Surrounded by natural beauty, Portland, Oregon, is perfectly situated for getting out of town and exploring. Within two hours, you can be at the coast, on the slopes of Mt. Hood, hiking behind a waterfall, or sipping your way through the Willamette Valley wineries.
With many of these ideas requiring little to no advanced planning it is easy to just hop in the car on a free weekend and see where the road takes you. With close-in destinations like the Columbia River Gorge and all-day treks into Central Oregon, there is no shortage of options to get you out and exploring this beautiful state.
So, if you’re ready to hit the road, then let’s get going and explore these ten fun day trips from Portland.
Columbia River Gorge
Just down the road from Portland is the outdoor playground of any adventurer’s dreams. Within the Gorge, you’ll find miles of trails leading to stunning vistas and towering waterfalls.
Add in rock climbing at Beacon Rock, windsurfing in Hood River, backpacking along Eagle Creek, and sightseeing at the numerous waterfalls that can be seen directly from the road. You could make a day trip to the gorge every weekend and never run out of things to do.
Best of all, it is less than an hour from Portland, which makes it the perfect afternoon getaway when you’re short on time.
Mount Hood
Located just an hour from Portland, Mt. Hood is the ultimate getaway, no matter the season. During the winter months, the mountain is filled with skiers at its numerous ski resorts, snowshoers exploring the wilderness at White River, and Nordic skiers out enjoying some solitude at Teacup.
During the summer months, when the snow has melted and the lakes have warmed up, you can make a day trip up to go hiking at McNeil Ridge, taking in the views at Trillium Lake, or go swimming at Lost Lake.
Willamette Valley Wine Country
It doesn’t take long once you leave the western Portland suburbs to start passing by the vineyards that line the foothills along the Willamette Valley.
It’s no wonder that many of these wineries are constantly busy, as getting to them can take as little as 30 minutes!
Packing a picnic and driving out to your favorite winery to taste their latest Pinot Noirs is a favorite pastime for many Portlanders and is one of the things that makes living here such an incredible experience.
Oregon Coast
When the temperatures in Portland start to hit the 90s, it’s time to join the masses on Highway 26 out to the coast. Here the temperatures will often be 20 – 30 degrees cooler than in the valley.
The drive is less than 90 minutes, which leaves plenty of time to explore spots like Ecola or Oswald West State Parks, taste your way through Cannon Beach at its numerous ice cream shops and cafes, or just kick back on the beach and enjoy the stunning views of Haystack Rock.
If you’re looking to escape the crowds at Cannon Beach, then head south to Manzanita. Here, you’ll get beaches that are just as nice without the crowded, touristy atmosphere.
Silver Falls State Park
Nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains an hour south of Portland, you’ll find a park that is teeming with waterfalls and makes for a perfect spring or fall day trip (the park is great in the summer, too, but there is something special about it during the shoulder seasons.)
Here, you can hike part of or all of the Trail of Ten Falls, which leads you past 10 different waterfalls, with the trail even taking you directly behind some.
During the fall months, the maples that line the trails begin changing colors, creating a vibrant display against the stunning waterfalls.
Hood River
Hood River is just the place when you need to escape the busy Portland life and trade it in, even if just for a few hours, for a quieter, laid-back vibe dominated by views of Mt. Hood and the orchards, vineyards, and lavender farms that dot the hillsides.
Start at Hood River Waterfront Park, which is filled with local breweries, coffee roasters, and restaurants.
From there, drive up through the famous Fruit Loop, which passes through the orchards that produce much of the state’s pears and apples. Mt. View Orchards is a must visit for their incredible views of Mt. Hood, massive U-pick orchards, and on-site brewery and winery.
Astoria
One of our favorite towns in all of Oregon, Astoria sits only 90 minutes from Portland which makes it the perfect distance for a day trip.
Here there are plenty of things to do like climb the Astoria Tower (don’t forget to grab a glider before you head up the stairs) for stunning view of the Columbia as it flows out to the Pacific Ocean, walk the waterfront trail, or check out the numerous breweries that call Astoria home.
When you’re ready for a bite to eat head over to the famous Bowpicker which serves tasty fish & chips out of an old fishing boat. Just make sure to bring cash as they don’t accept credit or debit cards.
McMinnville
McMinnville is known for being the unofficial seat of the Willamette Valley and its hundreds of wineries. But wine isn’t the only attraction in this charming Oregon town.
Pay a visit to the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, where you can check out the largest wooden plane in the world: the Spruce Goose. The museum is also home to numerous other planes, rockets, and displays to explore.
Once you’re done there head next door to the aviation themed water park which features avaiated themed water slides.
Sauvie Island
From berry picking season through pumpkin picking season Savie Island is hopping with Portlanders who want to try their hand at farm life. Even if only for an hour.
Here you can visit farms both large and small and try your hand at harvesting your own produce. If picking your own food isn’t quite your style there are plenty of farm stands where you can get fresh produce without getting your hands dirty.
For family fun, there are attractions like hay rides, corn mazes, and petting zoos.
Breitenbush Hot Springs
Day trippers looking for a day of relaxation should go no further than Breitenbush Hot Springs. This idyllic hot spring and lodge offers up both overnight accommodations and day passes for folks looking to soak in their relaxing tubs for a few hours.
This is a remote location deep in the hills above Detroit, Oregon, so be prepared to be without cell reception during your stay. Odds are you won’t even think about it once you enter one of the property’s soaking pools.
