3. Painted Hills

Layers of red, yellow and brown color the Painted Hills unit of the John Day Fossil Beds, practically the spitting image of “otherworldly.” The layers of sediment were deposited over tens of millions of years and illustrate the vast volcanic flows that shaped the area, as well as the changing climate over time. The colors of the Painted Hills change regularly based on light and moisture levels.

Ian Malkasian/The Oregonian

2. Jefferson Park

Mount Jefferson stands majestically at the heart of Jefferson Park, an immensely popular and stunningly beautiful area in the central Cascade Mountains. The sprawling wilderness area covers more than 100,000 acres and contains 163 miles of trails, including a particularly scenic 40-mile stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail. The meadows of wildflowers that grow before an incredible view of the mountain offer one of the greatest natural sights in the state.

Richard Cockle/The Oregonian