Things to Do Outdoors in and Around Portland
Here are some of the most popular active outings in the Portland area.
By:
Brian Stevenson
Hardcore funhogs can snowboard and run whitewater on the same day almost any time of year and still be back in the city for dinner. More contemplative types might prefer a hilly amble through Portland’s urban, but seemingly boundless Forest Park. Anglers can drop a line for wild salmon where the placid Willamette River runs beneath downtown bridges. There’s surfing at the coast, kite-boarding on the Columbia, and miles of bicycling on non-vehicular paths. Rock climbing, golf, skate parks, birding; you name it and you can find it somewhere in or close to Portland.
Here are some of the most popular active outings in the area.
1. Ski and Snowboard Mt. Hood in Winter and Summer
Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood, Oregon
Mt. Hood Meadows Resort has the edge on winter terrain. Timberline Lodge is the only place on the mountain where you can still ride lifts to ski and snowboard in the heat of summer. Mt. Hood Skibowl is the largest night skiing resort in the country. And, there are plenty of places to seek out backcountry ski terrain for those qualified to do so. Visit fs.usda.gov/mthood for more information on backcountry skiing (and other activities).
2. Kayak Downtown
3. Hike Forest Park
TravelPortland.com
4. Visit “The Gorge”
5. Run the White Salmon River
River Drifters
6. Bike Sauvie Island
Tim Jewett /TravelPortland.com
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