Oregon

The Wild and Scenic Clackamas River above the North Fork Reservoir is a great destination for paddlers and only about an hour drive from downtown Portland. This popular 13.5 mile section of river lies within the Mt. Hood National Forest and offers continuous class II-III boating with a little cla...

The Deschutes River Trail—an old smooth road really, with a mix of dirt, sand and gravel—is a great mountain bike ride or hike for beginners and experts alike. While the trail is very easy, the scenery all along the route is breathtaking.Park at the well-marked trailhead just to the left as you e...

Diamond View Lake is relatively unknown compared to many of the other lakes in the Oregon Cascades, yet the views it delivers of Diamond Peak are top-notch. While it can also be done as a summer backpack, winter brings out the best aspects of the scenery - low-angle light on Diamond Peak, long n...

This is an awesome place to escape to for a workout, or just a walk through the forest! You can make it a short walk, or turn it in to 6+ miles of loops! The one main trail is paved, but it’s not hard to find some single dirt track trails branching off and wandering through the trees, it can make...

Your day of adventure will start at the Skibowl West parking lot. Unfortunately, due to snowplowing, the roadside parking to the Mirror Lake trailhead is covered in snow. If you are doing this hike in the summer, be sure to check out this adventure: Climb Tock, Dick, and Harry Mountain!After you ...

Cascade Head on the Oregon Coast sits a top a 270 acre preserve protected by the Nature Conservancy and is a National Scenic Research Area and a United Nations Biosphere Reserve. From the south trail head at Knight Park the trail winds through an old growth coastal forest before climbing 1200 ver...

Tucked in a forest within a few minutes drive of Astoria and along the Columbia River, Lewis and Clark National Historic Park is small in size but rich in history.  If you're a wanderluster who appreciates learning about the early explorers that came before you this is a can't miss spot.  My own...

Located just west of Tillamook on the way to Cape Meares is an expansive forested park that juts out into Tillamook Bay. The main "trail" is an old unpaved narrow road called Bayocean Dike Road that stretches 4 miles down to the point. It's perfect for a long run, leisurely hike or mountain bikin...

This is an easy access, fairly short backpacking trip to a high mountain lake, which is good for kids. A super dusty, dry and smoke permeated trip to the base of Three Fingered Jack. Forest fires raging throughout the northwest poured smoke in to the entire western half of the state during this A...

OverviewLocated in remote southeastern Oregon the Owyhee River offers an off the grid adventure through the high desert that you will not soon forget.  The 50 mile section of river from Rome to Birch Creek is usually boated between March and June when there is adequate runoff to support larger bo...

From Pacific City, drive into the Pelican Brew Pub parking lot and right out on the beach to park (4x4 recommended, but not required). Suit up, and head out into the water. Sandy, cold water will greet you with occasional perfect swells to catch back to shore! Perfect for surfing, boogie boarding...

Set out at the Lower Lake trailhead along trail #717. After only half a mile the trail opens up to Lower Lake, with views of Olallie Butte. The trail winds around the north east side of the lake and you come to a junctions with trail #706. From here take the left onto #706 and continue about .6 o...

Taking a drive off the main highway that connects Umatilla, Oregon to the popular wine town of Walla Walla can lead to some very scenic views of the Stateline Wind Farm. On Gerkling Flat Road outside of Athena, Oregon you can drive right next to these colossal towers and see how a growing renewab...

The Fall River Trail follows meanders through an old growth ponderosa pine forest along the banks of the Fall River. There are several pull-out parking spots along Forest Service Road 42 but probably the easiest is to start at the Fall River Campground day-use area. The day-use area has pit toile...

You can drive onto the desert from several different dirt access roads along the Fields-Denio Rd, coming from the town Fields. You are allowed to drive out and camp anywhere on the playa except for along the west side, which is private property. The area is not fenced, but it is up to you to be a...

This spot in central Oregon is a beautiful, natural lake where you can combine a nice hike with an afternoon of fishing. There are opportunities for multiple hikes surrounding the lake that are moderately challenging hikes and also remain scenic throughout the 10 mile trek around the lake. Relax...