17+ Spots in Oregon To Connect With Nature and Clear Your Mind

Tryon Creek State Natural Area

 Tryon Creek State Natural AreaPortland, United StatesA peaceful and beautiful place to hike, trail run, or ride within Portland city limits. The trails are well taken care of and it’s a great place to spend the day outside with four-legged friends. #hiking

Make your time in nature educational at Tryon Creek State Natural Area. The park’s Nature Center hosts weekly guided nature walks every Saturday. A hike through Tryon Creek includes several miles of trails, bridges, and wetland board walks.

Gorton Creek Falls

 Gorton Creek FallsCascade Locks, United StatesA short 1.2 mile out and back trail with 150 feet of elevation gain leads up to this beautiful waterfall.
Best during the winter or spring as the water level is higher.
#oregon

The Grotto

 The GrottoPortland, United StatesThe Grotto is a great place to escape the bustle of the city and wander through beautiful rose gardens and view statues, fountains, labyrinths, and take a quiet moment in the meditation center.

Breathe in serenity at The Grotto, a Catholic shrine and nature retreat in Northeast Portland. The Grotto’s upper and lower levels feature incredible gardens, a meditation centre, fountains, a labyrinth, and paved paths for leisurely strolls away from the bustle of the city.

Tryon Creek State Natural Area

 Tryon Creek State Natural AreaPortland, United StatesA peaceful and beautiful place to hike, trail run, or ride within Portland city limits. The trails are well taken care of and it’s a great place to spend the day outside with four-legged friends. #hiking

Mt. Hood Skibowl

 Mt. Hood SkibowlGovernment Camp, United StatesGreat for night skiing but even better during the summer. The alpine slide is a blast and the mountain biking trails are great for action junkies of all ages #mountainbiking #skiing #zipline #hiking #sledding #playground #funforteens #activekids #extreme #familyfriendly

Wahclella Falls

 Wahclella FallsCascade Locks, United StatesThis popular two mile roundtrip hike leads to this beautiful waterfall. The trail is well maintained and doesn’t have much elevation gain. #oregon #hiking

Powell Butte Nature Park

 Powell Butte Nature ParkPortland, United StatesA beautiful, family friendly nature park with miles of scenic hiking trails and stunning views of downtown Portland and The Cascades. #hiking #portlandoregon #outdoors #nature #pacificnorthwest

Lost Lake Resort

 Lost Lake ResortCascade Locks, United StatesA sweet view of Mount Hood reflecting on the lake? Check. Tent sites, cabins and a general store? Yup, it’s all here. I’ll be back… #mountain #lakes #camping #hiking #photoop

Elowah Falls

 Elowah FallsCascade Locks, United StatesOne of my favorite places to visit in the Columbia River Gorge. It’s best in the winter or spring when the water level is highest, like in this photo. #hiking

Portland Japanese Garden

 Portland Japanese GardenPortland, United StatesLegendary American/Japanese Garden that blends traditional structure and style with native plants. Absolutely worth the price, if only to spend an hour listening to bamboo fountains while admiring the view of Mt Hood #outdoor #meditation #naturalambiance #japaneseculture #treasure #garden

Ponytail Falls

 Ponytail FallsCascade Locks, United StatesAs I hiked along the Horsetail Falls Loop, the terrain led me behind an 80ft waterfall without much of a fuss. Ponytail Falls was the second waterfall on the trail where I could photograph from a variety of angles and have direct access to getting refreshed by the waterfall’s mist. The cavern below the volcanic rock provides a unique viewpoint behind Ponytail Falls.
#hiking #oregon #waterfalls #horsetailfallsloop

Eastbank Esplanade

 Eastbank EsplanadePortland, United StatesOne of Portland’s biggest quality-of-life successes is also one of the best ways to enjoy the Willamette River- the heart of Portland. Good for kids, especially if you rent the frilly quad bikes at the end of Salmon Street #hiking #playground #biking #waterfront #touristspots #parks

Tom McCall Waterfront Park

 Tom McCall Waterfront ParkPortland, United StatesA lovely, short walk along the Willamette River with views of the city and skyline.
#portlandoregon #pacificnorthwest #waterfront #nature #outdoors

Find nature right in downtown Portland at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Walk along the banks of the Willamette River and take in the view of Portland’s bridges and cityscape, and even spot Mount Hood on a clear day.

Oneonta Gorge

 Oneonta GorgeCascade Locks, United StatesOneonta Gorge is one of the most unique places in the Columbia River Gorge. The short hike to a waterfall takes you over a log jam and up a stream in a tight gorge. The water is really cold and you do have to wade through a small section of it but the experience and view of the waterfall at the end makes it worth it.

Multnomah Falls

 Multnomah FallsCascade Locks, United StatesThis beautiful waterfall is just the tip of the Columbia Gorge. Be sure to check it the Historic Columbia Highway and Punchbowl Falls in the summer! #waterfall #scenicviews #naturewalk #familyfriendly #camping #hiking #funforteens

Mt. Hood National Forest

 Mt. Hood National ForestSandy, United StatesOregon is home to some of the most scenic forests I have ever driven through. SR 35 is part of the Mount Hood Scenic Loop where I stood staring up at the towering 11,000 plus feet face of Mount Hood.
#hiking #snow #camping #oregon #pnw #scenicdrive