Columbia River Gorge at Cascade Locks
The Oregon side of the gorge, where big-leaf maples and cottonwoods turn against basalt cliffs and waterfalls. Lower elevations here hold colour later into October.
Forest Composition
Conditions & 5-Day Forecast
Fall Highlights
Field notes · 2026 estimate
When to see peak color at Columbia River Gorge at Cascade Locks
Peak fall color is predicted around October 27. Plan for the strongest viewing window from October 22 to November 1.
- Predicted peak
- October 27
- Best window
- October 22 – November 1
- Confidence range
- ±5 days
- Color season
- September 24 – November 9
The prediction comes from 14 years of fall color records at this spot, checked against what observers on the ground saw. Where state foliage spotters report peak (New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Missouri), it has landed inside our ±5-day window about two years in three. An unusual summer or autumn can still move it further. Explore fall color around Hood River and across Oregon.
Fall color at Columbia River Gorge at Cascade Locks begins as early as September 24 in some spots and continues through November 9 in others — a 46-day window where you can catch peak color somewhere in the area regardless of when you visit.
Nearby locales