Spots to Watch the Sunrise Near Portland
In a city as crowded as Portland, it can feel impossible to experience some solitude. However, sunrise is a time when most people will still be in bed, and you can visit even some of the most popular places relatively alone. Below are some of the best hikes and spots near Portland to watch the sunrise. The Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood National Forest have many beautiful sunrise spots only a short drive from the city.
Where to Watch the Sunrise in the Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia River Gorge is one of the most scenic and photogenic spots near Portland. There are countless waterfalls and viewpoints in the gorge to visit, but only some of these will be ideal for sunrise. Below are some of the best viewpoints and hikes to drive to from Portland for sunrise in the Columbia River Gorge.
Vista House
Vista House is one of the closest and best places to view sunrise near Portland. It is only a 30-minute drive from downtown to the parking area for the Vista House off the Historic Columbia River Highway.
The Vista House is over 100 years old and is open from 9 AM to 5 PM. However, you can park and view the sunrise from the house at any time.
Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint
While the Vista House boasts sweeping views of the Columbia River Gorge, you will not be able to get both the Vista House and the view in the same photo. Just a mile up the road from the Vista House is the Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint.
From here you get a sweeping view of the Gorge with the Vista House in the photo, making for an interesting composition. At sunrise, the sun will rise from the East, lighting up the sky behind the Vista House.
Beacon Rock
Beacon Rock Trail is a hike up the core of an ancient volcano. The majority of this trail takes place on a series of boardwalks leading up the rock. Near the top of the trail is a majestic view down the gorge perfect for sunrise.
This trail is only 1.5 miles long, which means it is a little over half a mile to the top of the trail, making it a short and easy hike for sunrise. This is also a popular trail, so by arriving early you can experience it with few crowds.
Read More: Best Hikes Near Hood River
Rowena Crest Viewpoint
The Rowena Crest Viewpoint is near Mayer State Park and the Tom McCall Nature Preserve. Come here in the morning to watch the sunrise over the Columbia River Gorge. The drive from Portland is 1 hour 30 minutes, but it is so worth the drive, especially in spring when wildflowers coat the area.
There is parking right along the curved overlook when you first arrive. If you are staying longer for a hike, you can drive down and park off the road, closer to the trailheads near the Historic Columbia River Highway, US-30. Tom McCall Point and Rowena Plateau Trail start from this spot and have amazing views.
Other Sunrise Hikes in the Gorge
Of course, the above is not an exhaustive list of the places to see sunrise near Portland. Below is just a few more trails that are best at sunrise.
- Ponytail Falls Trail– 0.9 miles, 331 feet, Easy– For a less known sunrise spot, hike to Ponytail Falls. A quarter of a mile past the waterfall is an outlook that looks down the Gorge and is perfect for a peaceful sunrise hike.
- Multnomah Falls– 2.4 miles, 810 feet, Moderate– Multnomah Falls is the most popular spot in the Columbia River Gorge. Arriving at sunrise in the summer is just about the only way to guarantee a parking spot before it gets filled up.
- Angel’s Rest– 4.5 miles, 1476 feet, Moderate– For a longer hike, head to Angel’s Rest Trailhead. This hike leads to an amazing view of the Gorge that is great at both sunrise and sunset.
Spots to Watch the Sunrise in Mount Hood National Forest
The Columbia River Gorge is not the only spot near Portland to watch the sunrise. The Mount Hood National Forest also has many trails and viewpoints perfect for watching the sunrise in the mountains near Portland.
Lolo Pass Road
One of my favorite spots to watch the sunrise near Portland is Lolo Pass Road. To get to Lolo Pass Road, drive from Portland towards Mount Hood. At Zigzag, turn off US Highway 26 onto East Lolo Pass Road. Take the road until you enter the National Forest.
As you continue down the road you will start to see Mount Hood along the road. Drive until you find a pull-off spot you like to watch the sunrise. There is a lot of powerlines that may obstruct your view if you are looking to take a photograph.
Trillium Lake
Trillium Lake is 60 miles from Portland and takes a little over an hour to drive to. There is a 2-mile trail that encircles the lake, but you can also park right next to the shore, or walk on the trail until you find a good spot to watch the sunrise.
Trillium Lake is beautiful in the morning because at sunrise you will have the best chance of the water being still enough to cast a perfect reflection of Mount Hood. There may even be mist rising off the lake, making for a serene scene.
Timberline Trail
The Timberline Trail is a 40-mile trail that encircles Mount Hood. This is a common thru-hike, but you can also hike just sections of the trail, and enjoy the views of Mount Hood and the surrounding mountains.
Park at the Timberline Lodge, and you can witness a spectacular sunrise on Mount Hood with almost no hiking at all. To watch the sunrise on the trail, leave early, as it is a 1 hour 20-minute drive to the Timberline Lodge from Portland.
Other Sunrise Hikes near Mount Hood
Almost any trail in Mount Hood National Forest will be beautiful at sunrise, but trails that lead to a viewpoint will be the best at sunrise.
- Tom, Dick & Harry Mountain– 9 miles, 1,709 feet, Difficult– One of the best viewpoints of Mount Hood is on Tom, Dick, & Harry Mountain. This is a long hike, so you will have to leave quite early if you want to get to the top of the mountain at sunrise.
- Bald Mountain via Lolo Pass– 6.7 miles, 1,489 feet, Moderate– If you continue on Lolo Pass Road, you will reach the trailhead for the hike up to Bald Mountain. Four miles into the hike is an amazing viewpoint of Mount Hood.
Other Sunrise Spots Near Portland
If you are looking for spots even closer to Portland, there are several viewpoints even closer to the city that you can drive to, and watch the sunrise near the city.
- Jonsrud Viewpoint– Jonsrud Viewpoint is located in Sandy, Oregon, just 28 miles from Portland. This viewpoint is off SE Bluff Road. There are a few parking spots and benches at the viewpoint that look over the valley and towards Mount Hood.
- Pittock Mansion– Pittock Mansion is within Portland near Forest Park. This mansion belonged to one of the founding families of Portland and is now a museum. The museum doesn’t open until 10 AM, but you can go to the grounds earlier to watch the sunrise over Portland.
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