oswald-west-hike-winter_ieyilj What to Do in Oregon in January — Kick off 2025 with a hike at a state park, perhaps through the lush greens of Oswald West.

If your resolution for the new year is to get out and see more of your home state—an honorable goal, and achievable too—we’ve got your January plan. Start the month with a First Day hike in one of our many state parks (or a plunge into the Pacific, if that’s more your speed), watch sled-dog races in the Wallowas, enjoy bluegrass on the coast, and cap it all off with a culinary extravaganza in Salem.

Polar Plunge

Wed, Jan 1 | Neahkahnie Beach

What began as a small gathering of friends in 2004 has grown into an event drawing hundreds to Neahkahnie Beach for a bracing New Year’s Day dip in the frigid waters of the Pacific. Gather at 10:30am for a plunge at 11, with a bonfire to follow.

First Day Hikes

WED, Jan 1 | various Oregon State Parks

If you’d rather start the new year on land, you’re in luck: There are 34 guided hikes in 28 parks across the state, and parking is free on New Year’s Day, including at parks that normally charge a fee. The offerings include ranger-led hikes at Smith Rock, Milo McIver, and Oswald West, a native plants walk on the Willamette River Greenway, and a snowshoe at Emigrant Springs.

Peace Hike

Wed, Jan 1 | Yachats

For the 15th year running, the coastal community of Yachats hosts an event commemorating the history of the Indigenous people of the area, most specifically a blind Coos woman named Amanda who was separated from her daughter and marched 80 miles with other captives to a prison camp in 1864. The annual event serves as both remembrance and celebration, beginning with drumming at 9:30am and followed by a fire lighting and ceremony at 10, with a variety of trail walks starting at 10:30.

Oregon King Tides

sat–mon, Jan 11–13 | Oregon Coast

It’s the season of big water on the Oregon Coast, with January the third of three months of extra-high tides. During this time, the Oregon King Tides Project—a citizen-science initiative organized by CoastWatch and the Oregon Coastal Management Program—asks for help documenting these king tides in an effort to understand the effects rising sea levels have on coastal communities. Participation in the project is open to anyone willing and able to venture out to the coast and operate a camera (but safety first, please).

Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race

WED–Sat, Jan 22–25 | Joseph

Oregon’s only qualifier for Alaska’s Iditarod and Canada’s Yukon Quest is a 200-mile, 12-dog race through tricky, rugged terrain in northeastern Oregon’s Wallowa Mountains. (There are also two shorter races.) Veterinary checks—which are open to the public and offer an opportunity to meet the dogs and mushers (just leave personal pets at home, please)—begin the morning of Wednesday, January 22, in Enterprise and continue in Joseph that afternoon. The races commence at noon on Thursday, January 23, from Ferguson Ridge Ski Area. Salt Creek Summit Crossing Sno-Park is a good place for spectators to catch more of the action before the race finishes back at Ferguson Ridge on Saturday.

Winter Music Festival

Thu–Sat, Jan 23–25 | Florence

This three-day acoustic music festival spotlights bluegrass, Americana, and folk. Expect a packed lineup of local and nationally acclaimed artists, ranging in format from ticketed concerts to educational workshops to public jam sessions. A community open mic kicks things off at 6pm on Thursday, January 23.

First Taste Oregon

Fri & Sat, Jan 24 & 25 | Salem

Dry January can end a little early, right? Head to Salem for the annual First Taste Oregon, where more than 100 Oregon brewers, winemakers, spirit distillers, and culinary craftspeople unite for an extravaganza of feasting and shopping. General admission is $15 at the door.

Dalles Dam Eagle Watch

10AM–3pm Saturday, Jan 25 | The Dalles

Every year, a green space on the south side of The Dalles Dam serves as home to dozens of wintering bald eagles. And every year since 2010, park rangers have held an annual watch event featuring educational programs, kids’ activities, and raptor viewing. Can’t make it today? The visitor center is open weekdays in January from 9am to noon, with spotting scopes available for use.

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