State guide
When to catch Oregonthrough the year
We follow 4 places in Oregon for wildflowers, spring migration and fall foliage: fall at McKenzie Pass and Mt. Hood and spring at John Day Fossil Beds and Malheur Refuge. Each timing below is the place's own source, in its words; none is a forecast.
When are you going?
Fall in Oregon
Also good in fall
- John Day Fossil BedsLate bloom: rabbitbrush and snakeweed
- Malheur RefugeTundra swans may gather at Knox, Benson and Marshall ponds (October and November)
- Mt. HoodTimberline Trail season
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Winter in Oregon
Our sources name nothing here for winter; the other seasons above have what they do.
Spring in Oregon
- SEASON · SPRING MIGRATIONMalheur RefugeLate winter through the end of MayOregon
“late winter through the end of May” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
- SEASON · WILDFLOWERSJohn Day Fossil BedsApril to July, unit by unitOregon
“April to July, unit by unit” · National Park Service ↗
Also good in spring
- Malheur RefugeSpring waterfowl: greatest variety, late winter through the end of May
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Summer in Oregon
Good in summer
- John Day Fossil BedsSunflowers and prickly pear peak at the Painted Hills
- Malheur RefugeSouthbound shorebirds start arriving (July)
- Mt. HoodTimberline Trail season
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Places in Oregon
- Spring
- Fall
Places on this map, as a list
Planning a Oregon trip
Towns to stay in
- Portland, ORRidgefield Refuge · 21 mi
- Salem, ORRidgefield Refuge · 64 mi
- Bend, ORMcKenzie Pass · 43 mi
- Medford, ORMount Shasta · 76 mi
Nearest place we follow, straight-line miles.
Browse by season and event
- Wildflowers · 1 place hereWildflowers, everywhere →
- Spring migration · 1 place hereSpring migration, everywhere →
- Fall foliage · 2 places hereFall foliage, everywhere →
Questions people ask
When is wildflower season at John Day Fossil Beds?
Spring and early summer. In an average year the Clarno Unit blooms April–May, the Painted Hills late April–May, and Sheep Rock late May through July.Source: National Park Service, John Day Fossil Beds wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is every year good at the Painted Hills at John Day Fossil Beds?
No. Bloom there varies a lot: some years flowers are plentiful, some years there are almost none.Source: National Park Service, John Day Fossil Beds wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is there a fee, and when is the refuge open at Malheur Refuge?
No fee: the refuge is always free and open every day from sunrise to sunset. Early morning and late evening are the best times to watch wildlife.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I walk anywhere on the refuge at Malheur Refuge?
No. To protect wildlife, all areas are closed unless posted open at designated trails, sites or facilities, and Malheur Lake itself is closed to the public. Birding is allowed only on designated roads, trails and sites shown on the refuge map. Pets must be on a leash.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur NWR: Auto tour (birding: when to go and best sites) ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur NWR: Trails ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When can you hike the Timberline Trail at Mt. Hood?
Its season runs July through October. From May 15 to October 15, a free self-issued wilderness permit is required where a trailhead has one, and most backpackers take 3 or 4 days for the loop.Source: US Forest Service, Timberline Trail #600 ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is the road to Trillium Lake open in winter at Mt. Hood?
No: recreation gates close vehicle access from December 1 to April 1 each year, and an Oregon Sno-Park permit is needed from November 1 to April 30.Source: US Forest Service, Trillium Lake Loop Trail #761 ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Nearby state guides: Washington · Idaho · Montana · Wyoming
Oregon in pictures
How we know
- Sep 27Park ServiceAverage-year bloom trend by unit: Clarno April–May, Painted Hills late April–May, Sheep Rock late May–JulySource (opens National Park Service, John Day Fossil Beds wildflowers in a new tab)
- Sep 29Park ServiceSeasons of wildlife: greatest waterfowl and songbird variety from late winter through the end of May; summer shorebirds, fall cranes, swans in October and NovemberSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) in a new tab)
- Sep 29Park ServiceWhen to go for birding, rules for birding on designated roads and trails, and the best birding sitesSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur NWR: Auto tour (birding: when to go and best sites) in a new tab)
- Sep 30SightingsVolunteer observations of deciduous trees and shrubs: share with half or more of their leaves colored, per stateSource (opens USA National Phenology Network, colored leaves observations in a new tab)
- National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.