Independence, Oregon

Cascade Head on the Oregon Coast sits a top a 270 acre preserve protected by the Nature Conservancy and is a National Scenic Research Area and a United Nations Biosphere Reserve. From the south trail head at Knight Park the trail winds through an old growth coastal forest before climbing 1200 ver...

The trail starts at the end of Forest Service Road 1861 which is closed January 1st through July 15th for wildlife conservation.   This trail descends about 900 feet in elevation through a Sitka Spruce-Western Hemlock rain forest. You will cross two seasonal creeks and end at a prairie headland ...

The trail is a washed out, old mining road making its way through a lush forest with a mix of ferns, moss covered trees, and towering Douglas Firs with trees blown over from wind storms lining both sides of the trail. I call those Big Foot traps. The trail comes to a fork, stay to the left you ar...

To get there from Salem, Follow Hwy. 22 east to Mehama. Turn on Little North Santiam Road (FS 2209) and proceed for 12 miles to Three Pools Day Use Area. Three Pools is by far one of the most popular swimming holes in the Northwest. With multiple swimming holes within just feet from one another i...

It all started when a man, in my grandad's age, initiated a conversation outside a rest stop just off the coastal highway, 101. I, then, was alone waiting for my travel companions outside the restrooms. He approached me without warning, and began asking intricate details of my travel plans and th...

Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint is a stunning coastal gem on the Oregon coastline. Boiler Bay offers up picturesque panorama views of the Pacific Ocean and rugged cliffs. Located just north of Depoe Bay, this state scenic viewpoint is a great stop for not only taking in the landscape but also ...

Devils Punchbowl State Park is located just off of Highway 101. Finding the access path to the beach can be tricky since you need to be on the North side of the Punchbowl, but look for a path heading through the trees on C Avenue just north of 3rd. Once you get down to the beach head left.You may...

You'll never stumble upon Canemah Park unless you're really looking for it. Tucked away in the hills of Oregon City above the Locks, this residential park has a miniature-sized set of everything you'd expect in a children's park: Playground, picnic benches, bathrooms, and wide, forested trails. D...

The Santiam Forest is well known for its many beautiful spots, but this one is fairly uncommon. It's likely you will be the only person out here. Since it's such a short hike, just about a mile round trip, you could easily make it a pit stop on your way to or from someplace else and not have to w...

The Yaquina Head Natural Area is home to the historic 93 ft tall Yaquina Head lighthouse, built in 1872. The construction of the lighthouse from approximately 370,000 bricks took nearly a year, and the lighthouse has been active ever since.The park is open daily, from 7am until sunset; however, i...

Located just outside of Tillamook, Oregon, Munson Creek Falls is a must do if you're in the area. Standing at almost 320 feet tall, Munson Creek Falls is one of few waterfalls in Oregon that is over 300ft tall. Because of heavy storms in the area there has been a build up of fallen trees around ...

Clackamette Park is known for its prime destination right off of the freeway and across from Oregon City's most popular shopping area, but it's frequented for its public boat dock, RV facilities, and handicap-accessible picnic benches. While the rest of Portland's parks freeze over or flood, Clac...

From Pacific City, drive into the Pelican Brew Pub parking lot and right out on the beach to park (4x4 recommended, but not required). Suit up, and head out into the water. Sandy, cold water will greet you with occasional perfect swells to catch back to shore! Perfect for surfing, boogie boarding...

Escape the urban bustle and immerse yourself in nature on the Kingfisher Marsh and Pintail Pond Loop, a serene and accessible trail nestled within the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge near Hillsboro. This easy, family-friendly loop offers an exceptional opportunity to observe native wildli...

Cape Kiwanda is part of the Three Capes Scenic Route. It offers sea stack rock formations, beautiful beaches, sand stone cliffs, and if you are lucky enough, amazing wildlife. It is the home of the Pacific Dory Fleet.If you are early enough, you can catch the fisherman coming and going in the mys...

Have you heard of the PNW trolls? There are 6 total in Washington and Oregon.  Ole Bolle, the Portland Troll, is an art installation located at the Nordic Northwest Campus in Tualatin Valley, Oregon. Crafted by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, Ole Bolle is part of the “Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bi...