Ducks Live for the Outdoors
Whether you are a newbie or an experienced explorer, the Outdoor Program is excited to introduce you to the many wonders in Oregon and beyond. We offer a variety of all-levels group outings, bike rides, classes and clinics, and service projects led by Outdoor Program student staff and trip initiators.
OP Outing or Common Adventure Trip—what’s the difference? OP Outings are group outings led by knowledgeable Outdoor Program staff who are very familiar with the activity or area. OP Outings are entry-level, led instead of consensus-based, and do not last overnight. Common Adventure Trips are adventures planned and led by students and community members who have taken our Trip Initiator Clinic. Common Adventure Trips operate on a group-consensus, decision-making process and tend to vary in difficulty. Some are easy and require little to no experience, while others are technical and require more experience.
Students are automatically members of the Outdoor Program, so take advantage of our low-cost outings and trips and try out a new activity.
Type of Events
CLINICS AND CLASSES
Learn a range of outdoor basics from raft guiding and snow shelters to mushroom picking.
OP OUTINGS
Outings include everything from hikes and bike rides to kayaking and visits to hot springs, led by our staff.
COMMON ADVENTURE TRIPS
Cooperative travel for outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels—planned and led by students like you.
OP EVENTS
Movie premiers, guest speakers, the annual Banff Mountain Film Festival, and more.
SERVICE PROJECTS
Environmental restoration such as beach clean-up, Hendricks Park trail restoration, and more.
BIKE PROGRAM
Your hub for all things bike related—a DIY workspace, repair stations, classes, rides, and rentals.
Winter is HERE! Time to get your skis and snowboards waxed! FREE!
Drop your gear off at the Outdoor Program Rental Barn during opened hours, and pick it up the next day.
Hours: noon-4:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, closed Wednesday.
Location: 1225 E 18th Ave, the corner of 18th and University, next to the softball field.
Join the OP for student Winter Walking Groups! Meet new people, have fun, socialize rain or shine! COVID guidelines in place; group size limited, wear a mask, bring your student ID.
NO SIGN UPS REQUIRED - limited groups size - first come, first served. Meet at the EMU Green.
4pm, every wednesday!
Join Sam Norgaard-Stroich from the Outdoor Program on a bike ride near campus to find and identify birds, We will use PeaceHealth Bike Share bikes for anyone who needs a bike. The OP will provide binoculars for those who need them as well! We will meet up outside the OP Office at the EMU, along 13th street.
Limited to 6 participants to ensure proper social distancing. Sign up at:https://calendly.com/ducknest/bird-and-bike-for-faculty-and-staff-only
Spring Break Self Guided Trips! - Amazon Trail
Click Here for a printable PDF for Self-Guided
Looking for a stress-free adventure around town? The Outdoor Program in part of UO Wellness Week is encouraging all students to explore local and stay local to keep your campus community safe. Below is a fun, stress-free, and adventurous walk/hike you can do in Eugene and around the Campus area.
AMAZON TRAIL
Level 1-3 | 3.5-9 miles roundtrip
POINTS OF INTEREST:
The Adidas Trail (northern end) has well-marked cutoffs for a 1-mile loop, of a 1000 meter loop, making it a prime location for workouts. The Rexius Trail is a 3.5-mile loop with bridges located every 1/2 mile.
POINTS OF INTEREST:
The Amazon Trail is composed of two segments: The two trails are connected by a 400-meter pavement bike path. Check out Hideaway Bakery at the northern end of the Rexius trail for yummy post-run or walk treats!
ROUTE INFO:
The map below provides directions to get to the north end of the Amazon trail system– from there, you can extend your walk or run along the trail as far as you please! The southern end of the Amazon Trail joins the Ridgeline trail via the Martin Street Trailhead. From the Ridgeline trail, it is possible to access Spencer's Butte, Mt Baldy, and other trails in the South Hills of Eugene.
Spring Break Self Guided Trips! - Eugene Circuit
Click Here for a printable PDF for Self-Guided
Looking for a stress-free adventure around town? The Outdoor Program in part of UO Wellness Week is encouraging all students to explore local and stay local to keep your campus community safe. Below is a fun, stress-free, and adventurous walk/hike you can do in Eugene and around the Campus area.
EUGENE PARK CIRCUIT
Level 1 | 4 miles roundtrip |↗ 150ft
POINTS OF INTEREST:
Washburne Park is just a block away from Prince Puckler's Ice Cream, Hey Neighbor Pizza, and several other local Eugene eateries. While visiting University Park, check out nearby Sundance Natural Foods, Ume food cart, and other businesses. Amazon Park houses Amazon Pool and is right next to the Amazon running trails. Fairmount City Park - A petite park close to the dorms, Washburne Park - A student favorite, commonly known as "Panda Park" , University Park - Great for everything from picnicking to playing basketball, Amazon Park - An expansive park with sports fields, a bike path, and a skate bowl
ROUTE INFO:
Follow this route and see all the parks in a day, or take individual excursions to each and stop along the way!
Spring Break Self Guided Trips! - Hendricks Park
Click Here for a printable PDF for Self-Guided
Looking for a stress-free adventure around town? The Outdoor Program in part of UO Wellness Week is encouraging all students to explore local and stay local to keep your campus community safe. Below is a fun, stress-free, and adventurous walk/hike you can do in Eugene and around the Campus area.
HENDRICKS PARK
Level 1 | 3 miles roundtrip |↗ 250ft
POINTS OF INTEREST:
Founded in 1905, Hendricks Park is the oldest city park in Eugene. Hendricks is home to an extensive rhododendron garden that was founded in 1951, and has many unusual rhododendron species and hybrids, as well as a unique view of campus. The pavilion area at the east end of the park typically plays host to guided tours throughout the year, keep an eye on the City of Eugene website for more info about these!
ROUTE INFO:
From the EMU, travel east to Agate Street, then turn south to enter the East Campus neighborhoods. Keep an eye out for alleyways to spice up the route! Once you've arrived at the park, check out the Rhododendron garden, the Ribbon Trail, or the many other trails that weave through the area. While the map here will help you get to the park, look for the larger map below with detailed trail markings! Scan our QR code to Submit photos of your trip, be entered into our Week of Welcome Raffle, and be featured on our Instagram
Spring Break Self Guided Trips! - Spencer's Butte
Click Here for a printable PDF for Self-Guided
Looking for a stress-free adventure around town? The Outdoor Program in part of UO Wellness Week is encouraging all students to explore local and stay local to keep your campus community safe. Below is a fun, stress-free, and adventurous walk/hike you can do in Eugene and around the Campus area.
SPENCER'S BUTTE
Level 2 |2 miles roundtrip |↗ 1,000ft
POINTS OF INTEREST:
Located on Kalapuya tribal land, the butte was originally named Champ-a te, which translates to a rattlesnake. Although the origins of its current name are unknown, it is speculated that the butte references a Hudson Bay Company worker who arrived in the Willamette Valley in the early 1800s. With multiple trails to the summit, there are a variety of distance and difficulty options, laid out on a map at the trailhead. Enjoy sweeping views of the Willamette Valley from the summit as a well-earned reward!
ROUTE INFO:
If you are looking for a well-maintained system of trails with a wide variety of distance and difficulty options, Spencer's Butte is a great option. 360-degree views of the valley make Spencer's Butte a perfect spot at sunset, sunrise, and anytime in between the butte is a 20-minute drive or an hour-long bus ride from campus. There are multiple trailheads, with the primary access point featured below. When driving from campus on Willamette St, it will be the second trailhead on your left.
Spring Break Self Guided Trips! - Talking Stones
Click Here for a printable PDF for Self-Guided
Looking for a stress-free adventure around town? The Outdoor Program in part of UO Wellness Week is encouraging all students to explore local and stay local to keep your campus community safe. Below is a fun, stress-free, and adventurous walk/hike you can do in Eugene and around the Campus area.
TALKING STONES
Level 2| 5 miles roundtrip |↗ 780ft
Route Info:
From the EMU, follow Agate Street to the Autzen footbridge. After crossing the Willamette River head left or right and walk along a variety of trails throughout Alton Baker City Park, keeping an eye to the sides of trails. Look below this poster for a more detailed map of where the Talking Stones are located!
Part of the Talking Stones route is on Pre's Trail, named for UO running legend Steve Prefontaine. This trail follows Pre's favorite running route from campus.
Points of interest:
The Kalapuya Talking Stones are public art pieces located in the Whilamut Natural Area of Alton Baker City Park. Installed in December 2002, they work to bring Kalapuya language back into native territory. The words inscribed on basalt rocks sourced from Kalapuya land reference aspects of life that have been culturally significant for tribal people.
Some of the words and phrases you will find featured on these art pieces include:
- Wha-lik = place by the water
- Whilamut = where the river ripples and runs fast
- De-Ha-Yaba = near a camas field
- Camafeema = ferns on the ground
Spring Break Self Guided Trips! - Ribbon Trail
Click Here for a printable PDF for Self-Guided
Looking for a stress-free adventure around town? The Outdoor Program in part of UO Wellness Week is encouraging all students to explore local and stay local to keep your campus community safe. Below is a fun, stress-free, and adventurous walk/hike you can do in Eugene and around the Campus area.
RIBBON TRAIL
Route info: Start by following our Hendricks Park route. Once you've arrived at the parking lot, follow the decommissioned road which starts behind the bathrooms to a clearing with a stone pedestal and a bench. From there, take a left onto the dirt trail - the start of the Ribbon Trail! Take the first trail on the right, which leads uphill for a spell before leveling out. Hendricks Park has many smaller trail options on the way up to the Ribbon Trail which offer opportunities for exploration and alternate routes.
Points of interest:
The Ribbon Trail is a part of Eugene's larger Ridgeline Trail system that spans the south hills of Eugene and includes hikes like Mt Baldy and Spencer's Butte. Keep an eye out for flora and fauna
including:
Big Leaf Maples
Douglas Firs
Trillium wildflowers
Wild turkeys
Deer
Scrubjays
Squirrels galore
...and much more!
Hey OP’ers!
Is COVID getting you down? Are you desperate for social connection? Are you looking to meet people and chat with someone other than your roommate?
Come to the OP Social Hour! Come and hang out on Zoom with OP students and staff, chat about whatever interests you, and connect with some fellow OPer’s! It will be super fun, very casual, and a great place to connect with new people and maybe make some new friends! Sit down with some snacks and share your best outdoor stories, ask questions, and connect with your fellow students!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://uoregon.zoom.us/j/98238561436
Meeting ID: 982 3856 1436