Best Nature Day Trips From Portland, Oregon

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Not only is Portland, Oregon one of the quirkiest and weirdest large cities in the U.S.—“Keep Portland Weird” is a sign you see all over the city—but it’s also the perfect base to explore the exceptionally varied and beautiful landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.

Start your day with a cup of fair-trade coffee at a hip coffee bar before picking one of the many nature day trips from Portland below. Afterward, you can chill out and relive your adventures at one of the 50+ craft breweries in Portland.

Best Day Trips From Portland, Oregon For Nature Lovers

The number of nature destinations and awesome national parks near Portland is simply amazing.

From the snow-capped volcanoes of the Cascade Range to countless waterfalls and the always-glorious Oregon Coast, you won’t have any trouble leaving the busy city behind for a day.

Do you want to go for a challenging day hike? Do some sunset photography? Maybe even spend the afternoon skiing down a volcano? See ten beautiful waterfalls in just a few hours? Visit a national park? No matter what you’re looking for, a short road trip from Portland can deliver it.

Below, I’ve compiled a list of the best day trips from Portland. They’re ranked according to distance and driving time from downtown Portland.

1. Forest Park (5 miles / 15 min)

One of the largest urban forests in the U.S., Portland’s Forest Park features more than 80 miles (130 kilometers) of trails and forest roads, including the 30-mile (50-kilometer) Wildwood Trail.

It encompasses 5,200 acres (21 km²) of mainly second-growth forest with substantial undergrowth of ferns and mosses.

It’s extremely accessible, located only 15 minutes from downtown Portland in the Tualatin Mountains (which I can see from our apartment).

Even though it’s so close to the city, it’s an entirely different world. Forest Park, for example, is home to more than 100 bird species and 60 different mammals, including northern flying squirrels, Roosevelt elk, bobcats and black-tailed deer.

This amazing park is one of the main tourist attractions in Portland. Especially notable in this area are the Stone House ruins and the hike up to Pittock Mansion, which offers sensational views of Portland and Mt. Hood.

2. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (25 miles / 40 min)

If you’re after lush nature near Portland, Oregon, the most famous place to go is arguably the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

Located just 30 minutes east of downtown Portland, it’s home to numerous gorgeous waterfalls and pristine old-growth forest, all lining the Historic Columbia River Highway.

Everyone will agree that the absolute star attraction here is Multnomah Falls. Tumbling down a sheer cliff, this 611-foot (186-meter) two-tiered waterfall attracts huge crowds every single day.

Although it’s definitely a must-see waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge, there are several quieter ones as well. Don’t miss Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Wahkeena Falls and Wahclella Falls, just to name a few.

Additionally, the Columbia River Gorge is also famous for its spectacular wildflowers in spring. Between April and June, the hills, plateaus and meadows in the eastern Gorge, east of Hood River, boasts and stunningly colorful display of balsamroot, lupines, Indian paintbrush and dozens of other flower species.

As far as world-class scenic drives near Portland go, there’s no easier one than this. Consider going on a weekday, though, as weekends can get very crowded here.

3. Silver Falls State Park (55 miles / 1 h 15 min)

Sometimes called the “crown jewel” of the Oregon state parks system, Silver Falls State Park is the largest and one of the most popular state parks in the state. It lies a short drive east of Salem and south of Portland, an easily accessible wonderland of woods and waterfalls.

The park offers excellent mountain biking and horseback riding, but the most popular activity here is hiking. No visit to Silver Falls State Park is complete without hiking the Trail of Ten Falls.

As its name clearly indicates, this 7.2-mile (11.6-kilometer) trail takes you past no fewer than ten waterfalls.

This includes popular South Falls, but also more remote falls like Double Falls. The trail runs behind a few of the waterfalls, too, which is always a fun experience. Visit in the fall for glorious colors and high water volumes.

4. Mt. Hood National Forest (60 miles / 1 h 20 min)

When it comes to finding the biggest bang for your buck, Mt. Hood National Forest is where it’s at.

The tallest mountain in Oregon, Mt. Hood towers over the area’s Cascade Mountains and is clearly visible from downtown Portland (especially from Pittock Mansion, which you can access via above-mentioned Forest Park’s Wildwood Trail).

Find the best places to see Mount Hood here!

A major Cascade Range volcano, Mt. Hood is arguably the most spectacular natural feature near Portland. Drive the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway, which swings around the south side of the mountain, and visit places like Government Camp, the historic Timberline Lodge and Trillium Lake.

There’s an abundance of hiking opportunities at Mt. Hood. Hike the Tom, Dick and Harry Mountain Trail past Mirror Lake, go for a wander on the Timberline Trail, or stroll around Trillium Lake.

Alternatively, you can venture a bit further into the wilderness, where black bears and mountain lions roam, and hike to McNeil Point or visit the Lost Lake area on the northwestern flank of Mt. Hood.

You can also combine your Portland day trip to Mt. Hood with a drive through the Columbia River Gorge, thus creating a rather long, but nothing short of spectacular, loop drive. Leave early for this one, though. There’s plenty to see and do on the way.

And your trip options aren’t limited to summer alone. Mt. Hood also makes for one of the absolute best winter day trips from Portland, its slopes transformed into bustling winter sports resorts. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, too, are popular winter activities here.

5. Ecola State Park & Cannon Beach (80 miles / 1 h 30 min)

There are many things that make a Portland to Cannon Beach day trip a great way to spend a day. It’s the coastal town closest to the city, a straightforward drive northwest along Route 26.

Like many other towns on the windswept Oregon Coast, it’s rather small but undeniably busy. This is where many Portlanders go on a sunny weekend day. Therefore, if you’d like to find a parking spot, consider visiting during the week.

Cannon Beach is famous for its impressive sea stacks, known as Haystack Rock and The Needles, which are super-photogenic at sunset. A wide sandy beach provides plenty of space for sunbathers to claim their own spot.

A few minutes north of Cannon Beach lies Ecola State Park, one of the numerous state parks on the Oregon Coast.

This park embodies why beach day trips from Portland are so ridiculously popular. It’s super-accessible and beautiful beyond words—the view of Crescent Beach from Ecola Point is one of the most photographed landscapes on the coast of Oregon.

6. Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area (95 miles / 2 h)

Along with Cape Meares and Cape Lookout, Cape Kiwanda is part of the Three Capes Scenic Route, a beautiful drive along the Oregon Coast. Although it’s the smallest of the three capes, Kiwanda is the best spot to see dramatic wave action.

The cape lies in Pacific City, a small yet busy coastal town so typical of the Oregon Coast. Highlights are plentiful, making this one of the best day trips from Portland to the coast.

In the afternoon, you can watch the iconic dory boats scoot back up the beach, while evenings provide spectacular sunsets from the cape.

Cape Kiwanda is also a prime whale-watching spot on the coast of Oregon. Hike up the massive sand dune near Pelican Brewing Company and scout the ocean for spouts.

7. Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (110 miles / 2 h)

The May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens was one of the most catastrophic natural events in the history of the U.S. An earthquake caused the mountain’s entire north face to collapse, which was followed by a massive explosion of rocks and gas.

The eruption column rose to a height of 80,000 feet (which is about 15 miles or 24 kilometers). Huge volcanic mudslides called lahars came rushing down the mountain, reaching as far away as the Columbia River, 50 miles (80 kilometers) to the south.

This cataclysmic event killed 57 people and thousands of animals, and also leveled hundreds of square miles of forest.

The eruption left an enormous crater on Mount St. Helens’ north side, which is now the focal point of Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, created in 1982.

The main visitor area is the Johnston Ridge Observatory, which has a wealth of information, spectacular views and a few great hiking trails.

I recommend visiting in summer, when millions of wildflowers carpet the fertile volcanic plains and slopes, perhaps on a once-in-a-lifetime Pacific Northwest national parks road trip.

8. Smith Rock State Park (140 miles / 2 h 45 min)

One of the Seven Wonders of Oregon, Smith Rock State Park is small but spectacular. It lies in the High Desert of central Oregon, a short drive north of Redmond and Bend.

The drive from Portland is just under three hours, a scenic journey through Mt. Hood National Forest to a completely different part of the state.

Smith Rock rises majestically above the desert plains that surround it on all sides. It’s a rock climber’s paradise, the very birthplace of modern American sport climbing.

There are literally thousands of different climbing routes here, more than 1,000 of which are bolted. In addition to climbing, the park offers fantastic hiking—I recommend the 3.7-mile (6-kilometer) Misery Ridge Loop—, horseback riding and mountain biking as well.

It’s a good idea to plan your day trip from Portland to Smith Rock on a weekday. This is a very busy destination and finding a parking spot can be difficult on weekends.

9. Mount Rainier National Park (145 miles / 2 h 45 min)

Of all these one-day trips around Portland, Mount Rainier National Park is the furthest destination. It’s also the nearest national park to Portland, a place of stunning natural beauty.

So, if you’re willing to get up very early in the morning and get back well after dark, this is a park you really shouldn’t miss.

Centered on Mount Rainier itself, a massive volcano boasting no fewer than 25 major glaciers, the park encompasses everything from old-growth forests to gorgeous subalpine wildflower meadows to spectacular waterfalls.

The drive from Portland to Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park may take about 2.5 hours, but it’s oh-so worth it.

On a Portland day trip, I suggest focusing on the Paradise area. Visit the historic Paradise Inn, a prime example of National Park Service rustic, and hit the fantastic Skyline Trail Loop for epic panoramic views, wildflowers and waterfalls.

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Where to Stay in Portland, Oregon

If you’re looking for the best day trips from Portland, you’re pretty likely to actually stay in the city, right?

So, to further help you plan the best Portland day trip and visit, I’ve collected some of the best places to stay in the city below.

Hotels

• The Nines, A Luxury Collection Hotel Portland — A classy five-star hotel next to Pioneer Square in Downtown Portland, with two restaurants, a billiards and pool room, room service, and much more.
• Hotel deLuxe — Located within walking distance from the Alphabet District, Downtown and Pearl District, offering bicycle rentals and fitness class passes, and serving specialty cocktails and international cuisine.
• Kimpton Hotel Monaco Portland — Featuring a beautiful interior design and a top location, as well as a whisky library, free use of bicycles, and a spa and wellness center in Downtown Portland.
• McMenamins Crystal Hotel — Unique accommodation in a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places between the Pearl District and Downtown, boasting multiple on-site bars, live entertainment, and musically themed rooms, as well as a restaurant and below-street-level soaking pool.
• Ace Hotel Portland — Popular Downtown Portland hotel with its own coffee place, restaurant with open kitchen, rooms with painted murals, and wonderful industrial-style decor.

Hostels

• HI Portland Northwest Hostel
• HI Portland Hawthorne District Hostel

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Recommended Portland Coffee Places

The Pacific Northwest is renowned for its coffee culture and you’ll definitely notice why when wandering Portland’s streets.

There are coffee roasters, houses and shops at virtually every corner. So, start your day off properly with a hot, freshly brewed cup of coffee at one of the following places.

• Nossa Familia Coffee
• Sisters Coffee Company
• Black Rock Coffee Bar
• Barista
• See See Motor Coffee Co.

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Recommended Portland Craft Breweries

It’s no stretch to call Portland the craft beer capital of the U.S. With almost 60 breweries in Portland and more than 80 in the Portland Metro, this is a dream destination for lovers of the golden liquid.

As an avid beer drinker myself, I’ve visited several of Portland’s best breweries. These are my favorites.

• Breakside Brewery
• Cascade Brewing Barrel House
• Upright Brewing
• Baerlic Brewing Co.
• Stormbreaker Brewing
• Culmination Brewing
• Threshold Brewing & Blending
• Little Beast Brewing Beer Garden

There’s no better way to cap off a Portland road trip day than kicking back at a local craft brewery.

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Must-Do Activities in Portland

Earlier in this post, I mentioned Portland’s favorite slogan, “Keep Portland Weird”. That weirdness, of which the city is so proud, is duly reflected in the variety of Portland’s attractions.

So, while I’ve dedicated this post to the best places to visit near Portland for nature lovers, I can’t leave out some of the top things to do in downtown Portland. The beauty of the City of Roses lies its combination of outdoor activities and urban fun.

So, complete your ultimate Portland experience and include these ten essential things to do in Portland in your plans.

1. Smell the roses at the International Rose Test Garden.
2. Get lost in the literary paradise that is Powell’s City of Books, the world’s largest independent bookstore.
3. Enjoy the view of Portland and Mt. Hood from Pittock Mansion.
4. Stroll or bike along the Willamette River on the Eastbank Esplanade.
5. Get a box of Voodoo Doughnuts.
6. Spend a morning sipping tea at the Lan Su Chinese Garden.
7. Wine and dine in the Pearl District.
8. Shop for art and crafts at the Portland Saturday Market.
9. Visit one of the 40+ strip clubs, one of Portland’s many alternative claims to fame.
10. Grab lunch at a Portland food cart pod.

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Multi-Day Trips From Portland, Oregon

If you have more than just one day for a road trip from Portland, I recommend the following destinations.

They’re a bit further from the city, but still reachable well within half a day’s drive. If you do decide to visit one of them, do it justice and spend at least two nights there.

• Deschutes National Forest, Oregon (190 miles / 3 h 45 min)
• Painted Hills and John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon (200 miles / 4 hours)
• Crater Lake National Park, Oregon (270 miles / 4 h 30 min)
• Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, Oregon (315 miles / 5 h 45 min)
• Olympic National Park, Washington (230 miles / 4 h 15 min)
• North Cascades National Park, Washington (280 miles / 5 h)

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There, this should get you well on your way as far as planning the best day trip from Portland goes. If you have any other suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below!

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