Greater Portland Offers Easy Access to the Outdoors

In the Greater Portland Region, you don’t have to choose between enjoying the great outdoors and the amenities of city life. Here, residents wake up in a thriving, vibrant city and can be on a scenic forest trail or standing beside the Pacific before lunch. Outdoor activities are a part of life in Portland, from must-see outdoor exhibits in Downtown Portland parks to the best views atop Mount Hood. Rivers, mountains, urban forests and green spaces are woven into the city’s neighborhoods, creating an environment where outdoor adventure seekers and city-lovers alike get the best of both worlds year-round.  

The region is perfect for playing outside year-round. Explore more than 37,000 acres of parks and green spaces, coupled with easy access to hundreds of miles of trails, rivers and coastlines. Our outdoor access isn’t just how people spend their weekends. It’s how they live, commute, enjoy, and connect. The great outdoors are engrained into our culture. For anyone who wants their city life infused with adventure and natural beauty, Portland is no doubt one of the most compelling places to call home.  

Portland Is the Premier Outdoor Destination

Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, bustling areas like Downtown Portland have solidified our reputation as an outdoor recreation powerhouse. Residents here are tied to:

• A rich culture of sustainability and environmental protection. The region’s commitment to green living brings cleaner air, abundant green spaces, and an urban environment designed around nature and sustainability. Infrastructure is built to support a lifestyle where people can choose their preference to bike, walk, drive, or use public transit. Sustainability efforts are always ongoing within the region. In 2025, the City Council voted to adopt the Portland Urban Forest Plan, which is a long-term roadmap to preserve, plant, and care for trees for future generations.  
• A focus on parks and green spaces. Greater Portland boasts around 37,000 acres of parks, green spaces, and natural areas, offering daily access to nature even within city limits.  
• A unique geographical location where bucket-list destinations like Mount Hood, the Columbia River Gorge, and the Oregon Coast are an hour drive away, allowing for scenic day trips at any time of the year. 
• Work-life balance enhancement. With lush natural scenery just outside of the city, residents benefit heavily from the ability to decompress in nature. Whether just a quick evening bike ride after work, a self-guided hike, or a spontaneous coastal trip, the region offers powerful ways to counterbalance work stress.  

Hundreds of Miles of Trails and Countless Parks

Work and play can happen all on the same day thanks to Greater Portland’s extensive green spaces. Embrace an active lifestyle that includes: 

• Scenic hikes abound with a plethora of hiking trails to choose from. Some of the more popular trails in the area for hikers are found in Forest Park (one of the largest urban forests in the U.S.), Tryon Creek State Natural Area, Powell Butte, and nearby Gorge trails. 
• 350 miles of biking trails allow locals to clear their minds and get their hearts pumping. Whether it’s commuting to the Pearl District or East Side for work or simply embarking on a long weekend of technical mountain biking that can only be found in the Pacific Northwest, Greater Portland is built for cyclists. 
• State and national parks. Waterfront Park, Laurelhurst Park, Washington Park, and Mt. Tabor Park offer prime natural views every day of the week. Residents also tend to frequent Silver Falls State Park, Mt. Hood National Forest, and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area for a more in-depth wilderness experience. 

Take Part in Unique Outdoor Experiences

You can’t find the outdoor activities available in Portland anywhere else. How you play is up to you, and the choices are endless. 

• River and lake activities - Kayaking and paddleboarding on one of many riverfronts like the Willamette River are local favorites in the summertime. With plenty of rentals available, there is no need to buy your own. Add in sailing on the Columbia River at sunset for the perfect day.
• Agriculture and Libation Activities – Greater Portland is also known as an agricultural hotspot. Sit outside and take in the sites at one of our many micro-breweries or escape to vineyards in the Willamette Valley for an afternoon of wine tasting at our local wineries.  
• Ocean activities - Quickly jump to the Oregon Coast for surfing, tide pooling, beach camping and more. The coast also provides year-round opportunities for beachcombing, whale watching, coastal hiking, and savoring local seafood. 
• Winter activities - The winter season brings world-class skiing and snowboarding to multiple ski areas, along with snowshoeing, tubing, and cozy lodge experiences. Mount Hood is a hot spot for winter activity, just under two hours from downtown Portland.  
• Outdoor community activities - Outdoor activities bring communities together each week with Saturday Markets, outdoor concerts, art galleries, yearly marathons, and cycling festivals that celebrate active living throughout the region. 

Outdoor Accolades