Coming up with the best day trips from Portland, Oregon was easy given it’s so centrally located. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a blast to visit on its own. But if you go often, you might as well dedicate a day to exploring nearby areas in Washington and Oregon.
If you need an excuse to go wine tasting, skiing, hiking, or just explore a new downtown, here are my favorite spots worth a day trip from Portland!
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Best Day Trips from Portland
Save this to Pinterest for later, as I’ll update it as I discover more day trips from Portland!
Vancouver, WA
distance from PDX: ~20 min (get directions) | best for: downtown
Most people drive straight through Vancouver since it’s the last town in Washington before you cross the border into Oregon, but I find it to be an underrated town with plenty of things to do.
Whenever I visit, I always check out the downtown shops along Main and Washington Street for antiques and thrifted goodies. Being so close to Portland also means there’s no shortage of good restaurants, be it Little Conejo for street tacos or DEDIKO for authentic Georgian food.
In the evening, I like to stroll along the Vancouver Waterfront. It overlooks the Columbia River and is lined with restaurants and wine tasting rooms. Visiting during the spring and early fall is especially gorgeous when the weather is cooperative, and the flowers are blooming.
Columbia River Gorge
distance from PDX: ~20 min (get directions) | best for: waterfalls, hikes, and scenic viewpoints
The Columbia River Gorge is a 90-mile stretch of canyon that begins just east of Portland and separates Washington from Oregon state. Most people visit in the summer for the countless hiking trails, waterfall views, and surrounding wineries. I’m partial to visiting in the springtime when the flowers begin to bloom or in the fall to beat the crowds and check out the fall foliage.
I created a whole Columba River Gorge waterfalls map, but I’ll cut to the chase and mention Multnomah Falls, one of the largest and easiest to access. You can see it from the highway, and the short hike up gives you an even better vantage point.
Of course, being that far east means there are quite a few wineries, so check out my list of favorite Columbia River Gorge wineries before you embark on your day trip from Portland!
Mt. Hood
distance from PDX: ~1 hr 30 min (get directions) | best for: skiing and hiking
If you go to the Gorge, you might as well dip into Mt. Hood about 45 minutes south of Hood River. It’s one of my favorite spots for skiing, with four resorts catering to different crowds. I break them all down and highlight my favorite resorts for cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, and snow tubing in my guide to Mt. Hood.
As for when to go, I usually visit between January and March for skiing, but Timberline is at a high enough elevation that it has snow 10 months out of the year. So going in the late winter/early spring means the kids will back in school, but you’ll still have plenty of powder days.
Cannon Beach
distance from PDX: ~1 hr 30 min (get directions) | best for: beaches
Most people know Cannon Beach for Haystack Rock, and while I agree it’s worth a photo-op, there are way more things to do near Cannon Beach other than check out the rocks.
For starters, there are quite a few cutesy shops between Cannon Beach and the neighboring towns of Seaside (north) and Manzanita (south). There are also some gorgeous viewpoints, like the Neahkahnie Viewpoint in Oswald West State Park, which takes you to one of the highest points on the Oregon Coast Trail.
When you’re thirsty, grab a pint at Pelican Brewing and end your day trip with a sunset walk around Arcadia Beach. Then you’ll understand why Cannon Beach is one of my favorite romantic getaways in the Pacific Northwest.
Pro tip: Cannon Beach is one of the easiest beach towns to access from PDX, but any of the Oregon coastal towns would make one of the best day trips from Portland!
Astoria
distance from PDX: ~2 hrs (get directions) | best for: hikes & downtown
Astoria is an adorable port town at the northern coastal tip of Oregon. It’s best in summer before the winter gloom sets in, but if you like a cozy vibe Astoria is great to visit any time of year.
Astoria has a lot of hiking trails along the coast, including a 3-mile riverfront walk that takes you to a shored shipwreck that’s great for photos. It also has a gorgeous historic downtown, a thriving craft beer scene, and numerous restaurants along the pier overlooking the Columbia River.
Willamette Valley
distance from PDX: ~30 min (get directions) | best for: wine tasting
Since I adore wine, Willamette Valley is at the top of my personal list of the best day trips from Portland. Starting about 30 minutes southwest of Portland, the Willamette Valley specializes in producing delicate, fruit-forward pinot noir and pinot gris. It’s the state’s largest wine region and includes over 200 wineries, making Oregon the third largest producer of wine in the US behind Washington and California.
There is a winery for every taste and every budget in the valley, and I included as many as possible in my roundup of the best wineries in the Willamette Valley. Of course, along with great wine also come great restaurants, breweries, and distilleries. These places are usually slammed in the summertime, but if you want to see all the action, visit during harvest in September and October.
McMinnville
distance from PDX: ~1 hr (get directions) | best for: wine tasting & downtown
Within the Willamette Valley are several small towns with restaurants and tasting rooms, but my favorite is McMinnville. Its downtown oozes charm, lined with old brick buildings, breweries, tasting rooms, and some of the best restaurants in the Willamette Valley.
McMinnville is also a sub-AVA in the valley, so you can easily spend a day bopping between tasting rooms or explore the nearby estates, like J.L. Kiff Vineyards, an award-winning winery nestled in the McMinnville Foothills exceptional pinots and the cutest owners.
Silver Falls State Park
distance from PDX: ~1 hr 30 min (get directions) | best for: hiking
I always recommend Silver Falls for beginner hikers since there are several trails you can take, and most are easy or moderate. If I’m short on time, I like the 2.6-mile Maple Ridge Loop, but if I want the best views, I’ll do the 7.2-mile Trail of Ten Falls for, you guessed it, tons of waterfalls!
As for when to go, I’ve been in February and September, and it was rainy both times, but it wasn’t too bad. I imagine the trails get very congested during the summer, so it’s worth it to go in the off-season and bring a raincoat. All in all, it’s one of my favorite things to do in Oregon wine country besides drink wine.
Pro tip: When you’re done exploring the park, head to the quaint town of Silverton for historic murals and antiques!
Eugene
distance from PDX: ~2 hrs (get directions) | best for: shopping, beer, and wine tasting
Eugene is arguably one of the best day trips from Portland. It’s a college town, so it has a naturally youthful, artistic energy. Murals line the downtown, and there are tons of cool bars and restaurants to make a busy day trip.
Of all the fun things to do in Eugene, my usual routine is to check out the 5th Street Market, an open-air market lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants. Afterward, I like to go wine tasting. Since the area is a less-explored part of the Willamette Valley, there are many undiscovered hidden gem wineries.
Pro tip: If you’re a big biker, consider bringing your bike with you for a full day of riding along Alton Baker Park and see why Eugene is rated more bike-friendly than Portland!
Sauvie Island
distance from PDX: ~40 min (get directions) | best for: birding, fishing & hiking
Whenever I tell people the largest river island in the United States is in Oregon, they look at me like I have three heads. Originally called Wapato Island, Sauvie Island is a 24,000-acre river island at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, a mere 10 miles northwest of downtown Portland.
As you can imagine, there is much to do on this Manhattan-sized island, from bird watching along the Wapato Access State Greenway to fishing in the Columbia River and picking strawberries at Sauvie Island Farms u-pick. There are also a number of accessible beaches and hiking trails within the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area.
Visiting in the summer usually means a lot of traffic since the roads are narrow and the speed limits are low, so I suggest taking advantage of the off-season and visiting in the late fall. This also coincides with viewing waterfowl and the sandhill cranes.
Pro tip: A parking permit is required on Sauvie Island at all non-commercial spots, including trailheads and the beach. A day-use permit is $10 and can be purchased at any location listed here.
Smith Rock State Park
distance from PDX: ~2 hr 50 min (get directions) | best for: hiking
Smith Rock State Park is a 650-acre park located 30 minutes outside of Bend. Its massive rock formations and picturesque river flowing between make for a stunning photo-op. Known as a mountain climber destination, there are thankfully some easy and intermediate hikes.
Crooked River Trail is an easy 4.3-mile out-and-back trail that offers a good vantage point for observing the climbers and the surrounding canyon. Smith Rock State Park Canyon Trail offers an expansive view of the canyon with a moderate 3.4-mile out-and-back trail.
The park is open year-round, though some climbing areas are closed from January 15 to August 1 to protect the golden eagle population. The trails are packed during peak season, but early fall is great to beat the crowds and the heat.
Pro tip: Day-use parking permits are required, but you can buy an annual pass for $30 for all Oregon state parks here.
Bend
distance from PDX: ~3 hrs 15 min (get directions) | best for: skiing, hiking, and craft breweries
I go to Bend every February as part of my family’s yearly skiing trip. That means I have a preference for visiting in the winter because, well, skiing. But also because there are fewer crowds but still plenty of things to do in Bend in the winter.
Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how beautiful Bend is in the summer. There’s also tons to do, from tubing and kayaking the Deschutes River Trail or hiking the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. If you love caves, don’t miss Boyd Cave!
Similar to Portland, Bend also has a thriving craft beer and food truck scene. The Podki food cart lot is one of my favorite spots to sample multiple trucks at once. When I’m thirsty, I usually head to Monkless for their exceptional Belgian ales.
Mt. St. Helens
distance from PDX: ~1 hr 40 min (get directions) | best for: hiking
Mount St. Helens is one of my favorite scenic day trips from Seattle, so it only makes sense that it would also be one of the best day trips from Portland. It’s located inside the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and is a hiker’s paradise, namely, for the massive crater caused by a volcanic eruption in the 1980s.
There are a variety of hikes for all skill levels, but I suggest heading straight to the Johnston Ridge Observatory, located in the heart of the blast zone. From there, you can follow a bunch of trails for epic views of the crater.
On your way home, save some time and check out the Ape Caves for an eerie exploration through lava tubes and crusty lava formations.
Pro tip: You must have a National Forest Recreation Pass to enter, which costs $30 annually, or you can pay $5 per vehicle per day at the park entrance. The cost for the Observatory is $8 per person.
Mt. Rainier National Park
distance from PDX: ~2 hrs 20 min (get directions) | best for: hiking
I freaking love Mount Rainier. Even after visiting it more than a dozen times, it’s still one of my favorite day trips from Seattle. With year-round hiking trails, skiing in the winter, and wildflower blooms in the spring, it’s one of the most worthwhile day trips from Portland you can take.
I came up with the ultimate Mount Rainier day trip from Seattle, but that barely scratches the surface of all the Mt. Rainier hiking trails. It really comes down to the time of year you visit.
If you go during the summer, you’ll likely want to visit Paradise. The Skyline Loop is challenging but offers breathtaking views, or you can take it easy with the nearby Nisqually Vista Trail.
If you go during the winter, you can go on a ranger-led snowshoe walk or do some cross-country skiing at the White Pass Nordic Center. Just keep in mind you’ll only be able to enter via the Nisqually or Carbon River entrances in the winter.
IMPORTANT: Reservations are required if you visit in summer! The National Park Service has a reservation system for the Paradise and Sunrise areas. You will need a reservation in addition to a park pass to visit starting this year!
More to do in Portland
Taking some of these best days trips from Portland is a must, but there’s also a lot to do in PDX itself! Use my guides for ideas of how to best explore the city.
- The Perfect Portland Itinerary
- Fun Places to Eat in PDX
- Portland’s Best Coffee Shops
- Best Portland Gift Shops
- Where to Go Antiquing in PDX
- Portland Ceramic Artists Making Stunning Pottery
Overwhelmed by trip planning?
Let me plan you a custom itinerary that includes all the best highlights in Portland and the surrounding area!
