Explore and Play: Go Outside!

• Bike
• Camp
• Golf
• Hike
• Oregon Coast
• Run
• Snowor Sports
• Swim
• View Wildlife
• Get the Gear

Bike

With more than 122 miles of bike paths and dozens of annual bike races and events, exploring the Eugene area on two wheels is a great idea! Maps are available online for recreational rides such as the Eugene/Springfield city bike paths and lanes, and Eugene's Ruth Bascom Riverbank Trail System. A local club, the Greater Eugene Area Riders (GEARs) leads riders on weekly trail rides in the area.

Given Eugene's close proximity to the Cascade Mountain Range, it's no surprise that mountain biking is popular with area residents. The UO Outdoor Program offers an online Lane County Mountain Bike Ride Guide. Two local mountain biking events are the Cascade Cream Puff 100, a 100-mile race held in June, and Mountain Bike Oregon, a three-day mountain biking event held in June and August near Oakridge.

Camp

There are hundreds of places to pitch a tent and roast some s'mores in Oregon. The state is home to a multitude of national forests and state and county parks, each offering diverse camping sites.

Golf

Tee up at dozens of golf courses in the Eugene area. Golflink.com provides an online list of local golf courses, along with course reviews and tournament information.

Hike

You'll have no trouble breaking in your boots on Lane County's hiking trails. The Convention and Visitors Association of Lane County provides online descriptions of local hiking trails. Also, two local organizations, The Obsidians and Oregon Wild, lead hikes.

Oregon Coast

Whether you want to surf, whale-watch, or see one of Oregon's legendary storms roll in, the Oregon Coast is where it's at. Only about an hour away, the Pacific Ocean is Eugene's backyard! Despite popular opinion, the Oregon Coast isn't always rainy. On a sunny day, the coast's rugged beauty and sunsets are simply breathtaking. A trip to the Oregon Coast wouldn't be complete without checking out the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, interim home of Keiko, the orca whale and Free Willy star. Visit the Oregon Coast Visitors Association Web site for information on attractions, accommodations, annual events and more.

Run

Eugene is "Track Town USA!" Running is a religion for many residents of Track Town and, not surprisingly, there are hundreds of challenging runs to choose from.

The Oregon Track Club publishes a runner's map featuring local trails and provides information on upcoming local running events.

Snow Sports

As the thermometer dips in the winter months, Oregon's rugged mountains transform into winter wonderlands for snow sport enthusiasts. Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding, snow-shoeing, helicopter skiing, sledding, tubing, and snowmobiling wake Oregonians from their winter slumber for months of outdoor fun. The three ski resorts closest to Eugene are Willamette Pass (70 miles east of Eugene on Highway 58), Hoodoo Mountain Resort (75 miles northwest of Eugene on Highway 126) and Mount Bachelor (145 miles east of Eugene on Highways 58 and 97).

Travel Oregon's Web site offers ski and condition reports, as well as information on upcoming events. The Oregon State Snowmobile Association's Web site offers maps of local trails.

Swim

Wet your gills and flip your fins at one of Eugene's public swimming pools -- Amazon Pool, Echo Hollow Pool, Sheldon Pool and Fitness Center, River Road Pool and Tamarack Wellness Center. If you're feeling adventurous, explore one of the numerous natural hot springs scattered across the state.

View Wildlife

Who doesn't enjoy watching elephants sunbathe or coming face-to-face with large sharks? Wildlife viewing is only a short drive away at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, Oregon Zoo in Portland, and Wildlife Safari in Winston.

Get the Gear