Colin & Angela
Just the two of us

Oregon in 5 Days: The Columbia Gorge, Hood River, Mount Hood and Cannon Beach

A summer Oregon loop from Portland: waterfall hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, a Hood River lavender farm, Mount Hood reflected in Trillium Lake, and Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach.

Oregon, USA · Aug 9 – 14, 2022 · by Angela

Mount Hood reflected in the calm water of Trillium Lake

In August 2022 we did a quick loop out of Portland that packed in about everything Oregon is famous for: waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, a lavender farm in Hood River, Mount Hood reflected in a mountain lake, and Haystack Rock on the coast.

Route
Portland → Columbia River Gorge → Hood River → Mount Hood and Trillium Lake → Cannon Beach and Seaside → Portland
How long
5 days
Who came
Colin, me and friends
Best for
A long weekend with a little bit of everything

The Columbia River Gorge

The Gorge is waterfall country, less than an hour from Portland. We did forest hikes up to viewpoints over the river and took waterfall selfies in the mist. Many of the most popular Gorge stops, including Multnomah Falls, have needed a timed permit in summer, so check before you go.

A couple taking a selfie above the Columbia River Gorge
Gorge views
A couple taking a selfie in front of a tall waterfallA couple standing among tall evergreen trees on a hike

Hood River lavender

Hood River sits at the east end of the Gorge, and in summer the lavender farms around it are in full bloom, with rows of purple and Mount Hood in the background.

A woman in a dress walking through rows of lavender
Hood River lavender

Mount Hood and Trillium Lake

Trillium Lake is the classic Mount Hood view: the mountain mirrored in still water. We paddled the lake, walked past the wildflowers on the shore, and hiked up to a rocky summit with friends.

Mount Hood and evergreen trees reflected in still Trillium Lake
Trillium Lake
A couple standing on rocks with snowcapped Mount Hood behindA group of friends on a rocky summit with Mount Hood in the distanceMount Hood over a lake with purple wildflowers in the foreground

Cannon Beach and Seaside

We finished on the coast at Cannon Beach, with Haystack Rock by day and at sunset and long beach walks, then fern-lined forest trails near Seaside.

Haystack Rock rising from the beach under a cloudy sky
Haystack Rock
Sea stacks silhouetted at sunset with a person on wet sandA woman hiking a trail through tall evergreen treesA woman walking on a wide sandy beach under blue sky

Oregon tips

  • Check Gorge permits. Summer timed-entry rules for the waterfall corridor change year to year.
  • Go early to Trillium Lake for the calmest water and best reflection.
  • Bring layers to the coast. Even in August it can be foggy and cool.
  • Rent a car in Portland. Everything here is an easy drive.

More Pacific Northwest

We came back for a much longer trip in 2025. Read our Pacific Northwest road trip.

More family trip guides