10 Easy Road Trips Near Forest Grove, Oregon (All Outside Washington County)
If you live in
Forest Grove, Oregon, you already know it’s a cozy little spot on the edge of wine country. But what if you want to get out of town for a few hours… without planning a full-blown vacation?
Good news: you’re surrounded by counties packed with waterfalls, small towns, ocean views, and scenic drives. And most of them are just an hour or so from home.
Below are
10 short out-of-county road trips from Forest Grove to nearby counties like
Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Multnomah, Tillamook, and Yamhill. Every idea is outside Washington County, so you really are “getting away,” even if it’s just for the day.
1. Chase Waterfalls at the Columbia River Gorge (Multnomah County)
The
Columbia River Gorge is one of the most iconic day trips from Forest Grove. From town, you can usually reach the Gorge in about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
Here’s what makes it worth the drive:
- Multnomah Falls – A towering, two-tier waterfall you can see right from the parking lot, with a short paved trail to the famous bridge.
- Latourell Falls – A beautiful falls with a relatively easy trail and fewer crowds than Multnomah.
- Historic Columbia River Highway – A scenic drive with viewpoints that make you want to pull over every 5 minutes.
If you only have a few hours, grab a coffee in the morning in Forest Grove, head east, and just pick two waterfalls to visit. That alone makes a perfect half-day adventure.
2. Classic Portland Day: Gardens, Views & Food (Multnomah County)
Yes,
Portland gets a lot of attention, but it really does make an easy, fun day trip from Forest Grove, especially if you want variety.
A simple Portland day might look like this:
- Start at the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park for city views and rows of roses (best late spring through fall).
- Walk over to the Portland Japanese Garden for peaceful paths, koi ponds, and a calm escape from traffic noise.
- Head downtown or to the Pearl District for lunch at a food cart pod or a local café.
- Stroll the Waterfront Park along the Willamette River before you head back west.
You can make this as busy or as chill as you want. If you’re not a big city person, just pick one or two spots and skip the rest.
3. Cannon Beach Getaway (Clatsop County)
When people in Forest Grove say, “We’re driving to the coast,”
Cannon Beach is often what they mean. It’s about a 1.5 to 2-hour drive, depending on your route and weekend traffic.
Why go?
- Haystack Rock – That giant rock you’ve seen in a million photos. It’s even cooler in person.
- Long sandy beaches that are perfect for walking, flying kites, or just sitting with a good book.
- Little shops and cafés in town where you can grab clam chowder or a coffee.
If you go at low tide, walk out near Haystack Rock and look for tide pools. Kids and adults both love spotting starfish and tiny crabs. Just remember to watch the waves and be gentle with the sea life.
4. Astoria’s Riverfront & History (Clatsop County)
Drive a little farther north along the coast and you’ll reach
Astoria, a small city where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean.
This town has a very different feel from the beach towns:
- Walk the Astoria Riverwalk and watch huge ships move up and down the Columbia River.
- Ride the Astoria Riverfront Trolley in the summer for a simple, old-fashioned experience.
- Climb (or drive most of the way) to the Astoria Column for sweeping views—bring a small glider if you want to join the tradition of tossing them from the top lawn area.
I still remember my first time in Astoria: the mix of salty air, old cannery buildings, and the sight of that massive bridge reaching over to Washington felt like stepping into a movie set.
5. Tillamook Cheese & Coastal Vibes (Tillamook County)
If you like cheese, ice cream, or just watching how food is made, head west to
Tillamook.
A basic Tillamook day trip could include:
- Stopping at the Tillamook Creamery to walk through the viewing area, learn how cheese is made, and sample or buy your favorites.
- Grabbing a cone of ice cream (expect a line on summer weekends).
- Driving a bit farther to the beach at Oceanside or Rockaway Beach for a walk in the sand.
For families, this is an easy win: kids get ice cream, adults get a scenic drive and ocean views. Everyone goes home happy and tired.
6. Cape Meares Lighthouse & Three Capes Drive (Tillamook County)
If you want a slightly more adventurous coastal loop, try the
Three Capes Scenic Route west of Tillamook. One highlight is
Cape Meares.
Here you can:
- Visit the Cape Meares Lighthouse, one of the shorter lighthouses on the coast, perched on a dramatic cliff.
- Walk to the famous “Octopus Tree,” a uniquely shaped Sitka spruce.
- Stop at viewpoints overlooking the wild, rocky shoreline.
Then continue the loop toward
Netarts and
Oceanside, both smaller, quieter coastal communities with pretty beaches and that “tucked-away” feeling.
7. Wine Tasting in the Willamette Valley (Yamhill County)
Forest Grove is already near wine country, but if you want to cross county lines, head toward
Yamhill County. Towns like
McMinnville,
Carlton, and
Dundee are lined with vineyards and tasting rooms.
A relaxed wine-country day might look like:
- Choosing 1–3 wineries so you don’t feel rushed.
- Starting in Dundee or Carlton for tastings with scenic valley views.
- Ending in McMinnville for dinner along 3rd Street, which has plenty of restaurants, tasting rooms, and shops.
If you plan to taste wine, be sure to have a designated driver or use a tour/shuttle. The rolling hills and open skies are even nicer when you’re not worrying about driving.
8. Explore Historic McMinnville & the Evergreen Aviation Museum (Yamhill County)
Even if you don’t care much about wine,
McMinnville itself is worth the drive.
Two big draws:
- Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum – Home of the famous Spruce Goose, plus planes, spacecraft, and interactive exhibits. Plane lovers could spend hours here.
- Downtown McMinnville – A walkable main street with cafés, bakeries, and local shops. It has a small-town feel but with plenty of choices.
If you have kids or grandkids, the museum is usually a hit. It’s one of those places where you don’t realize how big some aircraft are until you’re standing right under the wings.
9. Columbia River Views in St. Helens & Scappoose (Columbia County)
Looking for something a little quieter than the big tourist spots? Head north to
Columbia County and visit
St. Helens or
Scappoose.
Ideas for this area:
- Walk the waterfront in St. Helens and enjoy views of the Columbia River and distant mountains.
- Explore the historic riverfront district with its small shops and old-town charm.
- Drive the scenic stretch of Highway 30 along the river, which feels surprisingly peaceful for how close it is to the Portland metro area.
In the fall, St. Helens often has Halloween-themed events and decorations that draw visitors from all over the region, which can be a fun excuse for a themed road trip.
10. Timberline Lodge & Mount Hood Adventure (Clackamas County)
When you’re ready for serious mountain views, head toward
Mount Hood in
Clackamas County.
The star here is
Timberline Lodge:
- A historic lodge sitting high on the slopes of Mount Hood with incredible views year-round.
- Summer and fall: hiking trails, wildflowers (in season), and cooler temperatures compared to the valley.
- Winter: skiing, snowboarding, or just playing in the snow and sipping something warm inside the lodge.
The drive up the mountain winds a bit, but the changing scenery—from farmland to forest to alpine—makes it feel like a true escape even if you’re only gone for the day.
Tips for Easy Day Trips from Forest Grove
To keep these short road trips enjoyable, here are a few simple tips:
- Leave early if you’re heading to the coast or Portland on a weekend—traffic gets heavier by late morning.
- Check weather in the specific area you’re visiting. Coast, Gorge, and mountain forecasts can be very different from Forest Grove.
- Pack layers—a light jacket, hat, and maybe a change of shoes if you’ll be near water or mud.
- Bring snacks and water, especially if you’re driving with kids or planning to hike.
Sometimes the best days are the simple ones: a coffee in the car, a scenic drive, a short walk, and a sunset on the way home.
Where Will You Go Next?
From
Forest Grove, you can reach waterfalls, lighthouses, wineries, rivers, and mountain lodges in just a short drive—without ever repeating the same trip twice.
Have you taken any of these
out-of-county road trips from Forest Grove?
Which one are you thinking about trying next?
Share your favorite nearby getaway in the comments—and if you found this guide helpful, please
share it with friends or family who are looking for easy things to do near Forest Grove, Oregon. Your ideas might inspire someone’s next great day trip.
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