Portland, USA | Must-Visit Nearby Spots | Short Trip Guide ✨

Compared with the other two West Coast states (California and Washington), Oregon isn’t as famous, but it’s home to countless under-the-radar hidden travel gems 🌿. Starting from Portland, there are so many nearby places to explore—with the farthest only a 3-hour drive away, making day trips totally feasible 🚗. Below are four stunning spots, recommended from closest to farthest. 1️⃣ Multnomah Falls 🚗 Driving Time: About 40 minutes (eastbound, toward Columbia River Gorge)💡 Highlights: Oregon’s most famous waterfall! It has a dramatic drop of 189 meters, cascading down in two tiers—truly spectacular 🤩. The visitor center offers three stamps for collection, and the gift shop sells Lantern Press postcards—worth a look if you have time 📮. For free parking, use Google Maps to locate the Wahkeena Falls Day Use/Picnic Area roadside. After parking, walk a short distance along one side of the waterfall to reach the site. The parking lot across from the waterfall requires a paid permit booked in advance 🅿️. 2️⃣ Trillium Lake 🚗 Driving Time: About 1 hour 20 minutes (southeast, toward Mount Hood National Forest)💡 Highlights: The lake is as calm as a mirror, with Mount Hood perfectly reflected in its waters—absolutely stunning 😍. I originally came just to “check it off” since I was in the area, but ended up taking photos of a lifetime. Life is meant to be spent in places like this 🌄. It’s a popular spot for camping, boating, capturing morning mist, and photographing snow-capped mountains ⛺. The entrance fee is $10 per car (card payments accepted). Though managed by the U.S. Forest Service, it surprisingly doesn’t honor national park annual passes—only the Forest Service’s own annual passes are valid 💳. 3️⃣ Cannon Beach 🚗 Driving Time: About 1 hour 30 minutes (westbound, toward the Pacific Ocean)💡 Highlights: A filming location for The Princess Bride and Twilight 🎬! Its most iconic feature is Haystack Rock—so picturesque it looks like a computer wallpaper 🖼️. During low tide, you can get up close to intertidal creatures 🐚. Heavy fog often covers the beach, so you might not get photos with great lighting—be mentally prepared ☁️. 4️⃣ Thor’s Well 🚗 Driving Time: About 2 hours 45 minutes (south along Highway 101 coastal road)💡 Highlights: A magical “black hole of the sea” that creates a spring-like effect as the tide rises and falls 🌊. Photography Tip: Shoot near high tide with a long exposure for a breathtaking result ⏱️. Search for high tide times in advance and arrive 15 minutes early. Wear waterproof shoes—waves sometimes crash onto the shore, so stay safe ⚠️. Driving south from Cannon Beach, there are many coastal towns along Highway 101—feel free to explore them if you have time 🏘️. #HiddenGemDestinationsWorthRevisiting #Portland #Travel #OregonTravel 🌟