Portland is the capital city of the state of Oregon located in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. This trendy city is popular amongst outdoor enthusiasts since there are lots of incredible hikes near Portland and places to visit along the coast.
In this guide you will find 7 of the best Portland hikes which have spectacular viewpoints or waterfalls and are perfect for a day trip from the city. All of these are easy hikes near Portland and are recommended by my sister and brother-in-law who are avid hikers living in Portland!
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Portland Hikes Map: Best Hikes Near Portland
Save the map below to easily locate all of the best hikes near Portland in Oregon!
Tryon Creek State Park
Tryon Creek State Natural Area is the closest of the five hikes near Portland located only 15 minutes from downtown. The park is made up of over 650 acres of hiking trails, horseback riding trails and a paved bicycle trail.
Within Tryon Creek Park you can find many species of flora and fauna, including many different types of mushrooms and unique plant life. However, make sure you stick to the trail to avoid damaging any of the wildlife in the forest.
There are 8 hiking trails located at Tryon Creek: 4 short loop trails and 4 long loop trails. These trails are specifically for hiking only and cannot be used for cycling or horseback riding. However, there are equestrian trails and paved bicycle trails within the park as well.
Main Hikes in Tryon Creek State Natural Area
- Maple Ridge to Middle Creek to Big Fir to Old Main is a 1.2 mile loop
- Maple Ridge to Center Trail to Big Fir to Old Main is a 1.4 mile loop
- Old Main to Red Fox to Cedar Trail to Middle Creek to Maple Ridge is a 2 mile loop
- Old Main to Red Fox to South Creek to Iron Mountain is a 2.8 mile round trip
Equestrian Trails in Tryon Creek
- North Horse Loop
- West Horse Loop
- Boones Ferry Trail
- Englewood Trail
Paved Cycling Paths in Tryon Creek State Park
- Boones Ferry Road to Nature Center
- Nature Center to Lake Oswego (Hwy 43)
Tryon Creek is one of the best dog friendly hikes near Portland. Dogs are always allowed at Tryon Creek State Natural Area as long as they are on a leash. Visiting Tryon Creek State Park is only allowed during the day and no overnight camping is allowed on the premises.
How to Get to Tryon Creek State Natural Area
Due to the close proximity of Tryon Creek State Natural Area to the nearby city of Portland it is quite easy to get to the entrance and parking area. The park entrance and Nature Center is located at 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd, Portland, OR 97219.
Currently the Nature Center, including the restrooms, is closed to visitors but the park is still accessible. Please remember to take all of your trash with you, wear a mask when you are around others and bring food or water if needed.
Must Read: The Oregon Coast: 5 Beautiful Places to Visit in the Pacific Northwest
Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint
The Portland Women’s Forums offers one of the best viewpoints along the Historic Colombia River Hwy in Oregon. From the top of the viewpoint you are rewarded with sweeping views of the Colombia River Gorge and the iconic Vista House which is next on the list!
Open daily from 6 am to 9 pm, the Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint is a must if you are visiting this area along the Gorge! While there aren’t any hiking trails from here, I still added it to the list because of the incredible viewpoint!
Vista House Oregon
Built in 1917, the Vista House Oregon is a museum at Crown Point with breathtaking views over the Colombia River Gorge. The small building was created as a place for travelers to rest and take in the views while driving along the Historic Colombia River Hwy.
Currently the Crown Point Vista House is closed for visitors, however, you are still able to park and admire the different viewpoints from outside.
Latourell Falls
Latourell Falls is a picturesque waterfall located along the Latourell Falls Loop Trail within the Guy W Talbot State Park. The photogenic waterfall is situated along the Colombia River Gorge about a 45 minute drive from downtown and is one of the best waterfall hikes near Portland.
The tall waterfall reaches heights of 224 feet and plunges down into the small ravine below. Surrounded by basalt columns, Latourell Falls is best seen from the main trailhead which begins from the parking area directly off of the Historic Colombia River Hwy.
It only takes about 5 minutes to reach the single cascading waterfall and there is a small wooden bridge that you can cross to continue along the Latourell Falls hike.
The Latourell Falls hike is easy with a 2.4 mile loop starting at the Latourell Falls Trailhead and ending at Upper Latourell Falls.
You can visit Latourell falls year round, however it is one of the best fall hikes near Portland. The trees surrounding the waterfall are sprinkled with beautiful orange and yellow leaves creating a stunning contrast against the dark grey stone.
How to Get to Latourell Falls
There are two main roads which you can take to reach Latourell Falls from downtown Portland, Oregon. Your first option is to take I-5 to I-84 and then take exit 28 toward US-30/Bridal Veil. This will take you along the highway route to the Historic Colombia River Hwy.
The other option is to take I-5 to I-84 and then get off at exit 22 towards Corbett and then continue driving along the Historic Colombia River Hwy.
If you take the second option you can stop at the Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint and the Vista House along the way.
Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint
Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint in Oregon is located directly off of the Historic Colombia River Hwy and is the next stop after Latourell Falls. There is a large parking area with a restroom and a trail map.
Within the State Park are two separate trails: one that takes you to the beautiful Bridal Veil Falls and another that loops around with views of the Colombia River. These are both easy hikes near Portland with rewarding views.
The Overlook Trail is a 1/2 mile loop hike with panoramic views of the Colombia River at different viewpoints. Dotted along the trail are multiple picnic benches and places to rest.
To reach Bridal Veil Falls you will take a different trail called the Lower Trail. This trail stretches 0.3 miles and is a slightly sleeper than the Overlook Trail.
Multnomah Falls- Best Waterfall Hike Near Portland
Multnomah Fall is arguably one of the most recognizable waterfalls and one of the best waterfall hikes near Portland, Oregon. Located along the Colombia River Gorge, Multnomah Falls is best known for its iconic bridge that spans the length of the lower falls. The Benson Bridge was built in 1914 by Italians and was named after Simon Benson who owned the falls at the time.
Visitors are free to walk along the surrounding trails and the wooden bridge to get the best views of Multnomah Falls. Just make sure to stay on the designated trails to protect yourself and nature.
Reaching heights of 620 feet, Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall located along the Colombia River Gorge. It is also the most popular waterfall to visit near Portland.
How to Get to Multnomah Falls Oregon
Located only about 30-45 minutes outside of Portland, Multnomah Falls is easy to reach. Even more so if you are already in the area exploring the other places on this list. There is a large parking located off of I-84 where you can leave your vehicle while checking out the falls. From the parking lot the Multnomah Fall Lodge at the entrance is only a five minute walk.
There is a public restroom, snack & gift shop, as well as a visitors center located at Multnomah Falls. There is also no fee to visit the falls.
Multnomah Falls Hours
Currently, Multnomah Falls Oregon is open daily from 9:00am to 6:00pm to a limited number of visitors. You must practice social distancing and wear a mask while visiting.
Sherrard Point- Best Viewpoint Hike Near Portland
One of the best Portland Hikes is the trail that leads to the Sherrard Point viewing deck. Sherrard Point is a volcanic plug located at the top of Larch Mountain. Once you arrive at the parking area you’ll walk a short distance along a paved path and concrete stairs to reach the fenced in observation deck.
From the top of the viewpoint you are able to see 5 major volcanic mountains. These are Rainier, Adams, St. Helens, Hood and Jefferson. The closest and most prominent is Mount Hood. On a clear day you can see the very tip of the peak.
How to Get to Sherrard Point, the Larch Mountain Viewpoint
There are two ways of reaching Sherrard Point at the summit of the Larch Mountain trail. The first option is to complete the 7.2 mile hike (14.4 miles round trip) from the Colombia River at Multnomah Falls. This hike is slightly strenuous as you will be ascending the entire way therefore it may not be suitable for everyone.
The second option is to drive up and park at the Larch Mountain Trailhead. You will need to pay an additional $5 USD Park Pass to access the surrounding areas. From the parking take the Sherrard Point Trail #443 which is the far right trail in the northeast corner. This easy hike near Portland is a total of 0.6 miles round trip and takes you directly to the Sherrard Point summit.
Best Hotels in Portland, Oregon
Portland is the perfect central location to explore these nearby hikes. Additionally, there is a lot to do and see within the city. Therefore be sure to spend some time exploring the downtown area!
It should be fairly easy to find a place to stay in Portland. The downtown area has lot of hotels to choose from in all different price ranges.
You can find some of the best hotels in Portland, Oregon HERE.
Have you done any of these Portland hikes or are they still on your list?
If you liked this blog post or have any questions please leave a comment below! You can also always send me a message via email marisa@thisworldtraveled.com or on Instagram @thisworldtraveled!
I ♡ Oregon and am so grateful to call Portland my current home and travel hub! Great summary of PDX hikes. I haven’t been to all yet. 😉
Oregon is such a beautiful state and you are lucky to call it home! I hope you can make it to some more of these hikes soon!