Isolated spot to enjoy nature (Portland, Beaverton: buy, camping, taxi)

[MadisonSD]

Hi everyone!

I moved here about a year ago from a very small, undeveloped town where woods to explore or a field to lay in were only a few minutes walk away. I'm missing that a lot and don't know how to find it in the sprawling suburbs of Portland/Beaverton/Hillsboro. I know there are lots of beautiful parks around with trails and mountains and waterfalls and amazing views, but I'm hoping to find some back road, middle of nowhere little spots to enjoy. It can be as simple as an isolated field: just anywhere to get outside, away from people and buildings, park your car off the side of the road and either explore or lay out in the grass and watch the clouds and/or stars. I'm up for driving a bit, so any suggestions within an hour of the general area would be really appreciated

[pdxMIKEpdx]

I'm sure you could find a spot in Mt. Hood National Forest.
Go to a ranger station and buy a district map.

It will show you all the back roads, rivers, lakes, campgrounds, etc.

Plus, they also have all kinds of books on recreation, nature, hiking, camping that are locally specific.

It shouldn't be that hard to find a spot like that just by driving around.

[bler144]

If you're over Hillsboro-way, have you been out to Henry Hagg Lake/Park?

[texasdiver]

Go discover Sauvie Island. It is exactly what you are looking for

[AndyAMG]

Getting away from people is becoming more difficult these days. I used to be able to go to Ecola/cannon beach or the gorge and have no problem finding a parking spot at a trail head even in August.

These days I'm lucky to get a spot at 9AM on an overcast Saturday in May.

The internet has made it very hard to keep cool places a secret anymore. I used to go to Jefferson Park (Mt Jeff) as a teen and it was my special place, but the last time I tried to go, there wasn't a place to park. My saddest realization of how bad the internet is taxing our natural wonders is when I went to my super secret trailhead in the Wallowas to find the entire parking lot full of cars that had out of state plates and tons of cars with plate surrounds identifying them as being from Portland... it was a sad moment for me. Even in the middle of August you may have seen 4 or 5 cars at these trailheads in the mid 90s.

I had an epiphany. Nothing is sacred, nothing is hidden, nothing is off limits anymore. Chances are the places you describe within and hour of Portland are on private land, will have people or will be too remote to access.

Damn you oregonhikers.org!

Get on Google earth and the Google earth community look at areas in the coast range or near Dallas, try around Vernonia. Go find it yourself and don't tell any one about it.

Originally Posted by AndyAMG

Getting away from people is becoming more difficult these days. I used to be able to go to Ecola/cannon beach or the gorge and have no problem finding a parking spot at a trail head even in August.

These days I'm lucky to get a spot at 9AM on an overcast Saturday in May.

The internet has made it very hard to keep cool places a secret anymore. I used to go to Jefferson Park (Mt Jeff) as a teen and it was my special place, but the last time I tried to go, there wasn't a place to park. My saddest realization of how bad the internet is taxing our natural wonders is when I went to my super secret trailhead in the Wallowas to find the entire parking lot full of cars that had out of state plates and tons of cars with plate surrounds identifying them as being from Portland... it was a sad moment for me. Even in the middle of August you may have seen 4 or 5 cars at these trailheads in the mid 90s.

I had an epiphany. Nothing is sacred, nothing is hidden, nothing is off limits anymore. Chances are the places you describe within and hour of Portland are on private land, will have people or will be too remote to access.

Damn you oregonhikers.org!

Get on Google earth and the Google earth community look at areas in the coast range or near Dallas, try around Vernonia. Go find it yourself and don't tell any one about it.

On the upside, more people visiting these places means more people who will want to preserve them.

But yes, finding a place near the city or along the coast that doesn't have other people around can be a challenge.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

My experience has always been that if you get about 3 miles from the roads, you will see very few people. Out at 5 miles you only run into a couple of dedicated hikers, and those are few and far between.

[pdxMIKEpdx]

If you really want quiet day trips, I have found that most people from Portland are not willing to drive more than three hours for recreation.

Get up earlier, and drive a little farther.

Plus don't limit yourself to Oregon.
There is a whole 'nother big state just north of us.