Overwhelmed at planning and how to spend your time off while living in Portland? Follow my checklist for day trips from Portland! Many of these will be a 1-3 hour drive each way, so plan accordingly! I love driving so my concept of driving distance can be different than many others, so map out distance ahead of time.

First off, before I get started, let me say below that I have tried to create an itinerary that could tend to all. However, you will see many wineries suggested, but many are also kid friendly! Furthermore, many of these places are more “big” places to visit, as opposed to restaurant or local park suggestions.

Secondly, my recommendation is to always have maps downloaded and a general plan before taking off for any day trips from Portland. In addition to the map, always have snacks and plenty of water on hand to prevent hangriness!

Without further ado, follow the checklist below for day trips from Portland!

• Johnston Ridge Observatory at Mount St. Helens
• Mount Rainier
  • There are many different options for hikes and picnic spots, but you can’t go wrong anywhere in Sunrise or Paradise parking lot, as a first timer.
• Mount Hood
  • Lost Lake
  • Trillium Lake
  • Timberline Lodge
  • Hike options: Ramona Falls, Tamanawas Falls
• The Fruit Loop
  There are many different options for wineries but below are a few favorites!
  • Day Trip 1: Solera Brewing, Stave & Stone Winery, Grateful Vineyards
  • Day Trip 2: Mt Hood Winery, Marchesi Vineyards, Cathedral Ridge Winery
    • You may be thinking, 3 wineries is ambitious- but it’s possible! I often end my night with Grateful Vineyards as winery is open later than the others, has wonderful pizza and great live music!
• Willamette Valley Wine Tasting
  There are many different options for wineries but below are a few favorites!
  • Day Trip 1: Willakenzie, Gran Moraine, Stoller
  • Day Trip 2: Archery Summit, White Rose Estate, Domaine Serene
  • Day Trip 3: Blakeslee, Ponzi, Parrett Mountain Cellars
    • Important to note: These wineries are all reservation only and will require some foreplaning to make sure you can schedule them accordingly.
• Oregon and Washington Coast
  There are many different options for coast trips but below are a few favorites!
  • Day Trip 1: Ecola State Park, Seaside & Cannon Beach
  • Day Trip 2: Astoria
  • Day Trip 3: Pelican Brewery at Pacific City and Cape Lookout State Park
  • Day Trip 4: Gods Thumb Hike and Lincoln City
  • Day Trip 5: Cape Falcon Trail and Manzanita Beach
  • Day Trip 6: Long Beach and Cape Disappointment State Park
• Columbia River Gorge and beyond
  • Vista House at Crown Point –> All accessible side falls on the way to Multnomah Falls –> Finish with a lunch and ice cream at Sugar Pine Drive!
  • Hike Dry Creek Falls then check out Thunder Island Brewing Company
  • Bonneville Dam and Rowena Crest
  • Hood River
  • Hike: Columbia Hills Historical State Park
  • Hike: Coyote Wall or Catherine Creek
  • Float on the Sandy River from Dabney State Park to Lewis and Clark
• Columbia Gorge Wineries
  There are many different options for wineries but below are a few favorites!
  • Day Trip1: Cor Cellars, Syncline Winery & Klickitat Canyon Vineyard
  • Day Trip 2: Cascade Cliffs Vineyards, Jacob Williams Winery & Maryhill Winery (Goldendale location)
• Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls State Park
  • Importantly, most of this hike is NOT dog friendly, however you can bring them on the cement section to see the South section of the falls.
• White River Falls
• Beacon Rock State Park
• Lower Lewis Falls
• Smith Rock State Park
• Breitenbush Hot Springs
• Oxbow Regional State Park
• Milo McGiver State Park followed by Stone Cliff Inn for dinner and drinks
  • Importantly, if you’re feeling up for it, many people float here. You can also camp at the park, and they have an off-leash dog park! Importantly, there are many local places to fill up on snacks and drinks if you make this a spontaneous trip!
• Staircase Rapids Nature Trail and Hoodsport
• Vancouver Waterfront and Fort Vancouver
  • First, the options here are endless for food and drinks. Additionally, there is a 10-mile bike ride along the waterfront!
• Sauvie Island
• Abiqua Falls followed by Mollala River Brewing Company
• 2.75 mile walk around Stone Creek Golf Course, Trail Distilling, Downtown Oregon City, followed by “The Elevator” for sunset!

This list can be exhausting but print it out for your reference and get to them when you can. Finally, make sure to bring snacks for your journey and thanks for checking out this list of day trips from Portland!

Like what you read? Check my travel blog for more itineraries, hikes in the PNW, Washington viewpoints, road trip ideas and overseas travels!