Molly Woodstock
Molly Woodstock has been writing and editing content for Travel Portland since 2014. Read More
Portland’s Best Spots for Fall Color
Autumn is peak season to enjoy a stroll in these six leafy wonders.
Molly Woodstock
Molly Woodstock has been writing and editing content for Travel Portland since 2014. Read More
Autumnal beauty abounds in Portland, and there are plenty of prime places to revel in leaf-crunching relaxation. From rural Sauvie Island to downtown’s South Park Blocks, the historic Pittock Mansion to the exotic Japanese Garden, these destinations deliver fantastic fall colors on demand.
Hoyt Arboretum
Packed with more species of shrubs and trees than any other arboretum in the country — 1,000 unique varieties fill the grounds — Hoyt Arboretum provides a local passport to a globe’s worth of leaf-peeping. Grab a map and look for Japanese maples, magnolias, holly, fir and much more as you wander down one of the park’s 21 trails.
More species of shrubs and trees than any other arboretum in the country.
Pittock Mansion
Built over a century ago by Portland’s original newspaper tycoon, Pittock Mansion’s 46-acre plot showcases the Rose City’s natural beauty. Savor the elegant gardens’ last blooms, soak up panoramic views of the Cascade Range and explore miles of hiking trails leading from the grounds to Forest Park — itself a must-see for fans of falling leaves.
Portland Japanese Garden
Tucked in Washington Park, high in the West Hills, the Japanese Garden is a standout in any season. But autumn is especially gorgeous thanks to fiery-hued Japanese maples woven among a curtain of native evergreens.
Sauvie Island
Only minutes from downtown Portland, Sauvie Island is a rural haven of farms, sandy beaches and wildlife refuges. Choose from an unmatched array of autumn harvest activities, from pumpkin picking to a haunted corn maze and enjoy a spectacular view of Forest Park’s fall colors.
Cathedral Park
Once a fishing site for Indian tribes and legendary explorers Lewis and Clark, Cathedral Park still provides a tranquil refuge for visitors of all stripes. Photographers flock to the park in fall to frame autumn leaves juxtaposed with the gothic spires of the St. Johns Bridge.
South Park Blocks
Short on time? The arching canopy of the South Park Blocks provides a stately, leaf-strewn oasis in the heart of downtown. Stroll between Southwest Salmon and Jackson streets to marvel at an array of oaks, maples and ash trees towering above historic statues and public art.
More Fall Activities
Fall Hikes Near Portland
These fall hikes near Portland prove that autumn is an ideal time to explore Oregon wilderness, admire seasonal flora and fauna, and visit nearby farms.
The Corn Maize on Sauvie Island
The Corn Maize, located on Sauvie Island north of Portland, offers visitors five acres of physical and mental challenges in a corn field.
West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta
This annual race series consists of paddlers piloting a gaggle of gigantic gourds through a water course.