Portland Fall Colors 2025

Oregon is famous for its lush evergreen forests, however, in urban areas, such as Portland, deciduous trees prevail, making the city an excellent leaf-peeping destination. Bigleaf maples reveal golden tones, vine maples add scarlet notes, while the most vibrant yellow comes from quaking aspens and western larches, which are both deciduous and coniferous.

Best Time to See Peak Fall Colors in Portland, Oregon

Fall foliage season in Portland depends on the weather, which varies from year to year. October is generally the best month for a leaf-peeping trip, as trees start to turn from the beginning of the month. The peak fall foliage season in Portland usually falls between mid-October and early November.

Best Places to See Fall Foliage in Portland

Portland is known for its multitude of lush parks, which boast vibrant greenery during spring and summer and turn gorgeous shades of yellow, red, and orange during the cozy season. To experience the best of fall foliage that Portland has to offer, consider visiting Washington Park, Forest Park, which is one of the largest municipal parks in the country, and, of course, visit Portland's downtown.

Fall Leaves in Washington Park

Located in downtown Portland, Washington Park is one of the most popular places for a scenic fall stroll. Due to the huge variety of trees from different parts of the world, the park looks stunning during the change of seasons. Exploring this 410-acre (97 ha) park will take a long time and may require a dedicated trip.

For the most amazing fall experience, stop by the Japanese Garden to see its amazing Japanese maples, perfect symmetry, scenic ponds, bridges, and waterfalls. This 5,5 ac (2.2 ha) section of the park is considered to be one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan. Another must-see is Hoyt Arboretum with many rare tree species to admire. Dawn redwood flaunts its reddish leaves, while laceleaf Japanese maple is adorned with gorgeous burgundy foliage, its trademark. While at the park, you also have a chance to visit Oregon Zoo, 64 acres (26 ha) of which are filled to the brim with 165 various species.

Schedule & Admission

The park operates from 5 am until 10 pm throughout the entire year. Japanese Garden is open from 10 am until 6 pm from Wednesday until Monday and is closed on Tuesdays. From September 2nd until September 29th, Oregon Zoo operates from 9 am until 5:30 pm. From September 30th until November 2nd, it opens at 9:30 am and closes at 4:30 pm.

Admission to the park grounds and Hoyt Arboretum is free. However, entry to the Japanese Garden and Oregon Zoo requires a fee. Tickets to the Japanese Garden cost $22 for adults, $19 for seniors, $18 for students, and $16 for children between the ages of 6 and 17 years old. Children under six and membership holders can enter for free. Oregon Zoo costs $24 for adults and children over 12, $19 for children between 2 and 11 years old, and is free for infants less than one year old.

Fall Foliage in Forest Park

Forest Park, one of the largest in the country, boasts 5,100 acres (2,064 ha) of nature and 70 miles (113 km) of trails in just a 20-minute drive northwest of downtown Portland. It features more native Pacific Northwest flora like bigleaf maple, which pops with bright yellow on the background of evergreens. While firs and cedars comprise a significant portion of the Forest Park, there are numerous deciduous trees, like black cottonwood and bigleaf maple, which are ablaze with orange and yellow during fall.

Trails in the Park

The park's Maple and Wildwood Trail Loop is the number one park attraction during the fall. This 6,3 miles (10 km) trail is surrounded by old Douglas firs, western hemlocks, vine maples, and red alders. The trail can be easily accessed from Saltzman Road. Leif Erikson Drive is another trail worth exploring, stretching out 11 miles (18 km) along Forest Park, starting at the gates. The road was once used by vehicles, but now, access is only allowed to pedestrians and cyclists. The trail is surrounded by trees, which makes it a great spot for fall leaf-peeping.

Schedule & Admission

Forest Park operates from 5 am until 10 pm. Admission to the park is free. If you're planning to visit the park with your furry friend, please keep in mind that all pets should be leashed. Parking at the park's parking lots is also free.

Fall Colors in Downtown Portland

The fall foliage experience in Oregon wouldn't be complete without a stroll through Portland's Downtown, Old Town, and along the Willamette River banks, which look especially beautiful in the fall. One of the most photographed spots in the city is St. Johns Bridge, a steel suspension structure between the Cathedral Park and Linnton neighborhoods in North Portland. The bridge offers a pleasant outlook on the Portland's landscape, which is enveloped by reddish and yellow trees in fall.

Fall Foliage in Oregon

Once you explore Portland's numerous fall foliage trails, don't wait too long to get out of the city and enjoy some of Oregon's best fall routes, such as Mt. Hood Scenic Loop and Columbia River Highway.