162 Results

Oregon City just might be one of the prettiest little cities within a stone’s throw of Portland. Just 13 miles south of the big city, a day trip to historic Oregon City — the state’s first capital and the end of the Oregon Trail — can feel like a trip back in time. You can… More

I met my friend Melissa Steinman in the small village of Seal Rock, just 10.5 miles south of Newport. Seal Rock is an undiscovered gem where you’ll find artists at work, tasty treats and, on the rocks themselves, some incredible nature watching. The rocks are best seen at low tide, so we had time to… More

At the base of Oregon’s Table Rocks rushes the explosive and bountiful Rogue River. Known for abundant salmon runs, gripping whitewater rafting adventures and engaging historic treasures, this part of Southern Oregon is a must-stop for families, historians and adventurers alike. Once inhabited by the Takelma Indians, this region is not just rich in flora… More

Kayakers everywhere were barrel-rolling for joy when the Bend Whitewater Park opened on the Deschutes River. The park's whitewater section is controlled by computers to create a dynamic a wave play area — the first of its kind on the West Coast. More

If you’ve ever been to a swimming hole in Oregon that seems overrun with crowds, fear not — there are ways to avoid that scenario. Try swinging a mid-week trip, when you are likely to see far fewer people out. Try a more out-of-the way spot, which you can pinpoint by searching the Oregon Swimming… More

A saw blade of snowy volcanic peaks provides quite the backdrop for the Madras Mountain Views Scenic Bikeway. This 29-mile ride rolls through farm fields and skims along the canyon rim of Lake Billy Chinook. A word of advice from one cyclist to another: the scenery might get distracting, so you’ll want to pull over now and again to take it all in. More

When your sense of adventure craves salty air, where do you go? For many, the Tillamook Coast is the natural choice. Here you might find more seabirds than people on the beach. But it what lacks in crowds, the Tillamook Coast makes up for in experiences. Cast a fly in the river or charter a… More

Oregon’s wine country is also home to epic mountain biking trails and awe-inspiring waterfalls. On this itinerary, you’ll discover amazing waterfalls at Silver Falls State Park and world-renowned trails in Oakridge, then relax in style in Eugene. Travel east of Salem to discover the stunning Silver Falls State Park. The park’s Trail of Ten Falls… More

It’s a summer evening on the shore of a high alpine Cascade lake in Central Oregon. The day is done, the sun has set, and it’s nearly dark. Thankfully, your kayaks are lashed atop the car. Now is the perfect time to put them in the water for a moonlight kayaking trip. More

A perfect golden hew lighted our departure as we paddled through the Pearl and Industrial District heading north towards the Columbia. Passing the bridges is always a joy and seeing the traffic from below is a special sensation for me; almost like I am playing hooky while everyone else is having to go to work. More

Few moments combine relaxation and exhilaration like the instant you release your weight onto a floating raft or kayak, push off land and join the flow. All the stress and commotion of gear wrestling, food planning and daily schedules are muffled into deep oblivion like sounds dampening underwater. The current pulls, you paddle and the world passes to the side — powerless against the alternate reality of river time. More

I love travel across Oregon in winter for one particular reason: the unexpected treats that come when waterfowl put on quite a show. “Waterfowl are distinct, colorful and just the most in-your-face animals that are around us… and the number you can see is just so much higher than other wildlife,” according to Metro Naturalist,… More

Imagine yourself on a stand-up paddleboard. Now imagine yourself doing a downward facing dog. Or striking a warrior pose. Or holding a plank. Yes, stand-up paddleboard (SUP) yoga is a thing now, with specially designed boards and international retreats attracting water yogis worldwide. In Oregon, many SUP outfitters offer yoga as an option, but Float On SUP Yoga in… More

Pip looks at the kayak with some misgivings, as if to say, you want me to get in that? Seriously? Getting a middle-aged woman with a desk job into a tippy object on the water is one thing. But the good folks at eNRG Kayaking have a firm grip on the subject and the boat.… More

When you fish with a legend, you know you’re in good hands! Retired fishing guide Ed Fast has run the rapids, slipped past the boulders and left all his troubles behind for nearly four decades on the Upper Sandy River —  a place that not many people can navigate. He says, "There is not an easy… More

If fall is coming, nobody’s told Eastern Oregon. The warm, sunny days are the perfect time to hit the trail for late season wildflower meadows, deep forests and hidden alpine lakes. Check out these gorgeous hikes in scenic wilderness areas on the east side of the state. Strawberry Lakes, Slide Falls (near John Day) From… More

I never realized the joy I found in waterfalls until I moved to Oregon. Within my first year of living here, I thought I had seen them all. I had gone on many hikes, stopped off the Historic Columbia River Highway to see all of the Gorge waterfalls more than once, and my computer was… More

Some of America’s greatest authors have waxed rhapsodic over the sight of Crater Lake’s blue waters. It’s the same view that compels people from all over the world to visit Oregon’s most popular national park site each year. More

Oregon's state fish tells one of nature’s most fascinating stories. More

Of the 200 Wild and Scenic Rivers in the U.S., 58 of them are here in Oregon. You could say we have more than our fair share. More

You could easily spend all day gazing at the blue waters around Wizard Island at Crater Lake National Park, but that would be missing out on all the fun — both at the rest of the park and around Southern Oregon. At 6,100 square miles (13 times the size of Multnomah County), Klamath County is… More

With more than 200 miles of ocean coastline, 2,000 boat-friendly lakes, and thousands of miles of rivers to explore, Oregon is a boater’s paradise. And you don’t have to be an expert to get out and enjoy the state’s waters. More

If travel is a state of mind, Oregon sure makes you wonder how one region can offer so much wide-ranging recreation and scenery--and how you will ever be able in one lifetime to experience it all. Even for the seasoned traveler, an endless supply of secret places is available for exploring. So, slow down and… More

Maybe Tualatin took inspiration from the Oregon Trail, the epochal pioneer route that ended just 10 miles east of here in Oregon City. A web of trails stitches through this town 20 minutes southwest of Portland, linking downtown businesses and leading off into parks and natural areas. You might also want to beat a path… More

Just 15 miles west of Eugene, Veneta is located at the intersection of Highway 126, a direct path to the scenic Oregon Coast, and the Territorial Highway, one of the oldest roads in Oregon and the gateway to Willamette Valley Wine Country. As such, Veneta is a fitting locale in which to explore both the… More

Sunriver has been one of Oregon’s favorite getaways for nearly half a century. The resort community 16 miles south of Bend has been recognized as a recreational and vacation destination since the 1960s, equally perfect for snowy ski excursions and sunny summer holidays. The beautiful location on the meandering Deschutes River in a thick forest… More

When you’re cruising across Central Oregon, the high desert plateau can feel as vast as the ocean, a sea of sagebrush and pine under an endless dome of blue sky. Yet surprises await around Madras (about 45 minutes north of Bend), where the land seems to crack open like an eggshell, revealing deep desert canyons,… More

You could go years passing through this community at the east edge of the Portland metro area without realizing what you’re missing: bird-filled wetlands, boating lakes, bike trails and a pedestrian-scale walkable village. With its waterfront parks, open spaces and a postcard-perfect vantage point of Mt. Hood, this city of 9,000 offers not just a… More

Day one: Portland to Agness After weeks of waiting for a relentless La Niña to loosen her grip on spring, I spotted a perfect four-day window in the forecast. Maps studied, gear packed and the first 180 miles under my belt, I exited I-5 toward the heart of Southern Oregon’s wine country in the Umpqua… More

Between the Columbia River Gorge and the high desert of Central Oregon lies an undiscovered country. Sunny and tranquil, the highways wind through a string of small towns where friendly residents have been quietly making their living in farming, ranching and outdoor recreation for generations. Towns like Wasco, Moro and Maupin aren’t exactly secret, just… More