Outdoors

Here’s What You Need to Know about Outdoor Recreation during COVID-19

Should I wear a mask outside? Which trails should I avoid? Here’s our brief guide to outdoor etiquette in and around Portland.

07/10/2020 By Lauren Carlos, Gabriel Granillo, and Julia Silverman

Summer Travel

This Year, Grown-Ups Can Go to Sleepaway Camp, Too

Picture-perfect Oregon overnight camps are pivoting to offer socially distant family cabin rentals.

07/03/2020 By Julia Silverman

Travel

Hotels in the Northwest Are Open, but Things Are a Little Different

Can you swim in the pool? Can you eat in the restaurant? With COVID-19, your vacation mileage may vary.

06/20/2020 By Jordyn Mayer

Outdoors

Going Camping in Oregon in the COVID Era? Plan Ahead.

As Portlanders head for the hills, they’ll find a patchwork of campground closures and limited services.

06/19/2020 By Margaret Seiler

Breaking News

Portland’s Nearby Wilderness Areas Begin to Reopen

As of May 15, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest is back in business.

05/15/2020 By Benjamin Tepler

S’mores Beat

Summer Camp Is in Limbo, Just Like Everything Else

Will it be “Kumbaya” around a virtual campfire this year?

04/14/2020 By Margaret Seiler

Poetry

You Might as Well Write a Haiku About the Columbia Gorge for Poetry Month

We can't go there now/Instead, write of waterfalls/From a safe distance

04/09/2020 By Conner Reed

Birds of a Feather

A New Study Aims to Learn the Impacts of Social Distancing on Birds in the Pacific Northwest

Join in on the citizen science project and reap the cathartic benefits of bird watching from your own backyard.

04/09/2020 By Gabriel Granillo

A Walk on the Dry Side

Uncrowded Wildflower Walks, German Lagers, and Neon Signs Abound in The Dalles

Take a long weekend on the dry side of the Columbia River Gorge.

04/01/2020 By Julia Silverman

Elephant in the Room

A Closer Look at the Oregon Zoo’s Elephant Breeding Program

Critics—pointing to death, disease, and miscarriages—question who they’re really trying to save.

04/01/2020 By Ciara O'Rourke

Best Washington Hikes

Hit the trail on 20 of the most spectacular and most accessible routes in the state.

By Allison Williams, Craig Romano, and Seattle Met Staff
Published 07/02/2020

Don't Go to the Beach for Memorial Day

Most of Washington's ocean-facing shoreline is closed, so it's not quite time for beach blanket bingo yet.

By Allison Williams [email protected]
Published 05/21/2020

It's the Perfect Time to Bird-Watch in Seattle

Peak avian migration time means the skies are full of songbirds.

By Nicole Martinson
Published 05/06/2020

Washington's Next Volcanic Eruption

When? Where? Are we ready?

By Allison Williams [email protected]
Published 05/06/2020

Mount St. Helens is Not a National Park

The volcano’s unique status makes upkeep complicated.

By Allison Williams [email protected]
Published 05/06/2020

Journey Into the Crater of Mount St. Helens

A visit to the inner sanctum of a fitful volcano, as Bill Nye the Science Guy tags along.

By Allison Williams [email protected]
Published 05/06/2020

Bullfrogs on Parade

In Portland, Bullfrogs Are like the Uninvited Guests Who Crash the Party

Biologists are fighting back with sandwich bags and Orajel.

04/01/2020 By Kat Merck

The Shakedown

What's the Deal with the Earth?

Sizing up our home planet in honor of Earth Day 2020

04/01/2020 By Marty Patail

Buzzfeed

These Native Plants Are Balm to Pacific Northwest Pollinators

Help a bee out, why don’t you?

03/27/2020 By Jennifer Krazit

Coronavirus

The Region’s National Forests, From Mt. Hood to Southwest Washington, Have Officially Closed Borders

The sweeping mandate is meant to keep Oregonians at home.

03/26/2020 By Benjamin Tepler

Coronavirus

Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge “Waterfall Corridor” Shuts Down

State and federal agencies are stepping in to keep crowds away from popular attractions.

03/23/2020 By Benjamin Tepler

Coronavirus

Spring Break In Place: State Parks, Campgrounds, and Forests Are Closing to Overnight Guests

And while we’re on the subject—is it even safe to stay in an overnight rental on the coast?

03/19/2020 By Benjamin Tepler and Julia Silverman

Hostel Takeover

Want to Sleep with Strangers? Here’s a Handy Guide.

The modern hostel has come a long way, baby.

02/25/2020 By Margaret Seiler

Poler Thaw

How Poler Came Back from Bankruptcy Death

Shuttered in November 2018, the #campvibes brand is back in action.

02/25/2020 By Eden Dawn

PDX Index

Wanna Play in Oregon’s Great Outdoors This Spring? It’ll Cost You.

Kayakers, hikers, anglers, and RV’ers: prepare to cough up.

02/25/2020 By Julia Silverman

Park and Ride

A Nice Winter Ski Session at Mount Hood Sounds Like a Good Idea, Right? Everyone Else Thinks So, Too

Main lots at Meadows and Timberline are filling by 8 a.m.

02/20/2020 By Julia Silverman

Find a Trail

Travel & Outdoors

Take a Walk Down Alberta with This Animal Art Map

A New Study Aims to Learn the Impacts of Social Distancing on Birds in the Pacific Northwest

This Year, Grown-Ups Can Go to Sleepaway Camp, Too

Hotels in the Northwest Are Open, but Things Are a Little Different

The Pandemic, Wild Animals, and You

San Diego Boasts Harbor Seals, Beachfront Roller Coasters, and All the Tacos

Here’s What You Need to Know about Outdoor Recreation during COVID-19

This Year, Grown-Ups Can Go to Sleepaway Camp, Too

Hotels in the Northwest Are Open, but Things Are a Little Different

Going Camping in Oregon in the COVID Era? Plan Ahead.

Portland’s Nearby Wilderness Areas Begin to Reopen

Summer Camp Is in Limbo, Just Like Everything Else

You Might as Well Write a Haiku About the Columbia Gorge for Poetry Month

A New Study Aims to Learn the Impacts of Social Distancing on Birds in the Pacific Northwest

Uncrowded Wildflower Walks, German Lagers, and Neon Signs Abound in The Dalles

A Closer Look at the Oregon Zoo’s Elephant Breeding Program

Seattle Met Travel

Best Washington Hikes

Don't Go to the Beach for Memorial Day

It's the Perfect Time to Bird-Watch in Seattle

Washington's Next Volcanic Eruption

Mount St. Helens is Not a National Park

Journey Into the Crater of Mount St. Helens

In Portland, Bullfrogs Are like the Uninvited Guests Who Crash the Party

What's the Deal with the Earth?

These Native Plants Are Balm to Pacific Northwest Pollinators

The Region’s National Forests, From Mt. Hood to Southwest Washington, Have Officially Closed Borders

Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge “Waterfall Corridor” Shuts Down

Spring Break In Place: State Parks, Campgrounds, and Forests Are Closing to Overnight Guests

Want to Sleep with Strangers? Here’s a Handy Guide.

How Poler Came Back from Bankruptcy Death

Wanna Play in Oregon’s Great Outdoors This Spring? It’ll Cost You.

A Nice Winter Ski Session at Mount Hood Sounds Like a Good Idea, Right? Everyone Else Thinks So, Too

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