Horsens State Prison in central Denmark closed its doors in 2006 and was the home of some of the Nordic nation’s most high-profile criminals. FÆNGLSET, the state-of-the-art museum with a staggering collection of items tells the story of Denmark’s most famous prison.
Oregon: McMinnville – Vintages RV Park
🏕️ How We Fell Down a Very Specific Rabbit Hole
Before we finally took the leap into living full-time in a motorhome, we’d spent quite a long time fixating on the idea of smaller living — reducing our footprint, decluttering, simplifying. You know the sort of thing. We watched every documentary, every lifestyle programme, and every reality TV show we could find on the subject of motorhomes and tiny houses. Every. Single. One. Our friends and family had, shall we say, noticed. “Obsessive” was a word that came up more than once. Fair enough, really.
📺 Flyte Camp and the Joys of Trailer Telly
One programme we absolutely got hooked on was called Flippin’ RVs — a reality TV show built around a company called Flyte Camp, based right in our home town of Bend, Oregon. Bend, for those who don’t know it, is a rather pleasant mid-sized city in central Oregon, sitting at around 3,600 feet on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains. It’s the sort of place that attracts outdoorsy types and people who drink craft beer and think they’re living their best life. We fitted right in.
The show centred on Flyte Camp’s owners, Justin and Anna Scribner, and their small team of seriously talented craftsmen. The premise was straightforward: they took genuinely wrecked, thoroughly tired vintage travel trailers — the sort of battered old aluminium boxes that most people would cheerfully push into a ditch — and restored them. Not just slapped a bit of paint on them either. We’re talking full, painstaking, proper restorations. The results were, frankly, remarkable. In many cases, these trailers ended up better than they had ever been when they rolled out of the factory in the first place, back in the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s when American trailer culture was genuinely in its golden age.
🚐 A Brief, Unsolicited History of the American Travel Trailer
American travel trailers have quite a heritage, as it goes. The iconic Airstream — that gleaming, riveted aluminium torpedo — first appeared in the early 1930s, designed by Wally Byam, who had the rather grand ambition of making travel trailers that could, in his words, “take you anywhere and bring you back.” By the post-war boom of the late 1940s and 1950s, trailer living had become deeply embedded in American culture, with manufacturers like Spartan, Shasta, and Silver Streak turning out polished, often quite stylish units by the thousand. These weren’t just camping vehicles — they were, in many cases, genuinely designed homes on wheels, lovingly crafted and full of period character. Then, somewhere along the way, the build quality dropped off a cliff and they started making them out of what appears to be cardboard and optimism. Hence the need for people like Flyte Camp.
🌲 Enter Vintages — Oregon’s Finest Trailer Hotel
One of the recurring storylines in Flippin’ RVs involved the restoration work that Flyte Camp undertook for a rather clever little operation called Vintages Trailer Resort, located just outside the small Oregon town of McMinnville. McMinnville, if you’re curious, sits in the northern Willamette Valley, about 40 miles south-west of Portland, and is probably best known for its wine country, its annual UFO Festival — yes, really — and for being generally rather charming in that laid-back Pacific Northwest sort of way.
Vintages is technically a trailer park, but calling it that feels a bit like calling the Ritz a B&B. The resort has acquired a collection of 35 vintage trailers — proper vintage ones, from the classic era — which it lets out on a nightly basis, effectively running them as hotel accommodation. Each trailer has been fully restored and is comfortably and often quite luxuriously appointed inside, with all the essentials a paying guest might reasonably expect: heating, air conditioning, proper beds, and enough retro charm to keep the Instagram crowd very happy indeed.
It’s a genuinely clever idea, and watching Flyte Camp’s team bring these old trailers back to life specifically for Vintages made for compelling television — at least, it did for two people who were already dangerously close to selling the house and buying something with wheels.
🚐 The Neutron — Our Cosy Little Tin Can
As part of their work for Vintages, the clever lot at Flyte Camp designed and built a brand-new vintage trailer in the classic canned-ham style — that teardrop-ish, rounded shape that defined American road travel from the late 1940s right through to the 1960s. They called it the Neutron, and I have to say, the name rather suits it: small, energetic, and capable of creating an unexpected amount of chaos in a confined space.
The canned-ham trailer has a genuinely lovely history. The style emerged in post-war America when manufacturers like Shasta, Airstream’s cheaper cousins, and a dozen other now-forgotten outfits were churning out affordable little travel trailers for a newly mobile, optimistic public. The name came from the shape — rounded on the sides, slightly tapered at the ends — which did look remarkably like a tin of processed ham. Nobody seemed to mind the comparison at the time. America was on the move and people needed somewhere to sleep.
Naturally, when we booked our stay at Vintages, I made absolutely certain we were going into the Neutron, specifically the Couples Edition. I am nothing if not thorough when it comes to booking the most impractical option available.
It was, to put it diplomatically, compact. Cosy. Intimate, if you’re being charitable. The sort of space where you rapidly discover exactly how well you know another person. Somehow — and I genuinely have no idea how the designers managed it — they squeezed in a queen-sized bed, a proper bathroom, and, remarkably, a claw-foot bath. A claw-foot bath. In a trailer. Whoever came up with that deserves a knighthood, or at the very least a stiff drink and a lie-down.
The bathroom, I should mention, presented something of a personal challenge. At six foot five, I am not exactly the target demographic for a space apparently designed for a moderately sized labrador. There was a certain amount of architectural negotiation involved in every visit. We shall leave it at that.
But honestly? We absolutely loved it. There is something genuinely charming about the whole thing — the vintage aesthetic, the craftsmanship, the sheer audacity of fitting a claw-foot bath into something you could, in theory, tow behind a car. Highly recommended. Just perhaps not for anyone over six foot two.
🗺️ Getting Your Bearings — McMinnville and Beyond
The park itself sits a few miles outside McMinnville, a genuinely pleasant little town with a decent selection of restaurants and bars. It’s the sort of place that hasn’t yet been discovered by people who ruin places, which is always reassuring.
✈️ A Proper Detour for Aviation Nerds
If you’ve got even a passing interest in aviation — and frankly, you should — the Evergreen Aviation and Aerospace Museum is just down the road and absolutely worth your time. This is home to Howard Hughes’ magnificent Spruce Goose, the enormous flying boat that flew exactly once, in November 1947, before Hughes apparently decided that was quite enough of that. It is genuinely jaw-dropping in scale. Don’t skip it.
🍷 The Wine Will Help
The wider Willamette Valley region is internationally recognised for its wine production — particularly Pinot Noir — and McMinnville sits right in the thick of it. You can either pop into one of the tasting rooms in town or venture out to the vineyards themselves, where someone will pour you something rather good while you pretend to detect “hints of blackcurrant and wet gravel.”
🚐 The Verdict
So, if you fancy having a go at tiny trailer living, book yourself in for a weekend at Vintages and escape to a tranquil little corner of simpler times past. You might surprise yourself.
Planning Your Visit To Vintages RV Park
🍷 Overview
Tucked into the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, The Vintages Trailer Resort is a one-of-a-kind glamping destination that blends mid-century nostalgia with modern comfort. Situated within the 14-acre Willamette Wine Country RV Park, the resort offers guests the chance to stay in beautifully restored vintage trailers from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s — each one unique, characterful and thoughtfully equipped. Whether you are a wine enthusiast, a lover of retro Americana, or simply seeking a distinctive escape from the ordinary, The Vintages delivers an experience unlike any other in the Pacific Northwest.
With over 30 trailers available, including iconic Airstreams, Shasta Airflytes and the exclusive Neutron models, no two stays are ever quite the same. Each trailer has been fitted with 21st-century comforts while preserving its original vintage charm, making this resort a firm favourite with couples, families and solo travellers alike.
📍 Location
The Vintages Trailer Resort is located at 16205 SE Kreder Rd, Dayton, OR 97114, in the state of Oregon, USA. The resort sits halfway between the towns of Dundee and historic Downtown McMinnville, just off Highway 18, and is approximately one hour’s drive from Portland. Its central position within the Willamette Valley places guests within easy reach of hundreds of local wineries, tasting rooms, restaurants and outdoor attractions.
🌐 Website
📞 Contact Phone Number
+1 971-267-2130
✉️ Email
For reservation rate enquiries or Best Rate Guarantee claims, guests may also contact the reservations team at reservations@the-vintages.com.
🕓 Opening Times & Check-In
The resort operates year-round, with seasonal variations for certain amenities. Standard check-in is from 4 pm to 8 pm, and check-out is at 11 am. Early check-in and late check-out are available on a request basis; early check-in is subject to availability, while late check-out incurs an additional fee. Guests are advised to contact the resort directly to arrange either option.
The outdoor pool area is open seasonally from June through to October, weather permitting, with pool hours running from 10 am to 10 pm. The Fireside area is open year-round, weather permitting, with fire pits, music and lighting switched off no later than 8 pm.
💰 Entry Fees & Pricing
Trailer rates vary depending on the type and size of accommodation chosen. In addition to the nightly trailer rate, the following charges apply to all reservations:
State lodging tax of 1.5%, a local city tax of 8%, and a one-time cleaning fee of $45 are added to every booking. A security authorisation of $100 per day is required upon check-in to cover potential incidentals; this is released if no charges are incurred during the stay.
A third guest staying in the same trailer is charged an additional $35 per night. Children aged three years and under are exempt from this fee.
Guests bringing a dog are subject to a non-refundable pet fee of $75 per stay, applicable only to the resort’s Shasta trailers. A maximum of two dogs is permitted, provided their combined weight does not exceed 50 lbs.
Reservations cancelled by 4 pm, at least five days prior to arrival, are eligible for a full refund. Cancellations made within five days of arrival are subject to a cancellation fee equivalent to one night’s trailer rate plus applicable taxes.
🏕️ Facilities & Amenities
Every trailer at The Vintages comes furnished with hotel-quality bedding, luxurious terrycloth robes, L’Occitane toiletries, climate control (heating and air conditioning), a television, locally roasted pour-over coffee from Caravan Coffee, and an outdoor propane grill complete with all necessary cooking tools, crockery and utensils — including, of course, a wine opener.
Shared facilities across the resort include a swimming pool and hot tub, a fitness centre, a clubhouse, a laundry room, and additional bathroom and shower facilities located adjacent to the pool area — useful for guests whose trailers have compact onboard bathrooms. A general store on site stocks wine, beer and everyday provisions, while a neighbouring dog park provides an ideal space for canine guests.
Complimentary cruiser bikes are available to all guests, offering a pleasant way to explore the surrounding lanes and cross the bridge into the neighbouring town of Dayton. Outdoor lawn games are also available for use on the resort grounds.
🐾 Pets
The resort is dog-friendly, but with specific conditions. Dogs are permitted only in the Shasta trailers, with a maximum of two dogs per booking and a combined weight limit of 50 lbs. The non-refundable pet fee of $75 must be added at the time of booking via the “Stay & Play” add-on. Cats, birds and other animals are not permitted due to allergy concerns. Dogs must not be left unattended in the trailers at any time.
The Best Time to Visit Oregon
Oregon is one of the most geographically diverse states in the USA, encompassing rugged Pacific coastline, dense temperate rainforests, volcanic peaks, high desert plateaus, and fertile river valleys. Knowing when to visit — and where to go — makes all the difference between a memorable journey and a soggy disappointment. This guide breaks down the best times to visit by season and by region, with packing advice for each time of year.
🌸 Spring (March–May)
Spring is a season of dramatic transformation in Oregon. Wildflowers carpet the Columbia River Gorge and the Willamette Valley bursts into colour with cherry blossom and tulip blooms. The crowds are thin, prices are reasonable, and the landscape feels genuinely alive.
Willamette Valley & Portland Portland springs to life in April, with the Japanese Garden at its finest and the International Rose Test Garden beginning to bud. The city’s famous food markets and coffee culture are best enjoyed without summer queues. Expect overcast skies and regular showers through March, gradually giving way to mild, bright days in May. The valley’s wine country — particularly around Dundee Hills — is lovely in spring, with green vineyards and damp, fresh air.
Columbia River Gorge This is arguably the finest time to visit the Gorge. Waterfalls are thundering at full capacity from snowmelt, and the wildflower displays on the eastern side — particularly around Rowena Crest — are extraordinary in late March and April. The Historic Columbia River Highway is fully accessible and relatively uncrowded.
Oregon Coast Spring brings dramatic, brooding skies and powerful surf to the coast. While swimming is out of the question (it nearly always is), storm-watching and grey whale migration viewing (March–May) make this a compelling time to visit. Towns like Cannon Beach and Newport are quiet, and accommodation rates are significantly lower.
Central Oregon & the High Desert Bend and the surrounding high desert thaw slowly. March can still be wintry at elevation, but by May the Smith Rock State Park trails are in excellent condition and the crowds have not yet arrived. Wildflowers begin appearing on the desert floor in April and May.
Southern Oregon (Crater Lake, Rogue Valley) Crater Lake typically remains snowbound into May or even June. The rim road is often closed, though the park itself is accessible for snowshoeing. The Rogue Valley — home to Ashland’s Shakespeare Festival — opens its theatre season in February and runs through autumn, making spring an excellent time to combine culture and scenery.
🎒 What to Pack for Spring Layering is essential: a waterproof shell or rain jacket, fleece mid-layer, and moisture-wicking base layers. Pack waterproof walking boots for trail use, a compact umbrella for city days, and sun protection for the high desert and clear-day hikes. Temperatures swing considerably between coast, city, and high elevation — a light down gilet bridges the gap neatly.
☀️ Summer (June–August)
Summer is peak season across most of Oregon, and for good reason. The Cascades are fully accessible, the coast is reliably cool and bright, and long daylight hours give visitors maximum time outdoors. It is also the busiest and most expensive time to travel.
Portland & the Willamette Valley Portland summers are warm and largely dry — a genuine surprise to many visitors expecting Pacific gloom. Temperatures typically sit between 24°C and 30°C in July and August. The Saturday Market, food truck pods, and outdoor festivals are in full swing. The valley’s lavender farms and wineries welcome visitors from June onwards.
Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls are lower in volume than spring but the hiking trails are at their best — dry underfoot, with sweeping views along the gorge rim. Popular trails like Angel’s Rest and Dog Mountain can become very busy on weekends. Visit on weekdays or arrive early to secure parking.
Oregon Coast The coast is never hot — that is part of its charm. Summer averages sit around 16°C to 19°C, with frequent morning mist burning off by midday. The coastal towns are busy but not overwhelmed. Cannon Beach, Seaside, and Pacific City all have a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere even at peak times. Haystack Rock’s tide pools are best explored at low tide during long summer evenings.
Central Oregon & the High Desert Bend transforms into a hub of outdoor activity in summer. Mountain biking, white-water rafting on the Deschutes River, rock climbing at Smith Rock, and hiking around the Three Sisters Wilderness are all at their prime. Temperatures can exceed 35°C in July — hot by Oregon standards — and afternoon thunderstorms are possible. The high desert air is very dry, so hydration is critical.
Mount Hood & the Cascades Timberline Lodge is open year-round, but summer offers the full grandeur of the mountain without snow obscuring lower trails. Wildflower meadows bloom below treeline in July, and the Ramona Falls and Mirror Lake trails are among the finest day hikes in the state. Crater Lake’s rim road typically opens fully by late June, revealing one of the most vivid blue lakes on Earth.
Southern Oregon The Rogue River is superb for rafting and kayaking in summer. Illinois Valley is warm and dry, perfect for exploring the Oregon Caves National Monument. Ashland’s Shakespeare Festival is at its most vibrant in July and August, combining outdoor theatre with excellent local wine and food.
🎒 What to Pack for Summer Breathable, moisture-wicking layers work year-round on the coast; add a light fleece or windproof jacket for evenings. For the high desert and Cascades, sun cream with high SPF, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat are non-negotiable. Carry at least two litres of water per person for any hike above 900 metres. Sturdy trail shoes or boots, lightweight waterproof layer for afternoon thunderstorms, and insect repellent for forest trails round out the kit.
🍂 Autumn (September–November)
Autumn is many locals’ favourite season — and for good reason. Summer crowds fade, temperatures remain pleasant, the foliage turns spectacular, and the harvest season transforms the Willamette Valley and Rogue Valley into culinary destinations.
Portland & the Willamette Valley September is arguably the finest month in Portland. The city is warm, dry, and still lively, without the peak-season pressure. The Willamette Valley’s wine harvest begins in late September, and many wineries open their crush pads to visitors. October brings golden light and falling leaves to Forest Park — one of the largest urban forests in the USA — and the city’s autumn food scene is outstanding.
Columbia River Gorge Autumn foliage along the Gorge is stunning from mid-October into early November. The eastern end of the Historic Columbia River Highway offers particularly vivid colour against the basalt cliffs. Waterfalls return to reasonable volume as autumn rains begin, and weekend crowds drop significantly after Labour Day.
Oregon Coast Storm season begins in earnest by November, which is precisely why storm-watchers descend on Cannon Beach and Depoe Bay. September and October offer the most pleasant coast conditions — mild, bright afternoons and dramatic wave action. The famous grey whale southward migration begins in November.
Central Oregon & the High Desert September remains warm and dry in Bend. Smith Rock is glorious in autumn light, and the crowds thin considerably after the school holidays end. By October, nights are cold at elevation. Snow can arrive at altitude by late October, making early-season snowshoeing possible around Mount Bachelor.
Mount Hood & the Cascades Snow arrives at Timberline Lodge as early as October, and the ski season can begin by November. The autumn foliage in the Hood River Valley is among the most beautiful in the Pacific Northwest — paired with the valley’s famous apple and pear harvest, it makes an excellent weekend destination from Portland.
Southern Oregon Crater Lake in autumn is exceptional: cooler temperatures, thinner crowds, and the possibility of first snowfall dusting the rim for dramatic contrast against the lake’s deep blue. The Rogue Valley harvest season peaks in September and October, with farm stands lining the highways.
🎒 What to Pack for Autumn A quality waterproof jacket becomes increasingly important as the season progresses. Warm mid-layers, a wool or fleece hat, and gloves are sensible from October onwards. Waterproof walking boots are strongly advised for trail use. Pack a few lighter layers for early autumn warmth, transitioning to heavier insulation and thermals for November visits, particularly at elevation.
❄️ Winter (December–February)
Winter Oregon is not for everyone — but for those who seek solitude, dramatic scenery, and a genuine sense of wilderness, it offers something remarkable. Prices plummet, crowds disappear, and the landscape takes on a raw, elemental quality.
Portland & the Willamette Valley Portland winters are grey, damp, and mild — rarely below freezing in the city itself, but consistently overcast. This is the city at its most authentic: independent bookshops, coffee houses, museums, and covered markets come into their own when outdoor activities are curtailed. The Portland Art Museum and OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) are excellent rainy-day options. Occasional ice storms do occur and can disrupt travel — worth monitoring forecasts.
Columbia River Gorge Winter transforms the Gorge into something ethereal. Waterfalls partially freeze in hard cold snaps, ice coats the basalt walls, and the whole landscape is stripped back to its geological bones. Multnomah Falls is spectacular year-round and accessible even in winter. Many of the higher trails are closed or icy — check conditions before setting out.
Oregon Coast Storm-watching is the headline winter activity, and the Oregon Coast does it superbly. Hotels in Cannon Beach, Lincoln City, and Depoe Bay offer storm-watching packages during the roughest weather. The grey whale northward migration (December–January) is another draw. The coast remains relatively mild compared to inland Oregon, though wind chill can be brutal.
Central Oregon & the High Desert Mount Bachelor near Bend is one of the finest ski resorts in the Pacific Northwest, with a season typically running from November through April. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular alternatives for non-downhill skiers. Bend itself is surprisingly lively in winter, with a strong après-ski culture and a thriving local brewery scene.
Mount Hood & the Cascades Timberline Lodge — Oregon’s most iconic building — comes fully into its own in winter. Skiing and snowboarding on the mountain are excellent, and the historic lodge itself is a destination in its own right. Government Camp and surrounding communities offer a genuine mountain winter experience less than 90 minutes from Portland.
Southern Oregon (Crater Lake) Crater Lake in winter is one of Oregon’s most dramatic sights: the deep blue lake, the snow-covered rim, and the near-absolute silence. Access is limited to the south entrance, and the rim drive is closed, but ranger-led snowshoe walks are available on weekends. It is not easy to reach in winter, but for those who make the effort, it is genuinely unforgettable.
🎒 What to Pack for Winter Thermal base layers, a heavy insulating mid-layer, and a fully waterproof and windproof outer shell are essential. Waterproof boots with good ankle support and grip (or attachable microspikes for icy trails) are strongly advised. Pack warm accessories — hat, gloves, buff or scarf — and carry emergency layers if venturing to elevation. Driving in winter may require snow chains in mountain areas: check Oregon DOT road conditions before any mountain journey
🌟 The Overall Best Time to Visit Oregon
If forced to name a single best time to visit Oregon, late May through early October offers the most dependable conditions across the widest range of regions and activities. September stands out as the sweet spot: the summer crowds have thinned, the weather remains warm and mostly dry across the state, autumn colour is beginning in the mountains, the Willamette Valley harvest is under way, and accommodation rates start to ease. The coast is at its most pleasant, Crater Lake’s rim road is still open, and Portland is warm enough to explore entirely on foot.
That said, Oregon rewards visitors in every season. A winter storm-watcher on the coast, a spring wildflower hiker in the Gorge, or a ski week at Mount Bachelor will each find their own version of the state at its finest. The real key is matching your chosen region and activity to the season — Oregon is too varied and too dramatic to be reduced to a single best time. Choose your landscape, then let the season follow.
More to Explore
