Hillsboro, Oregon

Ponytail Falls is an easy 0.8 mile hike located in the gorge that begins at Horsetail Falls. After hiking up mild switchbacks, continue to your right at the first trailhead intersection. The path levels out before coming around the mountain and opening up to the waterfall. This is the easiest wa...

Saddle Mountain is a pretty stellar spot if you are looking for a beginner/intermediate hike with incredible views close to Portland. The trail is a 5.2 mile round trip trail with an elevation gain of 1600 ft that starts at the Saddle Mountain Trailhead. You can actually camp right at the trail...

This trail is unmarked and a little rough and rugged. The land is privately owned by Mount Angel Abbey, but they don't appear to have problems with courteous hikers. Walking out of the parking area back up the road in the direction you came from, you’ll pass one dirt trail right at the ending of ...

Located just west of Tillamook on the way to Cape Meares is an expansive forested park that juts out into Tillamook Bay. The main "trail" is an old unpaved narrow road called Bayocean Dike Road that stretches 4 miles down to the point. It's perfect for a long run, leisurely hike or mountain bikin...

From Interstate 5 in Kelso, exit onto Highway 4 and follow it west towards Cathlamet and Long Beach for about 11.3 miles. A quarter mile east of the town of Stella is Fall Creek, with Fall Creek Falls, or Stella Falls as it is sometimes called, visible from the highway. Watch for the falls throug...

When you park at the top of the trail, all you see is layers and layers of emerald trees and ground clear of any underbrush. Once on the trail, you start on a rapid decline that brings you to the first of the many streams along this hike. Cross the bridge made out of logs and head towards the ma...

Clear nights on the Oregon Coast can be hard to come by, and your best bet to grab night time photos of the coast is in the Summer.This particular section of the coast is relatively quiet in the Summer time. You can park your car easily along the road that gives you access to the beach. This is a...

Nehalem Bay State Park is a great central location on the Oregon Coast to use as a base camp, whether you want to go south to explore Cape Kiwanda or go north to photograph the famous Cannon Beach. There are six loops: A-F, and only A-C are open in the winter. The only first-come-first-served are...

If you're thinking of hiking the Trail of Ten Falls Loop and staying overnight, there are 42 tent campsites (available from April – Oct) as well as 14 rustic cabins. With multiple beds, heat, electricity, a covered porch, and a small fridge, they provide the perfect respite after a long day of ex...

The unique feature of South Falls, Lower South Falls, and Middle North Falls are the paths that pass behind the falls providing an amazing visual and auditory experience; however, be sure to have a good bag for your equipment to avoid water damage and a decent jacket (preferably water-resistant)....

Located along the Hamilton Mountain Trail, the Hardy and Rodney falls out and back hike is a good alternative for those looking for a shorter hike compared to the 7.6-mile hike to the top of Hamilton Mountain. From the Hamilton Mountain Trailhead, you will follow the trail through thick trees fo...

Hike: The trail is basically a handmade wooden staircase that takes you all the way down to the beach, so once you locate it, just keep following the stairs all the way down until you've reached the beach.Directions: Drive North along Cape Meares Loop Rd just past Oceanside until you reach the po...

Just 55 miles northeast of Portland lies a body of water so pure you have to see it to believe it...that's right, we're talking about Yale Lake. One of three lakes beneath Washington's ever rumbling Mount St Helens, Yale offers the outdoor lover just about everything they could ask for: calm wat...

From Scott Mills Follow Crooked Finger RD NE for 13.3 Miles to the Upper Butte Creek Trailhead. The last 2-3 miles or so is gravel road with some potholes but most cars shouldn't have a problem. The path down to the falls starts near the bathrooms. A short .3 mile walk on a few switchbacks and...

The main beach is located adjacent to Oceanside Beach State Park, which can be accessed via Cape Meares Loop/Netarts Oceanside Hwy. Once you arrive at the park, head down towards the beach and start walking North. You'll notice a little hole-in-the-wall past a small group of rocks which you'll h...

Oceanside Beach is often passed over for Tunnel Beach just north. Both are great, but you're missing out if you don't head down to Oceanside and fly a kite.  There's a parking lot right next to the marked location. Park there, then head down to the beach—don't forget your kite!