East of the mountains, the land tends to be drier and harsher. A look at a map shows that the major cities are clustered in the western quarter of the state, but this does not mean the rest of the state should be excluded from your tour. Nearby is the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. The moist climate is perfect for many types of flowering bushes. Hendricks Park Rhododendron Garden is home to more than 6,000 rhododendrons and azaleas, while Owens Memorial Rose Garden boasts 5 fragrant acres of roses.
Migratory birds visit Klamath Basin on the Pacific flyway.
The habitat in this ecologically important basin is protected in the six national wildlife refuges that encompass the basin. Citizens have been able to keep their big city status while, at the same time, protecting the city's natural beauty and lushness. There are over 200 parks in the city. Salem, in western Oregon, is the state's third largest city.