Jen Anderson

What’s unique about Winding Waters River Expeditions is that it’s not just about rafting, fishing or kayaking — it’s about the food, the stargazing, the music and the camaraderie that comes after the adrenaline-fueled experience itself, in the downtime at the camp along the riverbanks each night. More

There’s a place on Oregon’s South Coast where you can ride through a coastal forest on ribbons of clay dirt, with moderate climbs and gentle descents. The tree canopy shelters you from rain, and the 10 miles of cross country-style trail system will eventually expand to about 30, connecting to the beach with views of the ocean and stunning coastline. More

Whether you love to hike, camp, fish, paddle, bike, picnic or enjoy bird walks through Central Oregon’s public lands, you can use Discover Your Forest as a one-stop shop to give back — everything from trail restoration and litter pickup to helping at public events or counting wild horses in a herd. More

Once a year, visitors are invited to the Pauline Ricks Memorial Pow-Wow Grounds at Government Hill in Siletz, midway between Lincoln City and Newport, about 10 miles inland, for the annual Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow. It’s one of several Native celebrations across Oregon that welcome visitors each summer and fall. More

Woodburn is a place rich with culture to discover — year-round but especially during the summer. Each August brings the three-day Fiesta Mexicana, one of the state’s largest celebrations of Latino food, culture, art, music and community. More

The Rogue Valley is prized for its unique terroir — warm days and cool nights, nestled between the Cascade, Siskiyou and Coastal ranges and the Pacific Ocean; the temperature flux enhances the sugar-acid balance and the flavors of the grapes. More

Like many Oregon chefs, Andres and Ariana Fernandez of Bend's Ariana restaurant have embraced the hyper-local, sustainable ethos. Menus change seasonally, if not daily. Chefs make everything from scratch and source ingredients from local purveyors. And diners happily clean their plates. More

If you’ve been watching your Instagram feed change from fall colors to spring tulips to a sparkling ocean dotted by sea stacks, it must mean one thing: summer is coming. Summer in Oregon is more than just a change of season — it’s a state of mind, a dreamy state of bliss as we head out to our beloved hiking trails, tidepools, waterfalls, campgrounds, lakes and rivers and 363 miles of unspoiled Coast. Here’s a checklist to get started enjoying the summer in true Beaver... More

What’s grand about La Grande? The scenery, for starters. About midway between Pendleton and Baker City on Interstate 84, this friendly town four hours east of Portland is smack in the majestic Blue Mountains, along the ancestral home of the Nez Perce people. It’s also home to Eastern Oregon University and a vibrant arts and outdoors scene — yet tucked away so it still feels like a secret. Here’s how to explore La Grande in a weekend. More

The crystal-clear, spring-fed Wild and Scenic McKenzie River is a favorite spot for mountain bikers, hikers, and rafting and fishing enthusiasts alike. It’s the lifeblood of clear, clean water for salmon and local farms in the Willamette Valley along its 90-mile stretch — which flows from the Cascade Range to the Willamette River, just north of Eugene. More