What Oregonian doesn’t love a great autumn outing? It’s a season with something for everyone! Whether it’s a bluebird day with bright fall foliage, or a foggy forest trek with a spooky season vibe, adventures abound. Here are some great trails – all within two hours or less from Portland – with tricks & treats to help you plan your own awesome Oregon adventures this fall.
Weather can be hard to predict around the Pacific Northwest in the fall. Even if the forecast doesn’t call for rain, it never hurts to plan for an unexpected shower. Check out this post for a few good reasons to hike in the rain, plus tips on being prepared to get wet.
At the time of this post, all locations listed below are currently welcome visitors. Before heading out, confirm conditions have not changed due to seasonal impacts like weather, fires, or COVID-19 restrictions. Always follow locally posted guidelines and regulations at each site, including safety protocols, social distancing, and mask requirements. Also, it is recommended to limit non-essential trips during the pandemic, and to visit local recreation sites where you are able to follow CDC guidelines. Remember, many of our recreational sites have limited services right now. Do your part to pack out any trash or waste from your adventures. Be good to each other, and our shared outdoor spaces!
Hoyt Arboretum
- Tricks & Treats: Fall foliage, international variety, accessible trails
- Time from Downtown Portland: 10 minutes
- Total Distance: Varies
- Elevation Gain: Varies
- Permits/Fees: None for Arboretum; parking fees may apply
Located in Washington Park, Hoyt Arboretum is home to 2300 varieties of trees and shrubs. You can bet the colors are amazing every autumn! With 12 miles of inter-connected trails through 190 acres, you can put together a short visit or a full day of exploration in this living museum. There are plenty of local specimens to view and learn about. You can also get a taste for plant life from other parts of the globe, including some rare and endangered species.
With a few accessible trail options and the ability to pick your own route winding through the grounds, this is a great option for those seeking close-in connections to nature with minimal terrain challenges. Note that the Visitor Center is closed due to COVID-19 (Oct. 2020), but all trails remain open. There are several ways to reach Hoyt Arboretum, and parking in the lot comes with a fee most hours. Consider public transportation to avoid the hassle (but pack your hand sanitizer).
Combine your visit with a trip to one of the other popular sites in Washington Park for a full day of fall fun, like the Portland Japanese Garden or with a picnic at one of the many tables. And be prepared for crowds, especially on weekends.
Learn More: Hoyt Arboretum – Plan Your Visit
Pioneer Woman’s Grave
- Tricks & Treats: A mysterious grave, local history, scenic views
- Time from Downtown Portland: 80 minutes or 105 minutes
- Total Distance: 2 miles from Barlow Trailhead or drive to site
- Elevation Gain: 485 feet
- Permits/Fees: Northwest Forest Pass May 1-Oct. 31, Oregon Sno-Park Permit Nov 1-April 30
Along a portion of the first road allowing East-West passage across the Cascade Range is the Pioneer Woman’s Grave Trail. Along with the inherent mystery of the unknown woman’s grave, visiting the site provides a touch of regional history, gorgeous autumn colors, and a beautiful view of Mount Hood.
You have two options to reach this historical site. The first is a fairly easy hike from the Barlow Trailhead, which also connects to other area hikes and provides further adventure opportunities. After enough snow arrives in the region, this also becomes a snowshoe route. Your other option is to drive to the Pioneer Woman’s Grave, which is accessible and along the Mount Hood Scenic Byway. There are several signs discussing the historical importance of the area located here.
Whichever way you visit, there are two main routes by which to travel from Portland: the more direct route taking Highway 26, or the scenic route taking Highway 35 out of Hood River. Visit a brewery, a farm stand, or local restaurant along whichever route you choose to complete your autumn adventure.
Learn More: Trail #485 – Pioneer Woman’s Grave Trail, Mount Hood National Forest
Tamanawas Falls
- Tricks & Treats: Iconic waterfall, fall foliage
- Time from Downtown Portland: 95 minutes
- Total Distance: 3.4 miles from Tamanawas Falls Trailhead
- Elevation Gain: 560 feet
- Permits/Fees: $5, or Northwest Forest Pass
With the arrival of autumn rains and snows, the iconic Tamanawas Falls is a deservedly popular location to visit. Follow trails #650 – East Fork Trail along the Hood River, and #650-A Tamanawas Falls Trail up the Cold Spring Creek, while enjoying the reds and golds of changing leaves. Water levels will be increasing after the drier summer months, making the waterfall more spectacular than its been in weeks. Arrive early for parking and uncrowded trails; this is a hiking hotspot, especially on weekends.
Similar to the previous trail, you also have two primary driving routes to reach the trailhead: along Highway 26, or Highway 35. If you want a longer hike, you can turn this into a loop by connecting with other trails (specifically #650B – Tamanawas Tie, and #645 – Elk Meadows Trail). Alternately, after an early visit to the falls, pair this with another short hike nearby for different views (and smaller crowds). Hint: larch trees can be found around the east side of Mount Hood, mixing seasonally bright gold needles in with the more common green conifers this time of year.
Learn More: Tamanawas Falls Trailhead, Mount Hood National Forest
Scaponia Park
- Tricks & Treats: Local ghost stories, overnight camping
- Time from Downtown Portland: 50 minutes
- Total Distance: Varies
- Elevation Gain: Varies
- Permits/Fees: $5/day, $13/$15 overnight
Scaponia Park is a little seven acre nature park, with trails that connect it to the 23-mile Crown Zellerbach (CZ) Trail. You can incorporate this into a day hike, or camp and make it part of a multi-day adventure…if you dare. Local stories say that in the 1800s, an angry mob came for a horse thief and his dog. They are supposedly buried on the banks of the East Fork Nehalem River, which cuts through the park. Ever since, there have been reports of his spirit – accompanied still by his canine companion – haunting the area and walking along the river.
If sharing the site with a ghost doesn’t scare you away, telling camp stories could be a great way to spend a spooky evening. Spend a little time exploring the park and it’s connecting trails to fill out your adventure. The popular CZ Trail is an old logging road through second- and third-growth forests, making it wide and fairly flat, and perfect for a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, and bird watching. It’s a great time to spot birds on their autumn migration! If you visit for the day, there is a $5 fee; if you are camping, no reservations are required for the primitive tent sites and the fee is $15 ($13 Nov. 1st – April 30th).
Learn More: Columbia County – Scaponia Park, and Crown Zellerbach Trail
Neahkahnie Mountain
- Tricks & Treats: Mysterious shipwrecks, lost treasure, and ocean views
- Time from Downtown Portland: 95 minutes
- Total Distance: 3 miles
- Elevation Gain: 840 feet
- Permits/Fees: None
- Learn More: Oswald West State Park, and Explore Manzanita
According to area legends, a Spanish ship wrecked off the Nehalem Spit at the base of Neahkahnie Mountain, likely sometime in the 16th or 17th century. Survivors carried a massive chest to shore and, somewhere on the mountainside, buried it to be retrieved later. The despicable captain murdered at least one man, believed to be a slave, to be buried with the chest in an effort to discourage local peoples from disturbing his treasure. Some versions of the story say he killed other survivors of the wreck as well. He and the remaining crew then left the area, and never returned.
A few interesting relics have been turned up along the coast, suggesting a ship did indeed sink in the area, but the mysterious treasure has never been found. At least two treasure hunters perished in pursuit of the chest in the 1930s. Please note that digging for treasure on the mountain or the beach below is strictly prohibited! Pack your binoculars and make the short but steep hike up to the summit, and on a clear day you’ll be rewarded with amazing views – if not lost Spanish gold. This is also a fantastic area for wildlife spotting, no matter the weather.
There are several other trails in Oswald West State Park as well. (Note: a large storm in September 2020 closed some trails due to damage and downed trees.) Pair this hike with other short treks nearby if you’re itching for more autumn wilderness adventures; the Oregon Coast has so many amazing places to visit! The town of Manzanita is nearby, and you can cap your visit with a meal at a local restaurant, or stop by a market for fresh seafood to cook up at home.
Bonus Treat: Autumn Mushroom Hunting
A list of Oregon tricks & treats wouldn’t be complete without mentioning one Oregon’s most popular autumn past times: mushroom hunting! There are several edible varieties in the region. I am not an expert on found fungi, so I’m not going to advise you on which ones to find where. What I can do, however, is hook you up with reliable resources so you can get started.
The Cascade Mycological Society is a great place to start. This not-for-profit has a fantastic array of information available on their site for anyone interested in learning more about mushrooms. They’re based out of the Eugene area, but have been holding meetings online. They are even putting on a virtual Mushroom Festival (Oct. 25, 2020 – click here to learn more!).
A little less festive, but definitely official, the Oregon Department of Forestry lists forest products and regulations for harvesting mushrooms. Collecting for personal use does not require a permit on Oregon state forestland in the Astoria, Tillamook, Forest Grove, North Cascade, or West Oregon districts. Check the website for specific areas, as regulations may vary by product and region.
In the Mount Hood National Forest, permits for personal mushroom harvesting are not required temporarily (through December 31, 2020). However, specific limitations and requirements still apply, including in which areas you may collect and how much you may gather.
Take Autumn Adventures to the Next Level
Want to strike out on that autumn adventure, but feeling like you’re not quite ready? Get unstuck and out on the trail with a little help from someone who has been there. Whether you need insights to help refine your gear, or someone to show you the ins and outs of planning your trek, I’m here to be your coach and your cheerleader. Are you ready to start your adventure? Let’s go!
Recent Comments