With ample waterways surrounding the city, there are a lot of beaches around town that can get a bit crowded as soon as the weather warms up. While some beaches are super popular, you may not know about these hidden beaches around Portland, and they are certainly worth a visit to cool down. Take this epic road trip exploring some of Portland’s best hidden gem beaches for some guaranteed fun in the sun, Oregon style.
Our Hidden Beaches Road Trip visits six beautiful beaches and covers about 160 miles. Total trip time is four hours, but you'll want to add time to visit each of these lovely locations!
Located right downtown, this beach is not necessarily hidden, but it is not very well known either. Under the Marquam Bridge, this beach has been a project of the Human Access Project for years, cleaning and improving the beach for recreation. Visit Portland.gov to learn more about Poet's Beach, including park hours and swimming information.
There is no need to head to the Oregon Coast when you want to hang out at the beach. Instead, take the short drive to Sauvie Island to enjoy the best beaches around all stacked in a row next to each other on a vast strip of land at the end of the road. Embark on the seven-mile round trip trek on Sauvie Island to pass by some of the most remote beachfront around. While there is not any beach actually at the lighthouse destination, you will pass through several swaths of beach on the way there, and most likely won't pass a soul until you get back to the more crowded Collins and Walton beaches.
There is plenty of room at this park, so even if it is crowded you can find your own quiet spot and feel hidden away. Located on the banks of the Sandy River, Oxbow Regional Park is a fun place to access the river year-round, and the camping here is particularly wonderful, too!
This lake is not hidden to Washingtonians, but over here in Portland, it is not on everyone's radar. Complete with stunning views of Mt. Hood, some great shallow swimming, and an expansive beach with plenty of space for recreation, you are going to want to visit this spot more after you take a trip to Vancouver Lake, which is also a favorite swimming hole near PDX!
There are several beaches at this Columbia River park, including a clothing optional one. Don't let that deter you though, as it is well hidden away and there are other beaches you can explore if you don't want to experience a nude beach! Here's more information about Rooster Rock State Park, an Oregon State Parks gem!
Right along Marine Drive, you may never have noticed this beach along the Columbia River. The airport certainly won't hide itself, as you will hear plenty of planes coming and going if you stay long enough, but Broughton Beach is the perfect place for a quick trip to the beach that doesn't require too much driving.
What is your favorite hidden beach near Rose City? Would you add any other spots to the above list of best beaches in Portland? Let us know in the comments below!
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Best beaches in Portland
Sarah M.|April 18, 2022
What are some other beautiful beaches to visit near Portland?
If you're up for a little adventure along the Oregon Coast, we have just the road trip for you. From top to bottom, the Oregon Coast is filled to the brim with amazing places worthy of exploration. There’s so much to do and see in this stunning state, including plenty of hidden gem beaches in Oregon that’ll blow you away. Stumbling upon these secret Oregon beaches is a downright magical experience – and when you put them all together, they make for an unforgettable road trip. Some highlights on the trip include Crescent Beach, Short Sand Beach, and Hug Point. We especially love Hug Point Beach; it's a total hidden gem that has its very own waterfall! Located at Hug Point State Recreation Site, Hug Point Falls is a 15-foot waterfall that gently cascades down a sandstone drop-off along the Oregon Coast. The entire scene feels like a hidden oasis, complete with small caves and verdant greenery behind the falls.
