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The Best Backpacking Trips Near Portland

Posted on August 22, 2023   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Adrian González

Adrian González

Three hikers with large backpacks walk up a mountain trail on a sunny day.

Grab a backpack, we’re hitting the trails. (Karrie Carns / Women Who Explore)

We recently spoke to Karrie Carns, a volunteer ambassador for the nonprofit women’s outdoor empowerment organization Women Who Explore, and she shared her best-kept tips for backpacking in Oregon. Here are her picks, broken down by difficulty levels:

Easy

Intermediate

Difficult

Know how strenuous [the hike] is, know what your elevation gain is, and particularly backpacking, know whether there's any water sources because water is heavy — and the weight of your pack matters.Karrie Carns, volunteer ambassador for Women Who Explore

How to Backpack in Oregon (And Not Become Bear Food)
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