Spring season is time to go exploring and enjoy the beautiful weather. And spring in Portland is gorgeous, it’s the perfect time to enjoy scenic drives and outdoor adventures.
Portland is an ideal location for outdoor fun with the choice of beaches, waterfalls, a volcano, lush forests, and colorful tulip fields, all within a short drive.
Enjoy hiking, biking, and scenic drives.
In this post I’m sharing 5 awesome day trips from Portland.
While planning your itinerary for Portland be sure to add some of these spectacular places to your PNW bucket list.
Best Day Trips from Portland
Tulip Fields
35 miles south of Portland – 45 minute drive
Nothing says spring like tulips and daffodils.
Take a short drive south of Portland to see the acres of tulips in a variety of vibrant colors at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm and Vineyard.
You’ll see tulip fields as far as the eye can see, enjoy tram and hay wagon rides, craft market, and food stalls featuring donuts, coffee, BBQ, pizza, caramel apples, and sweet shop.
Wine tastings offered daily from 10 am – 4 pm.
The annual Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival is from March 18 to May 1, 2022
Mon – Fri 9 am – 6 pm and Sat/Sun 8 am – 7 pm and special sunrise entry from 5 am – 7 am
For 2022 all tickets must be purchased online
Gorgeous fields of tulips at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm south of Portland
Columbia River Gorge Scenic Drive
The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is in the Cascade Mountain range which stretches from British Columbia to California. Lewis and Clark made a journey down the gorge in 1805.
In Washington Hwy 14, known as the Lewis and Clarke Highway, follows along the north side of the gorge, but most of the waterfalls are in Oregon via Interstate 84.
Take a drive on the Historic Columbia River Highway from Troutdale to The Dalles – 74 miles in total.
The Columbia River Highway was the first planned scenic roadway in the United States. It is now known as Historic Columbia River Highway #100.
From Portland take exit 17 from Interstate 84 in Troutdale.
READ MORE: 28 Best Road Trip Destinations USA
Multnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls is the most famous waterfall along the Columbia River Gorge. This super popular and super gorgeous waterfall is a 30 minute drive from Portland, take exit 31 on Hwy 84, just past Troutdale.
Visit in the mornings during weekdays for fewer people on the trail to Multnomah Falls.
View Multnomah Falls from Benson Bridge for an experience to remember
You will find the greatest concentration of waterfalls in all North America at the Columbia River Gorge, particularly in the western gorge region of Oregon.
Columbia River Highway waterfall corridor runs from Troutdale to Ainsworth and is highly congested on weekends. Visit during weekdays to avoid crowds and bumper to bumper traffic.
Other stops to make along the gorge are Beacon Rock and Crown Point scenic lookout. Enjoy lunch in The Dalles at one of the cafes or pubs.
If you follow these tips from the US Forest Service on avoiding crowds along Columbia River Gorge you will enjoy the drive much more.
Columbia River Gorge on a beautiful spring day trip from Portland
Mt Hood National Forest
40 miles – 1 hour drive from Portland
Mt Hood National Forest is a huge recreation area with scenic drives, biking, hiking, camping, fishing, rockclimbing, dirt bike and ATV trails, skiing, and of course Mt Hood.
Mt. Hood is 11,239 ft (3,426 m) tall and it’s a beautiful sight to see.
Mt Hood National forest is a great place to enjoy nature and take a hike. I hiked Little ZigZag Falls, it’s a beautiful family friendly hike along a creek to the amazing waterfall.
You should check the Mt Hood recreation page for any trail closures and to find out when campgrounds are open for the season if you want to camp.
Since there is usually no cell service you should download maps of Mt Hood while planning your trip. And always bring the 10 essentials on hiking trips. Remember to bring layers of clothing, it’s colder in the higher elevation areas, and bring a rain jacket too.
$5 Day pass (buy a Mt Hood pass online)
Little Zigzag Falls is a beautiful family friendly hike at Mt Hood National Forest
Cannon Beach
80 miles – 1 hr 20 minute drive from Portland
On the Northern Oregon coast, you’ll find a cute coastal town and one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Cannon Beach is a great choice for a coastal day trip from Portland. Want to spend more time on the Oregon Coast? Check out 15 beautiful coastal towns in Oregon.
Spend some time exploring the sea life in the tide pools at Cannon Beach and walk to the famous Haystack Rock.
Take a hike from the forest to the beach at Ecola State Park and walk on the beach to Hug Point to see the waterfall and sea caves.
Hug Point State Recreation Area – low tide at Cannon Beach
Mount St Helens
103 miles – 1 hour 45 minute drive from Portland
Take a road trip to the site of the 1980 volcanic eruption of Mt St Helens in Washington State.
Explore Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument through the hiking trails and interpretive sites with amazing views of the crater, lava flows, waterfalls, Spirit Lake, and lush forests.
Mount St Helens is 8,330 ft (2,539 m) tall. The May 18, 1980 eruption reduced the summit by 1,300 ft (396 m) in a lateral blast that traveled at 300 mph (483 kph) and sent a huge cloud of volcanic ash across the United States and around the globe.
Learn the geological history of Mt St Helens at the Johnston Ridge Observatory (season opens in May 2021)
Enjoy the hiking trails at Mt St Helens and have fun outdoors.
Walk the wildflower trails at Mt St Helens
Enjoy your travels in Oregon! If you and any questions or recommendations for day trips around Portland please leave them in the comments section below.
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