Outdoors
Portland is the perfect launchpad for outdoor activities and adventure.
Home to a sprawling urban forest, dozens of verdant public parks, gorgeous gardens and a sparkling river running through the middle of the city, there’s never a shortage of ways to explore Portland’s outdoors. Whether you’re a fan of flowers, tranquil gardens, urban hikes or just looking to get some fresh air, Portland has something for every kind of outdoor enthusiast. Read on for our guides to getting outside, then head to our events calendar to find even more things to do outdoors in Portland.
Parks and Gardens
Known as "The City of Roses," Portland is home to over 275 public parks and gardens.
Hiking in Portland
Get out and explore the many trails and nature areas within and near the city.
Urban Walking Spots
Explore these verdant strolling destinations throughout the city.
Explore Local Wildlife
Discover these wildlife natural areas and activities in Portland.
Wildlife Preserves
Experience nature not far from the city's hustle and bustle at these wildlife preserves.
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.
Audubon Society of Portland Nature Sanctuary
The Audubon Society of Portland Nature Sanctuary is a great starting place for hiking Forest Park and (of course) bird-watching.
Seasonal Outdoor Fun
All four seasons in Portland offer their own unique set of fun events and experiences.
Water Sports and Adventure
From waterfalls to the Willamette River, Portland offers endless opportunities for aquatic adventure.
Upcoming Outdoor Events

Piano Push Play
Piano Push Play invites local artists to transform old, donated pianos into whimsical works of art which are distributed across the city.

The Corn Maize at the Pumpkin Patch
The Corn Maize, located on Sauvie Island north of Portland, offers visitors eight acres of physical and mental challenges in a cornfield.

Dahlia Festival
Celebrate the season of DAHLIAS. A Rainbow of Color. Stroll through almost 40 acres and a beautiful display garden of stunning dahlias featuring over 370 varieties. The beautiful fields are open from August to September each year, closed on Monday and Tuesday. Pick out and order your favorite dahlias for Spring delivery and planting. Purchase…

O- Tsukimi, The Moonviewing Festival
Moonviewing, or O-Tsukimi in Japanese, is the custom of gazing at the full moon and enjoying its sacred beauty. Portland Japanese Garden schedules this beloved annual tradition to coincide with the harvest moon from September to early October. During Moonviewing, people gather to appreciate the moon’s beauty and pray for good fortune and an abundant…

O-Tsukimi Moon Viewing Festival
Moonviewing, or O-Tsukimi in Japanese, is the custom of gazing at the full moon and enjoying its sacred beauty. Portland Japanese Garden schedules this beloved annual tradition to coincide with the harvest moon from September to early October. During Moonviewing, people gather to appreciate the moon’s beauty and pray for good fortune and an abundant…

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.

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.

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 to…

Rocky Butte Farmers Market
Rocky Butte Farmers Market, an iconic urban neighborhood market featuring affordable locally grown foods and artisan products, weekly children's activities, live entertainment, and a dog-friendly, energetic block party vibe, is back for the 2023 Season. The market's goal is to lower barriers to market participation for beginning and under-represented vendors and to strengthen connections within…

Dogtoberfest
Celebrate the fall with a day full of pampering and dog-friendly activities at the annual Dogtoberfest – Portland’s pet-friendliest Oktoberfest party and biggest dog wash. Enjoy music, food, beer–including a special brew made just for DoveLewis–and pet-loving vendors, all while your pup receives a wash and nail trim. Donations and proceeds from the event go…

Portland Marathon
The fast and beautiful Portland Marathon presented by OHSU Health is the best way to experience the Rose City. With four epic bridge crossings, a downtown start and finish, and a tour through some of the most iconic landmarks and neighborhoods in town, the Portland Marathon, presented by OHSU Health, offers the most unique race…

Lents International Farmers Market
Lents International Farmers Market opens on Sunday, June 4, 2023, and is open every Sunday through November 19, 2023. The Lents International Farmers Market (LIFM) is the only one in Portland with an intentional international focus. LIFM provides fresh, affordable and culturally appropriate produce to the diverse community of Lents neighbors. Founded in 2006 by…

Hood River Hops Fest
The Hood River Hops Fest returns for its 19th year, celebrating the fresh-hopped beers of this beloved region. Awarded silver medal for best beer festival from the Willamette Week, Oregon Beer Awards, the Hood River Hops Fest is an annual celebration of beer’s bitter friend, freshly harvested hops. World-renowned hop-growing regions surround Hood River County,…

Hood River Valley Harvest Fest
The valley’s best farms and orchards bring their bounty to Hood River Harvest Fest with stands full of produce, giant displays of apples, pears, squash, raw honey, beautiful flowers, local plants, herbs, and more. Stock up for the season with basketfuls this autumn’s harvest. The artists and makers you will find at Hood River Harvest…

Matsutake Hunting at the Oregon Coast
Join fellow Friends of JAMO on a field trip to hunt and gather matsutake mushrooms on the Oregon Coast. Trip Details: Meet at Adobe Resort in Yachats on Saturday, October 21, 9:00 a.m.The event fee covers orientation, guided mushroom collecting in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Saturday dinner, and Sunday breakfast. Participants are responsible…

West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta
This annual race series consists of paddlers piloting a gaggle of gigantic gourds through a watercourse.

Run Like Hell Half Marathon
Join in for this fun, family-friendly, Halloween-themed event on Saturday, October 28. Dress in costume and join in for a Half, 10k, or 5k run/walk. 2023 theme: Saturday Night Live. Come dressed as your favorite character from the iconic tv show. This event is fun for the whole family, with live music, a costume contest,…

Howloween
The zoo provides a fun and safe setting for this Halloween tradition, where costumed trick-or-treaters learn about healthy habitats for wildlife with engaging activities throughout the zoo. Complimentary treat bags are available for participants. In keeping with the zoo's mission, all the treats come from companies that are committed to using deforestation-free palm oil. Bring…

Silverton Christmas Market
Join an awe-inspiring light display and market at the Oregon Garden Resort. This annual event offers a joyous and magical holiday experience for all ages. Stroll along immersive paths draped in more than one million lights. Explore the authentic German Christmas Market for gifts from artisan vendors and imported German nutcrackers, smokers and ornaments. Visit…

Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
Portland’s Tree Lighting will be live in person at Pioneer Courthouse Square the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 24th. Featuring a joyful sing-along with Portland’s own Thomas Lauderdale from Pink Martini, local musicians and chorale singers, this event is the highlight of the holiday season downtown. Join in the celebration as Santa Claus flips the…
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