Molly Woodstock
Molly Woodstock has been writing and editing content for Travel Portland since 2014. Read More
Best Spots for Spring Flowers
Admire beautiful blooms at these Portland parks and gardens.
Molly Woodstock
Molly Woodstock has been writing and editing content for Travel Portland since 2014. Read More
Find your favorite blooms, from roses to rhododendrons and tulips to trilliums, with our guide to where to spot spring flowers in Portland.
Tryon Creek State Park
One of the region’s earliest blooming native flowers, trilliums are a common sight in Pacific Northwest forests. These small, white flowers are abundant in Portland’s only state park, Tryon Creek. So abundant, in fact, that the park hosts an annual Trillium Festival each April. If you miss the festivities, you can still find the flowers yourself and enjoy Tryon’s hiking, biking and horse trails all season long.
Forest Park
Trilliums also bloom along many trails in Northwest Portland’s Forest Park, which sprawls over more than 5,000 wooded acres (2,023 hectares) and boasts 70 miles (113 km) of paths filled with fascinating flora and fauna.
Hoyt Arboretum
From Forest Park, follow the Beech Trail to Hoyt Arboretum in Washington Park. Home to more than 2,000 species of shrubs and trees, Hoyt has plenty to offer all year-round. Spring highlights include bell-shaped Oregon plum flowers, magnolias, blooming dogwood and cherry blossoms.
Waterfront Park
Speaking of cherry blossoms, stroll through downtown’s Waterfront Park in late March or early April to find a breathtaking sight: 100 Akebono cherry trees popping with pink and white petals. (Fun fact: The trees were given to Portland in 1990 by a group from the Japanese Grain Importers Association.)
Japanese and Chinese Gardens
For cherry trees in a more traditional setting, visit the Portland Japanese Garden, heralded as one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan itself. And while you’re exploring authentic Asian gardens, don’t miss downtown’s Lan Su Chinese Garden. In spring, fragrant scents of daphne and Edgeworthia enhance this Ming Dynasty-style garden.
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
Visit Southeast Portland’s Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in April or May to catch its collection of rare rhododendrons, azaleas and hybrids in full bloom. The garden boasts 7 idyllic acres (2.8 hectares), including three waterfalls, two picturesque bridges and tranquil Crystal Springs Lake, where nearly 100 species of birds feed and nest. For an extra treat, visit the garden in April the annual Rhododendron & Daffodil Show & Sale and in May for its annual Mother’s Day Rhododendron Show & Sale.
Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm
A 45-minute journey south of Portland delivers you to Woodburn’s Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, home to 40 acres of colorful tulips. The annual Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, returns every spring, offering wine tasting, wagon rides, children’s activities, a food court and a marketplace offering freshly-picked tulips and bulbs for fall planting.
Portland Rose Gardens
No flora-viewing adventure would be complete without the City of Roses’ namesake flowers. Both Peninsula Park in North Portland and the International Rose Test Garden boast thousands of rare and beautiful rose bushes. The flowers typically begin to bud in early April. To catch them at their peak, visit in early June and don’t miss the Grand Floral Parade at the annual Portland Rose Festival!
Spring Flowers
View gorgeous blooms at these local parks and gardens.
Upcoming Outdoor Events
Enjoy the great outdoors at these upcoming events in Portland.
Worst Day Of The Year Ride
Get ready to ride with thousands of other fun-loving people at the 18th annual Worst Day of the Year Ride. Choose from a 15-mile Urban course or 42-mile Hill Climb Challenge course. Laugh at the elements, and gather for a delicious finish line party at the Lucky Labrador Brew Pub. Breakfast, lunch, fun rest stops,…
Shamrock Run
Founded in 1979, the Shamrock Run Portland is the largest running and walking event in Oregon and is the third largest running event in the western United States. In 2020, 25,000 participants will celebrate the 42nd edition of the event on Sunday, March 15th at Waterfront Park in downtown Portland.
Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
Colorful fields reminiscent of Holland burst with acres of tulips in full bloom at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Woodburn.
Whale Watching Week
Up to 20,000 gray whales migrate along Oregon’s coast every winter and spring. Spot them from these four locations.
Rhododendron & Daffodil Show & Sale
This annual show and sale returns every April to Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. See gorgeous rhododendrons and daffodils on display, then stroll through the garden in full bloom — one of the city’s most iconic and beautiful natural areas.
Trillium Festival
Join us for the 40th annual Trillium Festival! MEMBER BENEFITS ‘Early Bird’ Entrance to plant sale 9 – 10am BUY 1 get 1 FREE Trillium Brunch 8-10am PLANT SALE Boskey Dell Natives will be selling plants in various sizes, including Trillium and other specialty native plants that support native wildlife. Specific Questions about your yard?…
Bridge to Brews
The annual Bridge to Brews foot race is back with a new route in 2020, taking participants over the Broadway, Steel, Morrison and Hawthorne Bridge. Head to Waterfront Park after the race for the “brews” section of the event which features a classic Portland beer festival where you can sample local beer, cider and distilleries….
Peninsula Park Eggstravaganza
Hippity hop down the bunny trail & discover what he left behind! Together, challenge yourselves uncovering a basket full of treasures. Experience a spirit of playfulness & helping your child develop self-direction skills & respect for others. It’s festive! It’s fun! Follow the link to register children ages 1.5-5 for only $5: https://apm.activecommunities.com/portlandparks/Activity_Search/egg-stravaganza/118146
Rabbit Romp
Welcome spring with candy hunts, activities and farm animal talks at Rabbit Romp. Bring the kids to Rabbit Romp, a celebration of spring geared at the 10-and-under crowd. Candy hunts and coloring activities will begin at 9:30 a.m. There will be two separate hunts on the concert lawn — one for kids 3-10 and and…
Mother's Day Rhododendron Show & Sale
Come and view gorgeous flowers at their peak bloom time, then pick bouquets for all the special moms in your life at this annual show and marketplace. All proceeds benefit Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.
Rose Festival Dragon Boat Races
The Rose Festival is proud to host the Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Races, an event that has been bringing an exciting Chinese tradition to Portland for more than two decades, beginning in 1989. Held on the Willamette River near the Hawthorne Bridge, the races feature exciting four-team heats held every nine minutes. More than…
Water Lantern Festival
Portland’s annual Water Lantern Festival is a beautiful experience where you’ll witness the magic of lanterns as they light up the water at Laurelhurst Park. This family-friendly event includes food trucks, pre-made floating lantern kits, markers, ascavenger hunt and more.
Festival of Balloons
Hot-air balloons take flight mere minutes from downtown Portland every summer.
The Big Float
The river, which bisects the city into east and west sides, is a virtual aquatic playground, with kayakers, fishers and swimmers enjoying the water.
Oregon Northwest Merfest
Oregon Northwest Merfest is a festival for the entire family that brings awareness to conservation with a fun “under the sea” theme. Join Oregon Mermaids for a day of mermaids, pirates, sea-themed entertainers, puppet shows and ocean-themed yoga. Oregon Mermaids impart their love of the briny deep, its wildlife, the ocean beaches and conservation information…
Bridge Pedal
Portland’s annual Bridge Pedal is a community celebration of the city’s iconic bridges and biking culture. Join your friends and neighbors for the one opportunity each year to bike or walk on Portland’s car-free streets and bridges (including the upper decks of both the Marquam and Fremont bridges). Portland’s Bridge Pedal is one of the…
Hood to Coast
Hood to Coast is the world’s largest running relay race, stretching 200 miles from the top of Mount Hood to the Pacific Ocean in Seaside. The overnight event culminates in the West Coast’s largest beach party and draws more than 12,000 runners and walkers annually. The race fills up months in advance, but there’s no…
Dahlia Festival
Portland’s annual Dahlia Festival is a must-see for the dahlia lover, or if you just love flowers. View over 400 floral arrangements of dahlias and over 15,000 cut dahlia blooms on display in the three indoor display rooms. This is the largest display put on by one grower anywhere in the United States. The annual…
River Lantern Lighting
Join family, friends and neighbors to celebrate life together. The River Lantern Lighting brings together individuals from all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life to join in one memorable night to celebrate community in Portland, Oregon. Every participant gets a lantern, candle, marker, beer or cider (over 21), snacks and live music.
Chapman Swift Watch
Every September, spectators gather to see the world’s largest roost of Vaux’s swifts swarm and spiral into the chimney of a Northwest Portland school.
Cambia Portland Classic
The Portland Classic is the longest-running stop on the LPGA tour, and 2020 marks its 49th year. Watch world-class women golfers who are “keeping Portland diverse, legendary, strong and powerful.”
Portland Dragon Boat Festival
Enjoy Portland’s annual Dragon Boat Festival, featuring dragon boat racing along with food vendors, a beer garden and more. The event features as many as 96 dragon boat teams from all over the world who race in Taiwan-style dragon boats.
West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta
This annual race series consists of paddlers piloting a gaggle of gigantic gourds through a water course.