Independence, Oregon

From Road's End State Park, map your way to the end of NE Port Street and park on a pull off next to the described gate: on your right you'll see the gate with three skinny trees to the right of it. You'll want to park as close to this gate as possible, this will be in between some houses on a hi...

The Siletz Bay region of Lincoln City offers a wide variety of activities. With miles of public beach, there is a lot to see and explore.  Despite being the "quiet" part of town, getting here and finding parking will be your biggest issue this whole trip. Parking although free, is very limited, s...

Wecoma Beach is a district of Lincoln City and the beach actually stretches along all of the districts in Lincoln City. This means you can access the beach from practically anywhere, but the beach by Wecoma offers a bit more solitude.  The beach is dog-friendly, so take your four-legged-friend ou...

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...

This boulder is to the right of Garden Variety...if you know then you know.An excellent problem with a lot of movement. Works up the stand alone prow near Garden Variety. Start low and heal out right on a good ledge. From there work up to the inverted V pinch and left to the arete. From there it ...

Horse Rock Ridge Research Natural Area in Sweet Home, Oregon, offers a unique hiking trail that spans approximately 3.74 miles. The trail is moderately difficult, with an elevation gain of 951 feet, making it suitable for intermediate hikers. The trail begins in a dense forest of Douglas fir and ...

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...

The Tualatin River runs from Hagg Lake, near Forest Grove, then travels through many small towns before it empties into the Willamette River at Willamette Park.Start at the Tualatin Community Park in Tualatin and paddle down to Willamette Park in West Linn. This section offers a few miles of easy...

Tucked into the foothills of the Coast Range just west of Portland, the Hagg Lake Loop Trail at Scoggins Valley Park offers over 13 miles of scenic trails ideal for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. Starting from the Elks Recreation Area, this trail circles Henry Hagg Lake, offering pan...

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 ...

Otter rock is the most popular surf spot for beginners in the state of Oregon. Located by Devils Punch Bowl, Otter rock offers playful waves that are great for beginners to learn how to surf. It's often called the Waikiki of Oregon. Even though it is a predominately beginner surf spot, the waves ...

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...