After several trips to the Columbia River Gorge — most recently camping at Wyeth and finally hiking Eagle Creek to Tunnel Falls — here's my running guide to the hikes, waterfalls, and campgrounds worth building a trip around.

Take a weekend getaway trip down to Silver Falls State Park. It is located 4.5 hours from Seattle and only a little over an hour away from Portland. Hike the Trail of Ten Falls to see ten distinct waterfalls through an old grown lush forest.