With its quirky charm, vibrant food scene, and world-famous bookstore, Portland, Oregon is a haven for urban explorers. And when you want a dose of the great outdoors, you don't have to travel far to find it. Within 100 miles of the City of Roses, myriad day trips and unique weekend getaways await, so you’re sure to find something to please all palates. 

Whether you’re an avid hiker, a wine aficionado, a thalassophile, or are more comfortable in skis than shoes, this guide will take you through six popular destinations that are all 100 miles or less from Portland (per Google Maps). It’s the perfect starting point to create your Oregon adventure bucket list—so spin that compass, pick a direction, and let’s go!

TO THE EAST

Multnomah Falls – 30 miles

Called “the #1 natural tourist attraction in the Pacific Northwest,” Multnomah Falls sees 2.5 million visitors every year. Dropping an impressive 620 feet, Multnomah Falls is the highest waterfall in the state and the second highest year-round waterfall in the nation. The water flowing over the falls is supplied by natural underground springs from Larch Mountain; in spring, snowmelt also adds to the falls, which increases the intensity—and the loud roaring sound. While you’re there, check out the Multnomah Falls Lodge, built in 1925 on the Columbia River Highway. The historic structure is made up of every type of rock found in the gorge! 

Please note: Mist from the falls can cause a cooler microclimate within the viewing area, so be sure to dress in layers. For updated trail information in the Columbia River Gorge, please click here.

Mount Hood – 69 miles

Standing at over 11,000 feet, Mount Hood is the highest point in Oregon and the fourth-highest peak in the Cascade Range—but is perhaps most well-known for its year-round skiing. Located in Mount Hood National Forest, the peak is a dormant volcano whose last major eruption was in 1865. For summer skiing, Timberline Lodge runs the longest ski and snowboard season in North America. (Film fans will recognize the lodge from Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining.) 

If skiing isn’t your thing, the area also offers exceptionally beautiful hiking, camping, tubing, and more; in addition to Mount Hood, there are seven other wilderness areas nearby. To get there, you can take I-84 or Highway 26; either way, you’ll end up on the breathtaking Mount Hood Scenic Byway. 

TO THE SOUTH

Willamette Valley – 49 miles

Celebrated for its 700+ wineries, Willamette Valley is home to Oregon wine country. Closest to Portland, northern Willamette Valley shows off the region’s agricultural roots with dozens of popular vineyards and hazelnut farms. Travel a little further south, and you’ll find multiple hot springs perfect for soaking your troubles away. Local vintners say the rainy weather is perfect for nurturing fertile grapevines, making winter a surprisingly good time to visit! 

Silver Falls State Park – 54 miles

Often called the “crown jewel” of the Oregon State Parks system, Silver Falls State Park has been described as “the kind of standout scenic treasure that puts Oregon firmly onto the national stage.” But what makes it a standout? For starters, you can actually walk behind a waterfall at the South Falls. It’s part of the Trail of Ten Falls, a nationally-recognized hiking trail that weaves through dense forest and passes a series of waterfalls before descending to a stunning creek at the forest floor. The South Falls day-use area also includes spacious lawns, barbecue stands, picnic shelters, tables, a playground, horseshoe pits, and an off-leash area for dogs.

TO THE WEST

Manzanita – 85 miles 

A somewhat lesser-known coastal town located south of super-popular Cannon Beach, Manzanita is described as “a little beach town in the shadow of a mountain.” Tucked between the Pacific Ocean, the coastal headland at Neahkahnie Mountain, and Nehalem Bay, Manzanita is known for fishing, crabbing, and clam-digging at low tide. Twice a year, in winter and spring, you can watch gray whales swim along the shoreline on their semi-annual migration. Local surfers flock to Oswald West State Park‘s Short Sands, and the area is even known for legendary buried treasure. But our favorite thing to do is just relax and enjoy the beauty of the Oregon coast, with its striking turquoise surf and rugged cliffs.

Tillamook – 72 miles

No trip to Oregon is complete without a visit to the town of Tillamook, home to both the renowned Tillamook Creamery and the charming Blue Heron French Cheese Company, complete with vintage farming equipment and a petting zoo. Whether you want to learn about cheesemaking or just stuff your face with fresh curds, Tillamook is a dairy-lover’s dream and a perfect day trip for foodies. 

TO THE NORTH

Mount St. Helens – 75 miles

Located across the border in the beautiful state of Washington, Mount St. Helens last erupted in 1980 and continued to erupt until 1986, quietly building a lava dome. Today, that dome sits 920 feet high and numerous viewpoints have been created for visitors to explore this historic spot, both by car and by foot. Thousands of avid climbers make the difficult journey to the crater rim each year for a view described as “surreal”—plus incredible views of Mount Adams, Mount Hood, and Mount Rainier. 

Sauvie Island – 18 miles

Finally, we come back close to home with a day trip to Sauvie Island. About the same size as Manhattan, it’s one of the largest river islands in the United States. Sauvie Island is particularly popular for u-pick fruit & vegetable farms (especially fall pumpkin picking), a paradise for bird watchers (home to hundreds of bird species), and beloved for its beaches (including Portland’s favorite nude beach since the 1970s). Just don’t get it confused with Swan Island—newcomers tend to mix up the two, but one is a natural paradise and one is an industrial park! 

Want to know more about life in the PNW? Check out our blogs on the best rainy-day activities and more of our favorite day trips.