Fall Hikes Near Portland
Admire autumn leaves and migratory wildlife on these popular local treks.
Zelos Marchandt
Zelos Marchandt is the artistic director of T & A Grand Theater and the Ten, Tiny, Talks artist in residency program. Read More
Portland earns praise for its perfect summers, but fall might be the best time to experience the Northwest’s natural beauty. Emerald-leaved trees seem to catch fire in slow motion as temperatures cool, and northern breezes tease out autumnal displays of gold and red. Meanwhile, wild critters in water and on land are easily spotted through the thinning flora as they prepare for winter. Hiking is one of the best ways to drink in the region’s beauty; read on for three great fall hikes near Portland.
Hiking Around Portland
Banks-Vernonia State Trail
A century ago, a mighty railroad curved over the hills northwest of Portland, hugging ravines and cutting across creeks. Today, 21 miles (34 m) of the dismantled railroads have been transformed into the scenic, multi-use Banks-Vernonia Trail. Six trailheads give hikers (and cyclists, joggers, and horseback riders) plenty of opportunities to customize their route. Each path is lined with deciduous trees (think cottonwood, Oregon ash, red alder, big-leaf maple, and sour cherry) that display some of the most splendid fall hues in the region.
Punchbowl Falls and Metlako Falls
A 45-minute drive east of downtown Portland delivers hikers to the popular Eagle Creek Trail in the Columbia River Gorge. Autumn is a prime time to visit — not only to avoid the crowds but also to spot Chinook and coho salmon spawning near the mouth of the creek.
From the trail’s lower junction, follow the path about 2 miles (3.2 km) to one of Oregon’s most iconic sites, Punchbowl Falls, named for the deep bowl-shaped basin at the waterfall’s base. On the way back, keep an eye out for a sign pointing to lesser-known Metlako Falls. This showstopper’s 100-foot (30 m) plume seems to shoot straight out of a cliffside before plunging into the pool below.
On your way home, detour slightly to the Hood River Fruit Loop, a scenic drive that connects several family-owned farms offering apples, chestnuts, and cider.
Warrior Point
Sauvie Island has so much to offer, including beaches, farms, wildlife areas, and trails that seem to go on forever. Every autumn, folks flock to the island to harvest pumpkins, take hayrides and wander through corn mazes at several local patches.
Once you’ve had your fill of U-pick apples and fresh cider, visit Warrior Point Trailhead at the island’s northern tip. The mostly flat path winds its way along the Columbia River and through the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area. In the fall, you’ll see migrating sandhill cranes, snow geese, tundra swans, and Canada geese. After 3 miles (5 km), trekkers will arrive at the 16-foot (5 m) Warrior Rock Lighthouse, Oregon’s smallest lighthouse.
Explore Local Wildlife
Bird Alliance of Oregon (formerly Portland Audubon)
The Bird Alliance of Oregon (formerly Portland Audubon) is a great starting place for hiking Forest Park and (of course) bird-watching.
Bird-Watching in Portland
Catch sight of 200+ types of birds at the Portland area's dozens of prime bird watching destinations, including sanctuaries, refuges and urban parks.
Exploring Portland’s Extinct Volcanoes
Portland is home to four extinct volcanoes — some dating back millions of years. Here’s how to enjoy hiking, shooting hoops, picnicking and more on these natural wonders.
Outdoor Events
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.
Hop Into Spring
Welcome spring with outdoor lawn games, magic shows, animal encounters and more at Hop into Spring. Hop into Spring is a celebration of the spring season geared toward the 10-and-under crowd. Free with zoo admission.
Portland Saturday Market
Open every Saturday from March–December, Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts-and-crafts fair in the U.S.
First Thursday in the Pearl District
Starting in 1986, First Thursday in the Pearl is a district-wide celebration on the first Thursday of each month. Originally a gathering of art collectors and dealers, the celebration has grown to a monthly event of over ten thousand people, including art enthusiasts, wine aficionados, and scenesters looking to see and be seen. Art galleries in…
Hollywood Farmers Market
Year-round on Saturdays, the Hollywood Farmers Markets hosts 50+ vendors, bringing you the best of the region’s agricultural bounty. In addition to amazingly fresh, local food, you’ll find live music, children’s activities, and fun events throughout the season. April through September, every Saturday 8 AM to 1 PM,, October and November, every Saturday 9 AM…
Trillium Festival
Welcome back Spring. The Annual Trillium Festival at Tryon Creek State Natural Area is an educational event for the whole community that celebrates the season of renewal in the forest and beyond. For 44 years, Friends of Tryon Creek has celebrated the return of the Trillium, an early-season perennial native to our local forests. This…
Earth Day Cleanup
SOLVE is excited to invite you to the statewide event this April, the Oregon Spring Cleanup, presented by Portland General Electric. For over fifty years, SOLVE has been supporting the efforts of community leaders around the state who are motivated to take care of their special place in Oregon. This event has its roots in the…
Rhododendron Show & Sale
The Early Blooming Rhododendron Show returns to Crystal Springs. Presented by the Portland Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, this show focuses on rhododendron species and hybrid plants that are among the first to bloom. Note: This show is being presented on the second Saturday in April, rather than the first as in years past….
Earth Day Oregon in Forest Park
Come and join in for Earth Day Oregon 2024 Earth Day is celebrated throughout Forest Park with multiple stewardship opportunities. This stewardship event is accessible to everyone, so please join, and bring along all your friends and the whole family. All training, tools, and materials will be provided by FPC, along with snacks and coffee. Register…
Bridge to Brews
The iconic Bridge to Brews race returns in 2024 At Waterfront Park, join the annual 8k and 10k walk/run over 4 of Portland’s iconic Bridges. After the race, there will be a beer/cider-tasting event on the waterfront. Sip on some of Portland’s best beer and cider while enjoying live music, games, and goodies from local vendors.
Kodomo no Hi, Children's Day
Kodomo no Hi, also called Children’s Day, is commemorated each year in Japan in early May to celebrate children's growth and good fortune. The festival will feature a range of family-friendly activities. Listen to taiko performances, learn how to make origami koi or frogs, participate in a treasure hunt, and enjoy koinobori or cloth carp streamers displays. Koi symbolize…
Hippie Chick Half Marathon
The Hippie Chick half marathon, quarter marathon, 5k and kid's half-mile race return for Mother's Day weekend. This female-focused event is designed to celebrate how amazing women are. Grab your mom, sister, friend, or co-worker and register to run through Oregon's scenic countryside. The run is returning to the birthplace of this great event at Champoeg…
St. Johns Bizarre and Parade
The St. Johns Bizarre is a uniquely crafted celebration that kicks off Portland's summer street fair season. Held annually on the second Saturday in May, the Bizarre brings music, crafts, and food to the crowds who traditionally attended the St. Johns Parade. After the parade, a portion of the business district in St. Johns is…
Reigning Roses Walk
Rose Haven supporters and guests will unite to stride a beautiful route through NW Portland on Mother's Day at the annual Reigning Roses Walk. Walk with, or in honor of, a special woman in your life – a mother, grandmother, daughter, partner or friend. All proceeds benefit the women and children of Rose Haven. There…
Mt. Tabor Art Walk
The Mt. Tabor Art Walk is a Portland tradition. This juried show and sale is a great opportunity to see quality visual art and meet artists in their studios and homes. Diverse media are represented, including photography, painting, ceramics, sculpture, prints, metal arts, photography, glass, jewelry, book arts and mosaics. The Mt. Tabor Art Walk…
Rose Festival CityFair
Considered the "hub" of the annual Portland Rose Festival, CityFair fills Waterfront Park with carnival rides, concerts, food and fireworks for multiple weekends during the festival.
Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn
With acts that have ranged from Al Green to ZZ Top, McMenamins Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn are an annual rite of summer and the hottest ticket in town.
Rose Festival Royal Rosarians Milk Carton Boat Race
A classic Rose Festival event and family-friendly community tradition dating back to 1973, the Milk Carton Boat Race is a spectacle you won’t want to miss. Children and adults race and show off their handmade, human-powered boats that float only employing recycled milk cartons and jugs. Creatively constructed watercraft will compete in nine categories, with…
Bigfoot Adventure Cruise
Explore the history and lore of Bigfoot while traveling 80 miles (129 km) roundtrip on a high-speed jetboat from Portland to Multnomah Falls. See the landmarks along the Willamette and Columbia Rivers that make the Northwest famous while listening to exclusive narration by Cliff Barackman (star of Animal Planet‘s “Finding Bigfoot”) and a live tour…
Mississippi Street Fair
Bustling North Mississippi Avenue closes down for a day of food, vendors, music and fun at Portland's largest street fair, Mississippi Street Fair. This year the fair will have the following: Three Music Stages, Kids Zone, Grandfathers Rib-Off Competition, Hundreds Of Vendors, Shopping and Dining,
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 largest…
Portland Adult Soapbox Derby
The PDX Adult Soapbox Derby at Mt. Tabor Park pits grown-up kids against each other every August in pursuit of speed and laughs.
West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta
This annual race series consists of paddlers piloting a gaggle of gigantic gourds through a watercourse.
Easter Egg Hunt at Lee Farms
Lee Farms are excited to kick off the year of events with their Kids Easter Egg Hunts. Offered for multiple dates and times to ensure a safe, limited occupancy events with lots of room to roam and a fun time for your family. Included in Egg Hunt Ticket: Egg Hunt for 12 empty eggs to…
Easter Egg Hunt at Packer Orchard
The sun will shine, and visiting the farm will be a great day. Feed the baby animals and pet the baby chicks. Many activities for everyone Play area, See the Easter Bunny, Bubble barn, Enjoy the sun, Craft Tables, Egg Decorating, Cookie Decorating, Candy cannon, once per time slot,
Easter on the Farm
Topaz Farm is happy to announce the 2nd Annual Easter Celebration on the Farm, a delightful and uncrowded day filled with fun activities for the whole family. Like last year's sold-out event, this is available exclusively by pre-purchased tickets, so be sure to secure your spot. Each ticket comes with: Farm entrance and parking, Visit the…
Easter Egg Hunt and Celebration
In partnership with Finlandia Foundation Columbia-Pacific Chapter Nordic Northwest invites you to this free family event. Parents, grandparents, and friends can enjoy coffee and pastries while kids make crafts and go egg hunting. Bring your lawn chairs and/or blankets. Easter in Nordic countries is an exciting mix of flavors, history, and traditions. Besides celebrating the religious…
Spring On The Farm
Join Triskelee Farm for a fun-filled. Get ready for an Eggciting Easter egg hunt, take a picture with the Easter Bunny, make a craft, and bounce around. Happening in the covered space. Only kids need a wristband. Adults and carried babies not participating are free. It's a fantastic way to celebrate the joy of spring…
Tree Time Preschool Walks
Come for a story and guided walk on the trails at Hoyt Arboretum. Use your senses to explore the natural surroundings and maybe even get our hands dirty. Staff and trained Arboretum volunteers will introduce you and your family to the plants, trees, insects, mushrooms, and more found at Hoyt Arboretum. Tree Time walks are…
PNW Conifer Tree ID
The Pacific Northwest is world famous for conifers, and these unique trees are botanically some of the most unique and ancient of modern plants. Hoyt Arboretum’s conifer collection includes our spectacular native species and many species from all across the world. Join arborist Casey Clapp of podcast Completely Arbortrary to explore our collection, learn key…
Easter Egg Hunt
SMILE will once again host the 2024 Egg Hunt!. t will be held at Oaks Amusement Park’s picnic area 9 starting at 11:00 a.m. sharp (don’t be late). A bonus: you can purchase discounted ride tickets in advance using the code EGGHUNT24 at https://www.oakspark.com/
The EGGSTRA Awesome Egg Hunt & Family Picnic
Join Glencoe Elementary School for the first-ever EGGSTRA Awesome Annual Egg Hunt and Family Picnic. Kick-off this spring by meeting the Giant Bunny, hunting for eggs (filled with candy and prizes), playing games, and picnicking on the field with your family and neighbors. All ages are welcome. Bring a picnic basket, blanket, and egg hunting basket….
Bridge Tour
This downtown Portland walking tour will take participants around, across, under, and inside the unique and storied spans that shape the experience of those living and visiting Portland. The route will include several bridges (with specific spans TBA), and on one of those, the tour will plan to meet a Multnomah County bridge operator to…
Easter Egg Hunt
Hop on over to Rebers Riverside Farm in Yamhill, OR for a free Easter Egg hunt and enjoy hotdogs, games, kids crafts, a bonfire, and s'mores.
Easter Egg Hunt at Eagle Landing
The Easter Egg Hunt will be held rain or shine on the golf course. Make sure to dress your littles in weather-appropriate clothing and footwear. Please bring your own basket to collect eggs. Parents need not pay for themselves, just their kids.
Easter Bottle Hunt
Join Youngberg Hill for an unforgettable adventure in the vineyard on Easter Sunday. Enjoy the thrill of the hunt as you search for the empty wine bottles cleverly placed throughout the property. Trade in your find for exciting prizes. There are prizes for every paid ticket. After the hunt, kick up your feet, sit back,…
Forest Bathing
Experience a two-hour guided forest bathing walk through Hoyt Arboretum’s unique tree collection and forested areas. Forest Bathing (also known as Forest Therapy) offers many health benefits from stress relief to immune system and mood support.
Queer & Trans Community Forest Bathing
Experience a two-hour guided forest bathing walk through Hoyt Arboretum’s unique tree collection and forested areas. Forest Bathing (also known as Forest Therapy) offers many health benefits, from stress relief to immune system and mood support. This will be a space for our LGBTQIA2S+ community. Please only register for this workshop if you identify as…
Multnomah Falls, Train Ride, & Wine Tour
Get ready to be swept off your feet by your guides as they take you on a journey of a lifetime through the stunning Columbia River Gorge and the Hood River Valley. Brace yourself for a riveting tale of this breathtaking terrain and its awe-inspiring past. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any…
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival is one of the world's largest and most prestigious mountain festivals. Hot on the heels of the Festival held every fall in Banff, Canada, the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour hits the road. With stops planned in 600 communities and more than 40 countries across the globe, this…
Leaven Community Earth EveryDay Celebration; with Portland Fruit Tree Project
Join the Portland Fruit Tree Project and the many nonprofit organizations that call the Leaven Community Center home for a street festival, spring plant sale, and climate justice and community resilience fundraiser. Sparrowhawk Native Plants will be on-site for folx picking up pre-ordered plants. Did you miss the pre-order deadline? There will be a FLASH SALE…
Healing Herbs of the Arboretum
The plants surrounding you are full of healing and nourishing properties if you know where to look. Join community herbalist Missy Rohs for a stroll around the Arboretum to explore the medicinal trees, weeds, and native plants encountered. You will talk about which parts to use and which plants to avoid. You may even discover…
The Flip Side — Vegan Market
Come hang out for the first Flip Side event of the year celebrating Earth Day weekend with a good old fashion vegan market. There will be 30+ of Portlands' very own local vendors and crafters, lots of awesome local animal sanctuaries to support, such as Green Acres and Out to Pasture, vegan tattoos by Awaken…
New Year in the Park
New Year in the Park will showcase cultural dance and music performances, traditional games, cultural crafts and activities, and vendor booths with food and merchandise. This cultural event aims to highlight vibrant Southeast Asian communities in the greater Portland area. Attendance is free, and you are invited to join.
The Walk to End Pancreatic Cancer
Join PurpleStride Portland – The Walk to End Pancreatic Cancer. Walk alongside survivors, caregivers, and community members affected by pancreatic cancer. Registration is FREE and available on www.purplestride.org/portland. All proceeds from the event support research and patient services. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, hosts this event.
Spring Garden Fair
40 Years and Still Growing. Don't miss the anniversary celebration: enjoy a weekend of discovery, inspiration, and fun. DISCOVER • Plants, Tools and Treasures, and new finds at the Silent Auction, Garden Fair Raffle and Potting Station. GROW • Master Gardener Volunteers will be on hand to answer your questions. Always popular – informative "10-Minute…
Oregon Humane Society's Doggie Dash
Welcome to Doggie Dash, a walk-in support of animals at the Oregon Humane Society. Oregon Humane Society's largest fundraiser of the year, Doggie Dash, brings together thousands of animal lovers to help OHS provide lifesaving programs and services to needy animals. Your registration fee and any additional funds you raise as a Dasher make this possible. Each…
Holi Spring Festival at Topaz Farm
Join a spring harvest celebration and Bollywood and Bhangra dance party in the grass featuring DJ Anjali & the Incredible Kid, Anjali's Gulabi Gang Dancers and Gurpreet Dhillon's PDX Bhangra Dance Troup. The last two years of sold-out Holi Fests were so much fun. This is going to be another great party featuring music, dancing,…
Memorial Day Ruck March for Veterans Mental Health
Join Do Good Multnomah on May 27th to ruck, march, and walk to impact Veterans' mental health. 4, 6, and 12-mile routes available. The adventure begins in North Portland. In the military, a ruck — short for "rucksack” — is a group march where service members carry their essential gear over a specific distance. On…
Cavetown & Mother Mother
For 23-year-old singer/songwriter Cavetown, making music typically involves excavating and exposing his most deeply hidden thoughts and feelings. “It’s a weird dynamic because a lot of the time I’m taking something that it’s hard for me to admit even to myself, then putting it into a song and sharing it with the entire world,” says…
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