Road Run✓ Verified 2026-06-25
♥ FeaturedMonday RunDay
Mondays, meet 6:00pm · run 6:15pm
📍 Gallagher Fitness Resources, 135 Commercial St NE, Salem
Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFree
Free weekly 5k run + 2-mile walk, all paces; optional post-run social.
New here? Start with these.
Just moved to Salem, 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.
Cycling⚠ Needs verification
♥ FeaturedClub Rides
400+ rides a year — weekends & weekdays, all levels
📍 Rotating starts across Marion & Polk counties
Beginner-friendlyFree
Comfortably paced trips with planned stops; check the ride calendar.
Hiking⚠ Needs verification
♥ FeaturedWeekday & Weekend Hikes
Three to eight hikes a week — see schedule
📍 Carpool from Salem to regional trailheads
Beginner-friendlyDog-friendlyCost varies
Mid-week and weekend hikes; guests welcome to try a few before joining.
Road Run✓ Verified 2026-06-25
Saturday Long Runs
Willamette Valley Road Runners
Saturdays, 6:50am · multiple pace groups
📍 Isaac’s Room (downtown Salem)
Beginner-friendlyFree
Groups from 6 to 13 min/mi, 4–20 miles — pick your pace.
Road Run⚠ Needs verification
WVRR Race Series
Willamette Valley Road Runners
Year-round club race series — see calendar
📍 Around Salem & the mid-valley
Beginner-friendlyPaid
Trail Run⚠ Needs verification
Trail Race Series
Seasonal trail races — Silver Falls, Zena & more
📍 Silver Falls State Park & area trailheads
Beginner-friendlyPaidSummer
Includes the Silver Falls Marathon/Half and the Zena Road Runs.
Cycling⚠ Needs verification
Monster Cookie Metric Century
Annual spring metric century
📍 Salem to Champoeg State Park
Beginner-friendlyPaidShoulder season
Cycling⚠ Needs verification
Group Tri Training
Willamette Valley Triathlon Club
Coordinated swim/bike/run training for members
📍 Around Salem & the mid-valley
Beginner-friendlyCost varies
Member-coordinated swim, bike, and run sessions across the mid-valley.
MTB⚠ Needs verification
Trail Build Days
Black Rock Mountain Bike Association
Volunteer build days through the season — see events
📍 Black Rock Mountain Bike Area, Falls City
Beginner-friendlyFreeSummer
Dig days keep the IMBA “Epic” freeride network open; check the calendar before driving out.
MTB⚠ Needs verification
Trail Work Parties
Volunteer trail-building events — see calendar
📍 Rotating Salem-area trail projects
Beginner-friendlyFreeSummer
Climbing⚠ Needs verification
Open Bouldering
Open daily · routes reset weekly
📍 The Rock Boxx, 3895 Cascadia Canyon Ave SE, Salem
Beginner-friendlyCost varies
Salem’s indoor bouldering gym — 100+ problems plus classes for new climbers.
Climbing⚠ Needs verification
Climb School
Seasonal mountaineering course, then club climbs
📍 Salem classroom sessions + Cascades field days
Beginner-friendlyPaidShoulder season
Intro to rock & basic mountaineering; graduates join year-round club climbs.
Hiking⚠ Needs verification
Group Day Hikes
Member-led hikes posted on Meetup
📍 Rotating Willamette Valley & Cascades trailheads
Beginner-friendlyDog-friendlyFree
Hiking✓ Verified 2026-06-25
Thursday Volunteer Stewards
Thursdays, 9am–12pm (summer) · habitat work
📍 Rotating mid-valley preserves near Salem & Corvallis
Beginner-friendlyFree
Weekly stewardship work party, rain or shine; winter hours shift to 12–3pm.
Hiking⚠ Needs verification
Guided Nature Walks
Seasonal guided walks & talks — see events
📍 Greenbelt preserves around the mid-valley
Beginner-friendlyFree
Hiking⚠ Needs verification
Outdoor Program Day Hikes
Willamette University Outdoor Program
Student trips throughout the term
📍 Departs Willamette University, Salem
Beginner-friendlyPaid
Willamette students only; 2–8 mile hikes to regional viewpoints.
Birding⚠ Needs verification
Bird Walks & Field Trips
Regular free field trips — see events calendar
📍 Rotating refuges & parks around Salem
Beginner-friendlyFree
Dozens of guided walks a year; binoculars often available to borrow.
Fly Fishing⚠ Needs verification
Monthly Meeting
Monthly meetings, tying nights & outings
📍 Salem (see club site for venue)
Beginner-friendlyFree
Guest speakers, fly-tying sessions, casting help, and group fishing outings.
Fly Fishing⚠ Needs verification
Guided Fly-Fishing Trips
Guided trips & classes by appointment
📍 North Santiam, McKenzie & Nestucca rivers
Beginner-friendlyPaid
Paddling✓ Verified 2026-06-25
Kayak Roll Sessions
Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club
Fridays, 11am–1pm · Oct–Jun · bring your boat
📍 Kroc Center Aquatic Center, 1865 Bill Frey Dr NE, Salem
Beginner-friendlyCost variesWinter
Indoor pool practice; no lesson provided — call to confirm times.
Paddling⚠ Needs verification
Club Paddling Trips
Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club
Flatwater to whitewater trips — see calendar
📍 Area rivers & lakes across western Oregon
Beginner-friendlyFreeSummer
Paddling⚠ Needs verification
Kayaking & Paddleboarding Trips
Willamette University Outdoor Program
Student paddling trips through the term
📍 Departs Willamette University, Salem
Beginner-friendlyPaidSummer
Willamette students only; learn basic paddling on rivers, lakes & estuaries.
Nordic⚠ Needs verification
Cross-Country Ski & Snowshoe Trips
Winter club trips — Santiam Pass & the Cascades
📍 Carpool from Salem to Santiam Pass sno-parks
Beginner-friendlyCost variesWinter
Scheduled XC ski and snowshoe outings to Ray Benson and nearby trails.