Travel & Outdoors

Getaways

A Secluded Sand Spot: 24 Hours in Gearhart, Oregon

Gearhart’s nearly empty beach is the star of the show in the Oregon Coast town of less than 2,000 residents.

06/27/2023 By Dalila Brent

Pool Party

Renting a Private Pool in Portland Has Never Been Swimpler

Want to go for a dip? Swimply has turned Portland into a hotbed for backyard pool and hot tub rentals, from saltwater pools on hilltop hobby farms to backyard hangs.

06/22/2023 By Sam Stites

Oregon Coast

You Want to See the 2023 Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest Winners

Teams built for up to five hours to create gravity-defying sand art at the 59th annual competition.

06/16/2023 By Sam Stites

Buzz Off

Why Are Mosquitoes Swarming Portland? For Starters, the County Didn’t Spray.

Mosquito populations are up fivefold this summer—and Multnomah County is giving out free mosquito fish to help limit their spread.

06/14/2023 By Katherine Chew Hamilton

Wildlife

Unusual Cougar Sightings Add Nerves to Summer Hikes

Oregon wildlife officials issue a warning, reminding us that Oregon is cougar and bear country.

06/14/2023 By Sam Stites

Juneteenth

Black Cowboys in Portland? Yep, the Juneteenth Rodeo Is Here

Mark your calendar for June 17, when the Portland Expo Center hosts the 8 Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo, where Black cowboys will compete for $60,000 in prize money.

06/12/2023 By Dalila Brent Photography by Ivan McClellan

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

Getaways

Going Luxe on Lodging Along the Lower Deschutes

A stay on the Lower Deschutes doesn’t have to be a grimy, bug-filled experience, thanks to luxurious or charming spots like these.

06/08/2023 By Sam Stites

Wildfire

New York Experiences Wildfire Smoke, Can’t Handle It

Portlanders are puzzled by the responses to East Coast poor air quality, which is their annual reality.

06/07/2023 By Sam Stites

Beaches

$200,000 Grants Pave the Way for Accessibility at Oregon Coast

Beach wheelchairs, mobility mats, and awareness are improving accessibility for all, thanks to hefty grants from Travel Oregon.

06/07/2023 By Molly Allen

Summer Fun

An Incomplete Guide to Portland’s Biggest Summer 2023 Concerts and Events

Feeling hungry like a wolf for live entertainment? Here’s your guide to the full monty of local shows.

06/01/2023 By Margaret Seiler and Sam Stites

Water Safety

Heading to a Swim Hole? It Might Not Be Safe Right Now

Warm weather earlier in the year doesn't mean it's time to hit your river spot.

05/30/2023 By Sam Stites

Forests

Why You Should Visit Wildfire-Burned Forests This Summer

If they are safe and open, expect surprisingly gorgeous regrowth among mosaics of burned and spared foliage.

05/25/2023 By Matt Wastradowski

Road Trips

Concerts and Events Worth a Trip Out of Town This Summer

Willie Nelson, Taylor Swift, rodeos, big-time fairs, and more can be found in places around Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

05/24/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Columbia Gorge

Timed-Entry Permits Are Back at Multnomah Falls

Visitors to Oregon's tallest waterfall will again need to obtain a timed-entry permit in 2023 beginning May 26.

05/22/2023 By Sam Stites

Thrills

Oaks Park vs. Enchanted Forest: Oregon Amusement Park Showdown

Which classic theme park is for you?

05/19/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Stay & Play

Walk in the Footsteps of Giants at Chambers Bay Golf Course

A pilgrimage to play the only golf course in the Pacific Northwest to host a major championship, and a stay in Tacoma’s up-and-coming Point Ruston village should be on your docket this summer.

05/16/2023 By Sam Stites

Opt Outside

Outdoor Beer Collaborations We're Loving Right Now

These Oregon companies are promoting two of our favorite things: beer and nature.

05/12/2023 By Sam Stites