The People's Coast

The Best Oregon Beaches Within 3 Hours of Portland

Our coast brims with spectacular beaches. Here are a few that will leave you breathless.

08/29/2025 By Isabel Lemus Kristensen and Sam Stites

Procrastinators Unite

9 First-Come-First-Served Campgrounds for Last-Minute Adventures

Did you fail to reserve your spot six months ago when summer felt so far away? All is not lost.

07/14/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson and Portland Monthly Staff

Cinematastic

Portland Outdoor Movie Guide

Open-air showings in and around Portland this summer include The Goonies at Sewallcrest Park and The Sandlot at Overlook Park.

06/26/2025 By Margaret Seiler and Portland Monthly Staff

Outdoors

Oregon, It’s Time to Book Your Summer Campsites

Six months out is the sweet spot for securing the state’s most coveted tent sites (and cabins, yurts, and fire lookouts).

01/03/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson

Fun with Fungi

A Beginner’s Guide to Foraging for Mushrooms in Oregon

Intimidated? Don't be. Here's all you need to know to get started—including the ultimate hack for finding the freshest intel.

10/15/2024 By Emma Marris

Outdoors

15 of Our Favorite Oregon State Parks

Find lush coastal rainforest, towering waterfalls, arid high desert, and everything in between.

05/16/2024 By Sam Stites

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

State Parks

Silver Falls State Park Solves Its Popularity Problem

The park, which gets 1.3 million visitors a year, unveiled the first part of renovations with new parking, two trails connecting to popular hikes, and a kids' nature play area.

08/04/2023 By Sam Stites

Camping

Camping in the Era of Fire Bans

Here’s how to plan for camping trips without campfires.

04/04/2023 By Matt Wastradowski

Editor's Note

From the Editor: How Many State Parks Have I Checked Off?

With 250-plus properties, Oregon State Parks is a welcome to-do list that never ends.

03/10/2023 By Margaret Seiler

State Parks

After Marking a Century, What’s Next for Oregon State Parks?

One of the nation’s best state parks systems is busy updating facilities, studying climate change, and becoming a more welcoming environment for all types of visitors.

03/09/2023 By Sam Stites

By the Numbers

Oregon State Parks Facts and Figures

13 disc golf courses, nearly 3 million camper nights last year, 30 years of yurts, and the real reason behind the most visited state park

03/09/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Explainer

An Oregon State Parks Glossary of Terms

Park? Natural area? Heritage site? Why so many different terms for seemingly the same thing?

03/08/2023 By Sam Stites

Trails

Hike of the Month: Linear Trail at L. L. “Stub” Stewart State Park

Spend a day exploring this state park’s 25-mile network of hiking, mountain biking, and horse-friendly trails.

03/06/2023 By Isabel Lemus Kristensen

Smith Rock

Smith Rock State Park to Partially Close for 4 Weeks This Summer Due to Construction

Monkey Face, Misery Ridge Trail, and other features will be off limits between mid-July and mid-August.

01/20/2023 By Sam Stites

Outdoors

Sno-Parks, State Parks & Beyond: Snag a Wilderness Parking Pass

Tired of paying trailhead parking fees? There's a pass for that. Get one of these Pacific Northwest wilderness passes for yourself or your outdoorsy friend.

11/22/2022 By Margaret Seiler and Wriik Maui