Top Things to Do This Spring

It feels good to get outside! Spring brings clear and sunny weather mixed with clouds and rain – and the occasional warm, sunny days that hint at the glorious summer that will come. March, April and May are a wonderful time to explore the region's natural and agricultural landscapes.
Notice the spring in your step as you venture along the region's hiking trails and bike paths. From coastal lakes to rushing rivers in the Cascade Mountains, springtime fishing is promising. The shallow waters are warming up, insects are hatching, weather conditions are gentler on anglers and the fish are on the move. Cast out your line for trout, Spring Chinook and Steelhead. Local outfitters can provide gear, instruction and even take you to their favorite spots.

Nature is waking up everywhere, making spring birding particularly rewarding. Fern Ridge Reservoir is a prime birding destination, with a diversity of habitat from marsh to grasslands to woodlands.
Spring Road Trips
Cruise the back country roads to see spring casting its misty green veil across the local farms. Follow the South Willamette Valley Food Trail to see where the region's food is locally sourced. Along the way, discover freshly baked bread made from grain milled in Junction City, and honey gathered from bees feasting on our local wildflowers.
Wildflower & Waterfall Hunting

Discover spring wildflowers! The Willamette Valley is lush and green, blessed with budding flowers in area wetlands, parks and forests. Look for local flowering favorites including cherry blossoms, daffodils, rhododendrons, wild iris and camas.
Snow run-off swells rivers and reservoirs, making this the best season for waterfall viewing. Go for a hike to discover many waterfall wonders.
TrackTown USA & Running Events
This spring brings the first track & field events at the brand-new Hayward Field. Come marvel at its innovative design and see what all the buzz is about in TrackTown USA.

The U.S. Olympic Trials - Track & Field will be held here in June, followed by the World Athletics Championships Oregon 21 in 2021.
Lace up your running shoes for a 5K or a marathon! From the Coast to the Cascades, the region hosts numerous running events. Here are just of few of the many options.
Earth Day
To help offset the carbon footprint of hosting the World Track Championships in 2021, Eugene has pledged to plant 2,021 giant sequoia trees. This April, work with the city to plant a sequoia at a local residence, business or public space.
Drink World-Class Pinot Noir

May is Oregon Wine Month, bringing a wide variety of celebrations along Territorial Highway. Wineries that have shut down for the winter season, re-open their doors in time for Memorial Day celebrations. Explore the South Willamette Wine Trail.
Memorial Day Weekend
Along with pausing to remember loved ones, enjoy this warm-up-to-summer weekend with a fun camping trip.
More Regattas
And if lake events appeal to you – spring holds many other opportunities to cheer on the crew.
More Spring Events

Author: Taj Barnhart Morgan
Taj Barnhart Morgan is the Director of Content Strategy for Travel Lane County. A journalism graduate from the University of Oregon, Taj has two decades of special event management and hospitality marketing experience in San Diego, CA and Maui, HI. Passionate about mothering, and back to her Oregon roots, she is discovering the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region all over again through the eyes of her daughter.