Need a gift for that outdoorsy someone? Some Oregon-inspired ideas

The landscapes are a big part of what draws so many of us to the Eugene-Springfield area. From trail runs and quiet forest hikes to river floats and lake paddles, time spent outdoors is a big part of what shapes our lives here.

If you’re gift-shopping for outdoorsy friends and family this year — and you want to support local small businesses — here are some ideas:

1. Permits and passes

With multiple agencies managing Oregon’s parks, forests and waterways, a variety of permits and passes help fund the care and upkeep of these outdoor spaces. Gifting an annual pass is a practical option for an outdoor-minded loved one — an it supports the places they return to year after year. Here are a few to consider:

• Lane County Parks Pass: Required at most Lane County parks, including popular spots like Howard Buford Recreation Area/Mount Pisgah. $40 for an annual pass; available online or through local vendors listed on the website.
• Waterway Access Permit: Required for all nonmotorized watercraft 10 feet or longer — and all kayaks, rafts and stand-up paddleboards of any size. $22 for a calendar year or $37 for two years; available online, at Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife offices, or through license agents.
• Oregon State Parks Parking Permit: Required at roughly 25 Oregon State Park locations, including Silver Falls State Park, Jasper State Recreation Site, and Heceta Head Lighthouse scenic viewpoint. Currently $30 for a 12-month resident permit; fees increase to $60 in 2026 (along with some other changes), so purchasing in 2025 locks in current rates. Available online.
• Oregon Pacific Coast Passport: A multi-agency day-use pass covering dozens of federal fee sites along Highway 101 and in the Siuslaw National Forest, including Cape Perpetua Scenic Area and Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. $35 for an annual pass; available at select welcome centers and ranger stations listed online.
• Northwest Forest Pass: Honored at Forest Service-operated recreation sites in Oregon and Washington where day-use fees are required. $30 for an annual pass; available online and in person.
• Sno-Park Permit: Required for parking in designated winter recreation areas from Nov. 1 through April 30. $25 for an annual permit; must be purchased online.
• America the Beautiful Interagency Pass: Valid nationwide at National Park Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees. $80 for an annual digital pass; available online.

2. Backpacking and hiking foods

Some may argue the best part of any wilderness adventure is the trail food. Gone are the days of bland or over-salted backpacking meals and uninspired bars and beverages. These Oregon-rooted brands offer lightweight packable options that don’t sacrifice flavor or nutrition:

• Luxefly Base Camp meals: Founded by longtime Eugene restaurant entrepreneur Sara Willis, Luxefly Base Camp is bringing chef-driven care to the freeze-dried food world. These premium backpacking meals prioritize real ingredients, balanced nutrition and genuinely good flavor — an upgrade from standard trail fare and a thoughtful gift for backpackers who care about what they’re eating.
• Picky Bars: What started in a Springfield kitchen has grown into a nationally loved energy bar brand. Founded in 2010 by pro athletes Jesse Thomas, Lauren Fleshman, and Steph Bruce, Picky Bars were inspired by a need for performance fuel with balanced carbs and protein. Operations now are in Bend and Boulder, Colorado, but the brand’s roots in Springfield make these real-food bars a local classic for long days outside.
• Cascadia Coffee Roasters Instant Adventure: Made with the same small-batch Portland-roasted beans as their whole-bean coffee, Instant Adventure is a freeze-dried concentrate that captures full flavor in lightweight, single-serve packets. It’s an ideal gift for backpackers and peak-baggers who still want a perfect locally roasted cup of coffee as the sun rises over the mountains.

3. Outdoor books and guides

The Eugene-Springfield area is filled with wonderful local bookshops where you’ll find no shortage of outdoor books and guides for the outdoorsy loved ones in your life. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Day Hiking Oregon Coast by Bonnie Henderson: This guide features 132 hikes, including the full roughly 400-mile Oregon Coast Trail, with clear easy-to-follow directions from an Oregon Coast expert and Eugene-based author.
• Eugene and Springfield Townscape Walks by Tyler E. Burgess: Filled with playful illustrations, this guide leads readers on 50 walks totaling 240 miles and offers fresh ways to experience the cities, neighborhoods, and nature areas of Eugene and Springfield.
• 100 Hikes Central Oregon Cascades by William L. Sullivan: A comprehensive guide to scenic hikes in nearby areas such as the McKenzie foothills, Willamette foothills and Willamette Pass, written by a longtime Oregon-based author.
• Cascadia Field Guide: Art, Ecology, Poetry edited by Derek Sheffield, CMarie Fuhrman and Elizabeth Bradfield: This beautifully curated collection brings together natural and cultural histories, poetry and illustrations that celebrate the Cascadia region.
• Tribal Histories of the Willamette Valley by David G. Lewis: Drawing on stories, photographs and maps, this book highlights Native perspectives on the Willamette Valley from an Oregon Indigenous historian.

4. Local nature-inspired art

We can’t always be outside, so why not bring the beauty of our local landscapes and wildlife indoors? Many local artists capture the essence of this place through originals, prints, stickers, cards and more. Here are three of my favorites:

• Emily Poole: A Eugene-based, conservation-minded illustrator with playful, stunning artwork that captures our natural world. One of my favorites is her “Banana Slug Ripeness Chart.” She also illustrated the Little Book of Hummingbirds by Tara Austen Weaver, as well as other art-forward guides. I first found her work at Tsunami Books.
• Erika Beyer: A local watercolor painter and teaching artist whose colorful avian illustrations make a perfect gift for the birder in your life. I first found her work at the Maude Kerns Art Center gallery.
• Bekah Zeimetz: An Oregon-based wildlife and animal artist who uses vibrant color and thoughtful composition to capture the richness and diversity of our shared nature-scapes. I first encountered her work at the Eugene Holiday Market.

5. Outdoor apparel

Oregon is home to many companies making high-quality clothing designed for life outdoors. If you’re shopping for practical well-made gifts, these Oregon-based businesses are a great place to start:

• SportHill Direct Inc.: Based in Eugene and founded by a University of Oregon graduate, SportHill designs running, skiing and outdoor apparel trusted by elite athletes and Olympic champions. Their gear is engineered to perform in a wide range of weather conditions.
• Purple Rain Adventure Skirts: Women-founded and handmade in southern Oregon, these hiking skirts were designed by long-distance hikers with a focus on comfort, durability and sustainability.
• FarPointe Outdoor Gear: This small, Newport-based company produces its gear in-house and specializes in high-quality layers, including base layers and hoodies made from materials like merino wool and hemp fleece.
• Showers Pass: Based in Portland, Showers Pass is especially well known for rain gear and cycling apparel. For reliable protection from wet weather, it makes sense to look to a brand rooted in one of the rainiest regions in the country.

6. Specialty outdoor gear

For outdoorsy folks who already have the basics covered, specialty gear can make an especially thoughtful gift. These Oregon-connected brands offer smart well-designed tools and accessories that enhance time outside:

• Wander Woman Gear: Based in southern Oregon, this small business creates Wander Wipes designed by women for women. These reusable, antibacterial, quick-drying fabric squares attach to a backpack and help hikers stay clean and comfortable on the trail. If the women hikers in your life haven’t tried one yet, they are a genuine game changer.
• CNOC Outdoors hydration gear: Based in Portland, CNOC Outdoors is best known for its durable, collapsible hydration containers and filtration-friendly designs that make backcountry water collection easier and more efficient.
• Diorite Gear trekking poles: Designed and manufactured by the same Portland-based team behind CNOC Outdoors, Diorite offers lightweight adjustable trekking poles built to improve balance and reduce impact on long hikes and rugged terrain.
• Six Moon Designs: Based in Beaverton and closely tied to the Pacific Northwest ultralight backpacking community, Six Moon Designs creates innovative shelters, packs and accessories designed for efficiency and durability on extended trips.
• Magnet Designs hiking gear: Founded in Bend by a prosthetist-turned-thru-hiker, this small business handmakes its products in the United States. In addition to outdoor apparel, the brand offers sleeping bag liners and a quilt designed specifically for canine companions tackling long trails alongside their humans.