Featured Portland Area Locations
Atkeson Trail
(Deschutes National Forest info site)
In the Deschutes National Forest, with views of the Cascades and Sparks Lake. A trail named after a photographer is likely to have some nice views!
Mentioned in:
Journeys
Beaverton Creek Wetlands
(Tualatin Parks and Rec info site)
Urban wetlands, accessible from an industrial parking lot.
Mentioned in:
Tualatin River Watershed
Birds Gallery
From the Archive: Urban Wetlands: Koll Center and Smith and Bybee Lakes, Summer 2022
Spring Outings 2023
Big Obsidian Flow
(Forest Service info)A trail in Oregon's youngest lava flow (1300 years ago), a short drive from Bend.
Mentioned in:
Journeys
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
(US Fish and Wildlife info)
A beautiful and varied wildlife refuge near Olympia, Washington.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Journeys
From the Archive: Nisqually NWR, February 2022
Nisqually NWR, March 2024
Nisqually NWR, June 2024
Cape Lookout State Park
(Oregon State Parks info site)
The Cape Trail goes through old growth forests to find stunning coastal views, on the Oregon coast near Tillamook.
Mentioned in:
Journeys
Camassia Natural Area
(Nature Conservancy info site)
A Nature Conservancy site, with multiple habitats and diverse wildflowers and wildlife. Named for the Camas Lilies, with beautiful spring flowers, which were once a staple food for the Kalapuya people.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Camassia Nature Preserve, Spring 2023
Cooper Mtn Nature Park
(Tualatin Parks and Rec info site)
Trails through multiple habitats, in the Tualatin River Valley.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Cooper Mountain Nature Park, April 2022
Elk Rock Garden
(web site)
Beautiful garden and views of the Willamette River and Mount Hood.
Mentioned in:
Portland Photoshed
Flora Gallery
From the Archive: Fall Colors 2020
Elk Rock Garden, Fall 2023
Fanno Creek Park
(Tigard Parks and Rec info)
A greenway along Fanno Creek in Tigard. Fanno Creek drains much of the area bordering southwest Portland and eastern Beaverton, before flowing into the Tualatin River to the south in Durham. Suburban and agricultural pollution were pretty bad through the 80s and 90s, but recent projects have improved things quite a bit, and there are multiple designated parks and natural areas along its path.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Tualatin River Watershed
Fernhill Wetlands
(web site)
A water treatment facility in Forest Grove that converted its sewage ponds into wetlands, creating habitat for birds and other wildlife.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Tualatin River Watershed
From the Archive: Fernhill Wetlands, December 2021
From the Archive: Fernhill Wetlands, August 2022
Fernhill Wetlands, Winter 2022-23
Hoyt Arboretum
(web site)
Trees and trails, in Washington Park near downtown Portland.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Portland Photoshed
From the Archive: Fall Colors 2020
Hoyt Arboretum, Fall 2023
Jackson Bottom Wetlands
(web site)
Wetland trails through a 635 acre preserve in Hillsboro.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
From the Archive: New Camera (January 2022)
From the Archive: Jackson Bottom Refuge, July 2022
Tualatin River Watershed
Jackson Bottom Wetlands, October 2023
Koll Wetlands/Greenway Park
(Tualatin Parks and Rec info)
Greenway Park runs along Fanno Creek in Tualatin, withs paths, playgrounds, picnic tables, and disc golf. Koll Wetland Center is an adjacent urban wetland created through a thoughtful cleanup project.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Tualatin River Watershed
From the Archive: Urban Wetlands: Koll Center and Smith and Bybee Lakes, Summer 2022
Greenway Park, Winter 2023-24
Lacamas Park
(Clark County info)
Beautiful trails along Lacamas Creek featuring a dam, falls, trees, flowers, and wildlife. In the town of Camas, WA.
Mentioned in:
Portland Photoshed
Spring Outings 2023
Latourell Falls
(Oregon State Parks info)
Beautiful falls over basalt rock, and stunning views of the Colombia Gorge.
Mentioned in:
Portland Photoshed
From the Archive: Latourell Falls, September 2022
Leach Botanical Garden
(web site)
A private garden (with generous community access) near Powell Butte. Planted areas, an elevated walkway among the trees, and a riparian zone along Johnson Creek.
Mentioned in:
Flora
Portland Photoshed
Spring Outings 2023
Manzanita
(wiki page)
One of our favorite beach towns on the Oregon Coast.
Mentioned in:
Journeys
From the Archive: Manzanita Beach, September 2022
Mary Young Park
(West Linn Parks and Rec info)
Trails adjacent to the Willamette River, in West Linn.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
McIver State Park
(Oregon State Parks info)
Trails (and camping) along the Clackamas River and the River Mill Dam that forms Estacada Lake.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Portland Photoshed
From the Archive: McIver State Park, July 2022
Memaloose Overlook Trail
(AllTrails info)
On the Columbia River Gorge, with spectacular spring wildflowers, and views of the river, Mt. Hood, and the Washington river shore.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Journeys
Wildflowers: Memaloose, Spring 2023
Nehalem Bay
(Oregon State Parks info)
River, bay, and wetlands near Manzanita Beach on the Oregon Coast.
Mentioned in:
Nehalem Bay, September 2023
Neskowin
(Oregon State Parks info)
Ghost forests and tidepools on the beach, trails into Cascade Head, access to nearby Nestucca Bay.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Journeys
From the Archive: Neskowin and Cascade Head, August 2022
Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge
(US Fish and Wildlife info)
Wetland, woodland, and prarie habitats in this wildlife sanctuary on the central Oregon Coast.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
(Portland Parks and Rec info)
A wildlife refuge in Portland on the east side of the Willamette River, with trails through wetlands, woodlands, and meadows.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
From the Archive: New Camera (January 2022)
From the Archive: Oaks Bottom, June 2022
Oaks Bottom, February 2024
Paulina Falls Trail
(Forest Service info)A waterfall in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, in the Deschutes National Forest, near Bend, Oregon
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Pirate Park
(Tualatin Parks and Rec info)
A playground along Rock Creek west of downtown Portkand, with trails heading into the woods.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Portland Japanese Garden
(web site)
A local treasure, in Washington Park. A visit in any season is an immersion in beauty, respite, and contemplation.
Mentioned in:
Japanese Garden
Portland Photoshed
From the Archive: Fall Colors 2020
From the Archive: Spring 2022 at the Japanese Garden and Tryon Creek
From the Archive: Another Spring Visit, April 2022
From the Archive: Netsuke Carvings, April 2022
From the Archive: Japanese Garden Fall Timeless Scenes, Fall 2022
From the Archive: Japanese Garden Fall Colors 2022
Cherry Blossoms on the Waterfront, 2023
Fall Colors at the Japanese Garden, 2023
Cherry Blossoms 2024
Powell Butte
(Portland Parks and Rec info)
A nature park on an extinct cinder cone volcano. Trails, wildlife, and mountain views.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Portland Photoshed
Spring Outings 2023
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
(US Fish and Wildlife info)
Always an exciting experience; birds and other wildlife abound. The auto loop provides great access, and you can walk from the Port of Ridgefield May through September, and from the Entrance Pavilion October through April.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
From the Archive: Sandhill Cranes and Ridgefield NWR, January 2022
From the Archive: Home From Nisqually: Silver Lake and Ridgefield, February 2022
From the Archive: Ridgefield NWR June 2022
Ridgefield and Steigerwald, Spring 2023
A Trip to Washington, Summer 2023
Ridgefield NWR, February 2024
Seaquest State Park and Silver Lake WA
(Washington State Parks info)
Adjacent to the Mt. St. Helens Visitors Center, with views, forest trails, and a boardwalk through the wetlands.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Journeys
From the Archive: Home From Nisqually: Silver Lake and Ridgefield, February 2022
A Trip to Washington, Summer 2023
Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge
(US Fish and Wildlife info)
Near Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast, trails move through transitional habitats in this estuary.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Silver Falls State Park
(Oregon State Parks info)
One hour drive from home, with 10 waterfalls, fascinating geology, and many miles of trails.
Mentioned in:
Journeys
Silver Falls, October 2023
Smith and Bybee Wetlands
(Oregon Metro Parks info)
Surrounded by industrial North Portland, one of the largest protected urban wetlands in the country, at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Smith and Bybee Lakes and Vanport Wetlands, October 2023
Smith Rock
(Oregon State Parks info)
Deep river canyons and towering cliffs, in Central Oregon.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Summer Lake, Spring 2024
Central Oregon Landscapes, Spring 2024
Springbrook Park
(Lake Oswego Parks info)
Forest trails, just a few miles from home, in Lake Oswego.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge
(US Fish and Wildlife info)
Recently re-opened after an extensive renovation of the levee system, the trails are still pretty rough, but there are plenty of opportunities to view wildlife and Mt. Hood.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
From the Archive: Steigerwald Lake NWR, May 2022
Ridgefield and Steigerwald, Spring 2023
Summer Lake Wildlife Area
(Oregon Fish and Wildlife Info)
A wildlife refuge along the Pacific Flyway in Central Oregon.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Summer Lake, Spring 2024
Central Oregon Landscapes, Spring 2024
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
(Portland Parks and Rec info)
On the Willamette River in Downtown Portland, this stroll is great for bridges, people-watching, and in the spring, cherry blossoms.
Mentioned in:
Flora
Portland Photoshed
Cherry Blossoms 2022
Cherry Blossoms 2023
Cherry Blossoms 2024
Tryon Creek State Natural Area
(Oregon State Parks info)
A regular destination for walks close to home, Tryon has eight miles of hiking trails, with birds, water, and Trillium in the spring.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Tualatin Hills Nature Park
(Tualatin Parks and Rec info)
Five miles of trails through diverse habitats, at the confluence of Cedar Hill Creek and Beaverton Creek in the center of Beaverton.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Tualatin River Watershed
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge
(US Fish and Wildlife info)
The closest to home National Wildlife Refuge, with seasonal and year-round trails along the Tualatin River.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
From the Archive: New Camera (January 2022)
From the Archive: Tualatin River NWR, April 2022
From the Archive: Tualatin River NWR, August 2022
From the Archive: Tualatin River NWR, September 2022
Tualatin River Watershed
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, September 2023
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, February 2024
Vancouver Lake and Frenchman’s Bar
(Clark County info: Vancouver Lake, Frenchman's Bar)
A nearby wintering habitat for Sandhill Cranes. The North Trail at Vancouver Lake is a good birding walk in any season.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
From the Archives: Sandhill Cranes and Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge, January 2022
Sandhill Cranes, January 2023
Sandhill Cranes, January 2024
Vanport Wetlands
(Travel Oregon info)
An urban wetland between the Expo Center and a golf course, with a severe history.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
Whitaker Ponds and Vanport Wetlands, Summer 2023
Smith and Bybee Lakes and Vanport Wetlands, October 2023
(Portland Parks and Rec info)
Another amazing urban wetlands renovation, this site has a short trail along a section of the Columbia Slough reclaimed from industrial wastelands.
Mentioned in:
Birds Gallery
From the Archive: Whitaker Ponds and Smith & Bybee Lakes, January 2022
Whitaker Ponds and Vanport Wetlands, Summer 2023