Splish-Splash

Here’s a Map of the 17 Best Swimming Holes within 3ish Hours of Portland

You're welcome.

07/02/2024 By Portland Monthly Staff

Dive In

Cathedral Park’s New Swim Dock Opens Under the St. Johns Bridge

The beach area has a lot less concrete to trip over, too, thanks to volunteers and the Human Access Project.

06/28/2024 By Margaret Seiler

Field Notes

A Magical Old-Growth Forest Hike Just an Hour from Portland

The Old Salmon River Trail promises towering trees, carpets of moss, and a perfect pool for a dip.

06/25/2024 By Ellee Thalheimer

Transit Trip

We Took the Bus to Camas and Washougal

Find river paths, vintage clothes, a floating restaurant, art galleries, woolly Pendleton temptations, and an indoor-outdoor barbershop.

06/21/2024 By Margaret Seiler

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

The Game of Portland

The Roller Coaster of Summer in the Rose City

Catch a Pickles game, hike in the mountains, bike naked, and jump in the river—just watch out for wildfire smoke and swimmer's itch.

05/24/2024 By Portland Monthly Staff Illustrations by Hawk Krall

Midway Stop

Where to Eat, Stay & Play in and around Madras

Break up the drive to Bend with drag races, witchy books, and farm-to-bottle spirits.

05/21/2024 By Sarah Hutchins

Outdoors

Hidden Gems among Oregon's State Parks

If you weren't looking for them, you'd never find them.

04/18/2024 By Sam Stites

Our 20th Anniversary

Ready, Set, Renaissance: 10 Ideas for Reinventing the City We Love

What if the city had a riverfront amphitheater, a botanical garden, a 24-hour downtown, and a commuter ferry?

12/06/2023 By Arianne Cohen Illustrations by Tara Jacoby

Rivers

It's Time For You to Meet the Magical Lower Deschutes River

Whatever your speed—dirtbag to debutante—there is something for you on the Lower Deschutes. From its beginnings high up near Mount Bachelor to where it flows into the Columbia River, Central Oregon's Deschutes River is a special place.

06/08/2023 By Sam Stites and Chad Brown

Adventure

Your Best Ever White Water Trip on the Lower Deschutes

Rafting on the Lower Deschutes River is an Oregon rite of passage, just a couple hours from Portland. Our own Sam Stites, a former rafting guide, tells us the outfitters, guides, and rapids to know.

06/08/2023 By Sam Stites

Essay

The Deschutes River Became My Therapist and Healer

"The pain I fought, the darkness I navigated, and the loneliness I endured as a navy veteran fighting PTSD would leave my body the closer I got to the river to fly-fish."

06/08/2023 By Chad Brown