This Oregon Road Trip Takes You From The Waterfalls Of The Columbia River Gorge To The Beaches Of The Oregon Coast
By Sarah McCosham|Published June 28, 2022
×
Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
In a state as gorgeous and geographically varied as Oregon, pretty much any road trip is going to be scenic. But the following adventure might just be the most superlatively scenic of them all! Beginning in the Columbia River Gorge, we’re traveling through lush forests to the Oregon Coast, stopping by a few iconic beaches before heading back and ending at a little slice of Wine Country… in the heart of Portland! Come along with us on this Oregon Road Trip as we traverse forests, falls, fields, and shores.
This Oregon road trip travels from the commanding Columbia River Gorge to the Oregon Coast -- and back! Total trip time is just over four hours; while doable in a day, we suggest breaking the trip into a weekend, and have some lodging ideas listed below.
This rocky promontory perched 693 feet above the Columbia River is known as Crown Point State Scenic Corridor -- and its crown jewel is the Vista House, a place that belongs on every Oregonian's bucket list!
Advertisement
As America’s first scenic highway and a National Historic Landmark, the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway is a 70-mile route that, when you traverse, you'll understand why it's been hailed as “King of Roads.”
Tillamook is a place that needs no introduction; in addition to its world-famous dairy, it's also home to one of the most iconic PNW lighthouses, known colloquially as "Terrible Tilly."
If you're ready to to break for the night, check out this charming covered wagon campground in Tillamook.
It would be a shame to visit the North Oregon Coast and *not* stop by Cannon Beach, so that's where we're heading next.
Standing at 235 feet tall, this Oregon monolith is an incredible sight to see, and one of the most iconic places in the PNW. One of three "Haystack Rock" formations on the Oregon Coast, this is the one featured in the 1980s classic "The Goonies."
Looking for a place to stay at Cannon Beach? We don't blame you, and the views from this coastal cottage are out-of-this-world!
The last leg of the Oregon road trip has us returning back to Portland, via a scenic forested route leading to what we think is one of PDX's coolest hidden gems.
Amaterra Winery, 8150 SW Swede Hill Dr, Portland, OR 97225, USA
Amaterra Winery is a sublime slice of Oregon Wine Country just minutes from Portland, boasting dramatic city vistas and some of the finest wines in the PNW.
Order a charcuterie, sit back, and raise a glass to an amazing scenic road trip adventure in the beautiful and beguiling Beaver State. Cheers!
