3 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary - Beaches, Waterfalls & More!

Oregon has been on my bucket list for years, and I finally made the trip to explore the best of what this state offers. I only had a short time to explore Oregon, with 3 full days here, and if that’s all you have time for, I can say with confidence you can see a lot in that time!

There are so many itinerary variations you can take when visiting Oregon, many people often focus on the Oregon Coast (which is amazing) But this itinerary is focused on a variety of things to see and do from the coast to further inland.

Honestly you could spend 2 weeks here and still not see enough of this beautiful state! I can’t wait to return to see even more. This 3 day Oregon road trip is great for first-timers, as it hits the must-see Oregon attractions.

Essential Links For Booking Your Oregon Road Trip!

👉 Getting Around: You can search for rental cars on Discover Cars.

👉 Top rated tours and experiences in Oregon:

👉 My accommodation recommendations for Cannon Beach:

Tolovana Inn

👉 My accommodation recommendations for Hood River:

Best Western Plus Hood River

Day 1: Cannon Beach, Elk Falls Trail, Ecola State Park

We drove to Oregon from British Columbia, and arrived at our hotel late at around 7pm. This itinerary is designed so that day 1 is your first full day in Oregon, and you would have already arrived and checked into your hotel the day prior.

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach isn’t just a beach – it’s a whole town! There’s a lot to see in the town of Cannon Beach, but the most famous landmark is the Haystack Rock, which is situated on the beach itself.

Start your day with a sunrise on Cannon Beach. This beach is huge, and there’s plenty of space to enjoy a morning walk without it feeling crowded. The sunrise here was truly spectacular – core memories were definitely made!

Sunrise is a popular time at Cannon Beach, and it’s no surprise why. The main attraction on the beach is Haystack rock, which you have probably seen numerous times on social media. Although I’d seen photos hundreds of times, nothing quite compared to seeing it in person, especially first thing in the morning!

Coffee at Cannon Beach Bakery

Cannon Beach Bakery Oregon A City Girl Outside

After a morning walk on Cannon Beach, make your way into the town to grab something for breakfast. Most stores aren’t open until 10am, but the coffee shops are open from around 7am. We didn’t want a full breakfast on our first morning here, so we opted to get a coffee and pastries from Cannon Beach Bakery.

I got a latte, ham & cheese croissant, and a cheese danish. Everything was huge! It was more than sufficient for what we needed. But if you do want a full breakfast with table service, I recommend Lazy Susan Cafe or Pig ‘N Pancake.

Elk Flats Trail

Next on today’s itinerary is the Elk Flats Trail, this is a relatively easy hiking trail located in Oswald West State Park. You can get to the trailhead by driving south on the Highway 101. The total drive is around 16 minutes one-way (11 miles) and the trailhead is located directly off the highway. When you arrive there will be a small dirt parking lot, and you’ll see a small sign saying “Elk Flats Trail”.

The great thing about the Elk Flats Trail is that you can go as far as you’d like, you don’t have to do the entire trail to get good views. In fact this is exactly what I did!

If you don’t want to hike all the way down to the beach area, you can get amazing views of the coastline by going left at the trailhead first. This isn’t officially part of the Elk Flats Trail but there is a very obvious trail that you can follow, which brings you to an overlook where you can see the waves crash against the cliffs.

After going left, I recommend hiking back the way you came, and going to the right. A few minutes hike will bring you to the Devil’s Cauldron, which is an amazing viewpoint where you can see the waves, swells & coastline below.

Ecola State Park

Crescent Beach Ecole State Park Oregon A City Girl Outside

The coast of Oregon is its biggest attraction, so you can’t leave without stopping by Ecola State Park. Ecola State Park is located between Cannon Beach and Seaside, and there’s a $5 entrance fee which you can pay at the main office when you first enter.

From the Elk Flats Trail the drive to Ecola State Park is approximately 29 minutes (14 miles) one-way. There are lots of viewpoints in Ecola State Park – some with stunning views like Ecola Point & Indian Beach.

If you have the time, I recommend the hike down to Crescent Beach, this hike took us around 2-3 hours including time to enjoy the beach. This is a relatively easy hike, stretching 3.5km with an elevation of 167 metres.

Dinner at Pelican Brewing

Pelican Brewing Cannon Beach A City Girl Outside

Public Coast Brewing Co Oregon A City Girl Outside

A visit to Cannon Beach would not be complete without having tried some of the local beer. Pelican Brewing is located in the heart of Cannon Beach and is a really popular spot. If you’re planning to visit during peak season, I recommend getting there early, because they do not accept reservations.

Pelican Brewing has a great selection of local brews and delicious food options. The burgers were really good here – and they use local Tillamook cheddar cheese!

Sunset at Cannon Beach

Haystack Rock at Sunset Oregon A City Girl Outside

Cannon Beach at Sunset A City Girl Outside

Although I recommend sunrise at Cannon Beach over sunset, I still think you should head back to the beach and end your day watching the sunset here too. The beach looks totally different at sunset! Plus I just think it’s super beautiful, and I wanted to soak in these views while I could!

Day 2: Hood River

Day 2 of this 3 day Oregon road trip takes you inland to the Hood River area of Oregon. The drive from Cannon Beach to Hood River is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes (142 miles) without stops.

We actually went to Saint Helens in between to go to Halloweentown (living my childhood dreams!) but you could easily make a stop in Portland instead and check out some of the city.

We started our second day with a later start after getting up super early the previous day. When we arrived in Hood River, it was later afternoon, so just keep in mind if you do stop in between, most of the day will be the journey to Hood River.

Walk Through Downtown Hood River

Hood River Downtown Oregon A City Girl Outside

Downtown Hood River Oregon A City Girl Outside

The Downtown area of Hood River is incredibly picturesque and worth taking a walk through. You’ll find lots of little shops and restaurants, as well as art galleries and boutiques.

Some of my favourite shops were Ruddy Duck, a beautiful clothing store where I could have bought everything! Next door, there’s a charming ice cream shop called Mike’s Ice Cream. Just a heads-up, they only accept cash, so remember to bring some. We also stopped in Pacifica Gifts, where you can pick up some Hood River souvenirs!

Hood River Lavender Farm

The Hood River Lavender Farm is a locally-owned and operated farm that specializes in growing lavender. It’s free to enter and walk around the property, but you can also purchase products made with the farm’s own lavender. They also have a u-pick option for you to pick your own lavender.

The best time to visit the Hood River Lavender Farm is during the summer months (July – August) when the lavender is in full bloom. However, even outside of peak season, it’s still a lovely spot to visit and take in the views of Mount Hood.

Rowena Crest Viewpoint

End the day with an epic sunset! The Rowena Crest Viewpoint is one of the best places to see the sunset near Hood River. You might have seen this viewpoint before, it features a narrow bend in the road, with the viewing area located high above the road. This whole area was incredibly beautiful, and we managed to spot around 12 deer on our way here!

It’s a popular spot, so I recommend getting there early to secure a good viewing spot. There is lots of space here, and places to park. The drive from downtown Hood River to Rowena Crest Viewpoint is approximately 20 minutes (13 miles) one-way.

Dinner at Ferment Brewing Company or Double Mountain Brewery

Ferment Brewing Hoood River Oregon A City Girl Outside

Head back into Hood River for dinner. There are a few local breweries here that are worth checking out. We went to Ferment Brewing for dinner, which is counter service with a very casual. Their beer was really good, and I had a delicious chicken burger.

If you’re more of a pizza fan, Double Mountain Brewery is another great option. They have a large selection of craft beers and their pizzas are made with local ingredients. If you’re not into pizza, they also have other options on their menu such as burgers and salads.

Day 3: Columbia River Gorge

Today you’ll be exploring the scenic Columbia River Gorge, which is a must-see on any Oregon road trip. The Columbia River Gorge is packed with beautiful waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and plenty of hiking trails.

Multnomah Falls

The first stop of the day is Multnomah Falls. Multnomah Falls, located along the Columbia River Gorge, is Oregon’s tallest waterfall, reaching a height of 620 feet. The drive from Hood River to Multnomah Falls takes around 30 minutes (20 miles).

Multnomah Falls is the most accessible waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge. You can get there via the Historic Columbia River Highway.

Once you park, getting to the falls is an easy and short walk to the main viewing area. The falls are divided into two major drops. You can enjoy the falls from the base or take a short walk up to Benson Bridge for a closer look at the upper falls.

The trail continues further to a trail called Larch Mountain, which is a difficult trail at 21.4km long and an elevation of 1,223 metres. We opted not to do this, as we came for the waterfall and the views didn’t look worth the effort. There is a lodge at the falls, which houses restrooms, a gift shop, and a coffee shop.

Wahclella Falls

The next waterfall to visit in the Columbia River Gorge is Wahclella Falls. This waterfall is around 9 miles (10 minutes drive) from Multnomah Falls. This trail in total took us around 1.5 hours and is a loop trail.

The hike to Wahclella Falls is relatively easy at 3.1 kilometres round trip, but be sure to wear proper hiking shoes as some areas of the trail is slippery and muddy. Once you reach the falls, you’ll find a beautiful cascading waterfall that flows into a pool below. It’s definitely worth seeing!

There is a small parking lot directly at the trailhead, but it only holds around 10 vehicles. You can drive up to the overfill parking but this will add additional time and elevation to your hike. That’s what we did and it wasn’t too bad!

Wahclella Falls Oregon A City Girl Outside — Wahclella Falls

Latourell Falls

The last waterfall on today’s itinerary is Latourell Falls, another stunning waterfall located within the Columbia River Gorge. It is the closest waterfall to Portland, located just 30 minutes (22 miles) away. From Wahclella Falls the drive is 27 miles, approximately 30 minutes drive.

This waterfall is unique because it has a beautiful basalt column behind it and falls into a large pool surrounded by lush greenery. The hike to the falls is only 0.6 kilometres round trip, making it a quick and easy stop.

There is a loop hike here that will take you to the upper falls, but if you are short on time, like we were, the lower falls is a 5-minute walk from the parking lot. Latourell Falls is 249 feet tall, and I actually think the lower falls is more impressive, which means low effort for maximum payoff!

There is a small parking lot located at the trailhead. This waterfall isn’t too far from the car park, so it’s great for anyone that doesn’t want to do any hiking but still wants to see a waterfall up close. After visiting Latourell Falls, you can explore some other waterfalls, such as Bridal Veil Falls and Wahkeena Falls, or continue driving back to Hood River for dinner.