Oregon, your coast sure is beautiful. But let’s not overlook those impressive mountains.

In this edition of RV Routes, our series about beautiful road trips in the region, we go from Mount Hood, Oregon’s highest point, to Crater Lake, the deepest lake in America. Along the way, we camp in gorgeous backcountry and enjoy the bustling, beer-friendly town of Bend.

Let’s hit the road.

Mount Hood

For certain members of the Going Mobile team (a.k.a. John), Mount Hood has a lot to recommend it in the summer. You can ski, bike and hike out of a base camp near the mighty mountain.

Timberline Lodge offers skiing through the summer, and even if you don’t hit the boards, you can still enjoy the views and the hiking in the area. At the very least, drive to the parking lot at Timberline and have a picnic.

Camping options: If you have a van, you can try to squeeze into one of the nearby Mount Hood National Forest campsites. The closest is Alpine Campground, which is a first-come destination, and just down the road is Still Creek Campground, which you can reserve on recreation.gov.

For bigger rigs, full hookups are available nearby (at the somewhat pricey) Mt. Hood Village. Farther away on the east side of the mountain, Hood River County also offers camping at Toll Bridge Park, which has many serviced sites.

Bend area

Two hours away is the recreation mecca of central Oregon. If you like the hustle and bustle of Bend, with its many recreation opportunities, shops, restaurants and breweries, consider staying near town at Tumalo State Park or in town at The Camp, a park that offers full hook-up sites.

And speaking of breweries, don’t miss Crux Fermentation Project, one of the best suds emporiums we’ve visited in our travels around the West.

But maybe beer isn’t your thing. We’ve also stayed nearby Bend in the cute town of Sisters, which has a charming city park called Sisters Creekside Campground, where full hookups are available. And in Deschutes National Forest near Bend, you’ll find a number of primitive campgrounds for a more rustic experience.

Crater Lake

Let’s end this road trip with a bang. Drive 100 miles south and prepare for your mind to be blown at Crater Lake National Park, a true wonder of the West. Its azure waters are fascinating to gaze upon from various vantage points along Rim Drive.

Check conditions before you go. The road, still melting out in early June, is scheduled to open for the summer season, but be aware that parts of the East Rim are under construction and will remain closed this year.

How did Crater Lake form? Prehistoric Mount Mazama blew its top in a cataclysmic eruption, leaving the crater we see today, which is fed by runoff from winter snows. Hiking and biking is excellent in this park, and if you want a bit of comfort, Crater Lake Lodge is a national treasure. Stop in for a meal -- just be prepared to wait for a table.

What about camping? On the north side of the park is Diamond Lake in Umpqua National Forest, which offers several beautiful campgrounds. For full hookups, Diamond Lake Resort, where we stayed last fall, is excellent. South of Crater Lake, we also had a nice experience at Waterwheel RV Park in Chiloquin.

If you want to stay in the park, Mazama Campground is your only option, and it's scheduled to open this month.

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