Just moved to Eugene, or getting back into it after a while? These groups are beginner-friendly and welcoming — no need to be fast, experienced, or know a soul.
Wednesdays, 6:00pm · 3 or 5 miles, multiple paces
Run Hub Northwest, 515 High St, Eugene
Large weekly group (often 40+); strollers and dogs welcome, frequent post-run brewery stop.
2nd Saturday monthly · beginner intro hike + lodge visit
Free newcomer hike on the Ribbon Trail with a lodge visit; non-members welcome (register as a guest first).
Mondays, 6:00–8:00pm · free gear rentals
Crux Rock Gym, 401 W 3rd Ave, Eugene
Staff-supported climb time for newcomers with gear rentals free all night; day pass to enter.
Monthly destination trail run — see calendar
Rotating area trailheads
Free monthly trail run, all paces, nutrition provided.
Mondays, 6:00pm · 3–5 miles
Eugene Running Company, Oakway Center, Eugene
All paces, no one runs alone; summer route hits Pre’s Trail, winter the riverbank path.
2nd Thursday monthly, Mar–Oct · 6:00pm
Rotating parks around Eugene & Springfield
Free for OTC members, small fee for non-members; all ages, strollers and leashed dogs OK. Rotates Alton Baker, Pre’s Trail, Dorris Ranch, and more.
Summer evening meets at Hayward Field — see schedule
Hayward Field, Eugene
Open track-and-field meets for all ages on the historic Hayward Field track.
Training-season weekend long runs on the course — see schedule
NIKE by Eugene, 5th Street area, Eugene
Free open long runs in the months before race day, with aid stations, pacers, and route options up to ~20 miles.
Mondays, 6:00pm · choose bark trail or paved path
Amazon Park, 24th & Amazon, Eugene
LGBTQIA+ run/walk club — all levels, paces, genders, and body types welcome.
Weekly women’s club run — pick your pace
Amazon Park track lot, 24th & Amazon Pkwy, Eugene
Open to all women; choose your own pace, buddies, and distance. Club’s own site is down — updates now run through its Facebook page; confirm exact day/time before heading out.
Thursdays · location announced Wed by Instagram
Rotating around Eugene (announced weekly)
~3-mile intervals on track, trail, or hills with a jog/walk option, then craft beer. Meeting spot posted by Wednesday noon.
Thursdays in June · 3–8 mile trail races
Mount Pisgah / Howard Buford Rec Area, near Springfield
Five-race weeknight summer trail series at Mt. Pisgah, distances 3–8 miles.
Member-organized trail runs — see group
Rotating local trails
Trail runs and trail-work parties self-organized within the Facebook group.
Mondays, 9:00am · easy 10–12 mph pace
Slow-paced beginner-friendly ride; routes rotate monthly. Club membership encouraged but not required to try a ride.
Rides most days — new schedule posted monthly
Mostly Alton Baker Park, Eugene
~200 road and gravel rides a year across all levels; weekday and weekend times shift seasonally.
Seasonal group rides & trail-work parties — see calendar
Rotating trailheads (WhyPass, Ridgeline, Thurston Hills)
Rides and stewardship days posted via the club’s site and social media.
Weekly rides on rotating days + monthly BIPOC ride
Rotating trailheads
Group rides for women, trans, non-binary, and BIPOC riders; days announced on Instagram and Facebook.
Seasonal shop rides & events — see store
Rotating from Eugene shop locations
Eugene’s largest shop promotes and supports local rides and events; check the store for the current calendar.
2–5 hikes a week year-round — see calendar
Rotating regional trailheads
Each hike is its own calendar entry with a date, leader, and meeting point; guests welcome after registering.
Fridays, 9:00am · easy 4–5 miles
25th & Alder, East Eugene (walk to Hendricks Park)
Easy social walk to Hendricks Park and back — coffee at Seize the Cafe afterwards.
Tuesdays, 10:00am–noon · trail & garden stewardship
Mount Pisgah Arboretum, near Eugene
Weekly volunteer work party caring for the arboretum’s trails and grounds.
Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah
Regular volunteer work parties — see calendar
Howard Buford Rec Area / Mt. Pisgah, near Eugene
Trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and native-plant nursery days; no experience needed, tools provided.
Willamalane Park & Recreation District
Scheduled guided hikes — register per trip
Departs from Springfield (transport provided)
Moderate guided trips led with Obsidians volunteers; a staffer hikes at the back so all paces keep up. Registration and fee required.
Fridays, 6:00–10:00pm · half-price climbing
Crux Rock Gym, 401 W 3rd Ave, Eugene
Social half-price climbing night, welcoming to newcomers.
Daily open bouldering plus adult classes — see site
Elevation Bouldering Gym, 348 Lincoln St, Eugene
Welcoming community gym with adult classes and youth programs; check the site for class times.
Free intro class on a recurring schedule — see site
The Circuit, 185 E 11th Ave, Eugene
Free Introduction to Bouldering class; confirm the current schedule on the gym site.
Coast to Cascades Bird Alliance
4th Tuesday monthly, Sep–May · 7:00pm (hybrid)
Campbell Center, 155 High St, Eugene
Free public program with a guest speaker, offered in person and on Zoom.
Coast to Cascades Bird Alliance
3rd Saturday monthly · 8:00–11:00am
Rotating Lane County birding sites
Free guided walk open to all; meeting location and leader rotate monthly.
3rd Wednesday monthly · social 5:30pm, meeting 6:30pm
Wetlands Brew Pub, 922 Garfield St, Eugene
Inclusive club meeting with a program; also live-streamed via Zoom.
Seasonal outings to regional rivers — see calendar
Area rivers and lakes (varies by trip)
Club fishing trips to the McKenzie, Deschutes, and other waters; dates and destinations vary.
Seasonal classes & tying nights — see blog
The Caddis Fly, 168 W 6th Ave, Eugene
Casting and fly-tying classes plus guided trips, posted on the shop blog.
Scheduled river trips & instruction — see calendar
Area rivers across the Willamette Valley
River trips for kayakers and canoeists of all levels, plus winter pool roll sessions.
Seasonal lessons & demo events — book online
Oregon Paddle Sports, 520 Commercial St, Eugene
Kayak and SUP lessons plus rentals from Eugene’s paddling shop.
Oregon Nordic Club — Willamette Chapter
30+ snow-dependent ski tours a season — see schedule
Rotating Cascades Nordic areas
Member-led XC tours plus a ski school and discounted rentals; dates depend on snow.
Daily groomed Nordic trails & lessons in season
Willamette Pass, Hwy 58, Cascade Summit
About 20 km of groomed cross-country trails with rentals and Nordic/telemark lessons, roughly an hour from Eugene.
Per-term trips & clinics — see schedule
Cooperative backcountry ski, snow-shelter, paddling, and other trips and clinics; open to UO community members.