Visiting Oregon in autumn and wondering if you can catch some fall colors in Portland? You are lucky! Portland is a very green city: Tree-lined streets, greenspaces, public parks, and extensive gardening of the residents make the city the perfect place to enjoy Portland’s fall colors without even leaving the city limits.

In this article, you find the 14 best places to catch Portland fall colors and 4 tips for day trips that include seeing fall foliage near Portland. But the most important question first:

What is the best time to see fall colors in Portland and around?

With summers being consistently dry and warm during September, the best months to experience fall colors in Portland are October and November. Depending on weather conditions, leaf peeping might not start before mid-October in some years. Therefore, trees will still be in their orange, yellow, and red tones throughout November. To be on the safe side, plan your leaf-peeping trip for mid-October through early November.

12 best parks, gardens, and neighborhoods to see Portland fall colors

#1 Northwest Portland

If you want to dive into the city life of Portland and stroll around vibrant streets while getting a feeling for the city, you will probably end up in Northwest Portland. 23rd and 21st Street in the so-called Alphabet District are the perfect destinations to check out some local stores, sit in a street-side restaurant or café and watch people walk by. The area with its tree-lined streets reminds me a bit of neighborhoods Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain in Berlin, Germany.

From here you can also start your tour exploring closeby Washington Park where the Portland Japanese Garden, the famous Portland International Rose Test Garden as well as Hoyt Arboretum, and the Oregon Zoo make great day trips.

Neighborhoods to explore in Northwest Portland:

• Nob Hill & 23^rd / 21^st Street – vibrant tree-lined streets with local shops, restaurants, and cafés
• Slabtown – a fairly new-established neighborhood with apartment complexes and fancy restaurants like G-Love. Breakside Brewery also has a location here
• The Pearl – another Portland district known for a wide array of restaurants, breweries, galleries, and shops, including the famous Powell’s Bookstore
• Arlington Heights & Goose Hollow – here it gets hilly and partly steep, the houses get bigger and the views more impressive

#2 Portland Japanese Garden

The Portland Japanese Garden is known as one of the most authentic Japanese Gardens in America and when visiting yourself, you can totally see why: Paths are perfectly aligned along ponds, waterfalls and across stone bridges, teleporting you to Japan within minutes.

Needless to say, the garden is lined with cherry trees putting on a show in spring and the Japanese Maple trees make the Portland Japanese Garden one of the best places for fall color in Portland.

When visiting don’t miss the authentic Umami Café for some Japanese tea and snacks.

Did you know that Portland is a great city to experience Japanese culture? Check out my article “A Japanese-inspired day in Portland, Oregon” and get inspired by the similarities between Tokyo and Portland.

#3 Hoyt Arboretum

Not far from the Portland Japanese Garden you can find Hoyt Arboretum, a great park to experience fall foliage in Portland. 21 themed trails lead through 2,000 unique species of shrubs and trees and even offer views of the 3 stratovolcanoes surrounding Portland: Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Hood, and Mt. Adams on a clear day.

To experience fall foliage in Hoyt Arboretum I’d recommend taking the Maple-Wildwood Loop. Hoyt Arboretum even is home to a Redwood Grove, where you can admire these giant trees without traveling to California. Hoyt Arboretum is probably overlooked but for me one of the best destinations to soak in the nature of the city.

Surprise, surprise: Hoyt Arboretum is also one of the best parks in Portland to enjoy cherry blossoms and other spring colors.

The best part: The entrance to the park is free. You just need to pay for parking or find a spot with free parking along the road, which can be hard on sunny weekends.

#4 Washington Park

While Washington Park is home to the Portland Japanese Garden, the Hoyt Arboretum, the Oregon Zoo, and the Portland International Rose Test Garden, you should not overlook Washington Park itself. There is lots to discover within the boundaries, like the Secret Garden.

Located between the International Rose Test Garden and the Oregon Holocaust Memorial, this little hideaway is right next to some of Portland’s main attractions. You’ll only find if you take the time to step off the well-traveled paths.

#5 Pittock Mansion

Pittock Mansion is a must-see spot when visiting Portland, especially when visiting the city for the first time – no matter the season. We always take visitors here first, because the garden offers panoramic views of Portland’s cityscape and the Cascade Range. I think it’s the perfect way to get an overview of the city.

If you are lucky, snow-capped Mt. Hood shows up in the distance, making this view one of the top postcard motifs of Portland. And in fall the scenery gets even more magical as the leaves of the surrounding trees turn yellow, orange, and red.

#6 Forest Park

5,200 acres and 80+ miles of trails, fire lanes, and forest roads make Portland’s Forest Park one of the most extensive urban forests in the United States. If you want to go hiking, mountain biking, or walking without leaving the city limits, this is the place to go. Of course, these trails are the perfect destination to experience fall colors in Portland, no matter if you are up for a short walk with your dog or are planning a full-day hike.

My favorite hikes to experience fall colors in Forest Park are Lower MacLeay Trail to Pittock Mansion and Ridge Trail. From Ridge Trail, you get great views of St. Johns Bridge in North Portland, which brings me to my next recommendation to experience fall colors in Portland: Cathedral Park.

#7 Cathedral Park

Dominated by the bright blue St. John’s Bridge, spanning across the Willamette River and connecting Northeast with Northwest Portland, Cathedral Park is one of my favorite Parks in Portland. This neighborhood Park for some reason is never crowded and I love strolling along the river and sitting under the iconic St. John’s Bridge, one of Portland’s most photographed landmarks. During fall the bright blue steel bridge gets framed by yellow oak and maple leaves, creating postcard views.

Event tip: Every summer (mid-July) the annual Cathedral Park Jazz Festival turns this neighborhood park into one of the most popular and free music festival venues in Portland.

#8 4T-Trail

My favorite trail to explore the city while enjoying the nature and fall colors: 4T-Trail

The 4.5 miles (7,2 km) long route takes you from Oregon Zoo in Washington Park through Council Crest Park and Marquam Nature Park via the Portland Aerial Tram from Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) to the South Waterfront.

This way you get to explore the city and dive into some of Portland’s most colorful parks and even get to enjoy a beautiful view of the Willamette River with Mt. Hood in the distance.

#9 South Park Blocks, Southwest Portland

With Portland being a city full of tree-lined streets, you’ll find fall colors in every neighborhood. The most colorful stretch of trees in Southwest Portland is the “South Park Blocks”. Did you know this 12-block greenspace is one of Portland’s oldest parks in Portland? South Park Blocks stretch between Portland State University to SW Salmon Street with trees creating a canopy of color.

Tip: Find a bench to sit on while soaking in the fall foliage and enjoying a coffee from Behind the Museum Café.

From South Park Blocks you can walk to the Portland Waterfront and follow the Waterfront Park Trail for views of some of Portland’s most iconic bridges like Morrison Bridge, Steel Bridge, Burnside Bridge, or Tilikum Crossing.

#10 Portland Waterfront

Portland Waterfront, especially the Tom McCall Waterfront Park, is one of the most famous spots for cherry blossom in Portland in early spring. Needless to say, the area also turns red and orange during fall.

The Portland Waterfront is a great destination if you’re looking for outdoor festivals. The yearly Waterfront Blues Festival and the weekly Portland Saturday Market are only two examples of street festivals not to miss.

Places to stop along the Portland Waterfront:

• Mill Ends Park – Portland’s (official) tiniest park
• Portland Old Town Sign
• Japanese American Historical Plaza
• Lan Su Chinese Garden

#11 Northeast and Southeast neighborhoods

Trees and bushes in every garden, in backyards, and on front porches: When strolling around Northeast and Southeast neighborhoods in Portland, you’ll be blown away by the love everyone puts into their homes.

Together with the well-maintained parks and greenspaces, the residential areas of Portland are a great destination to stroll around, visit local shops, restaurants, art galleries, and see fall colors in Portland.

Tip: Combine your Sunday stroll with haunting the best Halloween decoration.

My favorite NE and SE neighborhoods:

• Alberta Arts District & Concordia
• Laurelhurst
• Irvington, Alameda & Beaumont-Wilshire
• Ladd’s Addition
• Hawthorne & Richmond

There is no wrong way, just pick a starting point and get lost. You’ll be surprised by what you discover. E.g. a tree library at Ainsworth Linear Arboretum.

#12 Ainsworth Linear Arboretum

Almost 50 different species of trees growing in the 31 city blocks of median and parking strips of Northeast Ainsworth St., between MLK and 37th Ave, The Ainsworth Linear Arboretum.

The Ainsworth Linear Arboretum connecting the northeast neighborhoods of Woodlawn, Concordia, and Vernon is only one example of what there is to discover in Portland’s Northeast and Southeast neighborhoods.

#13 Laurelhurst Park

This Community Park in Southeast Portland with a pond, basketball court, and nature paths is quite big. Thanks to magnolia and cherry trees, Laurelhurst Park is one of the first city parks that puts on its pink layers in early spring. A canopy of golden trees in fall invites visitors and locals alike to enjoy fall foliage in Portland.

#14 Sauvie Island

Well known for its rural farms growing seasonal produce and hosting farm festivals from spring through fall, Sauvie Island is a haven of sandy beaches and wildlife refuges right outside the Portland city limits. Coming here always feels like traveling to a rural region where people enjoy farm-to-table dinners and intimate concerts in summer and harvest their own pumpkins in fall. Besides cherries and berries, hot cider, and corn mazes, Sauvie Island is a great destination to see Portland’s fall colors.

Farms to visit on Sauvie Island:

• Bella Organic Farm
• Topaz Farms
• The Pumpkin Patch at Sauvie Island

Daytrips from Portland to see epic fall colors in Oregon

#15 Columbia River Gorge

Both sides of the Columbia River Gorge are covered with trees that will turn yellow in the fall. The Historic Columbia River Highway becomes one of the most scenic drives this time of year. With the rain coming back to the Pacific Northwest in fall, the waterfalls along the Columbia River Gorge start roaring again, making it the ideal time to combine catching fall foliage and chasing waterfalls.

The best part: As the wet season starts you will see fewer crowds flocking around. This makes fall one of the best seasons to visit Portland and hike in the Columbia River Gorge.

Fall hikes in the Columbia River Gorge:

• Dry Creek Falls
• Multnomah Falls and Wahkeena Falls Loop
• Latourell Falls
• Wahclella Falls
• Eagle Creek Trail

#16 Silver Falls State Park

Well-known for its Trail of Ten Falls, Silver Falls State Parks is one of Oregon’s most popular day trip destinations in spring and fall when the waterfalls are roaring. While you’ll find lush green scenery to hike through in spring, Silver Falls State Park turns into one of the best spots for fall color close to Portland.

#17 Mt. Hood National Forest

While Mt. Hood National Forest is dominated by evergreen trees, deciduous trees light up the dense forest in tones of yellow and orange during fall. You even can find western larches in the Badger Creek Wilderness on the east side of Mt. Hood.

Hiking tip: Lookout Mountain, the second-highest peak in Mt. Hood National Forest.

#18 Willamette Valley

The mild climate makes the Willamette Valley one of the best wine regions in Oregon and renowned for its Pinot Noir. The Oregon Wine Country stretches from Portland, via Salem, south to Eugene with vineyards often overlooking the countryside with striking views from their patios and decks.

As the rolling hills turn yellow in late fall, the Oregon Wine Country is a great place to combine excellent wine tasting with experiencing fall colors in Oregon.

Map of best spots for Portland fall colors

More Portland guides, inspired by the seasons

• Best spots for cherry blossom in Portland, Oregon (spring)
• 20 epic wildflower hikes in Oregon and Washington State (spring)
• 20 lavender fields in Oregon: From Portland to Hood River Valley (summer)
• Local’s guide to flower fields in Oregon (spring + summer)
• Portland October activities: Pumpkin patch, fall foliage and Halloween (fall)
• Fall in the Pacific Northwest: Things to do & places to go (fall)

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QUESTIONS & COMMENTS?

Have you been to Portland, Oregon? What season did you like best? Do you like the article, have suggestions, feedback, or questions? Leave me a comment and feel free to share this article with your friends!

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