Hoyt Arboretum Spring Equinox Walk
A guided walk through Portland's free botanical garden and tree museum at the moment of astronomical spring — 12,000 trees beginning their spring flush.
About the walk
Hoyt Arboretum holds 12,000 trees representing the world's temperate forests, all set within a 190-acre Pacific Northwest forest in Washington Park. Each year around the spring equinox, the arboretum offers educational guided walks exploring themes of balance, symbolism, and renewal. The 2026 equinox falls on March 15.
Programs are led by Hoyt Arboretum staff and focus on equinox themes — the balance of light and dark, early bud break, ephemerals emerging at the woodland edge. The arboretum is free year-round; the guided walk is a structured, educational experience layered on top of a space that rewards wandering on its own.
What to expect
A guided walk through one of North America's most diverse urban tree collections, focused on equinox themes — the balance of light and dark, early bud break, and ephemerals emerging at the woodland edge. Magnolias, flowering cherries, and witch hazel are typically in early bloom; native trillium and Oregon grape appear in the understory.
The arboretum has over 6 miles of trails and is free and open daily. Even without the guided program, equinox week is an excellent time to visit — the dawn redwood grove and conifer collection are particularly striking as new growth emerges.