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Find a campsite with a good, flat area for setting up your tent.

The Ultimate Tent Camping Guide for Beginners

… AND THE GEAR TO GET YOU THERE written by Jean Chen Smith | illustrations by Maggie Wauklyn Something stirs in my soul when I am surrounded by nature in our state. It is an awakening of the senses—hearing the birds sing their unique melodies, smelling the Douglas firs, watching the flutter of branches as a bluebird takes flight, and even feeling the raindrops on my face. These are some of the reasons I love camping so much. When temperatures warm, one of my favorite things to do is pack the car up for a two- or three-night tent camping adventure. Tent camping can be both easy and affordable. You are able to drive up to the campsite location without having to lug all your gear on your back. In some instances, you must reserve a spot ahead of time. Some campgrounds have facilities such as communal showers and bathrooms….

The beautiful, ancient monoliths at Cannon Beach make for a picturesque evening.

An Oregon Wellness Quest

7 DESTINATIONS TO REBOOT & RECHARGE THIS SPRING written by Jean Chen Smith As the days start to get longer and temperatures increase, we find the early promise of spring in all its splendid glory—the lush trees, the vibrant yellows of daffodils and emerging green grass. Shedding our heavy layers of jackets, sweaters and boots, along with the primal instinct for hibernation, I know I’m ready to get out and travel. This time of year is my favorite for seeking wellness experiences. Health and well-being can look different for everyone, ranging from spa retreats to meditation gatherings. Why not take this year to redefine what it means to be whole and healthy? Try something new instead of taking the same type of journey year after year. I know for myself, new adventures are a great way to stimulate my senses and knock me out of the ordinary. Here is a…

Biking through the lower reaches of the stunning Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park.

The Country’s Greatest Ride

By road bike or e-bike, Glacier’s Going-to-the-Sun is a top American journey through time + elevation written by Kevin Maxphotography by Whitney Whitehouse Some people have heard about the Going-to-the-Sun Road and make plans to cycle it and train for months to be fit enough to gain the sustained vertical feetto the top. Others have listened to their most athletic (and somewhat nauseating) friends recall with laughter the 3,200-foot climb to the top of Logan Pass. “I was pushing 275 watts at the summit, man!” Still others may completely tune out one of Glacier National Park’s most spectacular experiences because it’s simply beyond their physical limit. On a spring morning last year, I joined a group of riders who fit into each one of these profiles on a push for this Glacier experience. Half of us were on bicycles—road bikes—the other half were on e-bikes. Our hybrid crew could not…

Bull kelp forests thrive in Oregon’s cold, nutrient-rich waters near shore. But rising ocean temperatures, along with overgrazing by purple sea urchins, threaten kelp’s survival and ability to provide essential habitat for fish, marine mammals and birds.

Protecting Oregon’s Enchanting Kelp Forests

written by Kerry Newberry Emerging from the tiny coastal town of Port Orford, a dedicated crew of marine scientists, commercial urchin divers, conservationists, tribal members, tour guides, drone pilots, SCUBA and free divers, and chefs have rallied together from various perspectives, but with a shared goal: to protect and restore kelp forests along the Oregon Coast. The Oregon Kelp Alliance (ORKA) formed in 2017, when divers and scientists first noticed a decline in bull kelp forests near Orford Reef and Nellies Cove on Oregon’s south coast. “Kelp forests provide critical habitat for a diversity of marine life and absorb large amounts of carbon,” said Tom Calvanese, the station manager for the Port Orford Field Station and director of ORKA. “And in many places, we are losing them.” The rapid decline of kelp forests is a global phenomenon—a result of rising ocean temperatures, along with overgrazing by species like spiny purple…

The remote Minam River Lodge is accessible only on foot, on horseback or by small chartered airplane.

Oregon Destinations for Every Type of Traveler

written by Jean Chen Smith With limited time between work, family and other commitments, a vacation is something I look forward to from the moment I decide where I’m going. As we welcome 2024 and begin to plan for the year ahead, we look to new destinations, and new experiences. Why not try something new this year based on the type of traveler you already are? Choose your own journey—here are nine of our favorite spots. THE ROMANTIC PICK: PACIFIC CITY As you arrive at the entrance of Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa, you will be struck by the spectacular views of this oceanfront property. Located alongside the Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area, this elegant hotel features thirty-three upscale guest rooms, along with spacious cottages. Both offer sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Haystack Rock. Watch the sunset from your private balcony with your sweetheart, or cuddle by the…

In Portland, countless cars were crushed or immobilized by the storm.

West Coast Hurricane

THE GREAT COLUMBUS DAY STORM OF 1962 written by Sig Unander Jack Capell was puzzled. As the veteran television meteorologist sat at his desk in the U.S. Weather Bureau office in Portland amid clacking teletypes and office chatter, he looked over routine weather reports that had come in that October morning. Reviewing the sketchy data, he thought he saw—or sensed—something unusual. Capell was no novice. Ten years into a long career as a meteorologist in the Pacific Northwest, his calm, professional on-air presence was familiar to viewers. He had previously served in World War II as a U.S. Army infantry soldier, surviving almost a year of combat before helping to liberate prisoners from a Nazi death camp at Dachau. In 1962 there was no Doppler radar, satellite imagery or computer-generated models. Meteorologists relied on spotty ship reports, data from far-flung weather stations and their own experience with volatile northwest weather…

Perhaps its the isolation (or the plunge to the water) of Heceta Head Lighthouse and its B&B that gives it an extra spooky feeling.

Spookiest Places in Oregon

THESE SEVEN HAUNTED VENUES WILL MAKE BELIEVERS OUT OF THE DIS-SPIRITED written by Jean Chen Smith | illustrations by Allison Bye Halloween is the ideal time to reconnect with your inner child. Remember sitting around the campfire, listening to ghost stories, and not being able to fall asleep because you were so scared? Or how about plotting your trick-or-treat route so you could maximize your treat bag? Even though the 31st of October is one day out of the entire year, some of us spend the whole month either decorating, planning a costume party or making a costume for our kiddos. Beyond the home, there are also a ton of events to check out. “Halloween is an iconic time to see unique sights in fall colors from the Coast to the Cascades,” said Kari Westlund, president and CEO of Travel Lane County. This year, if you are in the mood…

The outdoors are also a restorative meditation for dogs, as well as people.

Celebrate the Dog Days of Summer

FIVE OREGON DAY TRIPS TO TAKE WITH YOUR DOG written by Jean Chen Smith Summer is a great time for getting outside with your four-legged buddy. The state has a plethora of state parks and eleven national forests, all with their own ecosystems and wildlife, ripe for exploring. In urban areas such as Portland and Ashland, there are huge parcels of verdant land for hiking, trail running or throwing a Frisbee. When traveling with your dog, be mindful of the leash regulations specific to the area. Some places call for leashing your dog because of sensitive wildlife and plant life. Additionally, make sure to carry some doggie bags and leave no trace. Here are our five picks for a summer of fun—choose one or do them all. We have even given you an overnight option should you choose to make a weekend trip out of it. BEND Riverbend Park is…