Independence, Oregon

This beach break in Newport Oregon, is very fickle and doesn’t break cleanly very often. It's a wide open beach break, so it is usually exposed to too much swell. However, when the waves do line up, it's a fun beach break with several different peaks to choose from. It offers both lefts and right...

Just minutes from downtown Beaverton, the Cooper Mountain Loop Trail offers a perfect blend of open prairie, oak savanna, and forested hillside, all set within the Cooper Mountain Nature Park. This family-friendly loop provides beautiful views of the Tualatin Valley and is one of the best place...

Agate beach is a beach break in Newport Oregon. Bring your booties and gloves because the water temperature up there is very cold. The wave is a fun rippable wave with both lefts and rights. There is a rip that you can use to get out into the lineup right next to the headland.  Note: During winte...

Located in the heart of Forest Grove, the Pathfinder Genesis Trail at Woodward City Park offers a peaceful, family-friendly loop through scenic woodlands and open green space. Ideal for a short nature walk, casual stroll, or a kid-friendly outdoor break, this trail is a local favorite for those s...

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...

On Saturday, I slid into the backseat alongside weekend belongings crammed in the car trunk. Backpacks with patches and streaks of dust. Bags of food that could be cooked over the flames of a fire. We drove south on the 5, leaving Portland and crossing through Salem, as Lake Street Dive albums p...

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...

Note: this trail is closed due to fire damage. For more updates, please visit the Forest Service website.  The Opal Creek pools are a wonderful place to visit year-round, but they’re a true oasis on a hot summer day. With a variety of rock outcroppings and ledges to jump off of, and plenty of ro...

Portland and its surrounding suburbs are filled with trails and hidden treasures, including this stretch along the Willamette River. This road is a super popular pedestrian path and can be accessed from West Linn, the Mary's Woods and Marylhurst Development, or from Lake Oswego off of Highway 43....

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 ...

Technically this trail stretches from the Tualatin Hills Nature Park, down through the west Beaverton/ Sexton Mountain area and can comfortably get you to Barrow’s park near Big Al’s. The trail from end to end comes in at just over 8 miles, so a down and back by bike can make for a good workout a...

Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area is a loop trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Cloverdale, Oregon.

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...