10 Dreamy Oregon Spring Break Destinations For 2024

Are you already planning your trip for spring break in Oregon?

There are so many cool places to explore – how in the world do you narrow down where to go?

From waterfall hikes to desert hot springs, we’re sharing the coolest places to enjoy spring break in Oregon. We’re really spanning the whole state!

In this post, we’ll tell our favorite Oregon spring break destinations, who they would fit, and things to do in each location.

Let’s get planning!

The Best Oregon Spring Break Destinations In 2024

1. Columbia River Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge is an excellent Oregon spring break destination because…waterfalls!! If you love hiking, nature, and unique trails, this is the place to go.

The Columbia River Gorge is located just a 30 minute to 1-hour drive from Portland, Oregon. This makes it a really easy day trip from Portland too, if you don’t have a lot of time during spring break.

For staying overnight, The Society Hotel is an excellent choice for adventurous travelers. They have two locations – one in Portland and one in Bingen – and both of them have very good accessibility to the Columbia River Gorge.

A trip to the Columbia River Gorge is great for people who have their own car, love flexibility, and likes to hop around from place to place!

Some of the best Oregon waterfalls in the Gorge to explore are Latourell Falls, Multnomah Falls, and Wahclella Falls. For even more attractions, drive up to the Vista House, Hike Mura Point, and drive out to Rowena Crest Viewpoint.

Read More: The 20 Best Things To Do In The Columbia River Gorge + 25 Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls

2. Trail of Ten Falls / Willamette Valley

The Willamette Valley is a region just south of Portland which extends down past Eugene.

Between the Coastal Mountains and the Cascade Mountain Range, this area is brimming with wineries and vineyards. It also hosts a plethora of orchards, farmland, and gardens. It’s such a lush place!

If you are someone who loves spring flowers and the fresh scent of the forest after a rainstorm, consider visiting the Willamette Valley. Go wine tasting at iconic places like King Estates, or get outside and go hiking at the Trail of Ten Falls in Silver Falls State Park.

Depending on where you go, the Willamette Valley can be about a 1-2 hour drive, but absolutely doable for weekend trips from Portland.

For proximity to vineyards and winemakers, consider staying in the quaint town of Independence at the Independence Hotel.

For more of a city experience, check out the Inn At 5th in Eugene. Ready to get bougie? Book a stay at a winery bed and breakfast!

A weekend trip to the Willamette Valley is an ideal Oregon spring break destination for couples. It’s also a good choice for people planning a girl’s trip, or a bachelorette party!

3. Southern Oregon Coast

Looking to drive down the Oregon Coast? Spend an extended amount of time on the Southern Oregon Coast!

Located in the southwest corner of the state, you get to reap the benefits of the mild coastal temperatures. It’s a warm-ish Oregon spring break destination without having to leave the state!

It’s also home to some of the most iconic Oregon coast photography locations, including Samuel H Boardman, the Oregon Dunes, and Face Rock State Park.

A trip to the southern Oregon coast is quite a drive commitment though. From Portland to Brookings requires a 330-mile trip, taking a little over 6 hours one way.

To stay on the southern Oregon coast, there are very few free camping spots (if any), but plenty of reservable sites in state parks! Our favorites are Harris Beach State Park, Indian Creek Campground, and Cape Blanco State Park.

This Oregon spring break trip is good for folks who are looking for a good road trip with epic views!

For iconic stops in this area, don’t miss out on Samuel H Boardman State Corridor. Within the corridor, plan stops to the Natural Bridges, Secret Beach, Arch Cape, and Whaleshead Beach.

4. McKenzie River Corridor

The McKenzie River Corridor is a section of Oregon Highway 126 that goes between Eugene and Sisters through the Cascade Mountain Range. It follows the McKenzie river to a plethora of hot springs, hiking trails, and campsites.

This is one of the most fun Oregon spring break destinations if you love the outdoors but can’t decide what to do! There are so many activities to try here, that we guarantee you won’t be bored.

The McKenzie River Corridor is 70 miles from Eugene (1-hour drive), and 135 miles (2.5-hour drive) from Portland.

There aren’t fancy hotels along the way, but rather small, family-owned BnBs and campgrounds. The most convenient campgrounds along the route are Trail Bridge Campground and Olallie Campground.

This trip is good for people who love recreating outside. From lakes to trails, waterfalls to hot springs, there are so many things to discover!

The coolest things to do in the McKenzie River Corridor include soaking at Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs – day pass required. You can also hike the McKenzie River trail and check out Tamolitch Falls/The Blue Pool, Koosah Falls, and Sahalie Falls.

5. Northern Oregon Coast

For a quick trip to the ocean – the North Oregon Coast is the perfect spring break destination in Oregon! This section of the coast is known for expansive beaches, coastal hikes, and lots of iconic landmarks (we see you Haystack Rock!)

Depending on which of the dreamy Oregon coast beach towns you choose, a drive will be around 1-2 hours from Portland.

Seaside and Cannon Beach are the most common Oregon spring break destinations.

However, places like Rockaway Beach, Oceanside, Lincoln City, and Manzanita are sleepy towns that have charming gems and hidden Oregon beaches.

Staying on the North Oregon Coast is easy. You can choose between big hotel chains in Seaside & Cannon Beach, or rent from a huge selection of vacation homes on VRBO or Airbnb. Here are our top picks:

• The Ocean Lodge (Luxury)
• Surfsand Resort
• The Oregon Coast Modern (Full Cabin)
• Tolvana Inn (Affordable)

This Oregon spring break trip is good for people with small families, or a group that wants convenience. There are lots of grocery stores, gas stations, and cute shopping areas all around.

To spark your outdoor adventure, check out Crescent Beach Trail at Ecola State Park. Venture a teeny bit south to discover Cape Kiwanda, or book a yurt at Cape Lookout State Park!

Curious about camping? Here are 20 spring camping tips to get you prepared!

6. Portland, Oregon (Staycation!)

Why leave the city when there is so much to do right in town?

If you’re looking for an Oregon spring break destination, try staying put and exploring right in your own backyard!

Broken up into 5 major neighborhoods, you could spend an entire week in Portland and still have things left on your bucket list! Must-see stops? Powell’s Books, Pittock Mansion, and the International Rose Test Garden.

Make it a staycation right in the heart of downtown! Stay at beautiful places like The Ace Hotel, The Society Hotel, The Hoxton, or the Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland.

This Oregon spring break destination is great for people who don’t have a car. Public transportation is easy to find in Portland. You can conveniently get around with just the bus, Max, and rideshares like Uber or Lyft.

Want a little fresh air in town? Check out the Portland Japanese Garden in Washington Park. Take a hiking trail in Forest Park. Finally, take a waterfront walk on the South Waterfront Greenway or Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Visiting in April? Don’t forget to check out the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival!

7. Bend, Oregon

Love, beer, bikes, and backpacking? You’re gonna love all the fun things to do in Bend, Oregon!

Bend is Oregon’s adventure town, filled with outdoor activities in all directions. If you love mountain sports, there’s probably a good chance that Mount Bachelor is still open too. (It closes May 30th)

Bend is 3.5 hours (162 miles) from Portland and a 2-hour drive (120 miles) from Bend. It’s a perfect weekend trip from Portland if you’ve only got a few days to spare.

To be close to biking trails and the mountain, stay here at the edge of Mt Bachelor. For easy access to delicious restaurants downtown, stay at this boutique, eco-friendly hotel. For an affordable stay in town (but still has that campy aesthetic) book this camping-themed hotel!

Bend is a great Oregon spring break destination for people who love outdoor activities. From hikes in Bend to caves, waterfalls to badlands, there’s so much to explore in Bend in the spring!

For an iconic Bend Oregon itinerary, plan a day to visit and hike to Tumalo Falls. Explore the Boyd Cave (bring and headlamp!) and check out the High Desert Museum. On a sunny day, visit Smith Rock State Park for hiking and climbing.

8. Eastern Oregon

Looking to take an Oregon spring break trip that feels like it’s far away? Even though it’s just a few hours away from Portland, an Eastern Oregon road trip feels like you’ve traveled to another planet!

This is an excellent Oregon spring break destination for folks who are trying to escape the rain. In Bend alone, the average rainfall is just 13 inches per year!

Stay close in Bend or Sisters if you’ve only got a few days. Have a full week? Venture all the way out to Joseph, Oregon, or take an Oregon hot springs tour. Some of the best hot springs in Oregon are out in the desert.

Choose this Oregon spring break destination if you have your camping set up on lock. There are fewer convenient amenities out in Eastern Oregon, so it’s important that travelers are self-sufficient.

There is a lot of BLM land to camp on in Eastern Oregon. Read our guide on how to find free camping here.

For epic scenery, check out Leslie Gulch, The Painted Hills, or the Oregon Badlands. Each is a geological wonder and has so much unique history!

9. Central Oregon Coast

From Lincoln City to Florence, there is an abundance of outdoor adventures to take on the Central Oregon Coast.

It’s one of the best Oregon spring destinations for people who love hiking, beach walking, and taking pictures.

It’s a good spring break option for folks who only have a weekend trip from Portland to spare. Lincoln City is just a 2-hour drive from Portland and Florence is only 3 hours away.

Here, you can go hiking on God’s Thumb Trail, explore caves at Devil’s Punchbowl, find Hobbit Beach, or even see ghosts at Heceta Head Lighthouse.

The best places to stay during this Oregon spring break trip are actually coastal campgrounds. Beverly each is a beautiful spot, as well as Cape Perpetua Campground and South Beach State Park.

10. Mount Hood Area

Only have a day to spare for your spring break in Oregon? (We get it, you’re busy!!) Visiting Mount Hood is one of the best spots to plan a day trip from Portland!

Mount Hood is a great spring break destination in Oregon for its outdoor activities and cute mountain towns. Bonus – it’s only an hour away from Portland!

You can also stay longer than one day on Mount Hood. Often, you can find adorable Pacific Northwest cabin rentals in towns like Sandy, Rhododendron, of Government Camp. Our Mount Hood cabin rental is favorite is Niksen House – it’s close to some of our favorite hiking trails.

This is a great spring break in Oregon for folks who love to hike. Some of the higher elevation hiking trails are still closed because of snow. But lower elevation hikes are still accessible, and not as crowded as in the summertime! You could also embrace the snow and go skiing on Mount Hood!

Hike in the nearby Mount Hood National Forest and see Tamanawas Falls, ride the Sandy Ridge Trail, or go fishing in the Columbia River Gorge.

What are some of your favorite Oregon spring break destinations? Share them in the comments!

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