PDX Index

A Closer Look at Oregon’s Owl Attacks

Portland hikers are getting dive-bombed on Leif Erikson.

11/03/2025 By Amelia Arvesen

Leaf Peeping

Where to Check Out Fall Colors in Portland and Beyond

See changing autumnal foliage from the top of Mount Tabor, in the Portland Japanese Garden, and across Oregon.

09/22/2025 By Isabel Lemus Kristensen and Portland Monthly Staff

Animal Planet

Have the Vaux’s Swifts Ditched Chapman for Good?

Last fall, the birds abandoned their longtime roost. Now, a city waits in suspense.

08/11/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson

Oregon Trails

8 Geologic Wonders of Oregon

Caves to canyons to cracks in the ground, our state rocks.

04/22/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson Illustrations by Jordan Kay

Month Ahead

What to Do in Oregon in April

Stroll among tulips and trilliums, marvel at migratory birds, and gorge yourself on cheese and seafood. Plus: a new festival devoted to Sasquatch.

03/26/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson

Soggy Season

6 Essential Rainy-Day Hikes Near Portland

Don't let the wet stuff scare you. Explore churning waterfalls, ambling rivers, and lush forests on these close-to-home hikes.

02/12/2025 By Gabriel Granillo and Michelle Harris

Get Out

What to Do in Oregon in February

Leaving the house is good for you. This month delivers truffle dog competitions, sausage eating contests, ski races, and salty verse. (Also...Afroman?)

01/27/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson

Swifties Unite

The Definitive Guide to Watching the Vaux’s Swifts in Portland

It’s basically our city’s Mardi Gras.

08/27/2024 By Rebecca Jacobson

Bird to the Wise

Güero Bird Club Is Portland's Best Way to Get into Birding

The warm and welcoming group, led by the torta shop's kitchen manager, transforms novices into nerds. It worked on me.

07/17/2024 By Rebecca Jacobson Photography by Michael Raines Illustrations by Michael Novak

Swimming

Portland Is a Beach Town. It's True.

But which in-the-city Willamette River swim spot is the one for you and your crew?

07/09/2024 By Margaret Seiler, Michelle Harris, and Matthew Trueherz

Hot Dam!

At This Southeast Portland Park, Both Humans and Beavers Are Builders

Errol Heights has an epic slide, a mini skate area, and trails through beaver habitat.

06/14/2024 By Rebecca Jacobson

Summer in the City

Three Urban Excursions to Soak Up Summer in Portland

From birds to boats to (forest) baths, who says you have to leave the city for a little adventure?

06/05/2024 By Rebecca Jacobson Illustrations by Mark Wang

Out on a Limb

Meet Southern Oregon’s ‘Treehouse Maverick’

At Out ’n’ About, treehouse designer Michael Garnier does things his own way.

05/08/2024 By Brian Libby

Your Worst Nightmare, Solved

Got Rats, Portland? What to Do If Your Home Becomes Infested

Yes, our city has them, too.

05/07/2024 By Winston Ross Illustrations by Jack Dylan

Be Prepared

Worried about Your Home Surviving the Next Disaster?

Construction makes a difference, but community might make a bigger one.

04/17/2024 By Brian Libby Illustrations by Joseph Laney

Rebranding

What’s the Audubon Society of Portland’s New Name?

The group joins conservationist organizations around the country in cutting ties with their slave-owning namesake.

02/06/2024 By Zoe Sayler

Travel & Outdoors

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

Fly-fish on the Deschutes River, soak at Terwilliger Hot Springs, and ski late into spring at Mount Bachelor.

01/25/2024 By Portland Monthly Staff

Saving the World

This Is Oregon Scientists' Plan to Save the World

The radical proposal of Oregon State University researchers aims to avoid climate change via greater biodiversity and more forestlands—and a no-growth economy.

01/20/2024 By Zoe Sayler

Litmus Test

What 10 People Really Think about Portland

We posed hard questions to locals and tourists about our favorite city, and their answers struck a chord.

12/05/2023 By Arianne Cohen Illustrations by Rob Dobi

Hiking

6 Post-Thanksgiving Hikes in and around Portland

Skip Black Friday and spend your turkey recovery day at Forest Park, on Mount Tabor, or taking advantage of free parking at a state park.

11/22/2023 By Gabriel Granillo With Isabel Lemus Kristensen