Oregon Outback named world’s largest Dark Sky Sanctuary
Just in time for International Dark Sky Week, 2-8 April 2024, a 2.5-million-acre area of southeastern Oregon has been certified as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary by DarkSky International (formerly the International Dark-Sky Association), making it the world’s largest Dark Sky Sanctuary to date. Located within an area commonly referred to as the Oregon Outback, the Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary has committed to protect its starry night skies for the benefit of residents, visitors and wildlife. The area is located within the largest, contiguous, pristine dark sky zone in the Lower 48 U.S. states, and this certification helps to protect a large portion of the designated zone. The sanctuary is very remote and sparsely populated, providing stargazing opportunities and other adventures for astro-tourists open to visiting.
Hit the electric highway in Oregon
Dylan VanWeelden Travel Oregon
Oregon is home to one of the largest and most robust networks of electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging stations in the U.S. It has developed six electric byways for visitors to road trip around the state, including the Oregon Coast, Southern Oregon, Willamette Valley wine country and Mt. Hood Territory – Oregon’s highest peak and only year-round, lift-served skiing in North America. Oregon also offers an overarching EV eight-day itinerary which combines all byways into one self-guided trip. The Clover Leaf Loop Super Charging Station in Southern Oregon is Oregon’s largest with over 50 stations, and the second-largest in the U.S. It is the closest charging station to Oregon’s only national park, Crater Lake. In between the many EV charging stations on these scenic routes are environmentally friendly businesses waiting to welcome visitors – hotels, spas, wineries, breweries, restaurants and more.
Three new hotels with hydrothermal offerings open in Oregon
CedarTree Hotel
Oregon boasts natural hot springs across the state, and now three more properties are harnessing the wellness benefits of hydrothermal practices. The newly opened CedarTree Hotel in Oregon’s Tualatin Valley, is the first North American location for this Japanese hotel brand offering minimalist ambiance, indoor and outdoor soaking baths (also known as onsens) and a sake bar. Scheduled to open in Spring 2024, Cascada is a 100-room hotel in Portland featuring the city’s first underground hot springs and largest hydrothermal spa. And, opening later this year, Fir Haven Retreats in the Columbia River Gorge will feature A-frame cabins set in a 20-acre secluded forest complemented by wellness offerings, including cedar hot tubs, saunas and cold plunges. Committed to regenerative tourism, they’ve also teamed up with First Nature Tours to provide guided outdoor experiences.
Oregon Trail Interpretive Center reopens after renovations
After a three-year closure to complete major renovations, the grand reopening of the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center will take place on Memorial Day weekend in May in Eastern Oregon. Located near Baker City (turning 150 years old in 2024 and hosting events to celebrate throughout the year), the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is a 500-acre site, including a large museum containing exhibits that tell the compelling story of the Oregon National Historic Trail and the emigrant experience. On the grounds of the site are 6.5 km of interpretive hiking trails, an amphitheater, a wagon encampment for living history demonstrations, and scenic views of the surrounding area. Also visible are ruts along the Oregon Trail (over 3,200 km of trail ruts can still be seen in six states) which help tell the history of early American settlers.
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