The 7 Best Day Trips from in Clackamas County, Clackamas County

Join us on our full day guided tour from Portland to Mt. Hood. By visiting Mount Hood with our enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides, you will have multiple opportunities to get the best photographs of the awe-inspiring scenery, and to learn about the history and heritage of Portland’s iconic mountain. Our tour will depart the hustle and bustle of downtown Portland by first taking you into the wonders of the Columbia River Gorge. We will follow the Columbia River east to the town of Hood River for lunch before driving up through the Hood River Valley to the south side of Mt. Hood. The sites that we may visit include: Multnomah Falls, Rowena Crest, a farm stand (seasonally), and Timberline Lodge. Your route may vary based on weather and road conditions but our guides will make necessary changes to enhance your Mt Hood Loop tour experience.

Inclusions: Bottled water

Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuities

Mt. Hood is the highest summit in Oregon, and the fourth highest in the Cascades. It features waterfalls, glaciers, and historic Timberline Lodge, built by local artisans during the Great Depression, and featuring the longest ski season in the US. To the north of Mt. Hood is the Hood River Valley and Columbia Gorge American Viticultural Area (AVA), the lovechild of the Columbia Valley and Willamette Valley AVAs. You will get intimate with this area through a visit to Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood, wine tasting, and a stop at Multnomah Falls, the tallest waterfall in Oregon. Your expert guide, with formal background in ecology, natural resources, and wine, will teach you about the natural history, cultural history, and wine background of the area, as you drive the Mt. Hood and Historic Columbia River Highway Scenic Byways. You'll visit 2 wineries. We cover lunch, you cover tasting fees.

Inclusions: Lunch, Snacks, Bottled water, Air-conditioned vehicle, PA system to hear the guide from the back row

Exclusions: Alcoholic Beverages, Gratuities (always appreciated)

Mt. Hood is the highest summit in Oregon, and the fourth highest in the Cascades. It features waterfalls, glaciers, and historic Timberline Lodge, built by local artisans during the Great Depression, and featuring the longest ski season in the US. To the north of Mt. Hood is the Hood River Valley. You will get intimate with this area through a visit to Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood, fruit stands in the Hood River Valley, downtown Hood River (your opportunity for lunch and/or alcoholic beverages), and breathtaking stops in the eastern and western Columbia River Gorge (Multnomah Falls included). Your expert guide, with formal background in ecology and natural resources, will teach you about the natural and cultural history of the area, as you drive the Mt. Hood and Historic Columbia River Highway Scenic Byways. Maximum group size of 11. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel.

Inclusions: Snacks, Bottled water, Air-conditioned vehicle, Parking Fees, PA system so the back row can hear the guide

Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuities (always appreciated)

See the natural wonders that line the Historic Columbia River Highway on this day trip from Portland to Mt Hood. With a guide, you'll be whisked to some of Oregon’s most spectacular sights, including Multnomah Falls and the Columbia River Gorge, as you learn about the area along the way. Stop by attractions like Timberline Lodge and Rowena Crest, and have free time for lunch in Hood River.

Inclusions: Professional Tour Guide, Transportation, Hotel pick-up and drop-off at select downtown Portland hotels

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities

On this full-day tour, you’ll see the best of the Portland area including downtown's Pioneer Square, the famous food carts, eclectic neighborhoods and the  Columbia River Gorge. Along the way, learn about Portland’s interesting history and modern-day culture from your guide. More than just a basic Portland city tour, our half-day Bridge City Tour will reveal the laid-back small city feel of these fun and thriving downtowns. Not only will you experience the best Portland sites including, International Rose Garden, Pioneer Courthouse Square, the best shopping area in Portland, Tilikum Crossing, Willamette Falls, the Oregon City Municipal Elevator, and downtown Oregon City, but you will also find out what makes the citizens of this area so colorful, and learn the cultural history of these unique Pacific Northwest cities.

Inclusions: Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off at select downtown Portland hotels, Bottled water, Live commentary on board, Transport by air-conditioned Sprinter van

Exclusions: Gratuities, Lunch

The first stop of the day will be at Willamette Falls. This  is a horseshoe-shaped block waterfall caused by a basalt shelf in the river bottom. The 42-foot-high and 1,500-foot-wide falls occurs 26 river miles upstream from the Willamette’s confluence with the Columbia River. It’s the largest waterfall by water volume in the Northwest and the 18th largest by volume. Around the falls are the locks, which are the oldest continuously operating multi-lift lock and canal system in the United States. Next we will make our way to Silver Falls State Park.  This area was settled originally by the Kalapuyan Indians. They most likely used the area for hunting, as well as for spirit quests. A small town was established in the Silver Falls area, although it was abandoned by the time the park was created in 1933. While you are here you will be able to hike part of the Trail of Ten Falls (approximately 3 miles, further if you are able) and some of the waterfalls you may see are: South Falls- This is the highlight of Silver Falls State Park, and due to its proximity to the city of Salem, is likely one of the most popular waterfalls in Oregon outside of the Columbia River Gorge. The falls are produced where South Silver Creek plunges 177 feet over a huge overhanging basalt cliff with a large pool occupying the bottom of the amphitheater. North Falls- The massive recess behind North Falls is especially unique and a favorite feature of visitors to the park. The undercut cliff extends back from the falls for at least 100 feet, and the ceiling runs anywhere from 20 to perhaps as much as 75 feet above the trail as it passes behind the falls. The huge size of the under cut chamber allows the roar of the falls to be amplified considerably, making the falls sound quite powerful. Twin Falls- During the wet season North Silver Creek splits into two channels and spills down an angled basalt ledge, creating two veiling curtains. Middle North Falls- This is a markedly amorphous waterfall which changes physical shape in a very dramatic way as the volume of water in North Silver Creek changes. The 106 foot tall falls take the form of a narrow column of water during the summer months, funneled to perhaps 5 feet wide at most by a narrow runnel in the bedrock.  Double Falls- Double Falls is the tallest waterfall in Silver Falls State Park – by a hair – and also the best of the handful of tributary waterfalls found along the Trail of Ten Falls. Drake Falls- Rumbles over a broad sloping ledge of basalt set in the middle of a fairly deep, narrow constriction in the canyon of North Silver Creek. Lower North Falls-  North Silver Creek produces the falls as it rumbles down a 30-foot tall dome-shaped protrusion of basalt and forms a large pool at its base. The domed shape of the falls inspired the nickname “The Thunderdome” among the whitewater kayaking community.  At the end of the day we will drop you at your downtown Portland hotel. 

Inclusions: All activities, Bottled water, Driver/guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off at select downtown Portland hotels, Live commentary on board, Local guide, Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes Sprinter Van,  

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities

Mt. Hood is the highest summit in Oregon, and the fourth highest in the Cascades. It features waterfalls, glaciers, and historic Timberline Lodge, built by local artisans during the Great Depression, and featuring the longest ski season in the US. To the north of Mt. Hood is the Hood River Valley. You will get intimate with this area through a visit to Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood, fruit stands in the Hood River Valley, downtown Hood River (your opportunity for lunch and/or alcoholic beverages), and breathtaking stops in the eastern and western Columbia River Gorge (Multnomah Falls included). Your expert guide, with formal background in ecology and natural resources, will teach you about the natural and cultural history of the area, as you drive the Mt. Hood and Historic Columbia River Highway Scenic Byways. Maximum group size of 11. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel.

Inclusions: PA system so the back row can hear the guide, Air-conditioned vehicle, Bottled water, Parking Fees, Snacks

Exclusions: Gratuities (always appreciated), Lunch