Portland is famous for its amazing road trips like a drive to Cannon Beach, Willamette Valley and Timberline Lodge. But aside from these overrated destinations, the city has a lot to offer. And it’s absolutely for free, well except for the gas of course. Buckle up and let’s take the 11 adventure-filled road trips from Portland!
Barton Park, Boring, OR
With just 40 minutes from Portland, you can go tubing on the Clackamas River. It has freezing water which is perfect for your beer. And please, just like in any other outdoor spot, don’t litter.
Estacada, OR
Drive for 50 minutes and arrived at the campsite at Milo Mclver State Park and Metzler County Park. The road trip includes view of the verdant rolling farmland. Estacada offers a lot of outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, rafting, swimming, biking and boating. Other places like Fearless Brewing Company and Hitchin Post Pizza are also worth the visit.
McMinnville, OR
Everyone needs a break from the bustle of the city, or let me say from the “Pleasantville.” 41 miles from Portland is Nick’s Italian Cafe which has a pool and is a favorite among local winemakers. There’s the McMenamins Hotel Oregon, too, which has an awesome rooftop. Not to mention the over 300 Willamette Valley wineries that surrounds the place.
Silver Falls State Park, OR
Oregon is not just a colder version of Hawaii. One main proof for that is the easy 10mile-hike that’s 1 hour 20 minutes from the city, with a view of 10 huge waterfalls and lush canyon formed by lava flows from like 15 million years ago.
Lyle, WA
Spend 1 hour and 25 minutes on the road and stop at Hood River. Another 15 minutes and you will discover the temperate rainforest transform into tiered shelves of dessert rock. Other places that are worth seeing are the wineries in Bingen and White Salmon. For brews, Everybody’s Brewing in White Salmon is highly recommended, while for vino, hit Domaine Pouillon, Syncline, or AniChe Cellars.
Washington County Loop, OR
Drive for two hours and you can pick your own raspberries, gooseberries and loganberries beginning at Smith Berry Barn. Hungry? You can grab organic burgers in Cruise In Country Diner. Want more adventure? Head to the Tree-To-Tree Aerial Adventure Park, a sort of obstacle course 20ft up in the trees. Finally, tour the wineries in Forest Grove like the SakéOne and enjoy free tasting.
Bagby Hot Springs, OR
Visit the closest hot springs to Portland with just a 2.45-hour drive. Relax and rejuvenate in the isolated variety of soaking tubs. Also, nudity is definitely allowed in the private areas.
Tillamook Coast, OR
With just a 1.45-hour drive from Portland, you can have an adventure from summit to sea. First, enjoy some sour beer at de Garde Brewing then hike the 5 mile Cape Lookout and get a chance to see the amazing humpback whale from the 400 ft. Cliffs. After, stuff yourselves with Dungeness crab on the dock at the Kelly’s Brighton Marina, and end the adventure-filled day by having a campfire in one of the secret beaches like Barview Jetty County Campground.
Astoria, OR
One of the great activities to have in Astoria, also known as the “Graveyard of the Pacific” because of its terrible water condition, is fishing. Then hike to the Astoria Column for sprawling views and drink Rogue Ales & Spirits on a pier; and find authentic Bosnian food at Drina Daisy.
Siuslaw National Forest, OR
Adventure junkies will surely love this largest coastal dune in North America. Enjoy hiking, paddling and sandboarding, and refuel with the fames fish tacos that’s considered as a competition to the fish tacos at Homegrown Public House in Florence
Bend, OR
Honestly, this is the most scenic road trip you’ll ever have in your life, from traversing Mt. Hood National Forest, petrified forest, desert canyons, and lava lands. And did I mention that Bend has more than 30 breweries all in all? Making it the real beer capital in Oregon. Don’t miss the exciting adventures like cycling the Bend Ale Trail and floating the Deschutes River to Mirror Pond.
