QuickTake:

Here's a roundup of outdoor-focused groups in the Eugene-Springfield area to help you find your people and get outside.

An earlier version of this story incorrectly listed the membership fee for Greater Eugene Area Riders and Oregon Gay Men’s Outdoors. Lookout Eugene-Springfield regrets the error.

I’ll be honest: I’ve never been a big “group” person. They can feel intimidating, and I tend to prefer one-on-one connections. But after moving around a lot, I’ve learned outdoor groups can be a lifeline. They’ve helped me find community, build confidence, and form lasting friendships in the places I’ve lived — from hikes in South Dakota’s Black Hills and Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains to a brewery meetup for outdoorsy women right here in Eugene.

I even co-founded a women’s wilderness group in Washington, D.C., to create a welcoming space where women of all experience levels could skill-share, support one another, and find adventure buddies. Because I know putting yourself out there — especially as a beginner — can be hard. But so many people are craving connection. And there’s something about outdoor adventure that breaks the ice and builds bonds fast.

That’s why I put together this Lookout guide: a roundup of outdoor-focused groups in the Eugene-Springfield area to help you find your people and get outside.

You’ll find groups organized by:

Try a few. See what feels right. And if you’re like me, keep an eye out for the one or two people you really connect with beyond the group. We all learn from each other. If you’ve never hiked before or joined a community bike ride, there are groups here ready to welcome you in.

Know a great group we missed? Let us know!

Hiking & general outdoor adventure groups

The Obsidians

  • About: Founded in 1927, this long-standing outdoor club promotes safe, responsible recreation through group trips across the Northwest—think hiking, backpacking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, kayaking, biking, and mountain climbing. They also host conservation projects and educational potlucks with guest speakers.
  • Audience: Open to all ages and experience levels, though the membership tends to skew older.
  • Dues: $50/year, or join as a guest by paying a small per-trip fee. Monthly “get acquainted” hikes are free.
  • Learn More: obsidians.org

University of Oregon Outdoor Program

  • About: A student-powered program offering local trips, regional expeditions, gear rentals, clinics, and tons of outdoor resources.
  • Audience: Geared toward UO students, faculty, and staff, but the general public can join by registering as a UO community member. Skews younger.
  • Dues: Prices vary by gear and event. UO community member card: $10.
  • Learn More: outdoorprogram.uoregon.edu

Eugene: Close-to-Home Mini Adventures

  • About: A Meetup group for quick, local outdoor outings—think hikes, paddles, and other adventures within 15–20 minutes of downtown, usually lasting an hour or two.
  • Audience: Busy adults who can’t commit to an all-day trip; those looking for activities on a weeknight after work.
  • Dues: Free
  • Learn More: meetup.com/eugene-in-town-adventure-group 

Willamette Valley Outdoors

  • About: A vibrant community of outdoor enthusiasts offering volunteer-led outings and social events across Oregon. Activities include hiking, backpacking, camping, cycling, mountain biking, snow sports, kayaking, climbing, nature walks, hot springs trips, trail work, and more.
  • Audience: Open to all ages and experience levels.
  • Dues: Free
  • Learn More: facebook.com/groups/WillametteValleyOutdoors 

Hiking Adventurers Meetup

  • About: A Meetup group that organizes regular hiking, camping, and social events in the Eugene area and beyond.
  • Audience: Open to all ages and backgrounds.
  • Dues: Free
  • Learn More: meetup.com/hiking-adventurers

Altair Ski & Sports Club

  • About: A year-round, volunteer-run nonprofit founded in 1987. Originally a ski club, it now brings active adults together for a variety of recreational activities, including hikes, ski trips, and social outings—typically hosting 1–3 events per week. Get to know the group at its monthly meeting on the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building in Eugene.
  • Audience: Active adults.
  • Dues: $75/year
  • Learn More: altairsports.org 

Hikerbabes: Eugene/Springfield, Oregon Chapter

  • About: A local chapter of a national organization that connects diverse women with a shared passion for the outdoors. Ambassadors organize local and regional hikes, social events, and activities. Members can also share their own trips and find adventure buddies in the group.
  • Audience: Women of all ages.
  • Dues: Free or $10/year for VIP membership, which includes exclusive trips and perks.
  • Learn More: facebook.com/groups/431923197385175 

Women Who Explore: Salem and Eugene, Oregon Chapter

  • About: A local chapter of a national organization that empowers women to get outdoors, try new things, and check off their bucket lists—all while keeping adventure affordable. Ambassadors organize local and regional hikes, social events, and activities. Members can also share their own trip plans and connect with adventure buddies.
  • Audience: Women of all ages.
  • Dues: Free
  • Learn More: facebook.com/groups/wwesalemeugene 

Oregon Gay Men’s Outdoors

  • About: A year-round, activity-based Meetup group for men that organizes day hikes, outdoor adventures, and social events. Activities take place throughout Oregon, with some events extending into southern Washington and northern California.
  • Audience: Gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and questioning men, 18 and older.
  • Dues: $2
  • Learn More: meetup.com/oregon-gay-mens-outdoors 

Kid-Friendly Groups

Wander Kids Eugene & Lane County

  • About: A group dedicated to raising confident wanderers by connecting children and their caregivers through monthly activities—ranging from playground meetups to outdoor adventures and other events.
  • Audience: Kids and their caregivers.
  • Dues: Free
  • Learn More: instagram.com/wanderkidseugene 

Hike It Baby Eugene

  • About: A local chapter of a national organization offering family-friendly outdoor experiences led by trained “Outside Guide” volunteers. The community outings are open to all experience levels and are designed with children aged five and under in mind.
  • Audience: Families with babies and young children.
  • Dues: Free
  • Learn More: facebook.com/groups/hikeitbabyeugene 

Running Groups

Silenus Run Club

  • About: A social running club, founded in 2023, that hosts a 6 p.m. run on Thursdays and an 8:30 a.m. run on Sundays, starting from various Eugene-area businesses like Drop Bear Brewery, Hop Valley, 5th Street Eateries, and PLAY Eugene.
  • Audience: Runners looking for a more social experience.
  • Dues: Free
  • Learn More: instagram.com/silenus_run_club 

Run Hub Northwest

  • About: A weekly community run or walk on Wednesdays at 6 p.m., hosted by a local running store at 515 High Street in Eugene. Participants can choose between a 3- or 5-mile route, combining Pre’s Trail and the Willamette River Path, followed by a post-run gathering at ColdFire Brewing. The shop also organizes longer destination trail runs.
  • Audience: Open to all paces and abilities, including children and dogs
  • Dues: Free
  • Learn More: runhubnw.com 

Oregon Track Club

  • About: A fun, informal monthly run or walk that is professionally timed. Distances range from 1 mile to 10K, and locations vary. These gatherings take place at 6 or 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month, March through October.
  • Audience: Open to all paces and ages, as well as pets and strollers.
  • Dues: Free for members; $15 for ages 15 and up; $10 for ages 14 and under.
  • Learn More: oregontrackclub.com/otc-runwalk 

Eugene Running Company

  • About: A weekly Monday run at 6 p.m. hosted by a local running store at 116 Oakway Center in Eugene. The group covers 3 to 5 miles, running through Alton Baker Park and Pre’s Trail in the summer, and the Willamette River Path to Valley River Center in the winter.
  • Audience: Open to all paces—no one runs alone.
  • Dues: Free
  • Learn More: eugenerunningcompany.com/general-4 

Drew Brew Crew

  • About: A weekly Thursday run focused on speed, followed by social time at The Bier Stein. Starting locations vary.
  • Audience: Faster-paced runners.
  • Dues: Free
  • Learn More: linktr.ee/drew.brew.crew 

Trail Sisters Eugene

  • About: A local chapter of a national organization dedicated to increasing women’s participation in trail running and hiking. Monthly trail run locations are shared with members through the Trail Sisters communications platform.
  • Audience: Women trail runners.
  • Dues: $50/year
  • Learn More: trailsisters.net/team 

Eugene Frontrunners and Walkers

  • About: A weekly Monday run or walk at 6 p.m. at East 24th Avenue and Amazon Parkway. Open to all levels and abilities.
  • Audience: LGBTQIA+ individuals and their friends.
  • Dues: Free
  • Learn More: instagram.com/eugenefrontrunners 

Mountain Biking & Cycling Groups

Disciples of Dirt

  • About: A mountain bike club focused on sustainable trail stewardship and preserving access for bikers through advocacy, outreach, social events, and responsible trail use. The group hosts rides, campouts, trail work parties, and more.
  • Audience: Mountain bikers and anyone interested in trail stewardship.
  • Dues: Volunteer or $30/year for individuals, $40/year for families.
  • Learn More: disciplesofdirt.org 

Dirt Maidens

  • About: An inclusive biking and trail stewardship organization led by and for femme, women, trans, and nonbinary people, offering mountain biking, gravel biking, bikepacking, and trail building opportunities in the southern Willamette Valley.
  • Audience: Femme, women, trans, and nonbinary bikers.
  • Dues: Free
  • Learn More: dirtmaidens.org 

Critical Mass Eugene

  • About: A local chapter of a global movement to reclaim the streets for cyclists. The group ride happens on the last Friday of every month at 6:30 p.m., starting at Kesey Square. Riders travel together in a festive, pro-bike atmosphere, typically ending with an afterparty or event.
  • Audience: Adult cyclists.
  • Dues: Free
  • Learn More: mstdn.social/@Eugenecriticalmass 

Moonlight Mash

  • About: A monthly social ride under the full moon. The group meets at Kesey Square for an eight-mile loop through downtown, West Jefferson, the Whiteaker, Willamette River Path, Alton Baker Park, UO campus, and Midtown. Regrouping points ensure no one gets left behind. Expect a fun, festive atmosphere with monthly themes, music, and mobile karaoke.
  • Audience: Riders of all ages.
  • Dues: Free
  • Learn More: moonlightmash.com/about 

Twilight Operations

  • About: An organization that hosts weekly races on Tuesdays in the Eugene area from May to September, along with weekend events throughout the year. The races are designed to provide racing experience for beginners while also helping elite racers train for regional, national, and international success.
  • Audience: Bicycle racers of all levels.
  • Dues: Fees vary based on event.
  • Learn More: twilightoperations.com 

Greater Eugene Area Riders

  • About: Hosts a monthly schedule of group rides, each with a designated pace, distance, and route—often starting at Alton Baker Park. Riders must register online in advance.
  • Audience: Cyclists, with rides catering to specific skill levels.
  • Dues: Membership available for $45/year.
  • Learn More: eugenegears.org/ride-schedules 

Paddle Groups

Oregon Paddle Sports

  • About: A premium store for kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, rafting gear, and river supplies. It offers classes on paddling techniques for both flatwater and whitewater activities and hosts events like group paddles, gear swaps, and repair nights.
  • Audience: Paddlers of all skill levels.
  • Dues: Varies by event or class.
  • Learn More: oregonpaddlesports.com 

Willamette Kayak & Canoe Club

  • About: A membership-based group of 300+ paddlers in the southern and mid-Willamette Valley. It organizes river and surf outings, promotes water safety, protects watersheds, and fosters camaraderie and confidence through paddlesports.
  • Audience: Paddlers of all skill levels.
  • Dues: $12 per year.
  • Learn More: wkcc.org 

Florence Oregon Area Kayakers

  • About: An informal group where local paddlers can plan trips, get information on routes, and find paddling partners, with a focus on flatwater coastal areas.
  • Audience: Paddlers of all skill levels.
  • Dues: Free
  • Learn More: facebook.com/groups/1448357402139888 

Fishing & Hunting Groups

McKenzie Flyfishers

  • About: An inclusive group of anglers passionate about fly fishing, fly tying, fish conservation, and education. It hosts several outings each year, and you can connect with members at board meetings on the third Wednesday of every month, starting with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. at Wetlands Brew Pub & Sports Bar, 922 Garfield Street, Eugene.
  • Audience: Anglers of all backgrounds.
  • Dues: $45/year, plus a $15 initiation fee.
  • Learn More: mckenzieflyfishers.org 

Oregon Hunters Association, Emerald Valley Chapter

  • About: A local chapter of a statewide organization dedicated to enhancing wildlife habitat, ensuring huntable wildlife resources, and protecting hunters’ rights. Members can connect with fellow hunters and stay informed about local events. The Emerald Valley Chapter hosts a monthly speaker at its board meeting on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at Sizzler, 1010 Postal Way, Springfield.
  • Audience: Conservation-minded hunters.
  • Dues: $35/year for individuals (other membership options available).
  • Learn More: facebook.com/OHAEmeraldValley 

Outdoor Appreciation Groups

Lane County Audubon Society

  • About: A nonprofit focused on the conservation and education of the natural environment, with an emphasis on birds, wildlife, and their habitats. The group hosts birding walks on the first and third Saturdays of each month, along with other activities.
  • Audience: Birders of all backgrounds.
  • Dues: Many events are free; membership is $20/year for individuals.
  • Learn More: laneaudubon.org 

Cascade Mycological Society

  • About: An educational nonprofit dedicated to the study and enjoyment of fungi. It hosts community mushroom walks, identification events, and fungi field trips. Attend monthly meetings on the third Wednesday from September through May at the Amazon Community Center, 2700 Hilyard Street, Eugene, to connect with expert mycologists and local mushroom enthusiasts.
  • Audience: Fungi fans of all backgrounds.
  • Dues: Many events are free; membership is $20/year for individuals.
  • Learn More: cascademyco.org 

Korrin Bishop is a freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience covering travel and outdoor recreation. Her work has appeared in publications including Fodor's Travel, U.S. News & World Report, Southern Living, Sierra Magazine, and Adventure Journal. At Lookout Eugene-Springfield, Korrin covers adventures, skill-building, and community in the outdoors. Learn more at korrinbishop.com.