Top Portland Outdoor Activities

When tour guests asks us, "what one thing should I not miss in Portland," we pick the 4.5- to 5-mile (8-9 km) hike in Forest Park. No matter what the season, hiking in the park is entering another world right on the borders (and through the fabric) of the city. We offer two daily departures, both with varied terrain and about 900 ft elevation gain. The morning hike is focused around a classic Northwest Portland experience, and ends at the International Rose Test Garden, the Forest Park Experience (9 a.m. to noon). The afternoon hike starts at Goose Hollow, weaves through the neighborhoods and up into the park, the Goose Hollow to the Forest (1 to 5 p.m.). Both pass the iconic spots; Japanese Garden, Pittock Mansion, and Witch's Castle; but take a different approach to the forest. Being in Forest Park is to be immersed a fluid place that exists both in and out of time. In the forest—within minutes leaving the street—you can forget, or wonder at the fact that you are still in a city.

Bike and trek through the magnificent Columbia River Gorge on this half-day trip from Portland. Experience the iconic beauty of the Pacific Northwest as your guide leads an all-ability bike ride through the Gorge, stopping to hike and explore majestic waterfalls.

The 80 miles of the Columbia River Gorge’s steep rocky sides offer some of the most spectacular scenery in the world: pounding waterfalls, eagles, century-old trees, ferns, flowers, ancient rocks. This half-day of exploring and meditating on wonders with very short hikes and visits to overlooks and vistas will have you gasping in awe. We'll visit waterfalls and overlooks, selected by our guides to include both the most iconic, like the unmissable Latourell Falls, a stunning plunge-style falls that is one of the most iconic in Oregon, and the special. Depending on weather conditions, this could include a few small hidden waterfalls and another spectacular plunge-style falls with columnar basalt. We'll also tell you stories, not just of the geology and botany and the oft-repeated tales of pioneers and road-builders, but also the old stories we've learned, of gods and animal spirits and the Beaver princess tragically turned into a waterfall.

Sailors will enjoy a private two hour sail aboard a beautiful yacht in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. Each person can interact with the captain, learn to sail, steer the boat, winch in the jib sheets, or just relax on the deck as we navigate up and down the mighty Columbia in the wake of Lewis and Clark.

Discover lava tube caves, old-growth forests, waterfalls, and more on a guided tour of Mt. St. Helens. The park’s vastness and variety of attractions can be overwhelming on your own, but by visiting with a guide you don’t miss any of the highlights. Plus, you can learn about the area’s geology, ecology, and history—much of which you might miss if visiting the park on your own.

Species seen nowhere else in the world, dramatic basalt lava flows nearly a mile deep, and some of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls are a few of the sights that await you on this tour. Come experience the grandeur of the Columbia River Gorge, one of the United States’ most photographed Natural Scenic Reserves. We will drive along the oldest scenic highway in the US, stopping at sweeping viewpoints, flowing falls, a historic lodge, and the famed Bonneville Dam Sturgeon viewing center.

Our tour provides the best of its category -- best bicycles, best guides, best vehicles, best snacks! We transport our guests and bikes in Mercedes Sprinters, and our guides ride with our very small groups. You'll get personal attention and the safest experience we can provide. Like no other active tour of the gorge, we tell the stories that are just beginning to awaken from this place. Beyond the 180 years of pioneers and loggers, before the century-old highway, this was the land of people with a rich mythology. We tell the stories that have been told to us by the indigenous people as best we can. But what's most important, we remember the long long history this place holds. Our tour also provides the most active hiking and visits waterfalls you will not see on other tours.

Visit the lush trails of Portland's gargantuan Forest Park, the only urban wilderness park in the U.S. Your guide will take you along forested trails, telling you about the plants, animals, and history of the park—and the region—as you walk. And if you feel like turning back, there's no pressure. The hike is a moderate 3–5 miles (5–8 kilometers) long, but can be shortened or adjusted to meet your needs.

Immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of central Portland as a local would—by bike. On this bike tour, ride through Portland’s historic west side, exploring art galleries, food carts, iconic breweries and 19th-century architecture. Then head to Waterfront Park for great river views and bridge spotting.

Multnomah Falls is Oregon's most popular tourist destination with about 2 million visitors each year. A staggering number considering how many parking slots are available. But it's a beautiful place and it's hard not to see why it's so famous. However, with fame also comes long traffic queues, enormous amounts of people, and on a hot day, that's not exactly fun. But, do you know what is? An airplane ride to see the famous waterfall with beautiful aerial views. Come experience the waterfall on an air tour of Multnomah Falls.

This day trip is a customized tour along a section of rugged coastline along Oregon's northern coast. There will be one or two town stops, and multiple stops at headlands and beaches. After your pickup in Portland, we'll discuss the interests of people in the group, and your guide will customize the itinerary to those interests. Regardless of interests, the trip will include driving the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway with a short hike through oldgrowth Sitka spruce forest, beach time, tide pools, sea stacks, viewpoint stops, and a lunch stop in a charming coastal town. If group interest allows, stops with a more technological history focus may be made, such as the Tillamook Air Museum, Tillamook Creamery (currently closed due to COVID-19), or Camp 18. - Please be prepared for whatever the weather may be when your tour runs (e.g. rain gear, sunglasses, hat, extra layers, sunscreen). - Wear shoes that you don't mind getting sandy and wet.

Soar over the Columbia River Gorge on a sightseeing flight that takes you from Portland to the scenic gorge. Ideal for visitors who are short on time but don’t want to miss any of the highlights, these 20 minutes of flying time show you more than you could see on a full-day ground excursion. Plus, the aerial view provides great photo opportunities.

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city for the day on this guided tour to Multnomah Falls and the Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls. Travel along the historic Columbia River Highway National Scenic Byway and stop at the magnificent falls of Multnomah, Latourell, and Bridal Veil.

Take a spin around the City of Roses with this bike tour of essential Portland. Pedal through the city's historic Old Town, along the river on the Waterfront Esplanade, through the Park Blocks with their many green spaces and the hip Pearl District. Learn about the spirit of Portland from knowledgeable guides as you see the city as many of the locals do—by bike.

Experience the unrivaled beauty of the Columbia River Gorge, Cascade Mountain Range and Mount Hood on this full-day trip from Portland. In the comfort of a luxury vehicle, enjoy a guided tour of the Gorge’s top destinations, including dramatic waterfalls, the Bridge of the Gods, Hood’s Timberline Lodge, and the charming city of Hood River.

If you’ve never flown on a private plane before, this 20-minute ride over the Columbia River Gorge will be an unforgettable experience and a thrilling overview of the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Your knowledgeable pilot will take you east through the Gorge toward the Vista House viewpoint, past the waterfalls and cliffs of the Gorge.

The 85-mile (137-km) long Columbia Gorge NSA would be a national park if it weren't a critical transportation corridor. It features waterfalls, mountains, monoliths, terraces, resort towns, vineyards, orchards, and The River, harboring a plethora of fish and birds, and unique plants and invertebrates. In the early 1900s, Portlanders would drive their Model T cars along the Columbia River Highway to gaze at waterfalls. It was the first scenic highway built in America. There is said to be over 4000 waterfalls; many are hidden away, but many are just a short hike off the Historic Highway. On this tour you'll explore the western, rainforested, southern side of the Gorge, dubbed "waterfall alley" where we'll have you getting wet under a waterfall, peering over cliffs, and learning stories of the area only the locals know.

Experience Oregon from the sky with this aerial tour above some of the state’s most dramatic scenery. This flight for up to three people will take you above the Columbia Gorge, over the Mt. Hood National Forest and back. Note that prices are for the entire plane ride, so bring a couple friends and make a day of it.

See Oregon’s infamous waterfalls from above on a private airplane tour through the Columbia River Gorge. Get 360-degree views as you soar over the Vista House, Booneville Dam, the Bridge of the Gods near Cascade Locks, and more. This private experience allows you to customize your itinerary to fit your preferences. 

Explore Oregon’s rocky northern coastline on this scenic full-day trip from Portland. Travel the picturesque US Hwy 101 through quaint beach towns, stopping in Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park, and Oswald West State Park. Spend a luxurious day enjoying panoramic coastal views, geological wonders, and wind-swept beaches.

Maximize your beach time while at the Oregon Coast! Oregon’s coastline is graced with unforgettable vistas: dramatic cliffs, offshore rocks and sea lions, wide sandy beaches, majestic capes, historic lighthouses, enchanted forests and lovely small beach towns which artists and artisans make their home. Locations we may visit include: Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock, Short Sand Beach at Oswald West State Park, Neahkahnie Point, and Manzanita while enjoying spectacular views of the dramatic Oregon Coastline.

Explore the stunning beaches and beautiful towns along Oregon’s northern coast on this full-day trip from Portland. Visit the charming towns of Manzanita and Cannon Beach—home of the famous Haystack Rock—browse antique shops and art galleries, and stop several beaches to maximize your time at the Oregon Coast.

It's all about the bike ride! We like to spend more time riding in small groups, but always stopping to smell the roses. Start in the inner Eastside neighborhoods, where we will safely fit you for a bike and helmet, ready for a sweet 9-11 mile ride through a pretty residential neighborhood, to our favorite rose garden, into an art-heavy industrial district, across the sexy Tilikum Bridge, and onto Portland's waterfront. From there, it's a visit to Old Town, and tell the story of Voodoo, before we head back over another bridge back to our shop! You'll visit a total of 5 of the city's quadrants, ride over two bridges, and along the Willamette River. We'll visit almost-secret beaches, read poetry written in sidewalks and rocks, see public art of every shape, color and texture. And have you tried some of the city's best doughnuts? Learn our favorites! All along the way, we'll tell the stories of the city we love. Bikes, helmets and water provided. Please wear masks for bike sizing.

Experience the best of Oregon with a bike ride through the forest followed by lunch and wine tasting. Explore Northern Oregon’s coastal, wooded trails by bike with a small group and a guide and then relax over lunch and visit two local wineries. Taste Pinot Noir and other varietals, and learn about the wine making process. This tour is ideal for visitors wanting to get out of the city to sample Oregon’s gourmet food culture and the state’s rugged outdoors.