Portland has a free 190-acre tree collection with 12 miles of trails, and the maples are the reason to go this fall
Portland’s best fall color show doesn’t need a ticket. Hoyt Arboretum covers 190 ridge-top acres in Washington Park, with 12 miles of trails and no admission fee.
Think of it as a living museum of trees, with roughly 2,300 species of trees and shrubs from around the world. In October, the maples do most of the talking.
Psst, we made you a West Coast Adventure Map. Nearly 1,900 of our favorite spots, already pinned, ready to load into Google Maps in two clicks: grab it here.
Where the fall color lives
Start on the Maple Trail, home to nearly 130 maple species and the most popular spot in the arboretum for autumn color. Expect big swaths of orange, yellow and red.
For something softer, look for the American smoke trees near the Hawthorn and Wildwood trails. Their leaves shift through green, purple, orange and yellow, so this is the one to wander slowly.
📍 GET THE ULTIMATE PNW MAP 🗺️
Get our curated list of the best adventures, things to do, and places to grab a brew loaded onto your maps with just two clicks!
✅ Waterfalls ✅ Hikes ✅ Viewpoints
✅ Craft breweries ✅ National Parks ✅ 1400+ Pins
Trees worth tilting your head back for
The Redwood Deck gives you a view of about 70 trees across three species: coast redwoods, giant sequoias and a dawn redwood. It’s an easy way to feel small without leaving the city.
Conifer fans should walk the Fir Trail, where spruce, red pine and fir groves line the path. The Hoyt Arboretum Loop Hike also passes a collection of Asian fir trees.
Getting in without the headache
The grounds are open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the visitor center runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Paid parking around the arboretum is limited, especially on sunny weekends, so consider TriMet, a rideshare or the Washington Park Free Shuttle.
Our vote: go on a weekday morning, grab a coffee, and walk the Maple Trail before the crowds arrive. Want a second stop nearby? The Portland Japanese Garden sits in the same park and peaks a bit later in the season.
So which would you rather chase: a hillside of red maples or a tunnel of giant redwoods?
Trip tips: grab a rental car to get out here, or lock in your hotel before the good rooms are gone.
Rules and fees change, so always confirm current requirements before you go.
