Jon Bell

It captures the essence of all that is Oregon. Peaceful mountain lakes. Rivers mighty and small. Storied wildlife and a dash each of adventure and self-sufficiency. It gets people outside, together, and creates lifelong memories and pastimes. And with a little luck, it can make for a tasty dinner. More

With its meandering rivers, green forests, clear lakes and accessible pathways, the Salem region’s natural spaces provide a refuge for wildlife and humans alike. Ready to see a signature slice of Oregon from a new perspective? Pick one of these activities and start exploring. More

Imagine the largest bay in Oregon, an S-shaped inlet of the Pacific Ocean that shapes life in both the estuaries and towns. In the salty lower areas, crabs scuttle around happily, and around its edges lie acres of tidal mudflats where lively clams flourish, some species rarely seen in such numbers on other stretches of the Coast. Home to stunning coastal vistas and charming bayside communities that enhance any foraging adventure, crabbing and clamming are nearly always abundant. More

When the snow falls in Oregon, the adventurous dust off their snowshoes and head for the hills. Many end up heading for the same winter wonderlands — Mirror Lake or Trillium Lake on Mt. Hood, Dutchman Flat near Bend, Salt Creek Falls outside Eugene — all popular for a good reason. But that can make solitude hard to find. Luckily, Oregon is a big, beautiful place, and there are miles of lesser-known routes that offer tons of incredible scenery with a fraction of the traffic.... More

Oregon’s Adventure Coast — the nickname for this pristine stretch of coastline that includes the cities of Coos Bay, North Bend and Charleston — is renowned for its bountiful and easily accessible fishing. The area is home to more than 30 lakes and rivers, plus Coos Bay itself and, of course, the Pacific, meaning there’s plenty of uncrowded space for families, adventurers and anglers of all stripes. More

Oregon is a great outdoor playground all year round. The mountains, the Coast, the rivers and lakes, the high desert, the soaring forests — all of it make getting outside with the family the ideal thing to do. Winter, with all its snow and stunning scenery, is no exception to that rule. Whether you’re sledding with the kids, skiing with the family, schussing outside of Bend or snowmobiling not far from Salem, here’s how to make your own snowy family fun. More

Located along the far eastern border of Oregon — about six hours from Portland and 4.5 hours from Bend — the Owyhee Canyonlands unfold across more than 2 million acres. Cut by just three paved roads, it’s considered one of the largest expanses of undeveloped land in the lower 48 states. More

Pendleton, that charming Western town at the foot of the Blue Mountains in Eastern Oregon, makes for a unique family-friendly destination. There’s history and culture, parks aplenty, hiking trails, swimming pools, sports galore and even spooky underground tunnels. In short, Pendleton’s got everything a family could want for a unique and memorable getaway. More

What if there was a place close to Portland where you could quickly escape from city life and feel like you’re in another world? A place where you could almost lose yourself paddling through slim streams and curving channels, watching majestic birds soar overhead or strolling along the mighty Columbia River just 30 minutes from the city? Well, there is. More

What are the odds that you could walk onto a bustling urban college campus and stroll right into a brand-new art museum to take in the work of world-renowned artists for free? Actually pretty good, now that the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Portland State University is open. More