Skamania, Washington

Each trail is well maintained and easy to navigate through the area.  All trails are either packed dirt or gravel depending on which trail you’re on. The Douglas-firs, hemlocks, ferns, Oregon grape and many other native tree and plant varieties grow in the area that make the area abound with wild...

While the Portland Japanese Garden is a popular place for tourists, it's also a favorite for Portland residents as it's located right in Washington Park close to trails and across from the Rose Garden. The Japanese Garden also just unveiled its Cultural Crossing expansion in April 2017, which inc...

Lower Macleay Park is one of most easily accessible trailheads in the city, especially during one of Portland’s rare snow years where even driving up to 500 feet of elevation can challenge your car. You can park within the park entrance cul-de-sac, around the intersection of Upshur St. & NW 2...

Tryon Creek Triple Bridge Loop is a scenic approximately 3.5-mile loop with bridge crossings near downtown Portland. This trail is a great way to get outside, stretch your legs, and feel like you're away from the hustle and bustle of the city.  This trail is dog-friendly on-leash. If you're look...

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...

Sadly because of the devastating Eagle Creek fire on the Oregon side of the Gorge, most of the trails are closed for restoration. As a result more hikers are heading to the Washington side and heading further east for Gorge day hikes. Heading east gets you some sunnier skies and prime wildflower ...

Founded in 1928 to conserve endangered species and educate visitors, Hoyt Arboretum is a 190-acre park in the forest above Portland's NW area. It's only 15 minutes from downtown! There are 12+ miles of trails to explore, my favorite is the Redwood Trail that takes you through towering redwoods a...

Pittock Mansion via Wildwood Trail is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Portland, Oregon. Once the private home of the prominent Portland pioneer Pittock family, the Pittock Mansion is a 22-room architectural marvel designed by Edward Foulkes an...

Take the train to Washington Park and hike through Hoyt Arboretum. This will bypass a few miles of Wildwood Trail, but you won't miss much. In the arboretum, the trail twists and turns through the trees, will smaller trails jutting off to the sides, through other groups of trees (each trail is a...

The Witch’s Castle in Portland, Oregon, is a site steeped in a mix of historical significance and urban legend. Originally built as a ranger station and restrooms in the 1930s, the stone ruins are now known for their eerie ambiance and storied past.  The Witch’s Castle is accessible via a modera...

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 Fanno Creek Greenway Loop offers a peaceful escape into nature right in the heart of the Portland metropolitan area. Winding through several cities including Beaverton, Tigard, and Portland, this family-friendly, multi-use trail follows the scenic Fanno Creek through parks, wetlands, and ne...

This trail is an easy out and back from either the west or east side of Forest Park. The east trailhead is off NW Skyline Blvd, on Saltzman Road, which is a dirt/gravel road like the trail. You'll park near the gates where there aren't No Parking signs up (the land around the trail at this point ...

As if erupting volcanoes weren't awesome enough, ancient lava flows also left behind these giant, hollow tubes as they cooled. Spend all day exploring deep underground in this 2.5 mile cave.To get there, head to the SOUTH side of Mount Saint Helens. You must pass through the town of Cougar to get...

Surrounded by old growth forest, Merrill Lake near Cougar, Washington is the perfect little gem to get in some late summer, mid-elevation mountain lake fishing. The morning and evening hatches are known state wide for the size of fish they attract. There are stories of Eagles even stealing trout ...

Little Crater Lake to Timothy Lake Campground is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Government Camp, Oregon.