Take A 2-Hour Drive Through Oregon To See This Year’s Beautiful Fall Colors
Fall is in the air, and there’s nothing quite like enjoying a drive through Oregon to take in the vivid colors and changing landscape. While all of Oregon truly shines this time of year, there’s just something extra special about wine country. The 57-mile Vineyard and Valley Tour Route is a perfect little drive through some of Oregon’s most sublime scenery, and it’s especially lovely in the fall. Centered around the Tualatin Valley in Oregon, this fall foliage road trip can easily be done in an afternoon, allowing for plenty of time to savor the views — and perhaps even stop by a vineyard for a tasting or tour!
The Tualatin Valley is one of Oregon's most beautiful, rural spots. Stretching from the outskirts of Portland all the way to the coast, this bucolic landscape is full of vineyards, family farms, orchards, and more.
This two-hour road trip around the Tualatin Valley is a wonderful way to experience the resplendence of this region -- especially this time of year. During the fall, the landscape of Oregon's wine country comes alive with color: bold reds, rich oranges, buttery yellows, and glittering golds.
From Sherwood, the route passes right by the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, a 1,856-acre sanctuary that provides a safe haven for nearly 200 bird species and other animals.
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 19255 SW Pacific Hwy, Sherwood, OR 97140, USA
The refuge is home to numerous trails, scenic overlooks, and a wildlife center, so definitely get out of the car and explore if you can; in the fall, the forest here is cloaked in gold and copper hues.
Back on the road, the wetlands soon turn into farm fields, orchards, wineries, and acre upon acre of hazelnut groves. The Beaver State grows nearly 90 percent of the country's hazelnuts; in fact, these little gems are actually Oregon's official state nut.
But this fall foliage road trip is all about wine country; and in the fall, this area of Oregon is picture perfect. Oregon is a world-class wine region that's home to upwards of 700 wineries and 1,000 vineyards. Tualatin Valley sits in the northwestern corner of Willamette Valley, and is well-known for its abundance of wineries and vineyards. This is Furioso Vineyards, which produces premiere Pinot noir, Chardonnay, and Rosé wines.
Furioso Vineyards, 8415 NE Worden Hill Rd, Dundee, OR 97115, USA
There are numerous wineries in the Tualatin Valley region, and they're all absolutely wonderful. If you're up for a detour, Yamhill Valley Vineyards is a winsome, 150-acre vineyard that's the oldest in the McMinnville area.
Between the wineries, orchards, and beautiful natural areas, there's a lot to *do* along this fall foliage road trip, but you can also opt to just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Because you don't have to do anything else; driving through the Tualatin Valley wine country in the fall is absolutely extraordinary, all on its own.
This fall foliage road trip in the Tualatin Valley really is the perfect autumn adventure! Have you visited this beautiful region in Oregon before?
If you’re wondering when to expect autumn colors in your neck of the woods, we’ve got the details on this year’s fall foliage in Oregon right here! And for a fall festival in the Tualatin Valley area that’s a ton of fun (literally!), be sure to check out the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta.
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I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
