Road trip · Central Oregon
Oregon Cascades Loop
The loop
Crater Lake's deep blue caldera, then Bend, Smith Rock and Mount Hood.
Overview line between stops, not turn-by-turn directions.
Stop by stop
- 1
Crater Lake National Park
Suggested: 1 day (full guide: 1–2 days)
~90 mi straight-line from Crater Lake National Park
2Bend
Suggested: 3 days (full guide: 3–5 days)
Wilderness Permits and Central Cascade Access
~23 mi straight-line from Bend
3Smith Rock
Suggested: 2 days (full guide: 2–3 days)
~75 mi straight-line from Smith Rock
4Mount Hood
Suggested: 3 days (full guide: 3–4 days)
Verify Timberline and Sno-Park Permit Requirements
Quick answers
How many days do I need for the Oregon Cascades Loop?
Plan about 9 days to give each of the 4 stops its suggested minimum time, plus extra if you add rest days.
Which order should I visit the stops in?
Crater Lake National Park, then Bend, then Smith Rock, then Mount Hood. The order keeps each leg as short as possible.
Do any stops on this loop need reservations?
Check booking rules early for Bend, Mount Hood. Each stop's guide links to the official source.