6 days in Portland & Crater Lake National Park Itinerary

A big city with a small-town feel, Portland is home to the country's biggest rose test garden, perched on a hill overlooking downtown.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Portland: Salem (Adelman Peony Gardens, Schreiner's Iris Gardens, &more) and Multnomah Falls (in Bridal Veil). The adventure continues: admire the natural beauty at Portland Japanese Garden, stop by Powell's City of Books, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Oregon Zoo, and look for all kinds of wild species at Hoyt Arboretum.

To find where to stay, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Portland planning tool.

Austin to Portland is an approximately 6.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. The time zone difference when traveling from Austin to Portland is minus 2 hours. Expect a bit cooler temperatures when traveling from Austin in May; daily highs in Portland reach 70°F and lows reach 51°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Fri) early enough to drive to Crater Lake National Park.

Reaching a depth of 592 m (1,943 ft), Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States.

Start off your visit on the 22nd (Sat): explore the wealth of natural beauty at Crater Lake National Park.

For maps, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, you can read our Crater Lake National Park route planner.

Drive from Portland to Crater Lake National Park in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight, bus, and taxi; or do a combination of train and taxi. When traveling from Portland in May, plan for a bit warmer days in Crater Lake National Park, with highs around 77°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 49°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 23rd (Sun) to allow time for travel back home.