Top 4 Day Trips from Portland, Oregon

I lived in Portland, Oregon for 6 months. Here are my top 4 favorite day trips to get out of the city- all under 2 hours drive! These trips highlight the varied natural beauty that the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

Columbia River Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge starts less than an hour east of Portland. The Gorge is a national scenic area surrounding the Columbia River canyon. It’s 80 miles long and 4000ft deep. It is filled with hikes, waterfalls and of course the beautiful Columbia River. One of the most notable sights in the Gorge is Multnomah Falls which is considered the most visited national recreation site in the Pacific Northwest.

If you are visiting Portland, the Columbia River Gorge should be at the top of your don’t miss list. Click here to find out everything you need to know before visiting the Gorge.

The Trail of 10 Falls

If you want to see the most waterfalls for the least amount of effort, this hike is for you.

The Trail of 10 Falls is located in Silver Falls State Park. It is just under 1.5 hours from Portland.

When arriving at Silver Falls State Park, park at the main south entrance. There is a $5 fee to park. The Trail of 10 Falls is actually a combination of the parks canyon trail and rim trail, but it’s fairly easy to follow. You’ll start at the South Falls Lodge Trailhead (just past a little cafe and restrooms).

The hike is an 8 mile loop, but it’s a fairly flat/easy 8 miles. This hike does tend to get pretty muddy, but it’s well worth it. With 10 waterfalls within 8 miles, it’s no wonder that this is one of the top rated trails in Oregon.

The Oregon Coast

Another area you can’t miss during your visit to Portland is the Oregon Coast. The closest access to Portland that I recommend is Cannon Beach– home of the famous Haystack Rock. Another beach town, Seaside, is just as close to Portland, but it is more touristy. All the Portland locals I talked to agreed that Cannon Beach is better. Cannon Beach is 1.5 hours west of Portland.

The coast in Oregon is absolutely beautiful, but very different from the beaches of Florida or Southern California. The closest comparison I can think of is Big Sur on the central California Coast- but it still has it’s own flair.

A couple of tips I learned about the Oregon Coast-

• It’s great for wildlife viewing- check out the tide pools (during low tide) at Haystack Rock or go whale watching at Depoe Bay further south.

• The weather can change quickly- bring a sweater and a rain jacket if you are visiting an Oregon beach
• The weather on the coast typically contrasts the weather in Portland. Cold and rainy in Portland? Head to the beach for nicer weather. Before I knew this fun fact, I took my mom to the Oregon Coast for a roadtrip. It was the hottest week of the summer hitting triple digits in Portland, but we were cold at the beach (especially due to the wind).

If you want to see more of Oregon’s coast, checkout this roadtrip I planned from Astoria, Oregon down to Otter Rock, Oregon.

Mount Hood

Mount Hood is the gorgeous mountain (technically a volcano) that you can see east of Portland on a clear day. It takes around 1 hour 40 min to get there from the city.

During the winter, Mount Hood has several options for snow sports and snow skiing. In the warmer months, this area hosts some excellent hiking trails, rivers and lakes. One of the most scenic spots I found in the summer is Trillium Lake (pictured below)- it does get crowded on warm days, so plan accordingly.

I hope you enjoy these 4 amazing, scenic day trips located within 2 hours of Portland, Oregon!

Willing to drive a little further for a day trip? Mount Rainier National Park is 3 hours from Portland. It’s a lot of driving, but it was totally worth it. I chose to hike Skyline Loop in Mount Rainier– highly recommend!

Looking for a longer roadtrip in the state of Oregon? Check out this 5 day roadtrip.