Best Day Trips From Portland

Drop your bags off at your Portland hotel, grab a one-day car rental and you’ll be skiing the iconic slopes of Mount Hood, marveling at the sheer drop-offs along the Columbia River Gorge or exploring the teeming tide pools of the cool, rocky Oregon coast in no time. No matter what type of outdoor adventure interests you, it's likely you'll find it here.

The Spectacular Columbia River Gorge

"Wind, Water, WOW!" That's how the Forest Service describes the fantastic range of fun you can have in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The Columbia River Gorge runs some 80 miles long and is deceptively deep in some areas, appearing as though it cuts straight to the earth's core. Head east on Interstate 84 and take the Historic Columbia River Highway until you reach Crown Lookout, with awe-inspiring views of the gorge below. While it's just an hour from downtown Portland, you'll want to stop frequently to take photos of the dramatic vistas and majestic waterfalls, including the mighty Multnomah Falls—the second tallest waterfall in the country that runs year-round.

Mount Hood in Summer or Winter

No photo of Portland is complete without the iconic silhouette of Mount Hood towering in the distance. Only 50 miles east of Portland, Mount Hood is one of the most climbed volcanic peaks in the world. Challenge your family to a group hike up its storied slopes for a legendary family vacation. For summer trips, take U.S. 26 from Portland and then Forest Road 2656 to Trillium Lake, a beautiful alpine lake with spectacular views of the mountain. Hike around its 2-mile perimeter trail, or swim and kayak. In winter, swoop down the mountain's slopes at one of six ski resorts. Even the beginner climber has a shot at topping the relatively low peak, but you'll want appropriate equipment and some experience.

Oregon’s Dramatic Coast

Nestled between two rivers, Portland is often thought of as a port town, despite being some 90 miles from the coast. But this several-hour drive is worth the trip as a fun day excursion. Nothing will prepare you for the rugged beauty of its rocky shores, rustic fishing villages, charming beach towns and whales breaching just off shore. The stark beauty of Oregon's coast will have you leaning out the car window to catch every twist and turn of Highway 101. Share some history with your kids in the town of Astoria—an old Lewis-and-Clark settlement on the Washington state line. Or if you prefer artsy vibes and good eating, travel 20 minutes down the coast to Cannon Beach for art galleries, boutiques and cafes.

A World Away on Sauvie Island

Watch birds, kayak or splash around with friends on Sauvie Island, one of the largest river islands in America. Sauvie sits at the junction of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, some 10 miles from Portland, but offers a natural playground for everyone in the family. Both the northern and eastern ends of the island are sandy, dedicated to serious sunbathing, swimming and picnicking. But don't stop there immediately; first lead your troops out into nature on the Wapato Access Greenway State Park Trail that loops around a small lake. The big-leaf maples keep you shaded in summer, but in spring and fall, keep all eyes sharp for bald eagle sightings. Or relax at a weekly summer concert at Kruger's Farm and bring a picnic for the family.

Portland's Welcoming Wine Country

Cross the urban boundary and dive into Portland's wine country, located close by but a world away. Adventure out on Oregon 99W, toward Newberg, and enjoy the rolling hills and small farm towns of Yamhill County wine country. Like everything in Portland, the wine region is understated and casual—located a few miles west and southwest of the city limits. Sample delicious varietals at these unfussy wineries that are mostly family-owned—with modest tasting fees. While in rural paradise, your gang can pick berries that explode with flavor, enjoy local produce and admire the farms that stretch across countryside with endless rows of crops. Come in July for the Oregon Lavender Festival, when farms invite you in to smell their fragrant bounty.

The New Williamette Falls

Dive into the world's most exciting fix-it project on a day trip to Willamette Falls, a few miles south of Portland in the historic trading outpost of Oregon City. One of the most powerful waterfalls on the continent, Willamette Falls spans an impressive 1,700 feet with a 42-foot drop. For centuries, its natural beauty was masked by the industrial gloom of an unappealing hydroelectric facility and a polluting paper mill, but its fairy godmother arrived when the state began waving the magic wand of redevelopment over the area. The Willamette Falls Legacy Project transforms the abandoned 23-acre industrial site into a world-class attraction, teeming with wildlife, that tells the centuries-long story of the area and lets you experience the glory of the falls close up and personal.

Field of Wildflowers

How's this for a welcoming committee: indigo lupine, scarlet Indian paintbrush, prairie star, buttercups and purple camas? Arrange your Portland get-together for spring, and your gang will be greeted by the sight of wildflowers. Mere steps away from the heavy traffic of Interstate 205 lies a fragrant refuge of rare plants and diverse wildlife species. Visit the Camassia Natural Area and eyes and camera lenses will open wide at the sight of the grassy plateaus and rocky outcroppings washed in deep blue camas lilies, bursting yellow blooms of balsamroot and pink plectritis. Or take your nature lovers 10 miles west to Cooper Mountain Nature Park to experience different habitats the best way—by exploring their hiking trails.