Month guide · Portland · United States
Portland in October
What October is really like in Portland: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Chrismiceli, CC0
Quick answer
October is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 18°C (64°F), lows of 8°C (46°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 10.8 hours of daylight. Rain returns but autumn colour at the Japanese Garden and Hoyt Arboretum is superb.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 18°C (64°F) / 8°C (46°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 10.8 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in October
October is the 6th-warmest month in Portland: days average 18°C (64°F) against a yearly average high of 18°C (64°F), and nights fall to about 8°C (46°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with September (25°C (77°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 12°C (54°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 07:27
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 18:26
- Daylight
- About 10.8 hours
Autumn (September–November). Warm September harvests, autumn colour in October and steady rain by November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in October
October has no major recurring festival in Portland, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in October
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Waterfront · Downtown
Tom McCall Waterfront Park and Eastbank Esplanade
A riverside park replaced a freeway along the west bank of the Willamette in the 1970s.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Views
- Active
Park · Hawthorne and Belmont
Mount Tabor Park
Go for sunset from the west-facing slopes, then eat on Hawthorne or Belmont.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Garden · Eastmoreland
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
A lakeside woodland garden in Southeast Portland with more than 2,500 rhododendrons, azaleas and other plants around a spring-fed lake visited by ducks, geese and herons.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Couples
- Kids
- Off the beaten path
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Street · Alberta Arts District
Alberta Street murals and galleries
Walk from east to west and finish with ice cream or dinner near NE 15th.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Food
- Shopping
What to pack
For highs near 18°C, lows near 8°C and 12 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October a good time to visit Portland?
A shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, June–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Portland in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is October a good time to visit Portland?
It is a shoulder-season month. Rain returns but autumn colour at the Japanese Garden and Hoyt Arboretum is superb.
+How warm is Portland in October?
Average highs are around 18°C (64°F) and lows around 8°C (46°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Portland in October?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.