Outdoor Activities

Parks and Rec

Punchbowl Falls: Meet Oregon's Newest County Park

After a century-long wait, Hood River County unveils this 102-acre public patch of pristine salmon habitat. And you can visit!

07/28/2016 By Marisa Russell

Forest Flicks

Ride Bikes and Watch Pee-wee Herman on a Giant Inflatable Screen

For the second installment in the Hollywood Theatre's outdoor film series, catch Pee-wee's Big Adventure at Stub Stewart State Park—with a pre-flick guided bike ride.

07/26/2016 By Marisa Russell and Rebecca Jacobson

Bike Share

Biketown: Are We (Finally) Ready to Bike Share?

It's been a long time coming, and it's not even our first try. After 10 years of planning, Portland's Nike-sponsored bike share program is live.

07/21/2016 By Regina Winkle-Bryan

Day Trip

Cycling Mosier's Twin Tunnels

Find sun and stunning vistas on this gentle, car-free stretch of the Historic Columbia River Highway Trail—spandex optional.

07/13/2016 By Regina Winkle-Bryan

GEAR UP

Your Essential River Rat Gear Guide

From doggie life preservers to the most refreshing beer for your cooler, here’s our favorite Northwest-made stuff to schlep to the swimming hole.

07/12/2016 By Benjamin Tepler

GEAR UP

This Humble Backpack Could Save Your Life When the Big One Hits

It's actually a 72-hour survival kit.

07/08/2016 By Claire Colby

HAPPY TRAILS

10 Northwest Hiking and Biking Trails to Help You Seize the Summer

From bike rides along abandoned rail lines to awe-inspiring waterfall treks, here’s how to experience the Northwest at its most majestic.

06/24/2016 By Rachel Ritchie

DAY TRIPS

Here's What It Looks Like to Railbike the Oregon Coast

This summer, you can ride abandoned rail tracks past estuaries and cheese factories, over bridges and under blue skies—all on a custom foot-powered, four-seater contraption.

06/14/2016 By Marisa Russell

BIG IDEAS

Six Oregon-Hatched Ideas That Could Change the World

Eco-drones to avant-garde aerobics, these projects showcase the best of local innovation.

06/13/2016 By Eden Dawn, Ramona DeNies, Rebecca Jacobson, and Fiona McCann

BEST OF THE CITY 2016

Best of the City 2016: Seven Essential Outdoor Escapes in Portland

Resplendent picnic views to car-free cycling—lucky for us, natural wonder is always close at hand.

06/13/2016 By Ramona DeNies

BEST OF THE CITY 2016

PDX Essentials: Quadrant by Quadrant, All the Things We Can’t Live Without

Secret beaches to art deco splendor to OG dive bars, here are some of our favorite things in every corner of Portland.

06/13/2016 By Portland Monthly Staff

STATE PARKS

Go Wild for Oregon State Parks Day—It's All Free!

This weekend, Oregon goes full-on mad for state parkland—waiving fees for day use, camping, crabbing, and even hot dogs. Here's where to go to get the best park perks.

05/31/2016 By Marisa Russell

OUTDOORS GUIDE 2016

Oregon's Ultimate Summer Backpacking Treks and River Trips

Quintessential Northwest trails. Epic whitewater voyages. Luxuriously lazy floats. Here’s how to make the most of the season.

05/19/2016 Edited by Rachel Ritchie By Benjamin Tepler, Christopher Van Tilberg, and Adam Sawyer

GEAR UP

Your Essential Outdoors Gear Guide

Alpine packs to camp shoes, backpacking stoves to featherweight tents, here’s some of the best gear around, nearly all of it locally made.

05/19/2016 By Rachel Ritchie

CAMPING GUIDE

How to Camp Like a True Oregonian

We tapped a slew of Oregon experts for hard-earned tips and tricks for every kind of camping.

05/19/2016 By Rachel Ritchie and Benjamin Tepler

Backpacking

8 Classic Northwest Backpacking Trips

High-desert mesas, gushing waterfalls, and breathtaking wildflower displays: whatever your style, there’s a trail for you.

05/19/2016 Edited by Rachel Ritchie By Benjamin Tepler and Christopher Van Tilberg

FREE STUFF

20 Totally FREE Ways to Make This Your Best Portland Summer Ever

Leaving town this summer? Well, OK. But you're gonna miss all this free stuff—from a Nu Shooz show to JAW's three new plays to an actual screening of Jaws (plus so much more).

05/17/2016 By Ramona DeNies, Rebecca Jacobson, and Tuck Woodstock