Best Weekend Trips In Oregon For 2023

Planning to visit Oregon for your next trip? We’ve got the scoop on the best weekend trips to take from Portland or anywhere in the state! 

With so many scenic vistas scattered across the landscape, we’ve narrowed our list down to include the must-dos of a trip to this corner of the Pacific Northwest. Some excursions may only last you the morning, while others will fill up your entire weekend.

For moody beaches, golden vineyards, and weekend markets, join us on a trek through the best that Oregon has to offer— weekend sized!

Best Weekend Trips In Oregon

Crater Lake National Park

Our list of weekend trips in Oregon starts in the Southwestern corner of the state.

Although Crater Lake National Park could take up an entire week’s vacation easily, it’s also very doable for a weekend excursion. The closest city or town to the park is Prospect, which is about a 40 minute drive out. The distance from Portland to Crater Lake is 5 hours long.

That said, if you’re able to visit Crater Lake National Park for a long weekend from the city, we strongly recommend it! The park is classic Pacific Northwest wilderness to satisfy anyone’s wanderlust. Alpine trees and mountains are reflected back with perfect clarity on Crater Lake itself, as well as neighboring Diamond Lake in the north. For quicker and easier hikes, the Sun Notch Trail and Discovery Point Trail are both around an hour long and have gorgeous views of the valley. The most popular hike in the park is Cleetwood Cove Trail, which is considered moderately difficult. This is the only trail that will take you to the lake itself, and is the jumping off point for Crater Lake boat tours. Cleetwood Cove takes about 1 ½ hours to complete and covers an elevation of 620 feet.

For campgrounds around Crater Lake National Park, check out Mazama Campground and Broken Arrow Campground. 

Willamette Valley

Approximately an hour’s drive outside of Portland are the gorgeous hills and meadows of the Willamette Valley. Once a hidden gem in the Pacific Northwest, the region is quickly becoming a must-visit destination for wine lovers. A staggering 700 vineyards and wineries of the Willamette have been producing acclaimed wines for years and are finally having their moment in the spotlight.

The landscape of the valley is filled with golden, rolling hills intercut by rivers. Even if you aren’t interested in wine or alcoholic beverages in general, the beauty of the region is well worth the trip by its own merit. Many of the vineyards offer hikes and horseback riding trails through their lush fields, so you can explore the area without having to limit yourself to the wine itself.

Cities within the vast Willamette Valley include Salem, Corvallis, Eugene, and technically Portland itself (depending on who you ask). Winters in the Willamette are considered to be mild, so the destination is perfect for year round travel.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

You may know of the landscape of this national monument by its more common nickname, the Painted Hills. The mountains and hills of the region are famous for the dramatic rust colored swells of sediment across them. However, what’s below the surface of the terrain is what put the monument on the map since 1864.

The stretch of land that the monument covers has long been a hotspot for uncovering fossils of flora and fauna from the Eocene and Miocene eras. Visitors to the park can stop by the Thomas Condon Visitor Center to see a number of paleontology exhibits as well as a working lab!

The badlands of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument consist of three major sites: Painted Hills, Sheep Rock, and Clarno. While there are no overnight campgrounds within the park itself, there are a few nearby.

For dry or RV camping near John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, check out Priest Hole Recreation Site, Burnt Ranch Campground, and Hidden Springs.

Cannon Beach

The iconic coastline of Cannon Beach is only an hour and a half outside of Portland! The beach itself is every bit as moody and magnetic as it appears in photos. Haystack Rock, its famous monument on the shoreline, is incredible to take in in-person. Plus, if you visit during April, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the adorable Tufted Puffins that migrate to the rock each year for a short period of time. 

The city of Cannon Beach is also a classic Oregonian destination in its own right. Boutiques and excellent restaurants dot the downtown area, as well as breweries and art galleries. Although Cannon Beach isn’t the largest city in Oregon, it has plenty to do that’s perfect for a weekend getaway.

There’s no wrong time of year to visit Cannon Beach. July through September is the busy season, but early Spring is fabulous as well. Plus, you’ll be able to go Puffin watching!

Sea Lion Caves of Lane County

If you venture 11 miles north of the coastal city of Florence, you’ll find yourself passing by the largest sea cave in America. But if this wasn’t impressive enough, what inhabits the area for a portion of each year will send you packing immediately.

A visit to the Sea Lion Caves features an impressive elevator ride down 200 feet to reach the entrance to the cavern itself. Your best bet to see the migration of the sea lions themselves is to visit during the winter months of December and January. During this time, the cavern becomes filled with dozens of the Pacific Northwest’s famous critters. Otherwise, the cave is still an awesome visit for the beauty of its natural features. Check out the official Sea Lion Caves website for more information on how to visit. 

The tour of the cave is a fairly quick one. Most people stay for under an hour, which makes it a great side trip if you’ve got a busier schedule. 

Portland Saturday Market

Be sure to pencil in time during your weekend trips in Oregon for the Portland Saturday Market. Although there are so many things to choose from in this wonderful city, the weekly market is our favorite. And it also happens to be the largest continually operating outdoor market in the US!

Each Saturday from mid-March to December 24, the marketplace at Naito Parkway comes to life with all kinds of vendors. The stalls of the market truly have something for everyone. You’ll be able to find organic skincare, sculptures and paintings, pottery, jewelry, boutique wines, food booths, and so much more.

The market is open from 10:00am to 5:00pm and is located within walking distance from the city center by Old Town. Feel free to bring your fur babies as well because the market is dog friendly.

 

What places do you like to visit during your weekend trips in Oregon? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to secure your RV rental ASAP!