Amboy, Washington

Tryon Creek State Park has a fantastic, well-maintained trail system that’s a great alternative to Portland’s downtown Washington Park and Forest Park. It’s a super family-friendly area with a Nature Center that hosts kid’s events year-round. This entire area is relatively small and therefore eas...

Tucked into the heart of Hillsboro, just outside Portland, the Rock Creek Trail in Orenco Woods Nature Park offers a peaceful and family-friendly escape through forested landscapes, open meadows, and along the gentle curves of Rock Creek. This paved, accessible trail is ideal for walking, biking,...

…Beaver Falls is one of those spots where if you’re looking to avoid the crowd of the Columbia River Gorge, this is another good alternative on where you could go. Not only is that a huge plus, but it’s not often you get to experience a scenic waterfall that you don’t have to put in a ton of effo...

The Gorton Creek Falls hike provides an excellent challenge for those who are searching for a bit of adventure. The trailhead starts at the Wyeth Campground day use area, and continues straight at the intersection. The first 2/3rds of the trail are relatively easy to traverse (depsite being rough...

Park at the Wyeth Trailhead parking lot and start hiking south along the old road bed. At the junction with the Gorge-Wyeth Trail, bear left and follow the Wyeth Trail as it goes beneath several power lines. Follow the trail as it goes back into the woods and crosses Harphan Creek. Continue on an...

Start at the Wyreth Campground day-use area. If it's closed, park on the side of the road and walk in from the roadway. You'll see an intersection with a wooden bridge crossing the river.  Take a few pictures and continue straight on the trail. You'll go about 1/2 mile on the trail until you rea...

Once you reach the parking lot, walk down the hill and find the trail head, which is easily seen as it is marked. Begin your trek up the trail. The way up is pretty much all uphill, and is a great workout for the legs. You will walk through forests and over many rocks on the way up. As soon as y...

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...

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...

The Banks–Vernonia State Trail is one of Oregon’s premier multi-use rail trails, and the Banks Trailhead to Buxton Trestle segment offers a scenic and accessible experience for hikers, cyclists, runners, and nature lovers. This section begins in the town of Banks, about 25 miles west of Portland,...

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...

The Dog Mountain trailhead is located halfway between Stevenson and Bingen. Look for the big signed parking area just after milepost 53 (Eastbound). The parking lot fills up quickly, especially during peak wildflower season, so if you can go on a weekday that would be better. There are 3 trails ...

If you know the Columbia Gorge, you know Dog Mountain. It's the ever-rewarding, incredibly challenging, insanely popular, calf-burning 6.5-mile hike that attracts hundreds of people every weekend, especially during May and June when the wildflowers are in full bloom.  If you're like me and you h...

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...

Beginning at the Wahtum Lake trailhead, follow the Wahtum Lake Express trail down to the shore and head east (right) around the lake. At the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail, follow the Herman Creek Trail to the east (right, again). You'll begin your ascent out of the Wahtum Lake bowl and to...

The easy version of the Chinidere Mountain hike starts Wahtum Lake Trailhead. The road to the parking lot for Wahtum Lake is paved and thus very easy to access in summer and before snowfall in autumn! The mountain sits across the lake from the parking lot and there are several trails that will ta...