Where do I start?
Central Oregon Cascades waterfalls: the area east of Roseburg and Cottage a Grove on either side of 138.
Late spring for photography as flows won't be excessive to avoid blown highlights
Weeks and weeks
Plenty of campgrounds and dispersed camping. Susan Creek is a BLM site with free showers if you stay. 1/2 price for us geezers.
San Rafael Swell: towering red rock, history, photogenic, rock art, solitude
Spring and fall
Months and months
A few campgrounds but many spots to disperse camp. Favorite was the one at The Wedge Overlook
Nevada between highways 50 and 6: any backroad will take you to ghost towns, colorful rock formations, ranches. Solitude factor 10+
Spring and fall
Weeks and weeks
Dispersed camping delight
Ruby Mountains, NV: wetlands, history, scenery, golden aspens, Nevada's glacier
Summer and early fall
A week or two
A campground or two plus dispersed camping
Wallowa Mountains, OR: red barns, green fields, snowy mountains, Old Chief Joseph"s gravesite
Late Spring, Summer, early fall
A week or two
Several campgrounds
The Palouse Region, WA: rolling, undulating patchwork quilt of fields, old barns, Palouse Falls
June and August harvest season
A week or two
Several campgrounds
Green River Lakes Region, WY: headwaters of the Green River, lakes, Squaretop Mountain, solitude, scenery
Spring, summer, fall
Weeks and weeks
USFS campgrounds, dispersed camping
Southeast Utah: red rock, Native American ruins and rock art, canyons, many back roads, Glen Canyon NRA
Spring and fall
Months and months
Campgrounds and dispersed camping
GSENM: red rocks, Burr Trail switchbacks, slot canyons, history, Long Canyon
Spring and fall
Months and months
Dispersed camping
Eastern Oregon: John Day National Monument, Steens Mountain, Owyhee/Succor Creek, Alvord Desert, hot springs, rock hounding
Spring and fall
Months and months
Dispersed camping and BLM, USFS, state campgrounds
Oregon Coast range: near the Oregon Coast, waterfalls, big trees, rivers, many roads
All seasons
Weeks and weeks
Campgrounds and dispersed camping
Gifford-Pinchot National Forest: between Mts Adams and St Helens, big trees, waterfalls, solitude, many roads, lakes, rivers
Spring, summer, fall
Weeks and weeks
USFS campgrounds, dispersed camping
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest: Mt Baker, Mt Shuksan, big trees, cascading rivers, hiking, scenic, gateway to North Cascades N P, Shannon and Baker Lakes, my backyard
All seasons
Months and months
USFS campgrounds, dispersed camping
One disturbing note: budget woes may close many of the roads that lead to hiking trail heads.
I have more but don't want to give up all our secret places. Happy trails.