Expedition Old Growth leads tree-climbing tours in Mt. Hood National Forest.

Credit: Courtesy of Mt. Hood Territory

Portland Outdoor Adventure Tours

Explore the great outdoors in and around Portland with these tour operators.

Updated July 13, 2021 2 min read

If you crave an active vacation, these Portland outdoor adventure tours can deliver, with outings focused on activities like mountain biking, kayaking, climbing, hiking and more.

Know Before You Go

All details are subject to change, so please contact tour operators for the latest information.

General Outdoor Adventure Tours

First Nature Tours offers private tours customized for your group; offerings include day trips to Mount Hood, incorporating hiking or snowshoeing; Columbia Gorge, where you can add mountain biking or windsurfing to your adventure; Mount St. Helens, with hiking and spelunking in the National Volcanic Monument; and the Willamette Valley, where wine tasting is accompanied by cycling or ziplining.

America’s Hub World Tours offers multi-day outdoor adventures and custom bike tours. Sea to Summit offers custom outdoor adventure tours that include whitewater rafting, fishing, biking, kite surfing, hiking and more. They also operate mountain shuttles to the major Mount Hood ski resorts.

With Terran Travels, you can take a full-day excursion to Mount St. Helens from May 15–Oct. 31. Your naturalist guide will lead you on hikes near waterfalls, through lava tubes, and within old-growth forests while discussing the geology, ecology, climate, history, and legends of the area.

Offerings from EcoTours of Oregon include whale watching on the Oregon Coast and a Mount St. Helens tourwith optional hike.

Climbing Tours

For a unique perspective on Oregon’s great outdoors, take to the trees with Expedition Old Growth. This operator offers three different adventures, letting participants climb or be pulled up big old trees — and even spend the night in the forest canopy.

Portland Rock Gym provides a range of summer climbing classes at locations near Portland, as well as privately guided full or half-day adventures to climbing destinations in the Columbia River Gorge and Central Oregon’s Smith Rock State Park.

Cycling Tours

Cyclists can get out of town with Pedal Bike Tours’ Columbia River Gorge tour, which covers 6 miles (9.7 km) over five hours.

Around Portland Tours offers a Hike and Bike tour in the Columbia River Gorge. This half-day tour includes 6 miles (9.7 km) of biking and a 2.2 mile (3.5 km) hike to several waterfalls.

For bike tours in the city, see Portland bike tours.

Portland Bike Tours

Bike tours let you see Portland like a local, rolling through neighborhoods along this cycling-friendly city’s many bike paths, trails and lanes.

Portland Outdoor Adventure Tour Operators

$statue depicting Theodore Roosevelt on his horse in Portland\'s South Park Blocks$

Portland City Tours

Great for first-time visitors, city tours offer a comprehensive experience highlighting the best that Portland has to offer.

A sign post with dozen of city names in front of a historic building

Portland Walking Tours

These tours let you experience a street-level view of supremely walkable Portland.

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Food Tours In and Around Portland

Get a taste of Portland on a variety of food tours focused on specific ingredients, venues or neighborhoods.

7 pints of beer lined up from dark to light

Portland Beer Tours

Explore “Beervana” with the help of local expert tour guides on these Portland beer tours.

Patrons gather around a bar in a winery tasting room.

Wine Tours Near Portland

Let someone else do the driving while you enjoy wine tasting and vineyard views.

The sun breaks through clouds above a wide river

Columbia River Gorge Tours

Explore the waterfalls of the national scenic area just east of Portland with a guide and driver.

A snow-capped mountain is reflected in a lake with autumn foliage in the foreground

Mount Hood Tours from Portland

Explore Oregon’s highest peak, located 90 minutes from Portland, with these tour operators.

four cruise ships of varying sizes on the Willamette River

Portland Boat Tours

See Portland and the region from the water on boat tours that traverse the Willamette and Columbia rivers.

A hot air balloon floats above a wooded valley.

Portland Aerial Tours

Aerial tours give you a bird’s-eye view of Portland and the region.

Portland Cannabis Tours

Take a cannabis tour to help orient you, take you to top spots and provide a safe way to consume.

Aerial view of rolling hills with trees, vineyards, solar panels and a building

Private Tours in and Around Portland

Operators offering private tours will create custom outings for you and your group.

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