Recreation
Latest Stories

Santiam Canyon state recreation areas officially open after 2020 fires
All state-run recreation sites in Oregon’s Santiam Canyon are officially open, five years after wildfires burned through much of the area east of Salem.
Trail angels create magical moments for hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail
Volunteers offering cold drinks and calorie-packed snacks deliver unexpected relief along the 2,700-mile hike.

Science & Environment
Take a look inside Mount Hood’s hand-built Steiner cabins
The 20th annual Steiner Cabin Tour in August will highlight the rustic beauty of Henry Steiner’s log homes, which were built by hand during the Great Depression and have since become Oregon icons.

Indigenous kayakers traverse 6 dam sites on the Klamath River and head for the ocean
A group of young Indigenous kayakers is headed to the mouth of the Klamath River after portaging around two dams and paddling through four former dam sites.

Mt. Bachelor goes off the market as owner focuses on resort upgrades
Last year the Utah-based POWDR announced a plan to sell the Central Oregon ski resort near Bend.
Think Out Loud
Bill would make liability waivers more enforceable in Oregon
Recreational business owners say they need the extra protection from frivolous claims, but trial lawyers say Oregon law already protects against spurious lawsuits.
Think Out Loud
Judge rules public access must be granted for Oswego Lake, but Lake Oswego Corporation says it will appeal
After more than a decade in and out of five different courts, a Clackamas County circuit judge ordered the city to provide access to the Oswego lakeshore at Millennium Plaza Park.

Business
Northwest-based REI cuts jobs and adventure activity program, citing financial straits
REI is shutting down its classes, tours, and events business, collectively known as Experiences. The outdoor retailer announced the end of Experiences on Wednesday, laying off hundreds of employees in the division.

Willamette National Forest reopens more recreation sites as wildfires wane in Lane County
U.S. Forest Service officials recently reduced closures around multiple fires in Lane County, restoring access to large areas of land used for hiking, hunting and recreation, including popular sites around the Blue River Reservoir.

Politics
Portland voters may be willing to increase property tax to pay for parks, poll finds
Portland voters may be willing to increase property taxes to maintain city parks, according to a new city-commissioned poll