I have opted out of the cabin and picked up a CVT tent for my 99 Landrover. I have it all strapped up and will be taking it on it's maiden voyage this weekend to Horning's Hideout for an easy trial run. For the rest of the summer I am looking to do some drive in hiking. Anybody have any suggestions for places where I can park and sleep for free (or a parking fee) where there is also a hiking loop? There are probably a thousands of places in Oregon but I'm indecisive and I haven't found any good sources online for what I'm looking for.
This is what I'm working with, except I turned the whole thing 90° so the ladder comes off the driver's side. Rest stops would work, but I was thinking more off the beaten path. Usually I'd would just go up breitenbush, but it's closed from the fires.
For God's sake, man, take the ladder down before you go on your trip. Here's a tip, fold up the tent before traveling. There use to be cabins at Breitenbush that you could rent, are they also gone?
I'll be sure to stow everything carefully before I start my travels. https://www.wweek.com/outdoors/2020/09/15/fires-have-destroyed-much-of-breitenbush-hot-springs/ Some are and some aren't apparently. The road is technically open but I'm pretty sure it's just log trucks and machinery going up and down it right now.
One of the thing I found interesting while road tripping is how each state approaches their rest areas. Oregon has very good freeways but the rest areas are pretty meh. A surprising number of states (Mid West and South in particular) have unspeakably shitty highways but their rest areas are Taj Mahals for travelers. They keep them manned, heated (or air conditioned) and spotless, with plenty of travel info readily available. They actually make you want to stick around (rather than get back on shitty roads that beat your car to death). You can’t help but wonder why they don’t put some of that money back into their roads……but then, these are the folks who voted for Trump and think COVID and the vaccine are government conspiracies………all that said, nice photo of the Baldock rest area (south of Wilsonville) that Sly posted above……..
Alabama has great highways. Never used their rest areas nor Georgia's rest areas. Georgia also has very nice highways. Side roads in both states can be deplorable.
I don't really have a specific distance. Something that can be done in a day. I am actually more near Salem, but anywhere within an hour or two would be ideal. Think weekend trips.
There are all sorts of hikes as you head up between Detroit and the Santiam junction. Duffy lake, Pamela trail head Lots of areas out there you can set up and camp then go do a hike. Could always do day hikes along the PCT also. Here is a link to a couple that sounds good. https://www.rei.com/blog/hike/best-oregon-hikes
