Outdoor Activities

BIG IDEAS

Six Oregon-Hatched Ideas That Could Change the World

Eco-drones to avant-garde aerobics, these projects showcase the best of local innovation.

06/13/2016 By Eden Dawn, Ramona DeNies, Rebecca Jacobson, and Fiona McCann

BEST OF THE CITY 2016

Best of the City 2016: Seven Essential Outdoor Escapes in Portland

Resplendent picnic views to car-free cycling—lucky for us, natural wonder is always close at hand.

06/13/2016 By Ramona DeNies

BEST OF THE CITY 2016

PDX Essentials: Quadrant by Quadrant, All the Things We Can’t Live Without

Secret beaches to art deco splendor to OG dive bars, here are some of our favorite things in every corner of Portland.

06/13/2016 By Portland Monthly Staff

STATE PARKS

Go Wild for Oregon State Parks Day—It's All Free!

This weekend, Oregon goes full-on mad for state parkland—waiving fees for day use, camping, crabbing, and even hot dogs. Here's where to go to get the best park perks.

05/31/2016 By Marisa Russell

OUTDOORS GUIDE 2016

Oregon's Ultimate Summer Backpacking Treks and River Trips

Quintessential Northwest trails. Epic whitewater voyages. Luxuriously lazy floats. Here’s how to make the most of the season.

05/19/2016 Edited by Rachel Ritchie By Benjamin Tepler, Christopher Van Tilberg, and Adam Sawyer

GEAR UP

Your Essential Outdoors Gear Guide

Alpine packs to camp shoes, backpacking stoves to featherweight tents, here’s some of the best gear around, nearly all of it locally made.

05/19/2016 By Rachel Ritchie

CAMPING GUIDE

How to Camp Like a True Oregonian

We tapped a slew of Oregon experts for hard-earned tips and tricks for every kind of camping.

05/19/2016 By Rachel Ritchie and Benjamin Tepler

Backpacking

8 Classic Northwest Backpacking Trips

High-desert mesas, gushing waterfalls, and breathtaking wildflower displays: whatever your style, there’s a trail for you.

05/19/2016 Edited by Rachel Ritchie By Benjamin Tepler and Christopher Van Tilberg

FREE STUFF

20 Totally FREE Ways to Make This Your Best Portland Summer Ever

Leaving town this summer? Well, OK. But you're gonna miss all this free stuff—from a Nu Shooz show to JAW's three new plays to an actual screening of Jaws (plus so much more).

05/17/2016 By Ramona DeNies, Rebecca Jacobson, and Tuck Woodstock

BIKING

Bike McKenzie Pass Right Now—While It's Still Car-Free

The 38-mile scenic bikeway west of Sisters offers panoramic views of central Oregon. And for a few more weeks, it's no motors allowed.

05/17/2016 By Rebecca Jacobson

BIKES

Three Female Gearheads Will Help You Build Your Perfect Bicycle

Our bodies, our bikes

04/22/2016 By Ramona DeNies

SUNNY HIKES

5 Spring Hikes for Soaking Up the Sun

These exposed treks, all within two hours of downtown Portland, help you replenish your inner reservoir of precious vitamin D.

04/19/2016 By Sylvia Randall-Muñoz

NATIONAL PARK WEEK

Oregon Has Eight National Park Sites—and Next Week, Admission Is Free

For its 100th birthday, the National Park Service is throwing a week-long party. Here’s your guide to keeping it local.

04/05/2016 By Caitlin Collins and Ramona DeNies

RECREATION LEGISLATION

New Oregon-Led Federal Bill Wants More Explorers in America's Backcountry

The proposed Recreation Not Red-Tape Act—spearheaded by Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden—hopes to boost small-town economies with more (hiking) boots on the ground.

03/22/2016 By Caitlin Collins

NORTHWEST GETAWAYS

Ten Once-in-a-Lifetime Cascadian Journeys

From ice cave expeditions to lavish river safaris to nostalgic train trips, here are the Pacific Northwest’s most epic getaways.

02/23/2016 Edited by Rachel Ritchie By Marty Patail, Benjamin Tepler, and Christopher Van Tilberg

GEAR UP

We Tested Out These Swedish Hiking Poles

Dorky? As all get-out. But BungyPump's calorie-burning resistance pole is still kinda cool.

02/19/2016 By Marty Patail

DAY TRIPPER

Hiking Wahclella Falls in Winter

Just 10 miles past Multnomah Falls, an easy two-mile loop offers stunning views of a lesser-known cascade.

01/15/2016 By Alex Keith

SHOP LOCAL

How to Bring Some Portland Style to Your Next Camping Adventure

Level up your camping trip with the newest finds from retro, pattern-happy Poler and sleek, lightweight Snowpeak—plus 6 more outdoor outfitters to get you out in style.

09/21/2015 By Benjamin Tepler

HAPPY TRAILS

A Field Guide to the Best Hiking and Biking Trails in Oregon

34 amazing places to hike, bike, and explore from Hood to the coast—and beyond.

07/21/2015 Edited by Rachel Ritchie

RIDE DESIGN

Will Your Next Road Bike Be Made of Wood?

Southeast Portland's Renovo bikes are road ready—and gorgeous.

07/07/2015 By Mary Stutzman

Portland Monthly