Fall color in Oregon has this uncanny way of grabbing your soul; those vibrant yellows, rust reds, and golden ambers reflected in still waters stayed with me long after the trip ended.
In this post, I’ll share my personal stories from Willamette and Umpqua Valleys, Silver Falls State Park, and beyond.
I’ll also help you plan your own fall adventure with tips on timing, locations, and photo gear.
I receive a small commission from links in this post, thank you for your support
Fall Color in Oregon
Oregon Fall: My Time in the Willamette National Forest
One crisp October morning, I wandered into the Willamette National Forest. The forest canopy was ablaze, maples, vine maples, alders, all lit up against the ever-present green firs.
I spent a day chasing light across rural backroads, capturing that perfect intersection of golden vines and morning mist. It felt like painting with light.
Learn my fall photography tips before heading out this fall.
Oregon Autumn in Umpqua Valley & Umpqua National Forest
Over in the Umpqua Valley, the experience was more rugged. The trees, bigleaf maples and cottonwoods, lined the rivers and forest edges with brilliant gold.
I found my best images travelling west along Highway 138 from Diamond Lake (which deserves is own post!). Notable routes include: NF-27-Little River Rd, NF 4714, NF 330-2730.
Hiking through Umpqua National Forest, I discovered hidden pockets of color where the forest floor glowed under shafts of soft, diffused light.
Photographing along creek beds, I found my favorite reflections; an intimate dialogue between color and calm water.
📸Learn for free!
➡️ FREE wallpapers
➡️ DISCOUNTS on future Tours and Tutorials
➡️ TIPS for improving your photography
I don’t share your information or email address with anyone and you can unsubscribe at anytime.
Fall Color Through a Pagan Photographer’s Lens
For me, photographing this time of year is about more than chasing color; though Oregon’s rust-gold canopies and mist-laced valleys are undeniably magical.
It’s about capturing that sense of transition. I find myself drawn to bare branches silhouetted in fog, fallen leaves scattered like memory across damp trails, and quiet, empty landscapes that whisper of endings and beginnings.
I try to let my images hold liminal space for both the beauty and the mystery of change.
Oregon Fall Foliage at Silver Falls State Park
Silver Falls was everything I hoped for. Some of the ten waterfalls are framed by fall foliage in full fall color.
I picked two times to walk the Trail of Ten Falls: first in soft dawn light, then again before dusk.
Mist curled around cascades, and the forest reflected in plunge pools with incredible detail. Link to my waterfalls in Oregon post for gear choices and framing tips.
Photography Gear for Fall Color in Oregon
Here is my list of gear I bring along when capturing fall color.
- Sturdy Tripod
- Lens Cloths
- ND Filters
- Polarizer
- Remote Trigger (or use in Camera timer)
- Wide Angle (Rokinon 14mm)
- Zoom (Canon 24-105mm)
- Long Range Zoom (100-500mm)
- A knee pad or something to kneel on in wet conditions
When to See Fall Colors in Oregon
Mid‑October typically brings peak fall foliage, especially in higher elevations and northern regions. Here’s a quick list of approximate timing of fall color in Oregon:
- Late September–Early October: Coastal ranges & higher elevations
- Early–Mid October: Willamette Valley & mid‑elevation forests
- Mid–Late October: Umpqua Valley & Southern Oregon
- Late October–Early November: Columbia Gorge & Portland region
Check the Oregon fall colors map for live updates, and plan your trip mid‑October-ish for the best chance at peak color.
My tip is to join Oregon and local photography groups online and keep an eye on posts to see how far along color is in your targeted area.
Best Places to See Fall Colors in Oregon
Here are some iconic spots all over the State, including a few I haven’t explored yet but are high on my list:
- McKenzie River Trail (Central Oregon, late September to early October)
- Smith Rock State Park (golden cottonwoods against red cliffs)
- Wallowa Lake (northeastern Oregon Alps, mid‑October)
- Drake Park, Bend – late September–early October
- Lithia Park, Ashland – mid–late October
- Oxbow Regional Park, Sandy – inner east side riparian forests
Where to See Fall Foliage Near Portland, Oregon
- Portland Japanese Garden (urban tranquility in northeast Portland)
- Forest Park, Portland (over 70 miles of trails bursting with fall hues)
- Columbia River Gorge (Multnomah Falls, waterfall-framed color)
- Hoyt Arboretum (Home to 2,300 species of trees and shrubs from six continents)
Oregon Gallery
Here is a small sample of some of my images in my Oregon Gallery, please head over to take a look.
Conclusion
Fall color in Oregon is a feast for the eyes and the soul. From deep, misty forests in Umpqua to golden vineyards in Willamette, each scene tells a story of seasonal transition and renewal.
Pack your gear, chase the golden hour light, and let your lens capture the magic. Share your images, connect with our community, and let’s keep celebrating these seasonal wonders together.
📸Learn for free!
➡️ FREE wallpapers
➡️ DISCOUNTS on future Tours and Tutorials
➡️ TIPS for improving your photography
I don’t share your information or email address with anyone and you can unsubscribe at anytime.
- Fall Color in Oregon
- Oregon Fall: My Time in the Willamette National Forest
- Oregon Autumn in Umpqua Valley & Umpqua National Forest
- Fall Color Through a Pagan Photographer’s Lens
- Oregon Fall Foliage at Silver Falls State Park
- Photography Gear for Fall Color in Oregon
- When to See Fall Colors in Oregon
- Best Places to See Fall Colors in Oregon
- Where to See Fall Foliage Near Portland, Oregon
- Oregon Gallery
- Conclusion
- Sources & Further Reading
- 📸Learn for free!
- 📸Learn for free!
