Outdoor Activities in Portland, Oregon

The Pacific Northwest is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, and the city of Portland, Oregon offers a wide array of opportunities.

For the best weather conditions, travel to Portland between the months of May and September, when the average rainfall is generally under two inches and average daytime temperatures range from the low 70s to the low 80s.

Here are a few outdoor activities to consider on your trip to Portland:

Golfing

Portland is home to dozens of golf courses for a variety of skill levels, from city-owned courses to tournament-level layouts. The four municipal courses include two that are regularly ranked among the best public courses in America - Eastmoreland Golf Course and Heron Lakes Golf Course. Glendoveer Golf Course features 36 holes, the 18-hole East Course and the 18-hole West Course.

Parks

Portland is known for its collection of city parks, including the nation's largest forested park within city limits and the world's smallest park. Forest Park, at 5,158 acres, is the largest forested area within city limits in the United States. The park, located in northwest Portland, has walking, hiking and equestrian trails, including the 30-mile Wildwood Trail, as well as bike paths, picnic and camping areas. Mill Ends Park at SW Naito Parkway and Taylor Street is the world's smallest dedicated park at 452 square inches.

Fishing

The Willamette River runs through downtown Portland and meets up with the Columbia River at the north edge of the city. Both rivers offer fishing opportunities, with salmon and sturgeon among the fish you can pull out of the Columbia. You can fish along the banks of the rivers, or join a guided charter from one of the fishing boats at Portland's docks.

Bicycling

Portland features miles of paved multi-use paths that are perfect for bicycling. Ride alongside the western bank of the Willamette River, from the fountain at Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park to the Steel Bridge. You can ride across the bridge to the eastern bank of the river and travel south down the 1.5-mile-long Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade, crossing back to the western bank at the Hawthorne Bridge. The loop will put your ride at more than five miles.

Hiking

You won't have to travel far from downtown Portland to find rugged hiking trails that will make you feel like you're completely out of the city. Forest Park's Wildwood Trail stretches for 30 miles, from Hoyt Arboretum to Newberry Road. Or hit the 5.6-mile Kelley Point Park Trail, which runs along the Willamette and Columbia rivers.

Weather, Travel Portland
Best Oregon Golf Courses, Golf Link
Forest Park, Portland Parks & Recreation
Mill Ends Park, Portland Parks & Recreation
Eastbank Esplanade, Portland Parks & Recreation
Waterfront Park, Portland Parks & Recreation