Guide to Recreation/Adventure in Oregon

2011-Summer-Oregon-Golf-Travel-Chris-Meier-golf-balls-in-hands
Chris Meier, 43, on tour for the 1859 Gonzo Golf Cup in Oregon. / Photo by Tim Labarge

Whitewater, powder, killer breaks and ideal greens—for the recreational and adventureous traveler, these words are a vacation and a vocation.

For the avid golfer, try the Old MacDonald course on the stunning ocean cliffs of Bandon, a town on the Oregon Coast. This transported piece of Scotland, regularly ranked among the world’s best courses, is the anchor to the ocean-side community.

But if hitting balls with sticks all day doesn’t entice, gliding effortlessly on the Pacific’s mighty breaks may be a better alternative. Grab a couple of lessons from Ossies Surf Shop in Newport if you’re a fish out of water, or head straight to Pacific City for the real deal.

Hit the road on two wheels and really dive into Oregon’s identity—add beer to that and you’ll be an expert by week’s end. Check out Hood River’s Post Canyon, best known for its challenging trails with steep downhills. Finish it off with a few drinks at Double Mountain Brewery and Taproom, an unpretentious pub in the heart of downtown Hood River.

Continue the rush with a winter vacation at one (or all, if you’re obsessed) of the several ski resorts Oregon offers. These include: Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort, Timberline, Mt. Hood Skibowl, Mt. Bachelor, Willamette Pass Resort, Hoodoo, Anthony Lakes Ski Area and Mt. Ashland.

And if the summer months and the prospect of a river or lake plunge speak even louder than a vacation in the snow, think about trekking to Central Oregon, Southern Oregon or the Willamette Valley. When it’s warm, paddlers of all types come out to play. Pick a floatation device, whether it be a floatie, an air mattress, a stand-up-paddle board or a kayak—either way, there’s plenty of water and plenty of ways to enjoy it. For adrenaline-soaked adventures, try the McKenzie or Rogue rivers. For a more stationary experience, settle on one of the several lakes that surround Central Oregon, like Lake Billy Chinook, Prineville Reservoir or Elk Lake.

 

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