Fall Foliage
Fall is a beautiful time of year in Oregon thanks to our great supply of cottonwood, Oregon ash, big leaf maples and other deciduous trees whose leaves turn brilliant colors of orange, yellow and red. In fact, leaves are already beginning to change colors in parts of the state, and the season usually lasts through October. We hope you’ll visit to experience this spectacular time of year in Oregon.
To help ensure a truly colorful trip, please call our Fall Foliage Hotline, which offers weekly updates on what the trees are doing all around the state. Call 800-547-5445 or visit www.travellanecounty.com/fall/
1.
Scenic Drives
The Cottage Grove Covered Bridge Tour Route
Experience an amazing array of fall colors and historic covered bridges in just one afternoon on the Cottage Grove Covered Bridge Tour Route. In 20 miles you’ll pass by seven covered bridges, including Mosby Creek Bridge. Constructed in 1920, and restored in 1990, this is the oldest bridge in Lane County and you can still drive through it today.
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The Elkhorn Drive Scenic Byway
While Oregon is famous for its cottonwood, big leaf maple and Oregon ash, among other deciduous trees that make for brilliant colors in the fall, there’s another quiet celebrity that grows in the high and dry climate of Eastern Oregon called western larch. Sometimes referred to as western tamarack, this is one of just three conifer trees that drop their needles like leaves. In the fall they turn a brilliant orange color and you’ll spot them dotting the mountains and hillsides along the Elkhorn Drive Scenic Byway.
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2.
Scenic Hikes
There’s no better way to experience the fall colors in Oregon than getting outside for a hike. Below are some of our favorite hikes to see autumn colors. As with any hiking trail, please take caution.
Hoyt Arboretum Loop, Portland
Just two miles from downtown Portland, the 185-acre Hoyt Arboretum is one of the best places in Oregon to see a huge variety of trees. In total, there are more than 8,000 trees and plants representing some 1,000 species native to the Pacific Northwest, and other corners of the world.
To explore the many species of trees (and to see their glorious autumnal color), walk the 1.8-mile Hoyt Arboretum Loop, replete with educational, interpretive signs. The trail takes you through oak groves, stands of ponderosa pine, dawn redwood trees, a bamboo grove, and other spectacular species.
There’s a staffed visitor center with trail maps and volunteers to answer any questions about the flora and fauna, as well as where to spot the most vivid colors of fall.
Where: Two miles west of downtown Portland. Take Hwy. 26 west, exit 72 (Oregon Zoo and World Forestry Center). Turn slight right off the exit and continue up the hill past the Zoo and take a right on Fairview. Look for signs for the Hoyt Arboretum.
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Latourell Falls (Hood / Gorge)
Attention photographers! Fall’s bright colors provide a stunning backdrop to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area’s dozens of waterfalls. In particular, Latourell Falls is easy to get to and makes for a great short hike.
From the trailhead, you can see a section of the falls, however, it’s worth it to hike the 1.25-mile trail and see the Oregon ash, cottonwood and other deciduous trees strut their autumnal colors. After an initial steep climb, you’ll find that the overall hike is moderate as it weaves through forested areas, over footbridges, past creeks and viewpoints of both the upper and lower falls.
Where: From Troutdale, drive west on the Historic Columbia River Highway. Just 3 miles after the scenic lookout area of Crown Point (its Vista House is perched 700 feet above the Columbia River) you’ll reach the Latourell Falls trailhead. If you’ve reached Multnomah Falls you’ve gone too far.
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Trail of Ten Falls, Silver Falls State Park
You’ll find Silver Falls State Park, Oregon’s largest state park, in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, just 26 miles east of Salem. Mixed in with the Douglas fir, hemlock and cedar are beautiful deciduous trees (cottonwood, maple) that provide a spectrum of colors come fall.
A great way to experience the colors of fall is to hike the Trail of Ten Falls, a seven-mile hiking route that follows the north and south forks of Silver Creek and leads you to views of 10 different waterfalls, and any number of bright, beautiful trees.
Where: Located in the Willamette Valley, 26 miles east of Salem via OR 214.
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3.
Train Rides
Mt. Hood Railroad Autumn Fest
Hop aboard the Mt. Hood Railroad during Autumn Fest (October 18 & 19) to see the fall colors and bounty of Hood River Valley. The train departs from the Mt. Hood Railroad Depot in Hood River and chugs toward Parkdale, where visitors have a layover filled with live music, fresh produce, fine art, and blazing fall colors in the orchards and in the hills.
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Eagle Cap Excursion Train
Board the Eagle Cap Excursion Train and ride through the beautiful, roadless canyon country of the Wallowas in Northeast Oregon. The train features different excursions throughout the year, but if you’re in the market for brilliant autumn colors and migrating wildlife, sign up for their Fall Foliage excursions.
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