weekender.
Weekend trips from Willamette University
Hidden spots near Salem, day trips and weekend road trips from Willamette University in November, scored 1–10 on price, timing and what's happening, with gas, park fees, a campsite or room and food included.
Plan your own trip from Willamette University →Local finds near campus
Silver Falls
The Trail of Ten Falls, where you walk behind several of the waterfalls.
Day trips
Columbia Gorge & Multnomah Falls
A river canyon lined with waterfalls, the tallest 620 feet, 40 minutes from Portland.
Hood River
Kiteboarders on the Columbia and a loop of farm stands and cideries under Mount Hood.
Smith Rock
Golden river cliffs where American sport climbing began; Misery Ridge has the view.
Bend
Float the Deschutes through town, then a lava tube and a mountain of breweries.
Portland
Food carts, a bookstore that fills a city block and a Japanese garden in the hills.
Mount Hood & Timberline
Ski almost year-round at Timberline Lodge, the outside of the hotel in The Shining.
Weekend trips
Columbia Gorge & Multnomah Falls
A river canyon lined with waterfalls, the tallest 620 feet, 40 minutes from Portland.
Smith Rock
Golden river cliffs where American sport climbing began; Misery Ridge has the view.
Bend
Float the Deschutes through town, then a lava tube and a mountain of breweries.
Painted Hills
Hills striped red, gold and black that change color with the light. Free.
Ashland
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (Feb–Oct, cheap student rush tickets) in a small town with no sales tax.
Cape Perpetua & Thor's Well
A sinkhole in the rocks that seems to drain the ocean at high tide, and spouting horns.
Long weekends
Painted Hills
Hills striped red, gold and black that change color with the light. Free.
Lava Beds
More than 700 lava tube caves you can explore yourself with a flashlight, and some of the darkest skies in California.
Leavenworth
A whole mountain town dressed as a Bavarian village, with river tubing and alpine lakes.
Lake Chelan
A 50-mile glacier lake with sunny beaches and wineries, Washington's summer escape.
Ashland
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (Feb–Oct, cheap student rush tickets) in a small town with no sales tax.
Southern Oregon coast
Natural Bridges, Secret Beach and sea stacks on the Samuel H. Boardman corridor, just over the border.
Personalize it
Set your budget, how many friends are coming, your car (or no car: train and bus), and what you're into (hiking, beaches, camping, stargazing, food and more), and Weekender re-ranks every trip for you, with a day-by-day plan, directions and campsites.
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