area, so add gloves, scarves, and boots to your packing list. While the southern side of Oregon slows down in the winter, the northern end speeds up with the access to skiing and snowboarding at the Cascade Mountains. Plus, people in Portland move indoors for ChocolateFest, a number of music festivals, and several film festivals among which is the Portland International Film Festival.
Visiting Oregon in the Spring
While spring brings showers, the ones in Oregon are subdued in comparison to the winter and fall precipitation. Less than 3 inches of rain fall during April and May, and temperatures rise to the 60s with lows in the 40s. You can shed your heavy winter coat, but keep a light coat or jacket, as well as an umbrella, at hand. The bustle picks up along with all the farmers’ markets and outdoor festivals. Make your way to southern Oregon for some brilliant spring flower displays. Start at the Daffodil Daze around the Junction City area of southern Oregon, and then head north to Willamette Valley for the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival and further north to the Columbia River Gorge for the Hood River Valley Blossom Festival.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Oregon?
Oregon has something to offer during every season, but if you want the most bang for your buck, the best time to visit is summer. The chance of rain showers are lower, humidity is low, and temperatures are mild. There’s plenty to do from taking a wine tour to playing in the water to hiking. Regardless of when you go, though, what to pack always includes something to shield yourself from possible rain. Rain is the one thing you see during all seasons throughout the majority of Oregon.
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