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Portland Monthly

Outdoor Activities

THE INSIDER’S GUIDE TO MOUNT HOOD

Where to Bed Down for the Night on Mount Hood

A-frames, hot tubs, log cabins, and views for days

12/15/2022 By Julia Silverman Illustrations by Chris Koelling

Trails

Hike of the Month: Neahkahnie Gap Trail

This two-mile addition to the Oregon Coast Trail offers beautiful scenery of Nehalem Bay and secondary-growth forest, and connects to Neahkahnie Mountain.

12/08/2022 By Isabel Lemus Kristensen

The Insider’s Guide to Mount Hood

No Skis, No Snowboard, No Problem: Next-Gen Ways to Play in the Snow

These portable, packable snow-play options don’t always require a lift ticket.

12/07/2022 By Isabel Lemus Kristensen

Snow

The Insider’s Guide to Mount Hood

Tips on how to make the most of your day at the mountain, from the people who know

11/30/2022 By Sam Stites Illustrations by Chris Koelling

Hiking

5 Post-Thanksgiving Hikes around Portland

Skip Black Friday this year and spend your morning at Forest Park, Mount Tabor, and elsewhere

11/17/2022 By Gabriel Granillo With Isabel Lemus Kristensen

Hike of the Month

Hike of the Month: Trail of 10 Falls at Silver Falls State Park

A stunner year-round, the picturesque waterfall trail at Silver Falls State Park is bursting with color in autumn.

10/06/2022 By Michelle Harris

Trails

Hike of the Month: Eruption Trail at Mount St. Helens

This short-and-sweet walk from Johnston Ridge Observatory is all volcano photo ops, all the time. Parking is free, but that could change next year, among other national forest fee increases.

09/23/2022 By Margaret Seiler

Outdoors

Park for Free or Help Pull Weeds on National Public Lands Day, September 24

Attend a volunteer event in Portland and beyond, or visit federal recreation sites such as Crater Lake National Park without paying a fee.

09/16/2022 By Isabel Lemus Kristensen

Hike of the Month

Hike of the Month: Ecola Point to Indian Beach

Lighthouse views and inland shade on this Oregon Coast trail near Cannon Beach

08/12/2022 By Michelle Harris

Outdoors

Shady Hikes and Picnic Spots for Hot Days in and around Portland

From the fir frenzy of North Portland’s Columbia Park to a tree-lined trail on Sauvie Island, here are a few places to celebrate the shadows.

08/11/2022 By Cassondra Bird, Michelle Harris, and Margaret Seiler

Popular Content

    Portland Outdoor Movie Guide

    Your Quintessential Portland Bucket List: 50 Things to Do in Town

    Millions of People Visit Oregon Volcanoes Every Year. Why?

    Where to Eat, Stay, and Play Around Mount St. Helens

    What to Do in Oregon in March

    12 Oregon Adventures to Get You Outdoors Every Month of the Year

Nature

Off to Pick Huckleberries? You Might Need a Permit

The wild berries lining mountain trails in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest are calling, but you'll need a Forest Service permit in advance for these purple goodies.

08/08/2022 By Margaret Seiler

Hiking

These Waterfall Hikes Don’t Require a Timed Permit

While you need a permit to reach much of Oregon's waterfall corridor in the Columbia River Gorge, some trails don't take so much planning.

08/04/2022 By Michelle Harris

Bicycles

5 Things to Know about Portland’s World Naked Bike Ride

The 2022 event happens Saturday, July 30, starting at Peninsula Park in North Portland.

07/21/2022 By Margaret Seiler

Field Notes

Hike of the Month: Cathedral Tree Trail in Astoria

Boardwalks, tree-root stairs, and a Sitka spruce with a tunnel in it line the way to the Astoria Column.

05/20/2022 By Margaret Seiler

Camping

5 Places to Camp within an Hour of Portland

Pitch a tent by rivers, near waterfalls, or on an island.

05/06/2022 By Michelle Harris

Hiking

Explore These Trails Right at Portland’s Doorstep

From lava volcanoes to sprawling estates, Portland’s suburban hikes are just a short trip away.

04/29/2022 By Brian Barker, Ramona DeNies, and Michelle Harris

Biking

Biketown Rides Are Free This Weekend in Honor of Earth Day

Praise Gaia, ride a Nike bike.

04/22/2022 By Conner Reed

Travel

The Ultimate Guide to the Columbia River Gorge

Waterfalls, hikes, history, breweries, wineries, great food, a historic post office, and views galore

03/17/2022 Edited by Gabriel Granillo By Katherine Chew Hamilton, Conner Reed, Margaret Seiler, Julia Silverman, and Matt Wastradowski

Gorge Guide

Where to Eat, Stay & Play in Mosier, The Dalles & the Eastern Gorge

Wildflower treks, top-notch wineries & sweeping orchards as far as the eye can see

03/17/2022 By Matt Wastradowski

Outdoors

Who's Left Behind by Oregon’s Ever-Growing Trail Permit System?

You need to plan ahead if you want to hike some of the state’s most popular trails, which cuts down on environmental degradation—but impacts access too.

02/18/2022 By Gabriel Granillo

Latest Issue

Summer 2026

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