7 Days of Northwest Oregon

Below you'll find two versions of this road trip itinerary. While they are very similar, Version 1 is more popular and would be my default recommendation for most travelers who wish to experience Mt. Hood to its fullest. Version 2 cuts down on the time spent at Mt. Hood to squeeze in a visit to a small cove at the southwest corner of Washington state. I'm just fond of tranquil, or even desolate, ocean views (they just hit me different than other beautiful things); so Version 2 was originally formulated for myself, and I figured I'd throw it in here in case some of you are looking to spend more time at the coast than in the mountain.

FYI: all itinerary examples on our website are very light on restaurant recommendations, if any, by design. While we might briefly mention a restaurant (or a winery, a store, etc.) worth looking up, telling you where to get lunch or where to sleep won't fit the spirit of our travel guides. We want you to travel at your own pace, to your taste, and embrace spontaneity. If you are travelling in a developed town, Google Maps will help plenty. If you will be out in nature most of the day, pack a sandwich. Easy.

Version 1

Tip: DAY 2 will be spent in the Columbia River Gorge which gets quite busy during the dry season (from some time in May to October) especially during weekends and holidays. Try to make DAY 2 fall on a weekday, or if that's difficult, consider following the itinerary completely in reverse.

DAY 1

Your upcoming days will be lots of sightseeing, driving, walking, and hiking. It would not at all be a bad idea to simply pick up your rental car and chill on DAY 1 to unwind and recharge.

For those of you wanting to get going the moment you arrive in Oregon, we got you too. Other than eating and drinking, some low-key city activities you may consider are: Portland aerial tram, river cruise, or visiting art galleries near your lodging, depending on the weather and your interests. If you feel like being buried in a million books there's of course Powell's City of Books, the biggest independent bookstore in the world.

Books are books, but Powell's sets itself apart not just with its sheer size (that too) but also numerous fun, quirky, yet practical touches throughout the store—from their great used book collection, handwritten staff recommendations, to their finely categorized, color-coded rooms.

West of the city center, another great attraction is Washington Park. You can drive there, but can also utilize the MAX (Portland's light rail), as free shuttles run between the MAX station and the park. This place is really a collection of multiple visit-worthy spots, so refer to this post dedicated for Washington Park! In short though, Hoyt Arboretum offers various walking trails to relax and admire the pines and redwoods. The International Rose Test Garden won't disappoint if you are here in mid-Summer, bursting with countless rows of differently shaped and colored roses. Portland Japanese Garden isn't free but can be worth it if you are into Japanese style gardens or they are hosting an event of your interest.

Recommended lodging location for DAY 1: Portland, Troutdale, or Corbett

DAY 2

It's your Columbia River Gorge day! Even after having been here countless times, we fail to get bored of the scenery and still can't get enough of the gorge. I die a little inside when someone says they only did a quick out-and-back to Multnomah Falls to see the gorge... because, while very beautiful and certainly the most photographed, that waterfall is just one tiny part of what the gorge has to offer. Travel like locals and make a whole-day road trip out of the gorge. All stops introduced below link to Google Maps so you can just click and start navigation.🚗

First off, the west end of the Historic Columbia River Highway: Starting from Chanticleer Point (also known as Portland Women's Forum), you'll keep driving east making stops at Vista House, Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Wahkeena Falls, Horsetail Falls in that order.

• The first two spots, Chanticleer Point & Vista House, are primarily viewpoints with no good hiking options. I still recommend starting with them to take in the river scenery that changes dynamically throughout the year.

• When you get to Latourell Falls, consider exploring the area a bit instead of snapping a pic and taking off right away. It's a well-maintained, pretty trail that doesn't get too busy. You could do the full loop which is a bit over 2 miles and allows you to see the upper falls, or you could spend just 10-15 min wandering the trail just beyond the main falls, looking for a wildflower or a snail or what have you.

  

  
  

The next destination is Multnomah Falls. This is the most popular, crowded part of the gorge, and you need to reserve a permit here to use the parking lot between late May and early September.

• If the permit sounds like a hassle, once you're parked at Wahkeena Falls you may leave you car there and walk ~15 min east (via Return Trail #442) to get to Multnomah Falls.

• If Wahkeena Falls doesn't have a parking spot, or if you simply don't want the Return Trail #442 hike, the "standard" method of using the Multnomah Falls parking lot would be the way to go. Unless it's a busy weekend, you should have no issue getting the permit around when you arrive at Horsetail Falls, so no sweat.

• FYI the Multnomah Falls permit isn't required if you visit before 9am or after 6pm, although this typically doesn't fit well into any driving route.

Now that we're done with the west section of the Historic Columbia River Highway, let's head east.

• For an easy hike with multiple epic views, make a stop at Wahclella Falls. The trail is about 2.5 miles and packs some jaw-dropping forest and waterfall scenes. Parking is $5, or free if you carry Northwest Forest Pass, National Forest Recreation Day Pass, or Interagency Pass.

  

• For a shorter and perhaps unconventional "hike" keep driving east on I-84 and make a stop at Mosier Twin Tunnels. You'd park at Mark O. Hatfield East trailhead and it takes only 15-20 min to get to the tunnels where you can get a unique view of the gorge through the tunnel openings. Parking is free if you carry Oregon state park pass. Else it's $10.

Now our last gorge destination of DAY 2: Rowena Crest where massive plateaus surround you from all directions with a gorgeous river backdrop, you can't help but feel small.

• ✧Local's tip✧ there is no porta potty (or any amenity for that matter) at Rowena Crest. Probably wise to use a bathroom at one of the previous spots.

• The view is readily impressive even right at the parking lot. But if you are looking for an activity, there are two primary hiking options here. The uphill trail from the parking lot to McCall Point is well-known for its wildflower colors from late April through May. If you are rather feeling like a flat stroll, Rowena Plateau Trail is right across the road, just as beautiful and majestic.

A bonus: the photogenic horse shoe bend at Rowest Crest is always a treat.💕

Recommended lodging location for DAY 2: Hood River

DAY 3

DAY 3's schedule is highly flexible. Various activity options are listed below for your browsing, so pick and choose based on your interests and energy level. Some prefer exploring the town and farms, enjoying wine or beer, some prefer to go right back into nature and hike some more, and some prefer to do a little bit of both.

• Railroad tour: click on 'Tickets' at www.mthoodrr.com to see their seasonal tour offerings and book online.

• pFriem and Ferment Brewery are popular spots for beer tasting and getting simple grubs.

• Art galleries and/or History Museum of Hood River in the town of Hood River

• Hood River Fruit Loop drive: participating farms/venues change throughout the season, and you can refer to their website for the up-to-date list of currently open stands.  

  

• In Summer, right next to Stave & Stone is Hood River Lavender Farm with a properly quaint lavender field with a properly regal Mt.Hood backdrop. Visiting and taking pictures are free here (drones aren't allowed FYI), while you may choose to pay $14 to u-pick a bundle of lavender stems if you fancy a lavender scented rest of your trip.

• WAAAM (western antique aeroplane and automobile museum) is also nearby if you are into vintage planes and cars.

  
  

Alright time to leave the gorge area and drive south to Mt. Hood National Forest! If you fancy a hike on the way, Tamanawas Falls is a great 3.6-mile one with waterfalls off an interesting lava cliff. While this is certainly a pretty one, don't be bummed if you ran out of time or energy - yesterday you saw a whole a** waterfall corridor in a league of its own. And Tamanawas Falls is in fact right in Mt. Hood National Forest so you could just come back tomorrow if desired.

Recommended lodging location for DAY 3: Mt. Hood (e.g., Rhododendron, zigzag, Government Camp)

DAY 4

Mt. Hood day! There are numerous well-loved hiking trails of all lengths and difficulty levels in this area. To avoid cluttering up this page I have the recommended trails organized in this separate post. Browse through to find one (or two) based on your interests and energy level. If you are looking to do a shorter morning hike and enjoy a sit-down meal, there are quite a few restaurant options in Government Camp, Mt Hood Village, Rhododendron, Zigzag, etc. - something to consider.

Timberline Lodge is an architecturally attractive building with that beautifully isolated look, worth stopping by even if you aren't interested in hiking trails around it. It's famous for starring in the horror movie The Shining, but even without that history I think it's simply a marvelous art piece to visit. You can also find a range of dining and bar options inside (official website link).

If you are into mountain biking, Timberline Lodge also runs Bike Park where you can purchase a trail use pass and rent bikes and accessories.

Tip: If you hang around late enough, the sunset scene is gorgeous right to the west of Timberline Lodge. If the sky is reasonably clear when you visit, something to take into account planning your hiking/biking and dining schedule.

Lodging: same as yesterday.

DAY 5

Cutting across Portland to the northern coastal town Astoria, you are looking at about 3 hrs of driving, so the morning will largely be spent on the road. Trillium Lake is a nice quick stop before you leave Mt. Hood, if you didn't go yesterday, because this picturesque lake sits right at the foot of its parking lot.

Once you arrive in Astoria, check out:  

• The Astoria Column. Looking down upon the mouth of Columbia River exiting to the Pacific Ocean, this is a great high ground to enjoy the sweeping views. If you walk up its 164 stairs the view is even more rewarding, but it's impressive enough at the foot of the column so no need to push yourself too hard.

• Astoria town center. For indoor activities, there are several options right in the center of town that you can easily find by punching in 'galleries' or 'museum' etc. on Google Maps. Fort George Brewery and Buoy Beer Co offer nice beer tasting menus. Wandering along the river with no particular plan works too - it's a small town. If it happens to be Sunday, you'll spot farmers market stands on 12th St!

• Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. It's a museum-slash-park commemorating the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Parking/Entrance is $10 or free with Interagency Pass.

  

If there's still some daylight left, Indian Beach is a nice stop before heading to the town of Cannon Beach. You could chill at the beach or take a hike to the Ecola Viewpoint (this takes about 2 hrs out and back, so take into account what time the sun will set.)

Recommended lodging location for DAY 5: Cannon Beach

DAY 6

Cannon Beach day. If you are going after mental or physical rest and recharge, DAY 6 would be very well spent sitting at the pristine beach, watching happy dogs running around with sandy paws, maybe listening to an audiobook or podcast. PNW coast range is one of those few places both breathtaking and serene enough that it's enough to just be. The point being, while I'm of course going to list out some fantastic activities this area offers, consider them highly optional except for the beach itself.💕

• (If you didn't get to it yesterday) Indian Beach Trail hiking.

• Town of Cannon Beach: Dragonfire Gallery and Jeffrey Hull Gallery carry some really cool, high quality local art pieces to browse. If interested in hitting up all the little galleries in the area, simply look up 'art gallery' on Google Maps. For old school candy lovers, Schwietert's Cones & Candy is a fun treat. If craving milkshakes or quality coffee or chocolate, Cannon Beach Chocolate Cafe has a great range of offerings.

• Haystack Rock: Can't miss it, it's right there in your face the moment you step foot on the beach.🙂 For some fun tide-pooling, I recommend looking up the tide schedule and see if you can make it during the low or negative tide. The seascape here is sublime regardless though, so don't stress if the tide doesn't time well with your schedule.

• Fancy a steam-powered locomotive ride along the coast? Get a ticket for the time of your choice at this website and make sure to get to the departure point (typically Rockaway Beach) on time.

• Hug Point State Recreation Site is another breathtaking beach with a unique vibe.

• Short Sand Beach Trail: a quick yet stunning 10-15min walk from the parking lot .

  
  

In the evening, the sunset at Cannon Beach is simply spellbinding.

Lodging: same as yesterday (Cannon Beach)

DAY 7

The last day of this road trip is focused around Tillamook & Pacific City, located just south of Cannon Beach.

• If you like smoked jerky, Tillamook Country Smoker Factory Outlet has a great range of local jerky products at good prices. 

• Tillamook Creamery: self-tour the cheese factory and sample some free cheddars of different ages.😋 Their cafeteria has a full flavor selection of their ultra creamy ice creams, including some that aren't offered outside of Oregon, so it's a nice sampling opportunity before buying a whole tub of one flavor, or two, or three...

• You can visit http://nestuccaadventures.com/ or http://kayaktillamook.com/ to browse kayak rental options.  

  

• Cape Kiwanda Sand Dune. If you patiently walk up the dune at the beach, you'll be rewarded with several great viewpoints and photogenic spots.

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Pelican Brewing is right next to the sand dune, a good spot to enjoy some beer with an ocean view.

  
  

If you still have daylight left, Tunnel Beach and Cape Meares Lighthouse are nearby pit stops to consider before heading back to the metro.

Version 2

Tip: DAY 2 will be spent in Columbia River Gorge which gets quite busy during the dry season (from some time in May to October) especially during weekends and holidays. Try to make DAY 2 fall on a weekday, or if that's difficult, consider following the itinerary completely in reverse.

DAY 1

Your upcoming days will be lots of sightseeing, driving, walking, and hiking. It would not at all be a bad idea to simply pick up your rental car and chill on DAY 1 to unwind and recharge.

For those of you wanting to get going the moment you arrive in Oregon, we got you too. Other than eating and drinking, some low-key city activities you may consider are: Portland aerial tram, river cruise, or visiting art galleries near your lodging, depending on the weather and your interests. If you feel like being buried in a million books there's of course Powell's City of Books, the biggest independent bookstore in the world.

Books are books, but Powell's sets itself apart not just with its sheer size (that too) but also numerous fun, quirky, yet practical touches throughout the store—from their great used book collection, handwritten staff recommendations, to their finely categorized, color-coded rooms.

West of the city center, another great attraction is Washington Park. You can drive there, but can also utilize the MAX (Portland's light rail), as free shuttles run between the MAX station and the park. This place is really a collection of multiple visit-worthy spots, so refer to this post dedicated for Washington Park! In short though, Hoyt Arboretum offers various walking trails to relax and admire the pines and redwoods. The International Rose Test Garden won't disappoint if you are here in mid-Summer, bursting with countless rows of differently shaped and colored roses. Portland Japanese Garden isn't free but can be worth it if you are into Japanese style gardens or they are hosting an event of your interest.

Recommended lodging location for DAY 1: Portland, Troutdale, or Corbett

DAY 2

It's your Columbia River Gorge day! Even after having been here countless times, we fail to get bored of the scenery and still can't get enough of the gorge. I die a little inside when someone says they only did a quick out-and-back to Multnomah Falls to see the gorge... because, while very beautiful and certainly the most photographed, that waterfall is just one tiny part of what the gorge has to offer. Travel like locals and make a whole-day road trip out of the gorge. All stops introduced below link to Google Maps so you can just click and start navigation.🚗

First off, the west end of the Historic Columbia River Highway: Starting from Chanticleer Point (also known as Portland Women's Forum), you'll keep driving east making stops at Vista House, Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Wahkeena Falls, Horsetail Falls in that order.

• The first two spots, Chanticleer Point & Vista House, are primarily viewpoints with no good hiking options. I still recommend starting with them to take in the river scenery that changes dynamically throughout the year.

• When you get to Latourell Falls, consider exploring the area a bit instead of snapping a pic and taking off right away. It's a well-maintained, pretty trail that doesn't get too busy. You could do the full loop which is a bit over 2 miles and allows you to see the upper falls, or you could just spend 10-15 min wandering the trail just beyond the main falls, looking for a wildflower or a snail or what have you.

  

  
  

The next destination is Multnomah Falls. This is the most popular, crowded part of the gorge, and you need to reserve a permit here to use the parking lot between late May and early September.

• If the permit sounds like a hassle, once you arrive at Wahkeena Falls you may leave you car there and walk ~15 min east (via Return Trail #442) to get to Multnomah Falls.

• If Wahkeena Falls doesn't have a parking spot, or if you simply don't want the Return Trail #442 hike, the "standard" method of using the Multnomah Falls parking lot would be the way to go. Unless it's a busy weekend, you should have no issue getting the permit around when you arrive at Horsetail Falls, so no sweat.

• FYI the Multnomah Falls permit isn't required if you visit before 9am or after 6pm, although this typically doesn't fit well into any driving route.

Alright we are done with the west section of the Historic Columbia River Highway, and now will head east.

• For an easy hike with multiple epic views, make a stop at Wahclella Falls. The trail is about 2.5 miles and packs some jaw-dropping forest and waterfall scenes. Parking is $5, or free if you carry Northwest Forest Pass, National Forest Recreation Day Pass, or Interagency Pass.

  

• For a shorter and perhaps unconventional "hike" keep driving east on I-84 and make a stop at Mosier Twin Tunnels. You'd park at Mark O. Hatfield East trailhead and it takes only 15-20 min to get to the tunnels where you can get a unique view of the gorge through the tunnel openings. Parking is free if you carry Oregon state park pass. Else it's $10.

Now our last gorge destination of DAY 2: Rowena Crest where massive plateaus surround you from all directions with a gorgeous river backdrop, you can't help but feel small. 

• ✧Local's tip✧ there is no porta potty (or any amenity for that matter) at Rowena Crest. Probably wise to use a bathroom at one of the previous spots.

• The view is readily impressive even right at the parking lot. But if you are looking for an activity, there are two primary hiking options here. The uphill trail from the parking lot to McCall Point is well-known for its wildflower colors from late April through May. If you are rather feeling like a flat stroll, Rowena Plateau Trail is right across the road, just as beautiful and majestic.

A bonus: the photogenic horse shoe bend at Rowest Crest is always a treat.💕

Recommended lodging location for DAY 2: Hood River

DAY 3

DAY 3 schedule is highly flexible. Various activity options are listed below for your browsing, so pick and choose based on your interests and energy level. Some prefer exploring the town and farms, enjoying wine or beer, some prefer to go right back into nature and hike some more, and some prefer to do a little bit of both.

• Railroad tour: click on 'Tickets' at www.mthoodrr.com to see their seasonal tour offerings and book online.

• pFriem and Ferment Brewery are popular spots for beer tasting and getting simple grubs.

• Art galleries and/or History Museum of Hood River in the town of Hood River

• Hood River Fruit Loop drive: participating farms/venues change throughout the season, and you can refer to their website for the up-to-date list of currently open stands.  

  

• In Summer, right next to Stave & Stone is Hood River Lavender Farm with a properly quaint lavender field with a properly regal Mt.Hood backdrop. Visiting and taking pictures are free here (drones aren't allowed FYI), while you may choose to pay $14 to u-pick a bundle of lavender stems if you fancy a lavender scented rest of your trip.

• WAAAM (western antique aeroplane and automobile museum) is also nearby if you are into vintage planes and cars.

  
  

Alright time to leave the gorge area and drive south to Mt. Hood National Forest! If you fancy a hike on the way, Tamanawas Falls is a great 3.6-mile one with waterfalls off an interesting lava cliff. While this is certainly a pretty one, don't be bummed if you ran out of time or energy - yesterday you saw a whole a** waterfall corridor in a league of its own. And Tamanawas Falls is in fact right in Mt. Hood National Forest so you could just come back tomorrow if desired.

Recommended lodging location for DAY 3: Mt. Hood (e.g., Rhododendron, zigzag, Government Camp)

DAY 4

The plan today is to enjoy Mt. Hood til early afternoon and make way to the coast (Astoria). There are numerous well-loved hiking trails of all lengths and difficulty levels here. To avoid cluttering up this page I have the recommended trails organized in this separate post. Browse through to find one (or two) based on your interests and energy level.

Trillium Lake can be as long or short of a stop as you'd like, FYI. This picturesque lake sits right at the foot of its parking lot so consider stopping by even if you aren't necessarily interested in hiking or kayaking here.

Timberline Lodge is an architecturally attractive building with that beautifully isolated look, worth stopping by as well. It's famous for starring in the horror movie The Shining, but even without that history I think it's simply a marvelous art piece to visit. You can also find a range of dining and bar options inside (official website link).

If you are into mountain biking, Timberline Lodge also runs Bike Park where you can purchase the trail use pass and rent bikes and accessories.

Recommended lodging location for DAY 4: Astoria or Cannon Beach. (If you pick Astoria, you get to minimize the total amount of driving. If you pick Cannon Beach, you get to skip the repacking/unpacking hassle on DAY 5. Whichever works better for you.)

DAY 5

We'll start the day off with crossing the state border into Washington to visit Cape Disappointment State Park.

• Parking fee is $10, or free if you carry Washington Discovery Pass.

• From the south parking lot, it's less than a half mile to get to the desolate, mesmerizing beach of Deadman’s Cove (black dot in the map below). Afterward, I recommend continue walking to Cape Disappointment Lighthouse (red dot in the map below) before returning to the car. It's an easy, well-maintained trail where you get to look down onto the cove at another beautiful angle.

  
  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• From the same parking lot, you can visit the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. Or you can hop over to the west parking lot and sightsee North Head Lighthouse.

  
  

  

  
  

Driving to/from Washington, you'll be crossing the mighty Astoria-Megler Bridge. It's not only aesthetically beautiful but also a triumph of engineering, being the longest continuous truss bridge in North America. It's quite an impressive view, stretching across the mouth of Columbia River with the Pacific Ocean as its backdrop.

Once you're back in Oregon, check out:  

• The Astoria Column. Looking down upon the mouth of Columbia River exiting to Pacific Ocean, this a great high ground to enjoy the sweeping view. If you walk up its 164 stairs the view is even more rewarding, but it's impressive enough at the foot of the column so no need to push yourself too hard.

• Astoria town center. For indoor activities, there are several options right in the center of the town that you can easily find by punching in 'galleries' or 'museum' etc. on Google Maps. Fort George Brewery and Buoy Beer Co offer nice beer tasting menus. Wandering along the river with no particular plan works too - it's a small town. If it happens to be Sunday, you'll spot farmers market stands on 12th St!

• Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. It's a museum-slash-park commemorating the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Parking/Entrance is $10 or free with Interagency Pass.

  

If there's still some daylight left, Indian Beach is a nice stop before heading to the town of Cannon Beach. You could chill at the beach or take a hike to the Ecola Viewpoint (this takes about 2 hrs out and back, so take into account what time the sun will set.)

Recommended lodging location for DAY 5: Cannon Beach

DAY 6

Cannon Beach day! If you are going after mental or physical rest and recharge, DAY 6 would be very well spent sitting at the pristine beach, watching happy dogs running around with sandy paws, maybe listening to an audiobook or podcast. PNW coast range is one of those few places both breathtaking and serene enough that it's enough to just be. The point being, while I'm of course going to list out some fantastic activities this area offers, consider them highly optional except the beach itself.💕

• (If you didn't get to it yesterday) Indian Beach Trail hiking.

• Town of Cannon Beach: Dragonfire Gallery and Jeffrey Hull Gallery carry some really cool, high quality local art pieces to browse. If interested in hitting up all the little galleries in the area, simply look up 'art gallery' on Google Maps. For old school candy lovers Schwietert's Cones & Candy will be a fun treat. If craving milkshakes or quality coffee or chocolate, Cannon Beach Chocolate Cafe has a great range of offerings.

• Haystack Rock: can't miss it, it's right there in your face the moment you step foot on the beach here.🙂 For some fun tide-pooling, I recommend looking up the tide schedule and see if you can make it during the low or negative tide. The seascape here is sublime regardless though, so don't stress if tide timing won't work out for your schedule.

• Fancy a steam-powered locomotive ride along the coast? Get a ticket for the time of your choice at this website and make sure to get to the departure point (typically Rockaway Beach) on time.

• Hug Point State Recreation Site is another breathtaking beach with a unique vibe.

• Short Sand Beach Trail: a quick yet stunning 10-15min walk from the parking lot .

  
  

In the evening, the sunset at Cannon Beach is simply spellbinding.

Lodging: same as yesterday (Cannon Beach)

DAY 7

The last day of this road trip is focused around Tillamook & Pacific City, located just south of Cannon Beach.

• If you like smoked jerkies Tillamook Country Smoker Factory Outlet has a great range of local jerky products at good prices. 

• Tillamook Creamery: self-tour the cheese factory and sample some free cheddars of different ages.😋 Cafeteria has a full flavor selection of their ultra creamy ice creams, including some that aren't offered outside of Oregon, so it's a nice sampling opportunity before buying a whole tub of one flavor, or two, or three...

• You can visit http://nestuccaadventures.com/ or http://kayaktillamook.com/ to browse kayak rental options.  

  

• Cape Kiwanda Sand Dune. If you patiently walk up the dune at the beach, you'll be rewarded with several great viewpoints and photogenic spots.

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Pelican Brewing is right next to the sand dune, a good spot to enjoy some beer with ocean view.

  
  

If you have daylight still left, Tunnel Beach and Cape Meares Lighthouse are nearby pit stops to consider before heading back to metro.