Friends of the Columbia Gorge offers a variety of outdoor educational and recreational experiences for all ages. Through our outdoor programs, we work on engaging the public through place-based events in the Columbia Gorge, whether this be through our guided outings offered to members and the general public, or our outdoor youth education programs. Learn more about our outdoor programs below.
A guided outing at Upper McCord Falls Trail.
Guided Outings
Join us for educational and inspirational outings that will deepen your appreciation of the Gorge and strengthen your commitment to preserving its unique landscapes.
Hiking during Gorge Latino Conservation Week at Catherine Creek. Photo by Paloma Ayala.
Caminemos Juntos (Let’s Walk Together)
Caminemos Juntos is a new initiative offering outdoor activities to connect the Latino community in the Gorge with nature and promote well-being.
Members-only mushroom hunting outing. Photo by Monique Trevett.
Members-only Events
Select guided outings and events are only open to current Friends members. Check them out here.
Kenzie Hammond (center), Friends’ youth & community education specialist, demonstrates water quality testing
techniques to students from Portland’s St. Andrew Nativity School at Bridal Veil Falls as part of our annual outdoor youth education program, the “Great Gorge Wahoo!” Photo by Paloma Ayala.
Youth Outdoor Education
Friends’ youth education programs connect thousands of local students to the Columbia Gorge’s rich natural, cultural, scenic, and recreational resources, helping to inspire the next generation of Gorge protectors.
Latest News
Keep updated on Friends' work, news stories, and the work happening in the Columbia Gorge.
American bullfrog in pond weed. Photo by Peter Ziminski.
Invasive Predator: Inside the Race to Control the Deadliest Threat to Gorge Turtles
January 5, 2026
Friends of the Columbia Gorge is working with the U.S. Forest Service and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to control invasive bullfrogs across shared landscapes. Through coordinated, cross-boundary stewardship, partners have removed thousands of bullfrogs to protect the endangered Northwestern pond turtle.
Northwestern pond turtle basking on a log. Photo by Griffin Gillespie.
Native Prey: Inside a 30-Year Conservation Partnership to Save a Species
January 5, 2026
At Friends’ Turtle Haven and Alashík preserves, biologists and conservation partners are working behind the scenes to recover the endangered Northwestern pond turtle. From habitat restoration to bullfrog control and decades-long collaboration, this story traces how persistence, science, and partnership are helping a resilient species make a comeback in the Gorge.
Hikers on Dog Mountain. Photo by Laura Kneedler.
Defending the Gorge in a Time of Unprecedented Threats
January 5, 2026
Protecting the Gorge means defending the laws, funding, and public lands that make climate resilience possible. This article outlines Friends’ recent advocacy victories—from restoring Gorge Commission funding to stopping a massive federal lands selloff and defending the Land and Water Conservation Fund—and explains why sustained policy engagement is essential for the Gorge’s future.