Portland has so many natural wonders right in its own backyard. Skip fancy vacations and head to these local wonderlands to see the Pacific Northwest at its finest. Whether you want to traipse through the forest or get a bird’s eye view of the valley, there is a natural wonder near the city to impress just about everyone.
- Multnomah Falls And More
Ernest Hawkes / Flickr Our waterfalls are impressive. Multnomah Falls is the best known, but along the Old Columbia River Highway, there are many more to explore as well. Check out Latourell Falls, Horsetail Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Wahkeena Falls, and Fairy Falls, which are all beautiful and worth a trip.
- Mt. Tabor
The Spark* / Flickr Volcano lovers will enjoy a trip to Mt. Tabor, an extinct cinder cone in the heart of the city. With a peak of 636 feet, today, you can play basketball or catch a show in the amphitheater, situated right in the original cinder cone. The views of the city and Mt. Hood from the park are also top notch.
- Mt. Hood
Peter Roome / Flickr Our state’s highest mountain sits 50 miles east of the city and is our backyard of sorts. Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, swimming, boating and hiking are all doable here. Standing at over 11,000 feet, the mountain is a wonder just waiting to be explored.
- Mt. St. Helens
Manda-B / Flickr To the north stands the famed mountain that exploded spectacularly in 1980. Today you can enjoy an amazing view from the Johnson Ridge Observatory, explore the many lava caves, and delve into the history of this amazing storied volcano.
- Angel’s Rest
Bill Automata / Flickr If you put in a little work, you will be rewarded with a 270-degree view of the Gorge from this stunning vantage point. The 2.4-mile hike to the summit is worth it for this amazing perspective of the river and environs.
- Opal Creek Ancient Forest
Andrea Janda / Flickr Once home to the Santiam Molalla Native Americans, this old growth forest is a thing of wonder. Surviving two wildfires between 1550 and 1835, the forest is teeming with natural history. Today, the land is protected by federal legislation and is a lovely place to explore.
- Forest Park
Stacy Kizer / Flickr Forest Park boasts over 5,000 acres ready to explore. The Wildwood Trail, a huge draw, offers 30 miles of meandering through heavily forested areas for an epic journey. With over 70 miles of trails, this is the perfect place to stretch your legs and take in some breath-taking scenery.
How many of these natural wonders have you visited? There’s no time like the present to experience all the beauty that Portland has to offer.
Ernest Hawkes / Flickr
Our waterfalls are impressive. Multnomah Falls is the best known, but along the Old Columbia River Highway, there are many more to explore as well. Check out Latourell Falls, Horsetail Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Wahkeena Falls, and Fairy Falls, which are all beautiful and worth a trip.
The Spark* / Flickr
Volcano lovers will enjoy a trip to Mt. Tabor, an extinct cinder cone in the heart of the city. With a peak of 636 feet, today, you can play basketball or catch a show in the amphitheater, situated right in the original cinder cone. The views of the city and Mt. Hood from the park are also top notch.
Peter Roome / Flickr
Our state’s highest mountain sits 50 miles east of the city and is our backyard of sorts. Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, swimming, boating and hiking are all doable here. Standing at over 11,000 feet, the mountain is a wonder just waiting to be explored.
Manda-B / Flickr
To the north stands the famed mountain that exploded spectacularly in 1980. Today you can enjoy an amazing view from the Johnson Ridge Observatory, explore the many lava caves, and delve into the history of this amazing storied volcano.
Bill Automata / Flickr
If you put in a little work, you will be rewarded with a 270-degree view of the Gorge from this stunning vantage point. The 2.4-mile hike to the summit is worth it for this amazing perspective of the river and environs.
Andrea Janda / Flickr
Once home to the Santiam Molalla Native Americans, this old growth forest is a thing of wonder. Surviving two wildfires between 1550 and 1835, the forest is teeming with natural history. Today, the land is protected by federal legislation and is a lovely place to explore.
Stacy Kizer / Flickr
Forest Park boasts over 5,000 acres ready to explore. The Wildwood Trail, a huge draw, offers 30 miles of meandering through heavily forested areas for an epic journey. With over 70 miles of trails, this is the perfect place to stretch your legs and take in some breath-taking scenery.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
