Explore Oregon

Let Pine Path Cabin lead you down a trail to romance along Crescent Creek with adventures in fishing on nearby lakes, skiing and mountain biking.

Adventures Around Five Romantic Cabins

Pack the wine and chocolates—plus the skis, bikes and hiking boots written by K.M. Collins Want to get snowed in on a romantic getaway this winter? While the wind blows and the snow falls, snuggle up beside a fire or in a hot tub at a cabin in the middle of a forest. Here are five ways to do just that. COAST WildSpring Eco Friendly Cabin WildSpring Guest Habitat, overlooking the Pacific in southern Oregon, is set on five acres of temperate rainforest, in quaint Port Orford. These luxurious cabins in a naturally beautiful environment let you doze off to the sound of the wind through the trees and wake to deer grazing outside cabin windows. Have a meditative morning, walking the resort’s labyrinth and strolling through the sculpture garden, then head to the beach for agate hunting, or walk about a mile into town to explore this working fishing…

Sip carménères and viogniers amid the Blue Mountains at Kinhaven Winery & Vineyard.

Walla Walla Springs Forward

Holiday wine spurs spring wanderlust written by Everett E. Cummings It is this time of year when the brooding dark fruit, the languorous vanilla and the rich earthy notes of a holiday red wine awaken something in your dormant wanderlust and put the small wine warren of Walla Walla on your spring schedule. For most Oregonians, Walla Walla, in the southeastern corner of Washington, is far enough away to feel like a journey yet close enough to make a long weekend trip. Early May each year, Walla Walla buzzes with lovers and wine lovers pouring into the tasting rooms downtown and driving out to the vineyards in the rolling hills as they climb up into the Blue Mountains to the east. The annual Spring Release weekend, May 6 through May 8, is one of the signature events for the town and one of the most intriguing for oenophiles anywhere. In…

Wanderlust Tours leads snowshoe trips by the light of the sun, stars, moon or bonfire.

Fire + Ice = Love

A recipe for winter fun in Bend, from mellow to adrenaline-laced, or both written by Adam Thorn Smith If Oregon is a dartboard of adventures, Bend is the bullseye—dead center, dedicated to the outdoors, and destiny to adrenaline junkies. In this high desert town, people surf water and land, from river wave to snow-clad volcano. Wild mountains, streams, forests, caves and cliffs are top targets year-round. But, you can put the mild side of Bend in your sights too. Historic downtown is a rustic-hip center of food, drink, music, softly lit streets and riverside strolls. Festivals, fundraisers, concerts and markets populate the calendar. Boutique lodging and pro outfitters offer amenities and excursions suited to novice explorers and those who prefer endorphins over adrenaline. Of all the seasonal regional getaways in Oregon, winter in the state’s center is among the best. Getting there is part of the experience. If you’re coming…

Wallowa Lake beginning to freeze over in December.

Go East!

The Wallowas offer wide-open spaces to play, explore and discover inner and outer peace written by Cathy Carroll We all know the old-timey call for adventure: “Go west, young man!” This winter, go with the obverse: “Go east, young_____!” Fill in your own gender. And by east, aim for Eastern Oregon, specifically, the Wallowas. Take to the roads, whether they’re cleared or paved with packed, cold, dry snow (when tires get grippy). At Wallowa Lake, first notice what’s missing: traffic, noise, hurry, tension, human-made marring of the beauty of the natural world. A few things you’ll immediately gain: deeper breaths, a clearer mind and a visage with fewer worry lines. Take in the deer and elk who’ve made the winter trek down into the valleys as hawks and raptors swirl above. Reconnect with belly laughter zipping down on a sled at Alder Slope or any other of the surrounding hills….

Free tours are offered daily at the Parliament Buildings overlooking Victoria, BC’s Inner Harbour.

A Victoria Venture

Traipse back in time and across cultures on Vancouver Island, BC written by John Macdonald Note: At the time of writing in mid-August, Canada began welcoming back fully vaccinated leisure travelers from the United States who have proof of being fully vaccinated. We all have our own reasons for visiting Victoria. My reason was quite narrow. I wanted to walk Fan Tan Alley in Chinatown, also known as Canada’s narrowest street. In the era of social distancing and pandemics, I realize this may not resonate with everyone, but, for me, it was a grounding starting point to explore the history of Vancouver Island and Victoria. Vancouver Island’s largest ethnic groups are British descendants and Chinese, the former because it had been a fur trading outpost and then British colony, the latter population largely streaming in after the 1858 gold rush. Chinatown is Canada’s oldest and second in North America only…

Take the Oregon Outdoor-100 Challenge

Take the Oregon Outdoor-100 Challenge

Pro tips for your own challenge to explore 100 scenic state sights Written and photographed by Travis Hughes The mark of a truly great adventure is when the memories outnumber the miles traveled. A few years ago, I embarked on a quest to see 100 of Oregon’s most scenic spaces. It took me just over three years to complete, and the memories will last a lifetime. As a lifelong Oregonian, I wanted to see Oregon’s iconic places, such as Blue Pool, Multnomah Falls, Crater Lake and Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach, but I also wanted to see the state’s lesser-known gems. My final list included everything from crashing waterfalls and towering rock formations to mountain summits, stunning beach vistas, wind-whipped deserts and spooky caves. Taking the Oregon Outdoor-100 Challenge requires some planning. Here are some tips I learned along the way. Think outside the box Every corner of Oregon is…

Milton-Freewater’s cobblestone soil, naturally enhanced by Walla Walla River deposits, yields distinctive wines.

A Destination AVA—Served on the Rocks

Savor, hike and explore Milton-Freewater’s valleys in wine-tastings Written by Angela Ashberry For most wine aficionados, Eastern Oregon’s Milton-Freewater doesn’t register as a wine tasting destination. Its location puts it far from anywhere convenient and 300 miles from the Willamette Valley. Its climate seems more suited to peppers and corn than wine grapes. Its hyphenated name sounds like a corporate law firm. Yet this small town with a population of 7,050 that’s 5 miles south of the Washington state line and 10 miles south of Walla Walla is emerging as a destination for those who are as adventurous with their travel as they are curious about a wine’s terroir. Welcome to The Rocks! Day 1 HEARTY HIKING • WINE TASTING Start your day with an ambitious hike about 37 miles east of Milton Freewater. Head to the South Fork Walla Walla Trailhead 15 miles southeast of town. The Table Springs/Bear…

Hotel Grand Stark’s exterior reveals the building’s heritage from 1906, as the Hotel Chamberlin.

Hotel Grand Stark

Written by Lauren Sharp At the heart of Portland’s industrial Buckman neighborhood is the Hotel Grand Stark. This historic destination offers a whimsical nod to the Pacific Northwest with an eccentric twist—as a respite for those looking to embrace the Rose City’s eclectic central east side. It opened in the spring, the first Oregon property of Los Angeles-based Palisociety Hospitality Groups’ boutique hotels. Palisociety founder Avi Brosh set out to create a space embodying the Pacific Northwest experience, elevating the city’s creative, quirky character. “My hope is that guests feel that they receive the true experience of the place from the decor, accommodations and food in all of our properties,” Brosh said. “In turn, our team set out to pay tribute to the artistic spirit of the inner east side and create a place that serves neighborhood locals and travelers alike.” The property’s classic facade is the legacy of its…

The pre-dawn Milky Way slides past “Dino Rock” along the entry road to Prineville Reservoir State Park.

Twinkle, Twinkle

Stargazing goes big in Oregon with global recognition written by Cathy Carroll Everyone may think there’s nothing to stepping outside and stargazing, but like many things in the world, some places are simply better for some things than others. When it comes to being knocked out just by looking up, a few places in Oregon have been designated as the best in the world. Prineville Reservoir State Park in Central Oregon is one. It’s the first Oregon park to be a certified International Dark Sky Park, the newest addition to the International Dark Sky Places Program. The only other such place in the state is in Sunriver, just south of Bend. It turns out that being a dark place requires effort. In Prineville, state park workers replaced harsh outdoor lights with softer yellow and red lighting that reduces “skyglow,” and they educated the public about light pollution. The reservoir joins…