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 fall foliage drive in 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 gold. It's the best time of year to rent an RV and take a fall colors road trip.

This scenic drive starts in stunning Sherwood, Oregon, a town whose idyllic streets are lined with beautiful maple trees.

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.

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 premier Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rosé wines.

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? When you set out for a fall foliage drive in Oregon, where do you go?

Where & When To See Fall Foliage In Oregon

Fall in Oregon is magical. The vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows transform the landscape and create an inspiring masterpiece. However, catching a glimpse of the sea of colors is all about timing. One cold spell and the stunning colors can disappear. Typically, the leaves in the northern part of Oregon will change colors at the beginning of October and peak by the middle of the month. In the central area of the state, fall foliage will peak at the beginning of November and last until the middle of the month.

And while timing is crucial to view fall foliage at its peak in Oregon, it’s also just as important to find the best destinations to view the colors. We have several spots in Oregon with the best fall foliage that we love to visit including:

• Portland Japanese Garden
• Multnomah Falls
• Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area
• Bend
• Silver Falls State Park

Know Before You Go

The Tualatin Valley is one area in Oregon that deserves a spot on every bucket list. It is near many incredible destinations such as Portland, the Oregon Coast, Willamette Valley, and more. While our road trip above takes you to several of our favorite destinations in this area, it is just the beginning of things to do and see and you can truly customize this road trip to your own interests.

While our road trip itinerary is quite short, it doesn’t mean that you can’t stay for a while. There are several hotels in the Tualatin Valley and dozens of Portland hotels are just a short drive away. We also recommend checking out several delightful vacation rentals like this unique 1875 schoolhouse or this converted barn studio apartment. And if you are looking for a place to dine on your road trip, we recommend Clancy’s in Sherwood. The food here is delicious!