We love our home of Portland, Oregon, and we especially love getting outside to enjoy it. (On Fridays, we even get a few extra hours, as our headquarters close at 1 p.m. so we can unplug. We call it "Unplugged Fridays.")
In the city with one of the largest urban forests in the country, you don’t need to venture far to escape the bustle of downtown and recharge in nature. (Bonus if you can find a parking spot at the trailhead!) We asked around the office, and here are a few standouts for getting away from it all within an hour of the city and escaping the crowds, too. Plus the shoes our KEEN Garage staff recommends for the adventures.
Powell Butte is one of those places that most Portlanders know about but is often overlooked as folks head to the Gorge, Mt. Hood, or Coast Range to be immersed in nature. Once you are there, taking in this natural oasis with big sky views within Portland city limits, you’ll probably find yourself wondering why you don’t come more often—to fly a kite, ride your bike (or your horse), or hike the trails with a view of as many as eight nearby peaks on a clear day. (Pro tip: It’s a perfect spot to introduce hiking to your littlest family members.)
STAFF PICKS: Voyageur hikers for men and women; Chandler 2 CNX sneakers for kids. These low-profile hikers do it all. And the Voyageur shoe is ventilated, which feels great on the barely shaded trails in Powell Butte.
Ridge Trail and Pittock Mansion Trail both offer great vistas and tend to be less crowded than other Forest Park hikes. Ridge Trail is in a quieter section of the park with a view of the picturesque St. Johns Bridge. With 900 feet of elevation gain over 3.5 miles, it’s a bit more challenging but rewards hikers with a view of the picturesque St. Johns Bridge.
STAFF PICKS: Zionic hikers for men and women; Wanduro hikers for kids. When light and fast are on the agenda. For the rainy season, both styles come in a PFAS-free waterproof version featuring our KEEN.DRY breathable membrane that keeps feet dry without forever chemicals.
It’s not often that you can exit public transportation and find yourself in the middle of a wild space. But it’s waiting for you roughly ¼ mile from the Gateway Transit Center. Sandwiched between two interstate highways, Gateway Green is an ingenious use of open space that has been turned into a multi-use park with single-track trails for off-road cycling. As you hike or ride around the park through forest and wildflowers, it’s hard to believe a MAX train and highway are just steps away.
STAFF PICKS: NXIS EVO shoes for men and women, or Jasper II sneakers for kids, as they have a flatter, stiffer foundation that’s better for pedaling.
Mention Lacamas Lake, and many Portlanders might not even know what side of town it’s on. Tucked away north of downtown Camas, Wash., it’s only about 30 minutes outside the city. The 7-mile Lacamas Heritage Trail is well-liked for its peaceful setting, amenities, and easy parking. The lake is also a great place to bring a kayak or SUP and take in the natural surroundings from the water.
STAFF PICK: Newport. Part hiking shoe, part water sandal, it’s up for any terrain.
Located about an hour outside of Portland, this Washougal River swimming hole is well-known to Washington locals, but it’s a bit off the radar for PDXers. Dougan Falls is a refreshing place to cool off on warmer days and picnic or swim in the mountain runoff.
STAFF PICK: Hyperport. With its Aquagrip traction and quick-dry upper, this is the sandal to wear to jump in with both feet. (For the kiddos, grab a pair of machine-washable kids' sandals.)
If you find yourself in Portland for a weekend (or longer), stop by the Portland KEEN Garage in the heart of the Pearl District. We can help you find the right fit and a great place to load up on trail snacks before heading to the trailhead or waterway.
