Portland's Top Day Trip Destinations

In and of itself, Portland is a fantastic city with a wealth of attractions. But there are also plenty of fantastic possibilities for day excursions from Portland, with breathtaking scenery and amazing nature in every direction.

World-class state parks, lively coastal villages, and recreation areas with an abundance of hiking and mountain bike routes encircle Oregon's largest city. A strong cultural legacy from the 19th century is also present. Not to mention the almost endless amount of food trucks, coffee shops, microbreweries, and hidden seafood restaurants in the area.

In Portland, Renting A Car

You will have much more freedom to explore the top day excursions from Portland if you have your own car when you visit.

Since Discover Cars compiles possibilities from many rental businesses in one location, we personally prefer utilizing them when we hire cars abroad. It makes comparing cars and pricing really simple, allowing you to choose the best choice for you.

Do you want to experience vanlife in Oregon?

Our obsession with #vanlife is well known. However, we offer choices for you if you want to test drive vanlife but lack the time (or desire!) to create your own conversion.

Check out our list of the best USA campervan rental providers, which includes special deals for our readers and ranges from affordable to luxurious. Additionally, we offer a guide to the top campervan rentals in Portland.

We would suggest checking out Escape Campervans as one firm. With 12 sites around North America, including Portland, it's a fantastic option for a road trip through Oregon. They are reasonably priced and well equipped with everything you need for a fantastic road trip.

1. The Hood River

• At a glance: Hood River is widely regarded as the world's windsurfing capital (really!), and it has an incredible wine culture in addition to some of the greatest water activities available.

• Portland is 62 miles away, or little more than an hour away.

The little hamlet of Hood River in northern Oregon is incredibly powerful. On day excursions from Portland, Hood River Valley, which is tucked away at the base of snow-capped Mount Hood and situated between the picturesque Columbia River Gorge and the Cascade Range, provides a wide variety of experiences.

In contrast to many other locations in Oregon, the Gorge's powerful, gusty winds usually accompany sunny weather, which makes it the perfect setting for water activities like windsurfing, jet-skiing, and kiteboarding—all of which are popular in Hood River.

2. Gorge of the Columbia River

• At a glance: The breathtaking Columbia River Gorge offers a wealth of outdoor leisure options, including family-friendly hiking paths and some of Oregon's top waterfalls.

• Depending on the precise location, the distance from Portland ranges from 15 to 100 miles; it takes 30 minutes to 1.5 hours (for example, Multnomah Falls is 30 miles from downtown Portland).

One of our favorite things to do in Oregon is to chase waterfalls. One of the greatest day excursions from Portland is to the 80-mile Columbia River Gorge, which is easily accessible when you need a respite from the bustle of the city.

The 620-foot Multnomah Falls, Oregon's largest waterfall, is the most visited location, but the Columbia River Gorge offers much more to see and do.

Here, the Columbia River flows abruptly into the Pacific Ocean, sculpting cliffs and canyons and producing waterfalls along its path. It is the biggest legally recognized National Scenic Area in the United States. A wide variety of animals, including as grizzly bears, bald eagles, bull trout, gray wolves, and Canada lynx, may be found in the Gorge's natural environment.

3. Mount Hood

• In summary, there are countless chances for outdoor pleasure at iconic Mount Hood.

• It takes one hour and twenty minutes to go 76 miles from Portland.

Mount Hood, Oregon's tallest mountain at 11,249 feet, is visible from almost anyplace in Portland and was named one of the state's seven wonders by the Oregon Tourism Board.

With top-notch ski resorts, summer hiking and camping, and the enchanted Mount Hood National Forest—which is home to some of the greatest waterfalls close to Portland—this dormant stratovolcano provides an exquisite setting for year-round activity.

Read Also: Top Activities in Montauk, New York

4. Astoria

• In summary: A traditional Pacific Northwest coastal town with a plethora of historical and cultural landmarks, a charming waterfront, excellent dining options, and an abundance of outdoor activities

• It's two hours and 95 miles from Portland.

Scandinavian-inspired The history of fur trafficking and fishing in Astoria is extensive. John Jacob Astor, our nation's first millionaire, established it in 1811, making it the oldest American community west of the Rockies.

Situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Columbia River, this cultural sanctuary is an ideal starting point for your road journey down the Oregon coast. But we believe it's worthwhile to take a day trip from Portland as well.

The town's abundance of Victorian-era residences significantly enhances the picture-perfect setting. In addition to the well-known Astoria Column, a distinctive historical building you should see, Astoria boasts a large number of canneries, eateries, museums, and waterfront activities.

5. The Beach at Cannon

• In a nutshell: A picturesque, little hamlet on the Oregon coast, it boasts famous sea stacks, sandy beaches, and amazing hiking paths.

• Eighty miles and one and a half hours from Portland

One more of the quaint coastal communities in Oregon. People usually think of Cannon Beach when they think of the Oregon Coast because of the magnificent Haystack Rock.

Cannon Beach is undoubtedly highly touristic due to its fame, and it may get rather crowded at times. Still, it remains one of our favorite day excursions from Portland because of its close proximity to some of Oregon's greatest beaches and hiking spots.