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The Banks-Vernonia State Trail is a multi-use route in Columbia County, northwest of Portland.

Region

From mountain to ocean and deserts to valleys, the region surrounding Portland offers endless adventure.

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The Banks-Vernonia State Trail is a multi-use route in Columbia County, northwest of Portland.

Portland is the perfect launchpad for adventure, with the rugged Oregon Coast, snow-capped Mount Hood, lush wine country and waterfall-filled Columbia River Gorge all within easy driving distance of the city.

Whether your interests are surfing, skiing, sipping or just trying something new, the region around Portland is ripe for exploration.

Read on to learn more about the best places to explore outside of Portland.

Illustration by Subin Yang

Mount Hood

Located 90 minutes from Portland, Oregon's tallest peak offers four seasons of fun.

Go to Mount Hood
a man skiing on Mt. Hood

24 Hours on Mount Hood

Plan a perfect getaway to Mount Hood, including skiing and snowboarding, with this itinerary.

cars driving on snowy highway towards a snow covered Mount Hood

Winter Sports on Mount Hood

Just a 90-minute drive from downtown, Mount Hood sits right in the city’s backyard and makes for a heck of a winter playground.

people gathered around Skibowl warmng hut

Where to Eat on Mount Hood

Don’t hit the slopes on an empty stomach! This guide dishes on where to fuel up for the day, lunch mid-mountain and relax with pizza and pints après-ski.

Uncork Wine Country

A short drive from the city, the Willamette Valley wows with lush scenery and delectable wines.

More Willamette Valley
a grape vinyard on a sunny day

North Willamette Valley Winery Tour

This Forest-Grove-based tour features picturesque wineries, an authentic sake brewery and a lively lodge.

views of bright green fields and farmland makes up the Vineyard and Valley Scenic Route

Vineyard and Valley Scenic Tour Route

A 50-mile drive through Washington County, this road caroms from historic site to scenic vista.

wine vineyard

Tualatin Valley Vineyards and Farms

In Tualatin Valley, a verdant sliver of Oregon's Willamette Valley, farm-to-table isn’t a trend, it’s a way of life — and has been for years.

people tasting wine surrounded by wine barrels

Wine Country Thanksgiving

During Oregon’s premier tasting and cellar-stocking event, many local wineries open their doors to the public, offering samples of favorite selections.

A bearded man smiles as he checks on a grape vine

Wine Tours Near Portland

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

person looks at camera as they pour a glass of red wine at wine bar that is bright with colorful painting on wall behind them

Wineries Near Portland

Sample excellent wine at Willamette Valley wineries near Portland, where you can enjoy spectacular views, budget-friendly flights and more.

Oregon Coast

From the historic city of Astoria to the tide pools of Yachats, the Oregon Coast is a rugged, unspoiled treasure that begins 90 minutes from Portland.

Head to the Coast

Explore the Gorge

Enjoy superb outdoor recreation, craft beer and dozens of waterfalls in the gorge.

Columbia River Gorge
skirting a wide river there are yellow and oranges of changing leaves within the evergreen forest

Car-Free Trips to the Columbia River Gorge

With convenient shuttle buses, tour services and bike trails, visitors don't need a car to explore the gorge.

peaple sitting on outdoor benches

The Dalles

Sweeping dry grasslands and jagged rocky outcroppings dominate a golden horizon on your way to explore the sunny and historic Columbia River Gorge town of The Dalles.

five cyclists bike up a street on a hillside with leaves littering the edges of the road

Biking in the Columbia River Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge is a recreational biker’s paradise, with options including car-free blacktop, smooth single-track flows and canyon trails with tricky switchbacks.

Near the City

From zip lines to whitewater rafting and horseback riding to pioneer history, these attractions are worth the (short) trips.

More Near The City
mother and child walking through a field of wildflowers

Sauvie Island

Sauvie Island, the Manhattan-size isle is one of the largest river islands in the country just north of Portland, is where families can find an entire day’s worth of adventures with swimming, hiking, birding and local farms.

floating homes and house boats on the water

St. Helens

St. Helens pairs outdoor experiences with antique shops and Twilight souvenirs.

aerial view of a small downtown with about a dozen midrise buildings and a tree-filled park

Vancouver, Washington

Though similar to Portland in many ways, Vancouver, Wash., a Pacific Northwest suburb in Southwest Washington is located just across the Columbia River. It can also feel like it's a world away.

aerial view of deep blue river water at falls on the edge of a verdant cityscape

Oregon City

The final wagon stop on the Oregon trail, Oregon City welcomes visitors with food, drink, museums and outdoor activities.

a man walking a bike across the street with a trailer with a dog attached, followed by a child on a bike, at a crosswalk with cars waiting

Exploring Gresham by Bike

Gresham, an east Portland suburb, offers a bevy of bike-friendly businesses and stellar views of Mount Hood.

A wooden lookout tower at Fort Vancouver

Fort Vancouver

The Portland area's only national historic site is centered around a complete replica of Fort Vancouver, a fur-trading camp founded in 1825.

beer flight on an ourdoor patio table

Lake Oswego

Whether you’re hitting the links, shopping designer consignment or sipping drinks on a shore-side patio, you’ll enjoy the tranquility Lake Oswego affords.