Spring in Oregon: Top Things to Do and Places to Visit
- Brooke Fedora
- Mar 30
- 14 min read
Updated: Apr 11
There’s something about spring in Oregon that never gets old, every year, it pulls me outside and reminds me why I love living here.
After months of gray skies and quiet days, something changes. The light lingers a little longer. The air feels crisp and new. Daffodils start to bloom, and the rivers rush louder with snowmelt. Oregon shakes off winter and I find myself ready to explore again.
Living in Oregon, I’ve come to see spring as more than just a change in weather, it’s a signal to get outside and start moving again. It’s when I make time for slow walks under Portland’s cherry blossoms, weekend hikes through the Columbia River Gorge, and easy afternoons in wine country, when the hills are lush and green, and wildflowers quietly reappear.
So if you're ready for blooming trails, quiet beaches, and that unmistakable shift that means spring has truly arrived in Oregon, stick around. I’ve put together some of my favorite spots and seasonal experiences to help you make the most of it.
Cherry Blossoms in Portland
If you're in Portland in late March or early April, there’s one thing you have to do, head down to the waterfront to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom. It’s one of those iconic Portland springtime experiences that locals look forward to all year.
Start your adventure at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, right near the Japanese American Historical Plaza at the north end of the park (around NW Couch St. and Naito Parkway). That’s where you’ll find the famous row of 100 cherry trees that explode with soft pink petals, creating a scene so dreamy it feels like stepping into a painting.
Bring a coffee, take a stroll along the path, and enjoy the view of the Willamette River with the blossoms fluttering around you like snow. It’s especially beautiful with the Steel Bridge in the background, makes for some seriously Instagram-worthy shots.
Now, once you’ve soaked in all the spring beauty, there’s a classic Portland move you just have to follow it up with a visit to Voodoo Doughnut. Luckily, the original location is just a short 5-minute walk away.
Head west across Naito Parkway and up SW 3rd Avenue, and you’ll find Voodoo Doughnut (22 SW 3rd Ave), hard to miss with its pink exterior and always a bit of a line out front. But don’t worry, the line moves fast.
Once you're in, go for something weird and wonderful. The Maple Bacon Bar is a local favorite (sweet and salty perfection), but you could also go full Portland with the Voodoo Doll doughnut, complete with a little pretzel stake through its jelly-filled heart. They’ve got vegan options too, so everyone’s covered.
And hey, if you’re checking off quirky attractions, don’t miss Mill Ends Park, just a couple blocks away at SW Naito and Taylor. It’s officially the smallest park in the world, seriously, it’s just a tiny circle in a traffic median, but it’s pure Portland. It even has its own little stories and leprechaun lore. Blink and you might miss it, but it’s worth the extra few minutes for the photo alone.
Go on a Saturday and make a full morning of it by stopping at the Portland Saturday Market (right near the cherry blossoms under the Burnside Bridge). It’s one of the largest continuously operating arts and crafts markets in the U.S., and it’s the perfect spot to pick up locally made souvenirs, from handmade soaps and ceramics to quirky T-shirts and woodblock prints. You’ll get the best of Portland’s creativity all in one place.
This combo, cherry blossoms, doughnuts, a pocket-sized park, and the Saturday Market is the kind of fun, free-spirited day that perfectly captures the essence of Portland.
Chasing Waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge
One of the best things about living in Portland? You can be standing in front of a jaw-dropping waterfall in under an hour. The Columbia River Gorge is basically our backyard waterfall playground, and if you're visiting, it's a total must. Spring is one of the best times to go, everything is lush, mossy, and vibrant green, and the waterfalls are absolutely roaring thanks to all that winter rain.
Start by heading east on I-84, you’ll want to take Exit 28 for Bridal Veil or Exit 35 for Ainsworth State Park if you’re planning to explore more than just the big-name spots. But let's be real, you’re probably going to want to see Multnomah Falls first and yeah, it’s touristy, but for good reason.
Multnomah Falls
This is the showstopper. At 620 feet, it’s the tallest waterfall in Oregon and it’s just off the Historic Columbia River Highway, you can see it from the parking lot. There’s a paved trail that takes you up to the Benson Bridge, that iconic spot between the upper and lower falls, and if you’ve got the energy, you can hike all the way to the top (just over 2 miles round trip).
Pro Tip: You do need a timed-use permit during peak season (usually late May through early fall), so plan ahead if you’re going in summer. Check here for the latest details and to reserve your permit.
Wahkeena Falls
Just down the road (like a half mile) from Multnomah is Wahkeena Falls, a beautiful, misty cascade that’s more spread out than vertical. There’s a short trail from the parking area that takes you right up close to the base. If you're into hiking, Wahkeena is also a great launch point for a longer loop hike that hits several waterfalls in one go, including Fairy Falls, Ecola Falls, and Multnomah.
Fairy Falls
If you’re up for a moderate hike, continue up past Wahkeena and you’ll reach Fairy Falls, one of my personal favorites. It's smaller, but super photogenic, a delicate fan of water tucked into a mossy green nook. Totally worth the uphill effort, especially in the spring when everything is extra lush.
Latourell Falls
If you’re doing a quick tour by car, Latourell Falls is another super accessible gem. It's the first major waterfall you’ll hit when driving the Historic Columbia River Highway
eastbound.
The lower falls are just steps from the parking lot, but there’s a loop trail (about 2.4 miles) that lets you see both the upper and lower sections and walk through some truly gorgeous forest.
Horsetail Falls
Farther east near Ainsworth State Park, Horsetail Falls practically spills onto the highway. You can pull over and walk right up to it without breaking a sweat. If you want a bit more adventure, take the Horsetail Falls Trail to Ponytail Falls, where you can actually walk behind the waterfall, yes, behind it! It's a quick hike, about a mile round trip.
Local Tips for Waterfall Hopping Like a Pro:
Go early, especially on weekends. Parking fills up fast, and the trails are much more peaceful in the morning.
Wear good shoes. Even the easy trails can be wet and slippery.
Pack layers. Gorge weather is unpredictable, sunny one minute, misty and breezy the next.
Bring snacks and water. You’ll be tempted to keep hiking once you start, it’s addictive.
Book a Tour: If you’d rather sit back and enjoy the views without worrying about parking or directions, consider booking a guided waterfall tour, many leave from downtown Portland and hit all the major falls along the Historic Columbia River Highway, complete with local stories and plenty of photo stops.
Whether you're in it for a couple of roadside photo ops or a full-on waterfall hiking day, the Gorge delivers. It's wild, it's green, it's full of misty magic and it’s just waiting for you.
Sipping Through the Willamette Valley
Here in Oregon, we’re a little spoiled when it comes to wine. Just an hour or so outside of Portland, you can be surrounded by rolling vineyards, sipping world-class Pinot Noir, and snacking on cheese boards with views that make you want to move to the countryside. Welcome to the Willamette Valley, Oregon’s wine country and one of the best-kept secrets in the U.S.
Where to Go
The Willamette Valley stretches for over 100 miles, but if you’re wine tasting for a day or weekend, stick to the northern part of the valley, it’s closest to Portland and packed with amazing wineries.
Dundee & Newberg
This is the heart of the valley and home to some of the most celebrated wineries in Oregon.
Domaine Serene – A must if you want that high-end Napa feel with an Oregon twist. Their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are top-tier, and the estate views? Unreal.
Argyle Winery – Known for sparkling wines and a laid-back tasting room right in downtown Dundee. Great spot to start or end the day.
Sokol Blosser – A pioneer in Oregon wine with a beautiful, sustainable tasting room. Their Evolution white blend is perfect if you want something a little lighter.
Siltstone Wines – A friendly little spot that often flies under the radar but delivers great value and good conversation.
McMinnville
Just a bit further south, this charming small town is super walkable, with tasting rooms, boutique shops, and cozy cafes.
R. Stuart & Co. – Right in town and super welcoming. Their “Big Fire” Pinot is a crowd-pleaser.
Willamette Valley Vineyards Tasting Room – A great downtown spot to sample wines from one of Oregon’s most iconic wineries without leaving the cozy heart of McMinnville. Excellent Pinot Noir, and the staff knows their stuff.
Maysara Winery - This family-owned gem sits on a massive 500-acre estate with stunning panoramic views. They’re deeply rooted in biodynamic farming, and their wines, especially the Pinot Noir, reflect that care and complexity. The stone-and-wood tasting room is gorgeous, and the vibe is warm and authentic.
Yamhill Valley Vineyards - This is the oldest winery in the McMinnville area, and it’s got some serious charm. The tasting room overlooks the vineyard, and they’re known for their Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Riesling.
Carlton
Smaller and a little more under-the-radar, Carlton is packed with tasting rooms and has serious charm.
Ken Wright Cellars – Known for single-vineyard Pinot Noirs and a gorgeous tasting space in a historic train depot.
Soter Vineyards - Nestled on a 240-acre biodynamic farm known as Mineral Springs Ranch, Soter Vineyards offers a serene setting to enjoy their acclaimed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Their tasting experiences often include farm-to-table pairings, showcasing the estate's commitment to sustainable agriculture.
Black Dog Vineyard - Offering a relaxed atmosphere, Black Dog Vineyard invites guests to enjoy handcrafted wines with panoramic vineyard views. Their tasting room features fire pits, an outdoor courtyard, and a rooftop deck, making it a perfect spot to unwind.
What to Eat
You’ll want to pace yourself with food, and luckily, the Willamette Valley delivers.
Red Hills Market (Dundee) – Think wood-fired pizzas, charcuterie, and local beer if your palate needs a break from wine.
The Painted Lady (Newberg) – A fancy dinner spot if you’re staying overnight. It’s a special-occasion kind of place with a tasting menu that pairs beautifully with local wines.
The Joel Palmer House Restaurant (Dayton) - Specializes in dishes featuring wild mushrooms and truffles, paired with an extensive selection of local wines. It's an excellent dining destination to experience the region's culinary offerings.
Where to Stay
If you’re making a weekend of it (and you should), there are some adorable options.
The Setting Inn (Newberg) – Chic and modern with vineyard views.
Atticus Hotel (McMinnville) – Boutique, right in the heart of downtown.
Youngberg Hill (McMinnville) – A working vineyard and elegant inn all in one. It’s peaceful, romantic, and perched on a hilltop with panoramic views of the valley, perfect for sipping wine at sunset and truly unplugging.
Inn the Ground (Carlton) – A modern, earth-sheltered inn nestled into the hillside above a regenerative farm. It’s tranquil, beautifully designed, and offers sweeping views of the surrounding vineyards and valley, perfect for a restorative escape and reconnecting with nature in style.
Pro Tips from a Local:
Don’t try to cram in too many wineries. 2–3 per day is the sweet spot. You’ll have time to relax and really enjoy each place.
Make reservations, especially on weekends, tasting rooms can fill up fast.
Designate a driver or book a tour. Seriously, those winding country roads plus wine? Play it safe.
Late Spring and fall are gorgeous times to visit, fewer crowds, blooming vineyards, and changing leaves.
Whether you’re a full-on wine nerd or just looking for a relaxing day trip from Portland, the Willamette Valley hits the sweet spot. It's friendly, unpretentious, and full of hidden gems that’ll make you want to come back again and again.
Tulip Fields in Oregon
A Bloom Filled Spring Day Worth the Drive
Every spring, just as the gray skies start giving way to longer, sunnier days, there's a burst of color in the Willamette Valley that’s pure magic: the tulip fields in Woodburn. It’s one of those local traditions that we look forward to every year, bright rows of red, yellow, pink, and purple tulips stretching out against a backdrop of Mt. Hood on a clear day. It’s honestly breathtaking.
Where to Go: Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
Location: 33814 S. Meridian Rd., Woodburn, OR
Season: Late March through early May (dates vary slightly by year depending on the bloom)
This is the big one, the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival and it’s been around for decades. It’s run by a local farm family and has grown into a full-blown celebration of spring. You can roam the tulip fields, take photos, hop on a tractor ride, sip a glass of wine or beer, and let the kids run wild in the play area.
They also host sunrise and sunset photography sessions, which are super popular with both pros and Instagrammers. If you’re going for the photos, early morning is your best bet, less crowded and the light is gorgeous.
The gift shop is full of locally made goodies like tulip bulbs, wine, and other spring-themed souvenirs. You can also order tulip bulbs to plant at home for a little piece of the farm in your own garden next year.
Tickets are sold online only, no gate sales. Prices vary depending on the day of the week and time of day (sunrise and weekend sessions are a little more). They also offer season passes if you plan to come back multiple times.
Pro Tips:
Camera or smartphone (obviously)
Boots or shoes you don’t mind getting muddy this is a farm, and spring in Oregon = mud
Layers it might be sunny one minute and chilly the next
Snacks or a picnic, though they also have food carts and a café on-site
Go midweek or first thing in the morning to beat the crowds and have more space to wander the fields without a bunch of photo-bombers in the background. And if you can swing it, time your visit for peak bloom, which usually hits in mid to late April, just check their bloom report on the website before you go.
Spring Hiking and Wildflowers in the High Desert
If you’ve only explored Oregon west of the Cascades, spring in the high desert might surprise you. While the Willamette Valley and Coast Range are still shaking off the rain, the high desert on the east side of the mountains is warming up, drying out, and bursting into bloom. The air’s crisp, the skies are blue, and the trails are full of sagebrush, basalt cliffs, and pockets of wildflowers that you’d never expect in this rugged landscape.
Spring in the high desert (March through May) is a sweet spot while temps are mild, crowds are light, and the wildflowers pop. You’ll see balsamroot, lupine, paintbrush, desert parsley, and more depending on elevation and rainfall. Everything smells like sage and sunshine, and the contrast of colorful flowers against dusty rock and big sky is perfection.
Top High Desert Hikes for Wildflowers
Painted Hills Overlook Trail (John Day Fossil Beds National Monument)
The trail is only about 0.5 miles round trip, but the views are jaw-dropping, those striped hills really do look painted. In spring, the surrounding meadows bloom with yellow balsamroot and purple lupine, adding an extra layer of color to the already surreal landscape. Visit the National Park Website for details.
Pro Tip: Combine this with the Leaf Hill Trail and Carroll Rim Trail for a few more miles and different perspectives on the terrain.
Steens Mountain Foothills & Fields (SE Oregon near Frenchglen)
The Steens are still snowy in early spring, but the foothills and sagebrush basins below start waking up by late April. You’ll find fields of wildflowers between lava outcrops, wildlife (hello, pronghorn!), and zero crowds.
Local Favorite Spot: Hike near Page Springs Campground and up toward Blitzen River Trail this is great for wildflower spotting and birdwatching too.
Misery Ridge Trail (Smith Rock State Park)
Despite the name, this trail is pure magic, especially in spring. You'll get stunning panoramic views of the Crooked River, deep orange canyon walls, and snow-capped peaks like Mount Jefferson and the Three Sisters. Spring wildflowers like phlox, desert paintbrush, and lupine sprinkle the edges of the trail, and the weather is often perfect, not too hot yet.
Trail Info:
About 3.7 miles if you do the classic loop (Misery Ridge → Mesa Verde → River Trail)
Steep elevation at first (hence the name), but 100% worth the climb
Dogs allowed on leash
Bring water and sun protection there is very little shade
Start early. The parking lot fills up fast, and the golden morning light on the rock is next-level beautiful.
Badlands Wilderness Trails (east of Bend, OR)
The Oregon Badlands Wilderness is a wild, otherworldly landscape full of ancient junipers, volcanic rock, and surprisingly lots of spring wildflowers. Check out Flatiron Rock Trail or Tumulus Trail for mellow hikes with bursts of color in April and May.
Base yourself in Bend if you want easy access to multiple trailheads, great breweries, and a comfy place to crash. Or go full desert mode and camp under the stars, just don’t forget the layers. It still gets chilly at night!
Pro Tip: Go early in the day, it heats up fast. Look out for wild buckwheat, desert paintbrush, and pale yellow bitterroot.
The Oregon Coast
Mist, Mellow Mornings & Magic by the Sea
Let’s be real, spring on the Oregon Coast can be unpredictable. One minute it’s sunny and calm, and the next, the fog rolls in and the wind picks up. But that’s part of the magic. If you’re ready for a little adventure (and you bring a rain jacket), spring is one of the best times to explore the coast. Fewer crowds, moody beauty, and some truly unforgettable moments.
Why Spring Is a Great Time to Visit
Fewer tourists. You can actually find parking in Cannon Beach and enjoy quiet walks on the beach without tripping over coolers and beach chairs.
Whale watching! Gray whales migrate north from late March to June, and the Depoe Bay Whale Watching Center or Cape Perpetua are prime viewing spots.
Wildflowers & green cliffs. Everything along the coast starts to bloom, look for coastal lupine, beach strawberries, and even wild iris in spots like Ecola and Cape Lookout.
Stormy beauty. Spring still delivers dramatic skies and big surf, perfect for wave watching with a cup of coffee in hand.
Favorite Spring Spots to check out
Ecola State Park (Cannon Beach)
Sweeping views of Haystack Rock and the coastline, often with mist weaving through the Sitka spruce trees. Hike the Clatsop Loop Trail for forest, cliffs, and ocean all in one go.
Cape Perpetua (near Yachats)
One of the most breathtaking spots on the coast. Walk to Thor’s Well and Spouting Horn during high tide to see the waves explode through the basalt rock. You might spot whales from the viewpoint, and the Captain Cook Trail is short, easy, and stunning in spring.
Hug Point (just south of Cannon Beach)
At low tide, you can walk around the point to explore caves and a hidden waterfall tumbling onto the beach. The surrounding cliffs get bright green with spring growth, it feels like you’ve stumbled onto a movie set.
Cape Kiwanda (Pacific City)
Fewer crowds than its neighbors and some of the most dramatic dunes on the coast. Spring mornings here are usually foggy and peaceful, with pelicans flying in formation and surfers braving the chilly waves. Climb the sand dune for unreal views.
Tips for Spring Coastal Adventures
Layer up. It’s common to experience sun, rain, wind, and fog all within a few hours.
Check tides. A lot of the best exploring (like tide pools and sea caves) happens at low tide. Grab a tide chart or check online before heading out.
Watch the waves. Spring swells can be big. Stay back from cliffs and rocks during high tide or stormy conditions, sneaker waves are real.
Bring binoculars. For whale watching and spotting puffins (they start returning to Haystack Rock in April!).
If the forecast shows rain, go anyway. Some of the best coastal experiences happen under gray skies, fog drifting through the trees at Ecola, huge waves crashing at Devil’s Punchbowl, or mist rising off the dunes at Cape Kiwanda. It’s classic Oregon Coast moodiness, and it’s beautiful.
Final Thoughts
Oregon in spring is a feast for the senses: bold wildflowers blooming across coastal bluffs, waterfalls thundering with snowmelt, and the sweet smell of damp earth and pine in the air. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, wandering through tulip fields in Woodburn, or sipping Pinot among vineyard blooms in the Willamette Valley, spring here is all about renewal, color, and connection to the land.
So grab your rain jacket (this is Oregon, after all), pack your sense of adventure, and let spring lead you somewhere unforgettable.
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