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Portland
Outdoors
One of the Portland area jewels is its park system. There
are 37,000 acres of parks in Portland. The 5,000 acre Forest Park includes
140 miles of hiking, biking & running trails that loop around and
through the city of Portland.
The Portland Parks
and Recreation Bureau administers all of the parks in the city
limits. Perhaps the most popular park in Portland is Washington
Park. Acquired in 1871, the park today has more than 129 acres
of space. Some of the key attractions in Washington Park are the International
Rose Test Gardens, the Japanese
Gardens, Hoyt Arboretum, the World Forestry Center and the Oregon
Zoo
Columbia
Gorge and Mount Hood
A 40 minute drive east of Portland on I-84 will take you to
the Columbia River Gorge. This National
Scenic Area follows the river for some 50 miles. You can
drive the historic scenic highway and hike on the numerous trails
along the way. Sites that are a must to see are Crown Point,
Bonneville Dam
and Multnomah Falls. Take the short trip across the river at
Cascade Locks to nearby Stevenson Washington and visit the Columbia
Gorge Interpretive Center.
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Multnomah Falls |
Mt Hood
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If you want, you can make a loop on your trip to the Columbia
Gorge by making the return trip via Mt. Hood. You can turn off
at Hood River and make your way through the beautiful Hood River
valley, famous for its orchards. Stop by Timberline
Lodge on Mt. Hood and see the beautiful view of the Cascades
from 6000 feet up on the mountain.
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Approximately one hour south of Portland is Silver
Falls State Park. Enjoy the hiking trails that include 10 wateralls
between 27 feet and 177 feet high in a beautiful temerate rain forest.
Fishing
For fly-fishing, drive 1 ½ hour east to the Deschutes River for some
great fly-fishing. For salmon fishing or crabbing drive 1-hour west
to Tillamook Bay on the Oregon coast.
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