Spring Hikes Near Portland
Shake off the rain! Portland hiking season is in full bloom.
Jim Kettner
Jim Kettner is a coffee shop cartoonist, writer, illustrator and podcaster. Read More
True Portland adventurers explore the great outdoors all year round, but there’s something extra-special about the first spring hike of the year. Enjoy gorgeous wildflowers, stellar bird watching and breathtaking scenery on these springtime rambles.
Dogwood Trail
To challenge your legs with steep elevation gain on big switchbacks, try the Dogwood Trail in Forest Park, Portland’s own urban wilderness. This popular hiking route is also a hit with trail runners. It’s a 2-mile (3.2 km) jaunt to the end and back, or if you’re feeling extra adventurous, link up with the Leif Erikson and Wild Cherry Trails for the 8-mile (13 km) Wild Cherry Loop. Access the trailhead from Northwest 53rd Drive off Cornell Road. 5 miles (8 km) from downtown Portland.
Oak Island
Oak Island (really a peninsula, don’t be fooled) on Sauvie Island is the perfect place to get your ornithology on. The Oak Island Trail takes you on a 2.5-mile (4 km) loop through the heart of the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area. Keen eyes can spot more than 250 species of birds waiting to be discovered, including raptors, woodpeckers and migrating songbirds. 19 miles (30 km) northwest of downtown Portland.
Wildwood Recreation Area
If you crave a hike on the wild side, then the Wildwood Recreation Area is the place to be. Located along the Mount Hood Scenic Byway, this 550-acre (223 ha) site is a fantastic place to take in the majesty of Oregon’s tallest peak, as well as a starting point for various beautiful hikes. Beginners can observe the scenic Salmon River along the 0.75-mile (1.2 km) Cascade Streamwatch Trail, while advanced hikers can take on the steep 4.7-mile (7.6 km) climb up the Boulder Ridge Trail into the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness. 43 miles (69 km) southeast of downtown Portland.
Explore the Outdoors
Discover more of Portland's top natural areas at these scenic spots.
Sauvie Island
Sauvie Island, the Manhattan-size isle is one of the largest river islands in the country just north of Portland, is where families can find an entire day’s worth of adventures with swimming, hiking, birding and local farms.
Forest Park
Escape the city without leaving Portland; with 70 miles of trails within Portland city limits, 5,156-acre Forest Park is a popular escape for runners, equestrians and hikers alike and supporting more than 112 bird and 62 mammal species.
Columbia River Gorge
Starting just 30 miles east of Portland, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area offers amazing vistas, trails and more than 90 waterfalls.
Catherine Creek
Catherine Creek in the Columbia Gorge offers various hikes ideal for springtime. Visitors to the Catherine Creek Universal Access Trail will find breathtaking views of the Columbia River and Mount Hood, but the real treasures here are the wildflowers. Over 90 species of blossoms decorate the rich landscape of rock outcroppings, grasslands and oak forests. Choose between an easy .25-mile (.4 km) stroll to a scenic overlook and a moderately difficult 1.25-mile (2 km) loop to take in more sights. 72 miles (115 km) east of downtown Portland.
Lacamas Park
If you haven’t had your fill of flowers at Catherine Creek, visit Lacamas Park to take in the fields of blooming camas. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced outdoor adventurer, Lacamas Lake Park has a hike that’s right for you. The park is home to a diverse network of multipurpose trails for hiking and cycling. The Washougal River Greenway Trail is a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) boardwalk-lined trail that passes through 125 acres (51 ha) of scenery and crosses the Washougal on a 37-foot-tall (11 m) footbridge. For a more challenging hike, try the Lacamas Heritage Trail, a 3.5-mile (5.6 km) gravel trail that showcases rock formations and seasonal waterfalls. The neighboring Heritage Park provides the perfect spot for a post-hike picnic. 23 miles (37 km) northeast of downtown Portland.
Hiking Around Portland
Locals love hiking, especially at these trails in and around Portland.
Upcoming Outdoor Events
Enjoy Portland's great outdoors at these upcoming events.
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…
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…
St. Johns Farmers Market
The St. Johns Farmers Market will be open 9 a.m.-2 p.m. every Saturday May 4 through November 23, the weekend before Thanksgiving. There will also be a Holiday Market on Saturday, December 14, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The market is held at the corner of N. Charleston Ave. and N Central St, next to the…
Portland Saturday Market
Open every Saturday from March–December, Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts-and-crafts fair in the U.S.
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…
Mother's Day Rhododendron Show & Sale
The Crystal Springs Mother’s Day Rhododendron Show is a decades-long tradition that celebrates and awards excellence in rhododendron cultivation. Bring your trusses and sprays to display and compete for prizes.
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…
East Portland Sunday Parkways
Celebrate National Bike Month and open streets during the East Portland Sunday Parkways event presented by Kaiser Permanente. The East Portland 3.3-mile down-and-back route will feature Gateway Discovery Park, Ventura Park, and Lincoln Park. Start anywhere on the route and bike, walk, or roll as you explore the neighborhood greenways and other infrastructure, parks, and…
Portland Sunday Parkways
Sunday Parkways Presented by Kaiser Permanente, promotes healthy, active living through a series of free events opening the city's largest public space – its streets – to walk, bike, roll, and discover active transportation.
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.
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,…
Pedalpalooza
Portland's cycling culture peaks during summer's multi-week Pedalpalooza, featuring 200+ local-led, themed rides, all open to the public.
Starlight Run
Portland’s most popular fun run, the Starlight Run, is the wacky warm-up act for the CareOregon Starlight Parade is starting and finishing on Naito Parkway at Rose Festival CityFair. The 47th Annual Starlight Run will start at 6:30 p.m. The traditional costume contest will be held at 5:30 p.m. The route will follow the path…
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 2024 Season. The market's goal is to lower barriers to market participation for beginning and under-represented vendors and to strengthen connections within…
Bike Summer Kickoff Ride
This is the official ride that kicks off the festivities every year. Volunteers will be selling Bike Summer merch from 3:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. There will be a limited amount of pennants and stickers for sale at the park, as well as shirts for you to try on before you buy online. There will also…
Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn
With acts that have ranged from Phoebe Bridgers to Stevie Wonder, McMenamins Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn are an annual rite of summer and a hot ticket for cool nights.
Pride Ride
Join the ride at Director Park for National Bicycle Day. Poison Waters will be leading this family-friendly ride. All Wheels Welcome. Enjoy a stately (i.e., slow) parade of 1.5 fabulous miles that will ride past spots from Portland’s rich 2SLGBTQIA+ history. The parade will end at the Cart Blocks Food Cart Pod with a dance…
Kenton Farmers Market
The Kenton Farmers Market is located in the heart of the historic Kenton neighborhood in North Portland. Founded in 2012, the market’s live music and the festive street-fair atmosphere thrive in this growing business district. Proximity to a MAX station and easy access for bicyclists and those on foot make this market a lively and…
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…
Star Trek Ride
It's time to take the helm and shift gears to Warp 9. Explore strange new roads and seek out new pit stops and new destinations. Along the way, expect trivia, music, costumes, and prizes.
Portland 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…
Delta Park Powwow and Encampment
All are welcome and invited to the Annual Delta Park Powwow and Encampment at East Delta Park in Portland, Oregon. The event is a free and family-friendly celebration of Native American culture. The Delta Park Powwow and Encampment is an annual Portland tradition that draws Native American, and non-native participants and spectators from across the…
Water Lantern Festival
The Portland Water Lantern Festival brings people together to celebrate light and community. This unforgettable evening will be filled with tasty food trucks, fun music, activities, and thousands of lanterns lighting up the night with love, hope, and happiness. Use coupon code "ILLUMINATE5" for a $5 discount at checkout.
Northeast Cully Sunday Parkways
Celebrate Father’s Day and open streets during the NE Cully Portland Sunday Parkways event presented by Kaiser Permanente. The Northeast Cully 6.2-mile looped route rises significantly as one travels from north to south, stopping at Fernhill Park, Kʰunamokwst Park, Wellington Park, and Roseway Parkway. Start anywhere on the route and bike, walk, or roll as…
Festival of Balloons
The mesmerizing Festival of Balloons in Tigard brings more than a dozen brightly colored, colossal hot-air balloons to the sky every June.
Zoo Nights
Enjoy the magic of Portland summer nights with live music, food and festivities at the Oregon Zoo while relaxing among the lush gardens and wildlife at Zoo Nights.
Foster Summer Soiree
The 2024 Foster Summer Soiree will bring live entertainment and vendors to Laurelwood Park, special activations at several Foster businesses, sidewalk sales, and other festivities. This exciting event is back for its second year.
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…
Summer Free For All
Portland Parks & Recreation offers over 400 free events including free movie screenings, concerts and rock climbing.
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,
Montavilla Street Fair
Montavilla Street Fair will bring 120+ local arts, crafts, food and retail vendors, community organizations, live music and family activities to Historic Downtown Montavilla. Stroll down Stark Street and enjoy district businesses, a farmer’s market and family-friendly entertainment and activities. Vendors will be present at the event selling food and drink, art, handicrafts, and clothing…
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 a beautiful bunch…
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.
Multnomah Days
This beloved annual event incorporates a one-day open-air, family-friendly street festival with scheduled musical acts, a community parade, an art fair and over 125 vendor booths, and food and beverage services available via outdoor street dining and food carts — plus outdoor street dining.
Kenton Street Fair
For over a decade, the Kenton neighborhood has hosted a lively street fair with multiple live music stages, 80+ vendors, food vendors and plenty of great businesses on the block. Join the Kenton neighborhood for food, music, crafts and fun.
Viking Beer Fest
Beer tastings meet Viking re-enactors and combat in this festival, featuring music, a Viking Ship, Nordic food, and more. Embark on a mesmerizing journey to the heart of Viking heritage at the 2023 Viking Beer Fest, where frothy brews and Nordic traditions meld into a singular, unforgettable experience. Revel in the exhilaration of last year's…
Hawthorne Street Fair
Visit one of Portland’s original “shop local” districts every August for the Hawthorne Street Fair. You can explore over 200 businesses while enjoying Vendors, Food, Music and Entertainment in a car-free zone from SE Cesar Chavez to SE 30th Avenue on Hawthorne. 2024 is the 41st Anniversary of the Hawthorne Street Fair. Enjoy great food, music and…
Art In The Pearl Fine Arts & Crafts Festival
Portland’s Art In The Pearl Fine Arts and Craft Festival celebrates 27 years of bringing art to the community. The distinctly artist-run event has long been a favorite in Portland, and it’s the perfect Labor Day destination to gather and celebrate the end of summer. Art In The Pearl is Portland’s largest outdoor art fair,…
Mt. Angel Oktoberfest
In the heart of Oregon's hop-growing region, Mount Angel's Oktoberfest brings 350,000 people to the Bavarian village every September. The Northwest's oldest and best-loved folk festival celebrates the fruits of the harvest with a nice focus on hops. German-style biers, Northwest craft brew favorites, lots of wine, and a bit of cider are served in…
Belmont Street Fair
The Belmont Street Fair is one of the largest-attended street fairs in Portland. With food and retail vendors of all kinds, show-stopping performances and live music on 3 different stages, and the first-ever Kids Zone, there are activities for all ages, the Belmont Street Fair is fun for everyone.
Southwest Portland Sunday Parkways
Celebrate World Car-Free Day and open streets during the SW Portland Sunday Parkways event presented by Kaiser Permanente. The Southwest Portland route will feature a 2-mile multi-modal route and a separate 1.5-mile walking route. Start anywhere on the route and bike, walk, or roll as you explore the neighborhood greenways and other infrastructure, parks, and…
Hood River Hops Fest
The Hood River Hops Fest returns for its 20th 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,…
West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta
This annual race series consists of paddlers piloting a gaggle of gigantic gourds through a watercourse.
Was this page helpful?