5 Outdoor Escapes Portland

Why it made the list: One of the largest urban forests in the country, over 5,000 acres of Douglas fir and fern with 80 miles of trails right at the city's edge, including the long Wildwood Trail. You can be deep in the woods minutes from downtown.

Why it made the list: A hilltop park packed with highlights: the world-class Japanese Garden, the fragrant International Rose Test Garden, the Hoyt Arboretum and the Oregon Zoo, all linked by trails and a little train. It's an easy, beautiful outdoor half-day.

Why it made the list: A dramatic river canyon just east of the city lined with waterfalls, the tallest of them the 620-foot Multnomah Falls with its iconic footbridge. A drive along the historic highway strings together a dozen falls and viewpoints.

Why it made the list: The 11,000-foot glaciated peak that watches over the city, ringed by alpine trails, wildflower meadows and the historic Timberline Lodge. It's skiing in winter, hiking and huckleberries in summer, and a knockout view year-round.

Why it made the list: A rural island at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, all u-pick farms, pumpkin patches, quiet beaches and birding wetlands, just a short drive from downtown. It's the mellow, agricultural antidote to the city.