Travel & Outdoors

Lake Life

Our 8 Favorite Lake Trips near Portland (Yes, You Can Still Book One)

Gorgeous views and easy water access await at these lakeside campgrounds.

07/10/2024 By Sam Stites

Swimming

Portland Is a Beach Town. It's True.

But which in-the-city Willamette River swim spot is the one for you and your crew?

07/09/2024 By Margaret Seiler, Michelle Harris, and Matthew Trueherz

Hear Here

Three Songs Shaped by the Pacific Northwest

Black Belt Eagle Scout, Laura Veirs, and Laura Gibson took inspiration from cedars, the sea, and haunted hotels.

07/09/2024 By Rebecca Jacobson

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

Berry Good

Where to Pick Your Own Berries This Fruit-Filled Season

We found the perfect U-pick farm for every type of Portlander.

07/02/2024 By Portland Monthly Staff

Going Solo

Solo Travel Isn’t Always Comfortable, but It Is Always Revelatory

Free of witness, you meet a different version of yourself.

07/01/2024 Illustrations by Sophie Escavy-Lim By Erica Berry

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

Green Gold

How a Tiny Town in Eastern Oregon Became a Destination for Weed

Marijuana is booming in Ontario. But the town itself doesn’t reap the bounty.

06/18/2024 By Tim Neville Photography by Sarah Miller

Hot Dam!

At This Southeast Portland Park, Both Humans and Beavers Are Builders

Errol Heights has an epic slide, a mini skate area, and trails through beaver habitat.

06/14/2024 By Rebecca Jacobson

All Aboard

World Champion Paddleboarder Fiona Wylde Wants to See You on the Water

With three world titles under her belt, the Hood River local doubles down on community, with free paddle lessons in July and August.

06/14/2024 By Molly Allen Photography by Eric Duran Gazquez

Commuting

Subcultures: After a Backpedal, Cycling Is Picking Up Speed

Working from home cut down on the number of bike commuters. Are we recovering?

06/07/2024 By Portland Monthly staff

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

Bounty Bender

How to Eat Your Way across McMinnville in 48 Hours

In the heart of Oregon wine country, the food scene rivals that of any Portland neighborhood.

06/04/2024 By Jordan Michelman

Full Circle

The Time I Hiked 93 Miles around Mount Rainier

Circling a volcano on foot is a singular Pacific Northwest experience.

06/04/2024 By Rebecca Jacobson

Schlep by Cycle

Moving by Bike in Portland Is a Party on Wheels

Why shell out for movers when you could recruit strangers to pedal all your worldly possessions to your new home?

05/31/2024 By Ellee Thalheimer

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

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

Our Oddities

Oregon’s Weirdest Tourist Attractions, According to Reddit

Let’s be honest: you didn’t come here for cookie-cutter.

05/10/2024 By Zoe Sayler

Portland Monthly