Things to Do in Cornelius

A family of ducks swims along Devils Lake, river otters play across Lake Merwin, and a kayak tour floats along the water. When Tracie Driver started NorthWest EcoExcursions, she envisioned a recreation company that would combine outdoor thrills with respect for the environment. To this end, NorthWest's guides, who each boast either a postgraduate education or more than 10 years in park-ranger experience, educate their customers on local wildlife and geology during trips that run the gamut from hiking to whale watching to goat-packing tours. The staff also maintains eco-friendly practices, serving strictly organic foods on camping trips and ensuring all of their office's plants are 100% solar powered.

The fishermen could carry their bounties off in coolers, but by the time the boat reaches the marina, each angler stands clutching a fat salmon for all bystanders on the dock to see. After posing for photos and recounting the battle with the day's largest catch, the anglers drop by the on-site cleaning shop to have their hauls filleted, packed, and readied to take home.

Barbara and Jerry Powell—a third-generation fisherman with more than 50 years of experience—charter ocean adventures like these year round to fishing destinations such as the inner reefs of Yaquina Bay. Aboard USCG-inspected and certified boats, the Powells' team outfits anglers with well-maintained equipment to hook deep-sea creatures such as halibut, shark, and Aquaman. Alternatively, captains take parties into tidal waters to catch bay crabs, or journey out toward open waters on whale-watching cruises.

The crew at Captain's Reel Deep Sea Fishing recommends guests check out the trip-preparation and FAQ pages before they head out. Guides can also furnish one-day licenses to those who lack the proper documents.

For the past decade, Coast Guard–licensed master captain David Stiles has crisscrossed Oregon’s Pacific Ocean in his Dory motorboat, leading fellow fishermen along routes ideal for hooking fish including tuna, sea trout, and halibut. Up to five passengers, including children and adults, can clamber aboard for aquatic adventures, exploiting onboard troves of fishing and safety gear rather than shopping for their own equipment or luring fish into the boat by doing the Worm.

Brian Cameron loves Tillamook County and the Pacific Northwest so much that he's spent nearly 30 years exploring its landscapes. He shares that passionate expertise through Tillamook Eco Adventures, introducing visitors to landmarks and local industry and nature on up to five-hour guided expeditions. He leads guests on gentle hikes through backcountry forests, bayside beaches, and hidden waterfalls, and guides them on walks to nearby dairy farms, wineries, cheese factories, and breweries. To keep his roster of expeditions fresh and prevent neighborhood owls from discovering his identity, Brian sometimes partners with other eco-tour guides such as Kayak Tillamook.

Plumes of steam puff from the locomotive as it travels along the Pacific coast. A mountainside blanketed in evergreens towers above the vessel as waves pound against the boulder-strewn shore below. Guided by the vision of president and engineer Scott Wickert, the nonprofit Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad serves as both a living history museum and tour operator for the state's forested coastline. Antique locomotives that hearken back to the region's logging origins take guests on waterside excursions as conductors feed the engines recycled motor oil and coal-flavored candies. Seasonal events bring about the railroad’s dinner trains, which treat guests to four-course meals as they gaze at the sparkling water of Tillamook and Nehalem Bays. For an even more immersive experience, conductors sometimes let passengers ride in the cab of the locomotive.