Portland Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

Portland Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

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Parks and Outdoors Destinations Near Portland

Travel Guides Near Portland

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Aerial of the skyline in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon, skyline (Brent Bradley/courtesy, Portland Oregon Visitors Association)

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Portland Parks and Outdoors Highlights

By Travel Expert: Jeremy Pataky

  • Few cities in the United States can boast the caliber or variety of outdoor opportunities found in Portland. Tucked amid lush folds of the Willamette Valley—bounded by the snow-capped volcanoes, old-growth forests, and the Columbia River—the region has long attracted residents with a keen appreciation for the great outdoors.
  • Three great rivers within three hours of Portland—the Deschutes, Metolius, and Crooked Rivers—offer excellent opportunities year-round to catch nice fish.
  • Between the wilderness areas, national forests, and state parks there is no lack of opportunities for backcountry camping around Portland. Groups seeking a car-camping experience should check out Eagle Creek Campground, a perfect base camp for hiking forays up Eagle Creek and Ruckle Ridge trails. For coastal camping, sample primeval coastal rain forest at Oswald West State Park, and for riverside camping just a short drive from the city visit Oxbow Park.
  • Two full-day scenic drives leading from the city typify some of the classic scenery of this region. Heading east, the Columbia River Gorge Historic Highway passes some of the most spectacular waterfalls and overlooks along the river and encompasses a loop around Mount Hood. Driving west, the Oregon Coast Drive, involves a long loop through the Willamette Valley and through the Coastal mountain range with the prime attraction being miles of winding road along the Pacific Ocean.

Portland Overview

Situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, Portland, Oregon, with a metropolitan population of roughly two million, is a city of discreet charms. That it claims a rose garden as one of its biggest attractions should give you an idea of just how laid-back this city is. Sure, Portlanders are just as attached to their cellphones and PDAs as residents of other urban areas, but this is the City of Roses, and people still take time to stop and smell the flowers. Spend much time here, and you, too, will likely feel the leisurely pace seeping into your bones. Read More

Hotels

Inn @ Northrup Station

2025 NW Northrup
Portland, OR 97209 Map

Distance: 1.0 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 2 class stars

expert favorite hotel Traveler Rating
3.6 out of 5
3.6 out of 5
7 reviews
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
3.0
4.0
from: $119

Benson Hotel

309 SW Broadway
Portland, OR 97205 Map

Distance: 0.2 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 4 class stars

Traveler Rating
4.6 out of 5
4.6 out of 5
62 reviews
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
3.0
4.0
from: $129

Embassy Suites Portland - Downtown

319 SW Pine Street
Portland, OR 97204-2726 Map

Distance: 0.1 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 3 class stars

Traveler Rating
4.5 out of 5
4.5 out of 5
18 reviews
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
4.0
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Attractions

Pearl District

expert favorite attraction Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
East of Nob Hill and north of Burnside Street
Portland, Oregon 97209

Distance: 0.6 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Much like many of Portland's hottest stomping... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0

Nob Hill Walking Tour

expert favorite attraction Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
(around Couch Park)
Northwest Portland
Portland, Oregon 97210

Distance: 3.2 mi. (from destination center)

Description: This tour in Portland's northwest... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0

Portland Classical Chinese Garden

expert favorite attraction Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
NW Everett Street and NW Third Ave
127 NW 3rd Ave
Portland, OR, Oregon

Distance: 0.2 mi. (from destination center)

Description:

This classically styled Chinese garden takes... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended
4_0
3_0
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Airports

Major Airports near Portland

Distance (mi.)
Portland International Airport 5.5 map Flight Deals to PDX
Seattle/Tacoma International Airport 134.4 map Flight Deals to SEA
Vancouver International Airport 254.2 map Flight Deals to YVR

Other Smaller Airports near Portland

Distance (mi.)
Redmond Bend/Roberts Field 115.5 map
Yakima Air Terminal Airport 125.6 map
Seattle Boeing Fld International Airport 139.9 map

Flight Deals to Portland

Originating From
Spokane (GEG) to Portland (PDX) $165
Sacramento (SAC) to Portland (PDX) $169
San Francisco (SFO) to Portland (PDX) $191
Denver (DEN) to Portland (PDX) $191
Indianapolis (IND) to Portland (PDX) $209

Feature Articles

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Trip Ideas

Portland Vacation Rentals

check rates
from: $257

2 Bedroom VACATION HOME in PORTLAND, OR 97299

Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Sleeps: 8
Amenities: Air Conditioning, Alarm Clock, BBQ, Blender, CD Player, Cable/Satellite TV, Coffee Maker, DVD Player, Dishwasher, Fireplace, Freezer, Full kitchen, Internet Access, Iron, Lakefront, Laundry, Linens, Microwave, Non-Smoking, Oven, Patio, Pets OK, Phone, Refrigerator, Stereo, TV, Toaster, Utensils, VCR
check rates
from: $342

3 Bedroom VACATION HOME in PORTLAND, OR 97299

Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2.5
Sleeps: 8
Amenities: Air Conditioning, Alarm Clock, Blender, CD Player, Cable/Satellite TV, Coffee Maker, DVD Player, Dishwasher, Fireplace, Freezer, Full kitchen, Hot Tub, Internet Access, Iron, Jacuzzi, Lakefront, Laundry, Linens, Lounge, Microwave, Oven, Patio, Pets OK, Phone, Refrigerator, Smoking OK, Stereo, TV, Toaster, Utensils, VCR
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from: $170

FAR from ORDINARY, CLOE to DOWNTOWN: Buckman House

Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 1
Sleeps: 8
Amenities: Air Conditioning, BBQ, CD Player, Cable/Satellite TV, Coffee Maker, DVD Player, Dishwasher, Full kitchen, Garage, Internet Access, Laundry, Linens, Microwave, Patio, Pets OK, Refrigerator, Stereo, Stove, TV, Utensils, VCR, Wireless Internet Access
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Portland Parks and Outdoors Travel Guides

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