How to Plan an Incredible Pacific Northwest Road Trip

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How Many Days Do You Need to Explore the Pacific Northwest?

Firstly, there`s something important to know before exploring this guide. The Pacific Northwest region is VAST.

Were you aware that Oregon is the 9th largest state by land area in the United States? We live here in Oregon, and learning that fact originally surprised us.

From the southern border of Oregon up to Vancouver, B.C., it’s a ten hour journey by car. Meaning you’ll need to choose what to see and leave out, and that’s where we can help!

For the purposes of this guide, we’re only talking about Oregon, Washington State, and British Columbia, which means we’re excluding Idaho, which is usually included, but doesn’t make sense from a travel time perspective.

To accomplish the itinerary as written below, which is our version of the “best” itinerary with limited time, you’re going to need 14 days at a minimum.

Even with two full weeks, you’ll find it difficult to fit everything in, and will need to save some places for a return trip.

If you have seven days or fewer, we strongly recommend focusing your time solely in either Oregon or Washington. Luckily, we have guides for planning an Oregon road trip and a Washington State road trip to aid in planning those trips.

If you have 10 days, our focus would center around the corridor connecting Seattle and Portland, such as Mount Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park in Washington, as well as the Columbia River Gorge and Oregon Coast regions of Oregon.

To help give you an understanding of the main cause of why noise is produced in photography, think about this example:

Our top suggestion if you have three weeks is to add a week between Seattle and Vancouver, which was a difficult thing for us to truncate because we love that stretch. You can find that in the “with more time” section below.

Our goal here is to provide you the information necessary to make the most of your limited time, which means making some difficult choices on what to do (and what not to do).

In the itinerary outlined below, we’ve striven to make judicious choices about what to see and what to bypass depending on our own experience and comprehension of the Pacific Northwest.

For example, we’ve dedicated two days to the Paradise region at Mount Rainier, and relegated the Sunrise region to the “more time” section because it’s too time-consuming to get between them.

Where to Start and End Your Road Trip?

Initially, you should be aware that there are three main airports in the Pacific Northwest – Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Portland International Airport (PDX), and Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

As this guide focuses on Washington State and Oregon, it makes the most logical sense to fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and out of Portland International Airport (PDX).

To make the most effective use of time for this itinerary, we propose flying into one location and departing from the other to avoid wasting time driving back to the initial airport of arrival.

We’ve chosen to have you fly into Seattle and out of Portland here, but you can easily swap it around and do it the other way if that better suits you.

The other option, which makes sense if you’re including Bend on your trip, would be to fly into Seattle and out of Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM), which services the Bend area.

There are benefits and drawbacks to that method – there will be fewer flight choices, they will be more expensive, and they will likely require a connection (either in Portland or Seattle).

If you do choose to do that, you’d just move Portland and Mount Hood up before Bend, which is totally feasible. It would go Rainier – Portland – Columbia River Gorge – Mount Hood – Bend.

What is the Best Time to Do This Road Trip?

The capitol grounds have multiple statues of historic figures as well as the graves of President James K. Polk and his wife. You can take a self-guided tour of the Tennessee State Capitol.

The best time to embark on this road trip as mentioned below is between July and October.

The geography of the Pacific Northwest means there is a specific optimal time to complete this road trip as outlined.

As many of the areas we`ve discussed are in the Cascade Range – the mountains that form the backbone of Washington and Oregon – some parts of this itinerary are basically inaccessible for large portions of the year.

Generally between late October and June (though exact timing varies year-to-year), the following locales will have highly limited access: Mount Rainier National Park, Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park, and Mount Hood (plus North Cascades National Park, addressed in the “more time” section).

If you’re planning to visit the Pacific Northwest outside of the summer months, there is some positive news. Several worthwhile locations exist in the region beyond the hottest season of the year.

You’ll still be able to use the itinerary below (plus the “more time” section below it) to put together a quite impressive road trip, though you’ll have to skip some of the places in the mountains.

The Road Trip Route

The primary issue you’re working against here when planning your route is that the Seattle to Portland corridor – which includes the region’s two main airports – is a relatively small portion of the broader two states in question.

That, as well as the fact that both states are larger than expected, means that there will likely be some lengthy drives no matter how you approach it.

For instance, traveling from Portland to Crater Lake typically takes around five hours, contingent on traffic conditions.

However, we recommend structuring your trip with 1-2 days in Seattle and Portland – which are beautiful cities full of greenery, mountain views, and exceptional food and drinks.

Seattle is positioned directly on Elliott Bay, with views of the snowcapped peak of Mount Rainier (which you’ll get to see up close later in the road trip!) from different vantage points.

I, Matt, grew up in the Seattle area, attended university in Seattle, and lived there for a few years before briefly moving to California with plans to return to the Pacific Northwest.

I still spend a fair amount of time in Seattle – my entire family lives there – and am consistently amazed by how different the city appears today than, approximately 20 years ago. The progress and amount of wealth that has flowed into Seattle with the rise of the tech industry is astonishing, and the city is experiencing the related growing pains (like traffic and a housing crisis).

I know I’m biased, but Seattle is a beautiful city with a diverse food scene and great cultural attractions that is well worth a couple of days of your limited time.

What to Do in Seattle

You’re going to have somewhere around one to two days in the city, and we’d roughly split your time equally, investing half of your time in the downtown core containing the main tourist attractions (Pike Place Market and the Seattle Center), and half of your time exploring Seattle’s neighborhoods (like Capitol Hill and Ballard), which we think really showcase the city.

Here are some of our favorite activities to enjoy in Seattle, in no particular sequence.

Experience Pike Place Market: There are certain globally renowned tourist destinations – like the Colosseum in Rome or the Louvre in Paris – that attract enormous crowds but offer experiences truly worth braving the throngs. We feel that way about Pike Place Market in Seattle. Is it intended for tourists? Unquestionably yes. Is it a pivotal element of any itinerary for Seattle? Also yes. It`s advisable to arrive relatively early to avoid some of the crowds. The gum wall would best be skipped, as stopping to really consider it reveals an undeniably unhygienic nature, and time is better spent browsing the food and drink purveyors in and around the market. Wander through the market checking out vendors selling everything from candied nuts to flowers, and naturally, the iconic flying fish. Be sure to stop by Rachel`s Ginger Beer,Beecher`s Cheese (their flagship cheese ranks among my top favorites), and Ellenos Frozen Greek Yogurt during your visit. To delve deeper, take this excellent guided tour of Pike Place led by a Local Chef.

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The Museum of Pop Culture: Previously known as the Experience Music Project (EMP), this was where Matt attended his senior prom long ago. It’s an interesting space, and the focus remains largely on Seattle’s influence in the global music scene through bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, along with displays about Jimi Hendrix. There are also sections of the museum centered around other mediums, such as movie production and science fiction and fantasy genres. It’s somewhat pricey, but it’s our favorite attraction at the Seattle Center.

Gain Knowledge About Seattle’s Past in an Unconventional Setting: A bit quirky and eccentric, similar to Seattle, the Underground Tour is worth experiencing while you’re in Pioneer Square. The tour guides are amusing, and you obtain information about the history of Seattle from a slightly different angle.

Explore Capitol Hill: Capitol Hill is one of Seattle’s cool neighborhoods that is most convenient, sitting just across the freeway from downtown Seattle. It’s packed with interesting spots to stop in, whether you’re looking for vegan ice cream or a unique boutique selling unique items. Pound-for-pound, it’s probably the best place to eat and drink in the city.

Where to Stay in Seattle

For a brief stay, we`d suggest staying in central Seattle, which involves lodging somewhere within the downtown core neighborhoods of Downtown Seattle,Belltown, or South Lake Union.

Bear in mind that if you’re renting a vehicle, street parking is nonexistent.

You’ll need to either pay for parking at your hotel or utilize a nearby parking garage in downtown Seattle close to your lodging (ask the hotel staff if they have recommendations for parking facilities – do not leave any possessions unattended in the vehicle), or wait to rent a car until you’re on your way to the subsequent destination.

Given the limited time, it likely makes the most sense to pay extra for parking for a few days to streamline things.

We have stayed at – and recommend – the CitizenM in South Lake Union.

The CitizenM hotel is quite walkable (~15 minutes) to most sights in the area like Pike Place Market and Seattle Center that visitors would want to see. The rooms provide modern comforts and the staff embraces guests warmly. We’ve resided at three different CitizenM locations over the past year and are quite fond of them.

If you’re interested, you can read more about our stay at the CitizenM South Lake Union.

Some other hotels we’d advocate are the Ace Hotel Seattle (the original Ace Hotel – we stayed there a few years back and it’s a great setting), the State Hotel (a boutique hotel around the corner from Pike Place Market), and Hôtel Ändra (a Scandinavian-inspired boutique hotel in Belltown).

One note here: We’d strongly recommend you take the Bainbridge Island Ferry – which is a car ferry – across the Puget Sound from Seattle. It’s quicker than driving around the outside, and more importantly, it’s vastly more scenic (though it does cost more). On a nice summer day, you can see Rainier, Baker, and the Olympic Range from the deck of the ferry.

Here’s a view from that ferry ride to convince you.

Before delving into what to do in Olympic National Park, we need to take a moment to discuss the park’s geographical organization.

There are four primary areas of the park that taking time to explore would be recommended.

• Hurricane Ridge & Lake Crescent – This scenic region features towering mountains on the north side of the Olympic Peninsula. It’s conveniently located from all points east, like Seattle, and it also sits just 17 miles south of Port Angeles. Don’t miss Sol Duc Falls, Marymere Falls, and the views from Hurricane Hill.
• La Push Beaches – Rialto, First, Second, and Third Beach will all provide you sights of million-dollar sunsets and ocean views with cliffs escalating from the sea. Be certain to look upwards as well! You might notice the rare bald eagle patiently awaiting its next meal (we spotted two on our recent trip).
• Hoh Rainforest – This is the moss-covered forest region that features sphagnum moss, wildlife, ancient-growth Sitka spruce, ferns, banana slugs, and wildlife of all kinds.
• Lake Quinault – This region in the western part of the park highlights the stunning Lake Quinault, located within the extraordinary Quinault Rainforest.

Normally, we recommend at least three days for an Olympic National Park itinerary. However, with our limited time here, we’re narrowing that to two and focusing on the highlights.

With limited time, we believe focusing on Hurricane Ridge, the Pacific Coast, and the Hoh Rainforest would adequately fill a couple of days exploring the park.

To make the most of your time here, you’ll want to follow a counter-clockwise route starting with Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent, shifting west to Forks and the Pacific coastline, and concluding with a southward drive along the shore, incorporating several beach stops along the way.

This will also set you up well for your subsequent drive to Mount Rainier National Park, your next destination.

It also makes sense to divide your time in regard to where you stay, remaining one night in the northern region of the park, and one night out on the coast near Forks.

You’ll aim to spend your initial night near Port Angeles, a favorable base for Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent, then spend the subsequent night in Forks (yes, that Forks) to explore the Hoh Rainforest and Pacific Beaches.

One other thing: A lengthy drive is required to get from the Olympic Peninsula to Mount Rainier National Park, so be prepared for an extended drive at the end of this leg.

What to Do in Olympic National Park

Here are some of our favorite things to do in Olympic National Park. We’ve organized them in the sequence you’ll come across them on your counter-clockwise loop around the tip of the Olympic Peninsula (from Port Angeles, to Forks, to Lake Quinault).

Hurricane Ridge: Your primary destination is Hurricane Ridge, located at the northeastern corner of the park. To arrive at the ridge – the highest vantage point accessible by vehicle within the park limits – you`ll take a steep, winding road (which closes during winter seasons due to weather conditions). Once there, hike Hurricane Hill for impressive panoramic perspectives of Western Washington. Then, drive out to Obstruction Point for additional expansive vistas of the Olympic Range. If you desire a longer trek, the hike to Grand Lake begins at the end of Obstruction Point Road.

Lake Crescent: Lake Crescent is among the deepest lakes in the state, located approximately 20 miles west of Port Angeles along Highway 101. There are a few attractions and activities here. First is the Lake Crescent Lodge, a historic lodge directly on the lakefront that would make an enjoyable spot to grab a snack or drink after exploration (sitting in the adirondack chairs overlooking the water would be especially pleasant). Second are the trails to Marymere Falls (a brief and easy walk through forest to a waterfall) and Mount Storm King (a challenging hike straight uphill to nice lake views).

Sol Duc Falls: Our favorite waterfall in the park, this represents a small detour from Lake Crescent. The author came across it while hiking the High Divide, a great backpacking trail that begins from the same trailhead. It’s a very short, mostly flat walk through the woods to a wooden bridge over the falls.

Rialto Beach and Hole-in-the-Wall: If one had to choose, visiting this trail ranks among our top three preferred routes when considering hikes in Olympic National Park. It involves a easy walk along the shoreline (trekking through sand does present difficulties, so come prepared for that) past towering rock formations rising from the sea, tide pools, and bald eagles perched in trees to a rock formation containing an opening. We were extremely fortunate on our initial ever trip with perfect weather at sunset, which is the ideal time to take this hike, but your experience may differ (we`ve since visited twice in the summer, and it has been gray and rainy on both occasions).

The Hoh Rainforest: The lush and verdant Hoh Rainforest, located along the Pacific Northwest coast, is a particularly moist and moss covered habitat. However, it also experiences high visitor numbers, so we advise attempting to structure your itinerary there to ensure arrival prior to 9am to avoid the lengthy queues that form at the entrance gate. After parking, take in the brief Hall of Mosses and Spruce Nature Trail, and if you`re up for a relatively simple walk, do the initial portion of the Hoh River Trail, which sees a fraction of the people that those first few trails see and is a very pleasant walk.

Where to Stay in Olympic National Park

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That route would shape like a counterclockwise loop around the Olympic Peninsula, leaving you well positioned to continue eastward toward Mount Rainier.

We have written a more comprehensive guide detailing recommended places to stay within Olympic National Park, including locations in Port Angeles and Forks along with camping information. Please refer to our post on lodging options in Olympic National Park for more details.

Mount Rainier National Park is in our top three, and we revisit it every opportunity we get (which usually means a few days once or twice every summer and fall).

Before detailing what activities and sights are available at Mount Rainier, let`s briefly cover the geographic features of the surrounding area.

There are three main areas of Mt. Rainier National Park: Paradise, Sunrise, and Mowich Lake.

Here’s a quick summary of each. 

• Paradise – Best for initial visitors: Situated on the southern side of the Mountain, Paradise is a prevalent area to explore housing some of the finest wildflower fields and lakes in the park.
• Sunup –Greatest for grand hikes: Sunup, which is on the easterly side of the park, is the highest point in Mount Rainier National Park that you can drive to. Several of our favorite hikes in Mount Rainier National Park leave from the immense parking lot at the visitor center.
• Mowich Lake– Ideal for relaxation: Situated on the northwest side of the mountain, Mowich Lake is the quietest area of the park. It escapes the tourist hustle of Paradise and Sunrise, and the long rough gravel road limiting access significantly reduces visitor numbers.

The issue with Mount Rainier is that it takes a LONG time to travel between those different areas. Paradise and Sunrise are roughly 90 minutes apart (one way), which makes it a lengthy journey for a day trip with confined time.

If it’s your first time and you only have a couple of days, we’d recommend basing yourself for your two days in the Paradise area.

Paradise is our preferred part of the park with the best variety of scenery (wildflower meadows, alpine lakes, and waterfalls) with plenty to see and do to fill a couple of days.

It also happens to be the most convenient place to access your next stop on this road trip, which will take you south down to Oregon.

What to Do in Mount Rainier National Park

Here are our favorite things to do in Paradise. 

An America the Beautiful Pass allows access to all national parks and federal recreational sites throughout the country. Colorado itself hosts four national parks, as well as national monuments, historic places, and more. These areas are home to some of the top campgrounds and highest rated hikes in the state.

Exploring water features: One of our favorite aspects about Paradise is the impressive waterfalls. There are four primary falls, and one of them – Myrtle Falls – can be seen along the Skyline Trail. Two others are conveniently accessible with a brief stroll from the parking area – Christine Falls, beautifully framed by a picturesque stone bridge – and Narada Falls, situated along the road leading up to Paradise. The last is Comet Falls, which is the most striking of the group and necessitates a quick hike to reach (you can read more details about it in our guide on the Comet Falls trail).

Capture a flawless reflection at Reflection Lakes: Reflection Lakes is one of our favored views in the park, particularly at sunrise and sunset. On a clear day, there is an almost perfect mirroring of Rainier’s glaciated peak in the water. PLEASE NOTE: the insect population here in summer is intense. Matt attracts many mosquitoes and flies, and he braved the swarms of them to capture some photographs at sunrise and sunset on our last few visits.

Where to Stay near Paradise at Mount Rainier National Park

You’ll want to base yourself near Paradise, which lies on the south side of Rainier close to the Nisqually entrance and the town of Ashford.

If camping out, the Cougar Rock Campground makes an excellent home base for exploring this region of the park. This is where we pitch our tent when visiting, although obtaining reservations for summer weekends can be challenging. More data here, like how to book a location.

If you’re not camping, the community of Ashford is the preferable option.

Alternatively, the South Main Arts District has its own small independent boutique scene. Notable mentions include Stock + Belle, which offers designer fashions and furniture, the soybean candle collections at Downtown Candle Company, vinyl records at Vibe & Dime, and trendy art galleries like the Rainbow Stained Glass Studio.

For more detail, make sure to review our guide to the best places one can stay near Mount Rainier National Park.

Days 7-8: The Columbia River Gorge and Hood River

Drive Time & Distance: 4 hours // 210 miles

After Rainier, you’ll be journeying southward and crossing the Oregon border – which is the Columbia River traveled by Lewis and Clark to “uncover” Oregon – bringing you right into our own backyard.

The Columbia River Gorge nearly matches the magnificence of the two earlier observed national parks, though in a differing manner. Eons of flowing water cutting through the Gorge combined with volcanic eruptions fashioned this tremendous ravine dividing the principal northwestern states.

The Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge, which is shaded by the walls of the Gorge, is lush, wet, green, and full of a stunning variety of impressive waterfalls.

The Washington side of the Gorge, receiving more sun exposure with its south-facing hillsides rendering it drier and ideal for wildflower hunting in spring, showcases some of the best Gorge views from various hikes along the river.

Hood River sits in a distinctive location in the Gorge, and makes a good home base for multi-day explorations of the area. Its geography is unique because the landscape and terrain alter dramatically whichever direction you travel.

East of Hood River further into the Gorge, one starts to enter the High Desert region. South of Hood River, passing through the fertile Hood River Valley before climbing up into the Cascade mountain range. And west of Hood River is the lush Oregon side of the Gorge.

The Gorge and Hood River is our top favored day excursion from Portland, and we bring nearly every guest that comes to see us in Portland out to encounter the regular excellence that exists roughly 30 minutes from our entryway.

What to Do in the Columbia River Gorge & Hood River

As mentioned, we spend a lot of time exploring the Gorge and Hood River since they`re so easily accessible from our home in Portland. Here are some of our favorite activities in the area.

Waterfalls in the Gorge: The ideal location to see several waterfalls together exists on the Oregon side of the Gorge region. An important waterfall to visit is Multnomah Falls ( here on Google Maps), which you have likely heard of and seen photographs of, in the morning before the crowds and organized excursions that make visiting extremely busy starting at approximately 10am. We particularly enjoy Horsetail and Ponytail Falls ( here on Google Maps) and the short hike to Wahclella Falls ( here on Google Maps) which provide an excellent scenic experience given the minimal effort required.

The Best Scenic Spots of the Gorge: For some of the best scenic views of the Gorge, there are a couple viewpoint locations along the Historic Columbia River Highway worth stopping at – the Vista House ( here on Google Maps) and the Women`s Forum Viewpoint ( here on Google Maps). In terms of hikes with a nice scenic view, we love Angel`s Rest, which is a moderate climb to a jagged promontory with sweeping views up and down the Gorge. There are also some great panoramic views from the Washington side at Beacon Rock, the Hamilton Mountain Trail, and the Dog Mountain Trail.

The Fruitful Region: The fertile zone of Hood River Valley known as the Fruit Loop features abundant fruit trees spanning as far as the eye can see together with magnificent perspectives of Mount Hood and Mount Adams depending on your line of sight. We enjoy stopping at Draper Girls farm stand (where you can also pick fruit yourself in summer) and the scenic Gorge White House for a drink. To take in remarkable views of the valley with Mount Hood on full display, head to Panorama Point ( here on Google Maps).

Tamanawas Falls: This scenic hike offers beautiful views, and is equally as impressive as some of the waterfalls in the Gorge despite a reasonably easy route. It’s situated approximately 30 minutes south of Hood River, and the trailhead is right off of Highway 35 on the way towards Mount Hood.

Where to Stay in the Columbia River Gorge & Hood River

Generally speaking, you basically have two options here. Stay right in town (or close to it), or stay somewhere more secluded and private.

Since it’s located in the western region, public transportation does not service the area of San Germán directly. Therefore, visitors will need to rent a vehicle in Puerto Rico to drive there.

If being within walking distance to the town center is a priority, we would recommend considering the Best Western which is located directly on the Marina and some rooms offer kitchen facilities.

We have individually lodged at and cherished the RubyJune Inn, which is a B&B in the strictest sense (and the breakfast is fantastic, sourced from local bakeries). No children, no pets allowed, and the two owners are a wealth of information regarding what to see, do, eat, and drink in the area (particularly wine).

Bend, similar to Hood River, has a unique geographical location. It sits at the transition between alpine and subalpine environments in the Cascades and the high desert nestled in central Oregon between the mountain ranges on either end of the state.

Additionally, volcanic activity shapes the landscape, with frequent eruptions.

That diversity has implied that Bend has become a little slice of paradise for adventure lovers over the past several years, and has gained nationwide recognition with extensive media coverage recently. Though it has always been on the map of most adventure-loving Pacific Northwest residents.

For keen readers who`ve followed the map (or just viewed the one above), diverting to Bend actually represents a minor detour because the subsequent stop (Mount Hood) is quite near Hood River.

To get down to Bend, you’ll head south from Hood River, passing through the eastern foothills of Mount Hood to arrive at Bend. Then, you’ll double back and hit Mount Hood on your way back to Portland.

First, that detour is entirely worthwhile, and you should absolutely make an effort to integrate Bend into your road trip. Both because of Bend itself and because of the diversity of landscapes discoverable just outside Bend.

Secondly, we have structured it this way (rather than doing Hood then Bend) to maximize your time on the way back to Portland.Going up to Hood and then over to Portland means you avoid the I-5 corridor south of Portland, which is known to be heavily congested on most days of the week.

In any case, we are quite fond of Bend and recently spent a full week exploring the area, giving us insight into the diversity of activities and sights within roughly an hour`s distance from the city.

What to Do in Bend

Bend is a large city by Oregon standards – and expanding rapidly – and there’s plenty to fill an entire week (or month, or year, as you may understand) with activities.

With minimal time in and around Bend, here is what we’d focus our activities on.

Smith Rock State Park: Smith Rock is one of the key areas that significantly contrasts between the wetter, greener section of the state east of the Cascade Mountains where we dwell and the high desert on the western side of the mountains. It appears to belong in Utah, not the lush Pacific Northwest! However, the Pacific Northwest is more than just evergreen forests. The finest trail in the park is the Misery Ridge Trail, which offers two route choices (following the difficult climb to aptly-named Misery Ridge) – the shorter, flatter River Trail and the longer, more difficult Summit Trail. It lies between Bend and Mount Hood, so you can stop on the way in or out of Bend (we’d try to go early, because it does get hot and there’s very little shade).

The Deschutes River: Flowing straight through the heart of town, the Deschutes River served as the primary reason for Bend`s location. While no longer the lifeblood of the city, it offers many recreational prospects today. There`s a long trail stretching alongside the river south from Bend, and we enjoy tackling a brief section whenever visiting Bend (here`s a suggested path we usually take). When summer arrives, you must experience being on the water itself! Float along the river from Drake Park down to Riverbend Park. Rent tubes from Tumalo Creek and use the Ride the River service to shuttle to and from where you enter and exit the river.

The Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway: This scenic route running west from Bend into the Cascades features pine forests, beautiful alpine lakes, and excellent hiking opportunities. Definitely spend time at a couple of the lakes along the way – Sparks Lake and Elk Lake are particularly notable. Exploring this area of the state is highly recommended, with varied hiking choices available. Here are three top hike options near Bend worth considering:

• Green Lakes (9.1 miles // 1,174 ft. elevation gain): A nice, relatively straightforward (but lengthy) forest path alongside a creek out to a series of lakes backed by the South Sister and Broken Top. Gorgeous hike!
• Tumalo Mountain (4.1 miles // 1,423 ft. elevation gain): In a direct manner, this trail climbs straight to the top of Tumalo Mountain where expansive views over the valley and surrounding peaks can be observed. Particularly nice at sunrise or sunset!
• Moraine Lake (5.2 miles // 1,476 ft. elevation gain): This was an unexpected pleasure last fall! It starts with a climb through the woodland, and a couple of miles in you burst forth from the forest out into a basin with great views of both the South Sister and Broken Top before you head down to the lake (which is tucked right at the base of the South Sister).

Newberry National Volcanic Monument: This volcanic region shaped the high desert in Central Oregon, essentially appearing as a miniature Crater Lake regarding how it evolved and looks presently. The monument includes two sections about 30 minutes apart. The initial site encountered traveling south from Bend houses the Lava Lands Visitor Center, where you`ll find the Trail of the Molten Land (stroll through a lava field!) and Lava Butte. Continue South to Paulina Lake and the Newberry Volcano, where you`ll locate a sizable lake, the hike up to Paulina Peak (featuring breathtaking views over the surrounding terrain, like the immense lava fields), and Paulina Falls.

Where to Stay in Bend

With only a couple of days in town, you have two options regarding where to stay. Stay right in the community, or stay on the outskirts in a more tranquil locale.

For the purposes of this trip, we’d suggest staying in town so you can be within walking distance (or a short drive) from the breweries and restaurants in Bend.

The Oxford Hotel is conveniently situated in the heart of Downtown Bend, and is within walking distance to all of our preferred spots in that area.

We always like having a kitchen so we can cook for ourselves (Matt has Celiac Disease) and we’ve had our eyes on Wall Street Suites, which is located about a block from the downtown area.

The best part about Mount Hood is the short travel time from our home to the trailheads for some of our favored hikes (or to the ski destinations in winter).

The best region to focus on here is the area around Government Camp on the south side of Hood, which is where the vast majority of starting points and activities are situated. Though there are definitely some worthwhile spots on the eastern and western flanks that deserve a brief detour.

What to Do at Mount Hood

Below are some favorite activities and sights to experience at Mount Hood.

Sunset at Trillium Lake: Trillium Lake is among our favorite spots for photographs in the state since, on a clear, still day, you get an almost perfect reflection of Hood on the surface of the lake. For that reflection, you’ll want to go to the southeastern corner of the lake (approximately here on Google Maps). There are many great spots for photographs along the shoreline.

Ramona Falls: The Ramona Falls trail offers a contrast to the tall waterfalls dropping from high ledges in the Gorge. Rather than being a dramatic plunge, Ramona is a sweeping cascade that is tall but less forceful and more elegant in appearance. It’s a relatively easy hike to reach (~7 miles) though there may be a challenging river crossing early depending on conditions.

McNeil Point: The trail to McNeil Point is one that my partner and I particularly enjoyed hiking in Oregon, but it requires a significant effort to reach one of the proximate vantage points of Mount Hood without actually scaling the mountain itself. The climb is lengthy and strenuous, though it becomes particularly scenic for the latter half once you rise above the treeline and have views of Hood along with the other surrounding peaks of the Cascade mountain range. If that hike proves too demanding, a shorter route is available starting from the Lolo Pass Trailhead to Bald Mountain, which is personally our favorite perspective in all of Oregon. We undertook this in June, and the trail was lined with blooming rhododendrons, though unfortunately the viewpoint at the apex was obscured by thick fog that day.

Explore the Timberline Lodge: The Timberline Lodge provides an important historical landmark in the area that should not be missed. Those seeking a good hike starting from the Timberline Lodge can join the Pacific Crest Trail and follow it to Zigzag Canyon or further into Paradise Park, where breathtaking views of Hood may be enjoyed.

Where to Stay near Mount Hood

The town of Government Camp is the ideal home base for exploring Mount Hood. It’s situated on the southern side of the mountain, and it offers the widest selection of accommodation options, greatest variety of amenities (restaurants, grocery store, etc), and is closest to many of the trailheads for hikes in the area.

If you’re willing to camp, the Trillium Lake Campground is our choice. We`ve camped there multiple times to this point, and will likely camp there again multiple times in the future. It’s accessible to Trillium Lake, which is one of our favorite photographic locations in the state.

If camping is not your preference, the options are somewhat restricted. We could either stay at the Best Western conveniently located in Government Camp, or find a charming woodland cabin near the town of Rhododendron to serve as our home base for a couple days.

Portland also provides a nice difference from Seattle. Portland is much more compact than Seattle, and feels a little bit more down-to-earth with the lack of the tech scene that Seattle has and all the wealth that brings.

A couple of days in Portland doesn’t really leave you with all that much time, but it’s enough to see some of the highlights (and start putting places on your list for a return trip).

Broadly speaking, we typically advise allocating one day exploring the downtown core situated on the west side of the Willamette River flowing north and south through Portland`s center, and another day east of the river toursing neighborhoods on the eastside (where we reside and consider Portland at its finest).

What to Do in Portland

There are far too many highlights to list for Portland, so we will provide our top recommendations here.

Powell`s City of Books: We bring each visitor to Powell’s, the most extensive autonomous bookseller in the world. Specifically, the multi-story downtown place. Matt is powerless to walk out of that store without a minimum of two to three new books.”

Experience Local Markets! The Portland State University Farmers Market, which is also on Saturday mornings (8:30am – 2pm) located at Portland State University’s Campus, is recommended to visit. It’s about a 10-15 minute walk from Downtown, and it contains more vendors than any other farmers market. The Portland Saturday Market, which focuses more on handmade goods and crafts, is also worth exploring. Both events ONLY happen on Saturdays, but are worth planning ahead if you happen to visit on a weekend.

The International Rose Test Garden: Portland is known as the City of Roses (which was essentially created as a marketing slogan for the city after the timber industry declined). And this is the most convenient place to see them, with displays of 10,000 roses blooming between June and October. We often visit during this timeframe to see the flowers in various shapes, hues, and sizes. In the fall (approximately late September through mid-October), it’s also worth going to the Portland Japanese Garden to admire the vibrant orange and red colors of the Japanese Maples (it’s also just a lovely place to spend an hour – we’re members!).

Sample Some Doughnuts (Donuts?): Initially, for some reason Portland became renowned for its doughnuts, and the dialogue surrounding the “finest doughnuts in Portland” is rather contentious. We think the best way to settle it is to try them all – here are three locations that consistently rank at the top. If you`re really into doughnuts, then you should probably hop on the “Underground Donut Tour”, which takes you to five of the best stops for doughnuts in the city.

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• The Voodoo Doughnut location in downtown Portland has drawn a great deal of focus on social media. It`s common to see a line there most mornings. Visitors come for unique donuts topped with things like Cap’n Crunch cereal. However, the quality of donuts isn`t necessarily the highest the city has to offer, even if it makes for an entertaining trip. We`d also suggest going to their location across the river ( here on Google Maps), which tends to be less crowded with a nicer setting.
• Blue Star Donuts, who have expanded their locations outside of Portland to additional cities like Los Angeles, is considered the top pick for the actual finest donuts in Portland according to Alysha, her mother, my mother, my brothers, and my friends who joined me for my bachelor party – but they don’t come at a low cost. As they are “artisanal”, you should budget $4-5 for each donut. They offer some novel flavors, such as Blueberry Bourbon Basil and Mexican Hot Chocolate, so obtaining a couple of different varieties is recommended to sample and share with your group. “Get the apple fritter” suggests Alysha.
• Pip’s Original Doughnuts and Chai not only creates Alysha’s preferred chai in Portland, but also hand crafts fresh mini doughnuts fried to order. They’re a bit farther out, but it’s worthwhile. Expect lines on weekends, though the warm mini doughnuts will compensate in the end.

Explore the Eastside: On the eastern side of the Willamette River, you`ll find a residential area of the city that showcases Portland well. There are two notable regions worth focus; Northeast Portland (Alberta and Mississippi, where we used to reside) and Southeast Portland (Belmont, Hawthorne, and Division, where we currently live). Consult our 3 day Portland itinerary for what to see, do, eat, and drink in those locations (and for links to more detailed guides).

Where to Stay in Portland

We’d remain somewhere focal, either in the Downtown Portland region or the Northwest District.

In Downtown Portland, consider somewhere in the southern end near the PSU Campus such as the Heathman Hotel or the Paramount Hotel.

We also really like the Hyatt Centric as a slightly more budget-friendly choice, which is about as central as it gets.

In the Northwest District, there are only a few options, and the Inn at Northrup Station is the clear winner (we think) in terms of place and value.

For more information (and greater insight), read our guide to the best places for visitors to stay in Portland.

What to Do with More Time in the Pacific Northwest

If you happen to have extra time for your trip to the Pacific Northwest, here are our ideas on what to include (in order of our preference).

The Drive from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. (+7-10 Days) 

If you only have a limited amount of time, you’re going to have to choose between the stretch between Portland and Seattle (our recommendation and the focus of the main itinerary above) and the stretch between Seattle and Vancouver B.C.

With an extra 7-10 days, the first thing we’d add is the stretch between Vancouver and Seattle, which is also a magical area. It will require a slight restructuring of your trip (you’d want to fly into Portland, do the main itinerary above backwards to end in Seattle, and then continue north).

En route to Vancouver, make stops in Leavenworth, North Cascades National Park, and Bellingham.

Because we think the best place to stay for visiting North Cascades National Park is in the eastern foothills of the Cascades, we think you should head east out of Seattle up and over Snoqualmie Pass and over to Leavenworth, which deserves your time in its own right.

However, accessing the spectacular Alpine Lakes Wilderness would be a key reason for including Leavenworth. This remains one of our favorite hiking spots in the PNW, and despite its growing popularity over the past decade, it is still worth navigating the crowds for the scenic trail to Colchuck Lake.

If you prefer a less crowded trail with a comparable (though notably less spectacular) payoff, consider the Snow Lake Trail near Snoqualmie Pass (which is on your route over to Leavenworth).

It’s worth noting that if you only have a day or two to add to your Pacific Northwest itinerary, you can absolutely just add 1-2 days in Leavenworth and skip the drive further north.

Once past the Cascades eastward, you can hug the foothills up to Winthrop, the ideal home base for exploring North Cascades National Park, just before making your way back across the mountains to the charming college town of Bellingham situated just south of the Canadian border.

From there, it’s a brief drive up to Vancouver.

Here is a map depicting what such a route may resemble.

Notice: We needed to use bicycle directions because Google Maps won’t permit you to change the season on multi-stop routes, which indicates there are road closures that have it very puzzled. It’s more like 12-13 hours of driving.

Note: Including this segment in your itinerary means you`ll need to either fly into or out of Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to make the timing work. If renting a car, you may be unable to rent in one country and drop off in another – it varies by agency, so you`ll need to check.

Here are the stops we’d make along the way. 

Bellingham

By joining a guided tour, you won’t need to worry about driving in Italy or getting behind the wheel after a few glasses of wine (definitely don’t do that!).

At its core, it’s a college town, but it’s set directly on the water with the Cascades as a backdrop, and has a surprisingly strong food and beverage scene for its size thanks to the fertile farmland situated just outside of town. That plus a handful of nice green spaces makes it worth a stop.

Mount Baker (only with 10+ Extra days)

Mount Baker is our pick as the most undervalued hiking location in Washington State. If you enjoy hiking, this stop is worth your time (it likely isn`t worthwhile if you aren`t seeking to hit the trail).

It`s another case of an unfortunately brief season – it`s so far north that it`s essentially on the Canadian border, meaning August and September are the sole reliable months for snow and ice-free routes.

There are a bunch of amazing hikes packed into this relatively small area, and you can read all about them in our guide to the best hikes at Mount Baker. Our absolute favorite of the bunch is Yellow Aster Butte, particularly in late September when the fall color arrives.

Vancouver

Over the past year or so, we`ve become increasingly fond of Vancouver, which has brought us to British Columbia`s largest city twice for significant periods of time on each trip. Prior to then, we had visited multiple times but had basically only spent time in the downtown core.

We’re here to tell you that the real magic in Vancouver arises outer of that central in places like Kitsilano and Mount Pleasant, where you have lanes lined with free shops and dining outlets.

Vancouver is worthy of a couple days` visit (this guide covers a 2-day itinerary for Vancouver) and more time if day trips to nearby locations are included.

Putting it all Together

Combining all these details, here is what those additional 7-10 extra days might look like.

• Day 1: Leavenworth
• Day 2: Leavenworth + Colchuck Lake
• Day 3: North Cascades National Park
• Day 4: North Cascades National Park
• Day 5: Bellingham
• Day 6: Vancouver
• Day 7: Vancouver + Fly Home

If you wish to add Mount Baker to your itinerary, here is what a 10 day trip incorporating that addition may involve.

• Day 1: Leavenworth
• Day 2: Leavenworth + Colchuck Lake
• Day 3: North Cascades National Park
• Day 4: North Cascades National Park
• Day 5: Bellingham
• Day 6: Mount Baker
• Day 7: Mount Baker
• Day 8: Vancouver
• Day 9: Vancouver 
• Day 10: Vancouver + Fly Home

In this situation, you may want to commence your journey in Portland, Oregon, and follow the primary itinerary mentioned above in the reverse direction from Portland to Seattle. From there, you could add on the two mini itineraries above to construct a highly praiseworthy introduction to the Pacific Northwest.

Day Trip to Sunrise at Mount Rainier (+1-2 Days)

While a couple of days allows you to sufficiently explore the Paradise section of Rainier – which is the mountain`s western slope – this 14 day itinerary likely doesn`t leave enough extra time to also spend traveling to Rainier`s eastern flank, where you`ll find the Sunrise Visitor Center.

This highest point in the park that can be accessed by vehicle, and an absurd number of our favorite hikes in Mount Rainier National Park originate from this very parking area. Because of the elevation, it’s also only open typically from June to October, depending on annual conditions.

Unfortunately, it’s not particularly convenient to go between Paradise and Sunrise, which has been exacerbated by road closures in recent years. And there’s basically nowhere to stay within 30 minutes of the Sunrise Visitor Center (aside from one VERY popular campground). 

If time allows and you’re around in the summer, it’s definitely worth a trip. Driving there and back will take quite a while (plan on about 90 minutes each way), but we think it’s likely worth it for the amazing hiking.

A perfect day in this region involves starting early in the morning (we would say at sunrise) at Tipsoo Lake, then heading to the Sunrise Visitor Center early to get a head start on one of the three excellent hikes here: the Mount Fremont Lookout (a hike to a historic fire lookout facing Rainier), Berkeley Park (great wildflowers in early summer around late July), or Burroughs Mountain (the most challenging, but the best way to access the high rocky alpine terrain).

On returning home, one could stop at Ohanapecosh Visitor Center to walk along the shaded path beside the river to Silver Falls and Grove of the Patriarchs, an Old Growth Forest ( NOTE: The bridge on Grove of the Patriarchs washed out recently, and the trail is closed until construction happens in…2027).

A Detour to Crater Lake National Park (+1-2 Days)

Full disclosure, we have somewhat mixed emotions on including Crater Lake National Park in this itinerary for a few reasons.

First, it is quite distant, near Oregon`s southern boundary. Second, it is only realistically accessible for a brief period (circumnavigating the lake is typically possible from around July to October).

While, as noted above, that’s the best time to embark on this road trip in any case (and it’s the only time one can actually reach most places on this list).

However, if you’re already down in Central Oregon near Bend, you’re within easy reach and you should do it as a side trip from Bend.

So if Crater Lake is on your list of places to see, this location is probably as close as you’ll get without devoting a whole trip specifically to visiting it, so you may as well make the trip!

There are three matters we feel you must focus on with your time at Crater Lake.

• Travel the rim road all the way around the lake: This is the best technique to see the lake from all perspectives, and it’ll take you a couple hours, like stops at the various viewpoints along the way. Begin at the Visitor Center on the southern rim, walk a section of the Discovery Trail from there, and then hop in the car.
• Hike to the highest and lowest areas in the park:Mount Scott represents the park`s greatest altitude, while Cleetwood Cove is situated at the lowest point in the park, and is the sole locale where one can access the water level. We would hike both trails!
• Watching the sunset from Garfield Peak:Garfield Peak is adjacent to the Visitor Center, and makes for an excellent spot to see the sunset since you`ll be facing northward, enabling you to observe the setting sun to the west and the gentle golden light bathing the eastern rim of the crater.

Another huge challenge associated with Crater Lake is that lodging choices near the park are quite restricted. Your options are basically just the (often booked up and pricey) lodges and cabins inside the park if camping is not feasible.

Located right on the rim road, the Crater Lake Lodge offers some rooms with lake views. Further below the rim is Mazama Village Cabins, which provide affordable accommodations, though are less conveniently located.

If you’re camping, there’s one camping area in the park at Mazama Village. We’ve stayed there, and the experience was moderately pleasing.”

For more affordable alternatives, you’ll have to head outside the park to Klamath Falls, which is about an hour south of the southern entrance. We have our eye on the lakeside Fairfield Inn and Suites.

The San Juan Islands (+1-3 Days)

The San Juan Islands off the northwest coast of Seattle was one of our favored summer retreats when growing up. Annually in the summer, Matt`s family would pack up the car and camp out on San Juan Island, which is among the numerous islands comprising the `San Juan Islands` archipelago.

The geography of these islands is relatively distinctive, and there do not appear to be many locations comparable to these islands.

The climate is somewhat cooler and sunnier thanks to the rain-shadow impact of the Olympics (which receive ALL of the rain), and it’s a fantastic time to get out on a kayak and explore the islands, a chance we were fortunate to have a few summers ago.

Though, the waters are perilous owing to all the currents that intersect here, and you’ll need to join a guided trip because it’s too hazardous for 99% of individuals to undertake alone.

Additionally, orca whales tend to pass the western islands in the summer!

The two primary islands are San Juan Island, home to Friday Harbor and the Lime Kiln Lighthouse (where to observe orcas from shore), and Orcas Island, home to Mount Constitution and some good hiking trails. There`s also Lopez Island, which is more peaceful and low-key.

One island can be explored in one day or overnight, both would require around three days and two nights. Clearly, more time could easily be spent (we allocated a full week between San Juan Island and Orcas Island last summer).

As you may have inferred, we have guides to potentially valuable activities on San Juan Island, where Matt used to spend a week every summer developing, and references to beneficial pursuits on Orcas Island.

What to Do with Less Time in the Pacific Northwest

With less time in the Pacific Northwest, you`ll really need to focus your activities.

With 10 Days

As we had mentioned earlier, focusing our time in the Pacific Northwest corridor between Seattle and Portland for 10 days would include visits to Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park.

Depending on how much time you want to spend within the cities themselves (we’d recommend at least one day in each, though two would be better), you could also fit in a day trip or two from Seattle or Portland.

Here’s what that might look like. 

• Day 1: Arrive in Seattle
• Day 2: Seattle
• Day 3: Olympic National Park
• Day 4: Olympic National Park
• Day 5: Mount Rainier National Park
• Day 6: Mount Rainier National Park
• Day 7: Exploring the Columbia River Gorge and Hood River
• Day 8: Continued exploration of the Columbia River Gorge and Hood River
• Day 9: Portland
• Day 10: Portland + Fly Home

With 7 Days

With only 7 days available, we`d strongly advise concentrating the drive from Seattle to Portland, making stops at Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park along the route.

It will be brief, but you`ll have the chance to include two national parks and two great cities, hopefully leaving you wanting to return soon.

• Day 1: Arrive in Seattle
• Day 2: Seattle
• Day 3: Olympic National Park
• Day 4: Olympic National Park
• Day 5: Mount Rainier National Park
• Day 6: Mount Rainier National Park
• Day 7: Portland + Fly Home