7 Wonders of Oregon in an Electric Vehicle
Crater Lake
Mount Hood
Columbia River Gorge
Smith Rock State Park
Painted Hills
Oregon Coast
Wallowa Mountains
by Lydia Schuldt
The beautiful state of Oregon in the Pacific Northwest is one of the best places to enjoy the great outdoors and take in stunning scenery. Full of lush green forests, high altitude deserts, waterfalls and snow-covered peaks, Oregon is the perfect place to take a road trip for adventure travelers looking to explore in an Electric Vehicle. If you have a couple weeks for a road trip in Oregon, you won’t want to miss the 7 Wonders of Oregon in an Electric Vehicle.
Crater Lake
Crater Lake National Park has the most mesmerizing blue water tucked inside the caldera of an ancient volcano. This natural wonder is the deepest lake in the United States with depths of almost 2,000 feet. Crater Lake is a great stop on an EV road trip for driving along the shores of the lake for 33 miles on Rim Drive. After cruising along the lake in your EV, explore its scenic wonders by hiking, camping and taking in the beauty of the crystal clear blue waters.
The Best EV Charger Near Crater Lake
Annie Creek Restaurant and Gift Shop in Mazama Village is located 14 minutes from Crater Lake National Park. This EV Charger offers level 2 charging with 2 plugs and is open 24/7 for charging.
Mount Hood
Mount Hood is the highest peak in Oregon and a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Visiting Mount Hood offers hiking, breathtaking views and opportunities for mountaineering and skiing in the winter as well as in the summer! This is the only Ski Area in the entire country that stays open all summer long. The Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood is a historic and iconic building that offers incredible architecture, history and fine dining opportunities. Driving up to Timberline Lodge and Ski Area is the perfect stop on your EV road trip around Oregon.
The Best EV Charger Near Mount Hood
The Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood is the perfect place to charge your EV overnight or for the day while you hike or ski around Mount Hood. There are 6 level 2 EV charging stations at the Timberline Lodge open 24/7.
Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular canyon that stretches over 80 miles along the border of Oregon and Washington State. It consists of stunning waterfalls, hiking trails, white water sports and panoramic views. Multnomah Falls is one of the most famous attractions in the gorge and popular towns to visit in the area are Hood River and Cascade Locks. Hood River is the windsurfing capital of the world, so expect to see a lot of windsurfers soaring through the Columbia River while enjoying the scenic walks through town.
The Best EV Charger Near the Columbia River Gorge
The Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Washington has four level 2 EV charging stations open 24/7 and is the perfect spot to stay overnight in the Gorge. It’s located about 15 minutes from downtown Hood River.
Smith Rock State Park
Smith Rock State Park, known globally for its dramatic rock formations, is a go-to destination for rock climbing and hiking. Located in Central Oregon, Smith Rock has towering cliffs and scenic trails along the Crooked River. It is a destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking challenging climbs and breathtaking views of the rugged landscape. Smith Rock is also located 30 minutes from the outdoor mecca of Bend, Oregon. Bend is famous for having extensive outdoor activities including mountain biking, skiing, trail running, climbing, kayaking and more!
The Best EV Charger Near Smith Rock State Park
The city of Redmond is located only ten minutes away and has public EVCS chargers including a Level 2 charger and a Level 3 (limited to 50kW) at the local Fred Meyer.
Painted Hills
The Painted Hills, located in John Day Fossil Beds National Monument of Central Oregon features colorful layers of red, black and gold clay that create a stunning view for a hike or a photoshoot. These rolling hills are unlike anything else with the natural beauty of colorful lines sculpted into the hills of this desert landscape. This destination is located in a rather remote area, but is a great stopping point on your way down to Bend or Smith Rock to camp in a serene and beautiful location a little out of the way.
The Best EV Charger Near the Painted Hills
Situated an hour from the Painted Hills, Whole in the Wall in Mitchell provides an EV Charging Station with level 2 Tesla chargers at the storefront. With two plugs, the charging station is accessible 24/7 to accommodate electric vehicle charging needs and is the best location for EV charging in the remote desert around the Painted HIlls.
Oregon Coast
The Oregon Coast spans approximately 363 miles along the Pacific Ocean. Surrounded by sitka spruce forests and douglas fir trees, the jagged coastline of Oregon is full of untouched coves, jagged cliffs and charming little towns. Enjoy pristine beaches, tidepooling, cold water surfing, observing wildlife and eating local seafood. Some highlights of the Oregon Coast include Devil’s Punchbowl, Pacific City, Cannon Beach and Oswald West State Park.
The Best EV Charger Near the North Oregon Coast
Fred Meyer, both in Warrenton and Tillamook are the best options for charging electric vehicles quickly on the North Coast of Oregon. These EV Charging Stations offer level 3 charging and are open 24/7. Another option is finding a vacation rental in the area near Cannon Beach or Manzanita that can offer an EV charger for your overnight stay.
Wallowa Mountains
The Wallowa Mountains in northeastern Oregon are often called the "Swiss Alps of Oregon". They offer stunning alpine scenery and remote backcountry opportunities. Known for rugged peaks, pristine lakes, and diverse wildlife, the Wallowa Mountains are a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts who want to enjoy a backpacking trip, endless day hikes or stunning views as they cruise around in their EV.
The Best EV Charger Near the Wallowa Mountains
The Wallowa Mountains are also a remote location in Oregon, so it can be tricky to find a reliable EV charging station. The best place to stay overnight and charge your Tesla or other electric vehicle is at the Bronze Antler Bed & Breakfast which offers two level 2 chargers.
Enjoy all the 7 Wonders of Oregon in your electric vehicle and the best places to charge on your road trip. Whether you are charging up overnight or using a fast level 3 charger on the road, we want to help provide worry-free EV charging while exploring the great outdoors. Learn more about places to explore in the Pacific Northwest and where to charge your Electric Vehicles at the EBL Journal.
