The 14 Best Day Trips from Portland, Oregon

If you are lucky enough to live in Portland or even if you are just visiting here, you have so many great nearby places to visit. Day trips from Portland include a range of destinations that involve hiking, sightseeing, wine tasting, beach combing, shopping, and so much more. The longest I would be willing to drive for a day trip is 2 hours. Therefore, all these locations listed are 2 hours away or less from Portland making them the perfect day trip destinations.

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When to Visit

The best time to visit Oregon is April to June and September through October when crowds are not quite as busy as the summer. July and August are the best times to visit for sunny days if you do not mind the crowds. April to June can be very wet and rainy, but it is also wildflower season which adds to the beauty of the state. If you can do your day trips from Portland on a weekday, you can avoid the weekend rush from the Portland locals.

Entrance Fees

Oregon State Parks require a day pass of $5 which can be paid with cash at parking lots or trailheads. There are no attendants at the parking lots or trails, so you will need to bring exact change just in case there is not a meter that accepts credit cards. You can also purchase an annual Oregon state park pass here for $30.

If you are visiting the Columbia River Gorge area and have a NW Forest Pass, or a National Park Interagency Pass, you can display your permit on your dash and not pay the daily fee. The Columbia River Gorge Waterfall Corridor has become so popular that there is now a timed access permit required if you are visiting from the end of May to the beginning of September from 9am to 6pm. You can get your permits here.

If you are visiting the Oregon coast, you may consider buying an Oregon Pacific Coast Passport. This is an interagency pass that allows access to lands operated by the National Park Services, Bureau of Land Management, and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department along Highway 101, the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway.

What to Pack

Water!! Whether you use a hydration backpack or carry bottled water, make sure to pack plenty of water when outdoors!
Bug Spray – Keep those pesky bugs away!
Sunscreen – Protect your skin from the sun, and do not forget to reapply.
Hat – More sun protection to block the sun from your face
Hiking shoes/boots – Here are the men‘s version of the hiking shoes I love.
Hiking socks – The best way to prevent blisters is by keeping your feet dry. Moisture-wicking socks are the best way to do that.
Backpack – A backpack is a necessity when hiking to carry your water, snacks, sunscreen, etc. that you may need on your longer hikes.
Hiking Poles – Hiking poles help relieve some of the energy used by your legs when hiking.
RTIC Soft-Sided Cooler – Keep your drinks cool (or sandwich stuff if you are on a budget) in this easy to pack cooler.
Packing Cubes – Keep your stuff organized in your luggage with these packing cubes.
Rain Jacket – Rain can (and probably will) occur at some point while in Oregon, so make sure to pack your men’s or women’s rain jacket.
Jacket – Even in warmer months, the temps can be cool so pack a light men’s or women’s jacket.

1. Astoria

Distance from Portland – 98 miles, 2 hours

Astoria is a town on the northwest point of Oregon near the mouth of the Columbia River that is also the film location for movies like The Goonies and Kindergarten Cop. The town has so much to do and see that you can spend a few days here, but it also a nice place to visit on day trips from Portland. You can visit the Astoria Column to get 360-degree views 600 feet above sea level. The Flavel House Museum and Columbia River Maritime Museum are fun educational activities to do. You can also take it easy with a stroll around downtown or Riverwalk and have a beer at one of the many local breweries.

2. Cannon Beach

Distance from Portland – 79 miles, 1 hour 25 minutes

Cannon Beach is my favorite quaint coastal Oregon town. The town is known for Haystack Rock, one of Oregon’s most recognizable landmarks. If you walk the beach during low tide, you can see the tidepools around the rock as well as you may luck into finding sand dollars. The town itself has super cute boutiques to shop for gifts and souvenirs. Cannon Beach is also the gateway to Ecola State Park which has hiking trails, beach access, and views of Tillamook Lighthouse.

3. Cape Meares

Distance from Portland – 82 miles, 1 hour 45 minutes

As you arrive to Cape Meares, step out onto the viewing platform to see dramatic views of waves crashing into seaside cliffs. Walk down the trail towards the Cape Meares Lighthouse which was first lit in 1890. This stubby lighthouse is the shortest on the Oregon Coast. Walk past the restrooms on a well-maintained trail for approximately 0.1 miles to witness the Octopus Tree. How this Sitka spruce came to look like this is a bit of a mystery. The tree has no central trunk and measures 46 feet in circumference at the base. It is about 105 feet tall and is estimated to be 250-300 years old.

4. Columbia River Gorge

Distance from Portland – 31 miles, 30 minutes

Columbia River Gorge - Best Day Trips from Portland

In my opinion, the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area is one of the best day trips from Portland. The Historic Columbia River Highway stretches 75 miles from Troutdale through Hood River to The Dulles. Completed in 1922, this scenic byway can take hours or can take days to complete depending on how many stops you make. Gorgeous roadside waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and epic trailheads are just some of the stops you can make along this trek of land.

5. Fort Stevens State Park

Distance from Portland – 92 miles, 1 hour 45 minutes

Fort Steven State Park - Best Day Trips from Portland

The Peter Iredale in Fort Stevens State Park ran aground in 1906 where it has been decaying ever since. At low tide, you can walk right up to the ship remains. You could spend a lot of time exploring Fort Stevens State Park. The earthen fort was used during the Civil War and World War II to protect from enemy ships entering the mouth of the Columbia River. The 4,300-acre parks also offers many recreational activities such as hiking, biking, camping, and wildlife viewing.

6. Hood River

Distance from Portland – 62 miles, 1 hour

Hood River - Best Day Trips from Portland

Hood River is a mecca for kite surfing and kiteboarding. With average winds sustaining at 25 mph, kite surfing is one of the best things to do in Hood River throughout the summer. The Hood River area is just one of Oregon’s wine regions that produces a variety of wine including the unique pear wines.

The Hood River Fruit Loop is one of the most fun-filled things to do in Hood River because it combines many activities into one outing. This drive-able loop starts in Hood River, travels south along Highway 35 and then back north on Highway 281. Along with being a beautiful drive with views of vineyards, orchards, and Mt. Hood, you can stop at several fruit stands, vineyards and other stops. Click here for a map of the Fruit Loop and the sponsored stops. Make sure to check this harvesting schedule, so you know what fruits will be in season during your visit.

7. Mount Hood

Distance from Portland – 99 miles, 1 hour 50 minutes

If you are looking for day trips from Portland in the winter and early spring,you can ski at nearby Mt. Hood. Mt. Hood Meadows and Timberline Ski Area are two ski and snowboard resorts on Mt. Hood and are located about an hour south of Hood River. This peak is the tallest mountain in Oregon and receives a lot of snowfall, so the skiing season is long and can last from November to the end of May.

8. Mount St. Helens

Distance from Portland – 75 miles, 1 hour 45 minutes

Mount St. Helens is an active volcano that had a massive eruption in 1980 and is located north of Portland in Washington. In 1982, the U.S. government named this as a National Volcanic Monument, and it spans 110,000 acres. Make sure to stop at the visitor center to get your questions answered before exploring the numerous viewpoints and miles of hiking trails. With a permit, you can even make the trek to the crater rim which gains 4,500 feet in just 5 miles.

9. Oceanside

Distance from Portland – 82 miles, 1 hour 30 minutes

Tunnel Beach - Best Day Trips from Portland

Oceanside is a super cute town that does not look like any of the other coastal towns on the Oregon Coast. The houses are nestled into the hillside and resemble something you would see in Italy. When you walk onto the Oceanside Beach, head north toward the cliff where the beach ends. Here you will find a manmade tunnel that leads to Tunnel Beach. Make sure to bring a light source with you (your camera flashlight will do) as part of the tunnel is fairly dark. There are some rocks you will have to traverse in this darker area before stepping out to the view you see in the picture above.

10. Pacific City

Distance from Portland – 96 miles, 1 hour 50 minutes

Pacific City is the first stop on the Three Capes Scenic Lookout and is also located next to Cape Kiwanda. This is probably one of the least visited day trips from Portland if you are looking for seclusion. Have dinner and a brew at Pelican Brewery located right on the beach. Just north of Pelican Brewery on the beach is a giant sand dune where you can slide down on sandboards. Cape Lookout is another beach located nearby where we found a plethora of sand dollars during low tide.

11. Silver Falls State Park

Distance from Portland – 55 miles, 1 hour 15 minutes

Silver Falls State Park - Best Day Trips from Portland

Located in Oregon’s Silver Falls State Park, the Trail of Ten Falls is a moderately difficult hike where you get to witness ten breathtaking waterfalls and one of the most awe-inspiring day trips from Portland. In order to see all ten waterfalls, you will have to hike the full trail that is reported to be 7.4 miles. This total length may be too challenging for some visitors, so there are several trail options laid out in How to Hike Oregon’s Trail of Ten Falls. No matter which version of the Trail of Ten Falls you opt to hike, you will not be disappointed in these waterfalls.

12. Tillamook

Distance from Portland – 74 miles, 1 hour 20 minutes

The best thing to do in Tillamook is visit the Tillamook Creamery. This factory has a self-guided tour that shows you the cheese-making process and ends with a free cheese tasting. If that is not enough dairy for you, you can order cheese curds (or other food options) in the cafe or enjoy a scoop of ice cream. Spend time shopping in the large gift shop for Tillamook dairy products or other souvenirs. You may have a tummy ache by the end of this day trips from Portland!

13. Willamette Valley

Distance from Portland – 30 miles, 1 hour

Willamette Valley - - Best Day Trips from Portland

Willamette Valley is a region of Oregon that produces world class wine from over 600 different wineries. Willamette Valley is comprised of four sub-valleys: North Valley, Mid-Valley, South Valley and West Cascades. This region has more than just wine tasting. You can explore the area’s waterways, waterfalls, forests, and Willamette River through hiking and biking trails.

14. Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm

Distance from Portland – 34 miles, 45 minutes

During the month of April, day trips from Portland must include a trip to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival when it is peak tulip blooming season. Meander the colorful fields for the perfect picture opportunities. Festival activities include food and shop vendors, vineyard tours, tulip tour train. You can also taste wine in the tasting room and shop in one of the gift shops. See the rainbow fields from the sky in a hot air balloon!