Take a Scenic Road Trip from San Francisco to Bend, Oregon
Round out your summer with some quality outdoor adventures during a scenic trip road trip from San Francisco to Bend, Oregon.
By Kimberly Merryman
I love the drive from my home in California to visit family in Colorado every summer. The stretch through Utah is especially beautiful, and I look forward to my regular stops throughout the state. However, in the last couple of years, as my dog has aged, he has become less tolerant of the heat on the usual route through Nevada and Utah.
This year, I decided to grab an Escape Campervan, and take a scenic road trip from San Francisco to Bend, Oregon, and Idaho, then to northern Utah, and finally to Colorado. My goal was to find more northern latitudes that might result in more pleasant temperatures. While I didn’t totally avoid the heat, I made some unforgettable discoveries while adventuring in new places.
The first stretch of my scenic route from San Francisco to Bend would make a great trip on its own, from either the Portland camper van rental location or San Francisco camper van rental location. Check out my top recommended stops in northern California and Oregon—from lake swimming and big views on the trails in California’s Shasta-Trinity National Forest to iconic Crater Lake National Park and on to wildflower meadows below Mount Bachelor in Oregon’s Deschutes National Forest.
Next, Spend Some Time at Crater Lake National Park
Camping at Crater Lake National Park
I didn’t end up camping here, as the only sites left weren’t shady enough for my hot, old dog, but Crater Lake does have two campgrounds with bathrooms. They are open only during the summer months, and many of the sites are first-come, first-served. If you plan to go in July, August, or September, I recommend reserving a site ahead of time. Be sure to check the park’s website for updated information about closures before you go.
What You Can See at Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the US which also sits inside a dormant volcano crater, is unlike any lake I’ve ever seen. Since I had the doggo with me, I was only able to walk the paved path around the rim of the lake, but it was inspiring. (TIP: Dogs aren’t allowed on most trails in US National Parks.) The short, easy walk offered a variety of views of the surrounding landscapes perfectly reflected in the deep blue of the lake.
If you only have humans in your group, check with a park ranger or grab a map from one of the visitor centers in the park for information on several hikes in the park.
Finally, Don’t Forget to Stay at Cascade Lakes/Deschutes National Forest, Oregon
Camping at Cascade Lakes
Before leaving Crater Lake, I picked out potential campsites on iOverlander along the route to Bend, Oregon, and headed in that general direction. I found myself on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway in Deschutes National Forest, a 66-mile route looping several lakes and Mount Bachelor.
The byway was full of national forest campgrounds, many of which are reservable online. While they were mostly occupied since it was evening when I arrived, a few spots were available at South Campground, about a mile off the byway nestled among lodgepole pines next to quiet Hosmer Lake. My site had a c-shaped driveway and a little path down a small hill to a picnic table and fire ring from which I ate my veggie stir fry and watched the sky at the edges of Mount Bachelor glow pink as the sunset.
Hiking at Cascade Lakes
There are several trailheads with hikes of varying lengths and difficulties along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway. I opted for an easy hike with great views on my way out of the forest toward Bend. Todd Lakes Loop is just under 2 miles and has very little elevation change. It does just what the name implies—it loops Todd Lake! It also includes a forested trail as well as a meadow of wildflowers with a view of Mount Bachelor beyond it and boardwalks over the muddier parts.
You can make the hike a little longer and get a little more of a workout with a 0.8-mile side trail up to a viewpoint of the lake. It was a perfect morning excursion before continuing on my scenic route from San Francisco to Bend to stock up on groceries and find some good coffee.
Book your class b motorhome rental in San Francisco from our SF hub and round out your summer with some quality outdoor adventures in Oregon and California. Stay tuned to find out where we went next!
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