Sol Neelman/The Oregonian

There are a lot of outstanding natural areas in Oregon, but only three places in the state have been officially designated as such.

The Bureau of Land Management reserves its Outstanding Natural Area designation for a place with “high scenic values that has been little altered by human impact.”

While that could seemingly apply to any number of places around the country, only 11 have earned the distinction: three in California, three in Utah, one in Montana, one in Florida and the three right here in Oregon.



These areas are also all designated as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, where special attention is required to protect historic, cultural or scenic resources, as well as wildlife habitats.

Behind these wonky designations are areas that are simply special. Whether it’s an ancient old-growth forest, old lava flows in the desert or a spectacular coastal headland, each place is worthy of our attention and praise.

These are the three Outstanding Natural Areas found around Oregon:

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Yaquina Head

One of many beautiful headlands on the Oregon coast, Yaquina Head in Newport is notable for its many natural and human-made features. The Yaquina Head Lighthouse is the most striking – at 162 feet tall, it's the tallest lighthouse in Oregon – but visitors can also go see harbor seals at Quarry Cove, get down to the ocean at Cobble Beach, and find spectacular views atop Salal Hill and Communications Hill. The interpretive center found within the park is also worth a visit, with great exhibits on wildlife and local history.



Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset, 7 a.m. to sunset from July 1 to Sept. 15. The park is at 750 N.W. Lighthouse Drive, Newport. Entrance fee is $7 per vehicle. Find more information at blm.gov or call 541-574-3100.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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Steven Nehl/The Oregonian

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Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian

Valley of the Giants

If the name doesn't catch your attention, a description might do the trick: Valley of the Giants is a pocket of incredible old-growth forest, home to some of the tallest and oldest Douglas fir and hemlock trees in Oregon. Found in the Coast Range between Salem and Lincoln City, the area is open to hikers via an easy 1.6-mile loop trail. The trailhead, however, isn't exactly easy to access. To get there, visitors must navigate a confusing maze of potholed forest roads that crisscross public and private land, and have to dodge logging trucks on the weekdays.



Anyone who wants to visit Valley of the Giants should call the Salem BLM office at 503-375-5646 for up-to-date conditions and directions.

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Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian

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Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Diamond Craters

Far out in the high desert of southeast Oregon, Diamond Craters is a series of small volcanic attractions, strung together by winding dirt roads. The craters formed sometime in the last 25,000 years, as molten basalt spilled forth from cracks in the earth, interacting with the environment in several fascinating ways. The result was features like Red Bomb Crater, Malheur Maar and several distinctive lava flows. There are 13 stops in all, which visitors can explore on their own or with the help of an auto tour brochure available online.



Diamond Craters is found in a remote area of southeast Oregon. From Burns, take Oregon Route 78 east, then Oregon Route 205 south. In 40.7 miles, turn left onto Diamond Lane. After 6.8 miles, turn left onto Lava Beds Road. In 3.2 miles, turn left onto a dirt road that leads into the natural area – look for a kiosk on the left just up the road. Dirt roads lead to various numbered attractions within Diamond Craters.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

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