12 Beautiful Parks for Hiking in Portland
With over 150 miles of trails, Portland is one of the best cities in the US for hiking. Portland’s trails will take you through forests, grasslands, wetlands, beaches, and gardens all without leaving the city. In this list, I have included only parks within city limits that have good hiking trails. Most are easily accessible by public transportation. Here is everything you need to know about the best places to hike in Portland, Oregon.
1. Forest Park
Pittock Mansion
Miles of trails: 80+ miles
Dog friendly: Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the trails.
Parking: There are over 40 access points for Forest Park. Most have free parking. Metered parking at a few trailheads is $2/hour or $8/day. Find the details here. Don’t leave personal items in your car while hiking. Some trailheads are the sites of frequent break-ins.
Transit: Bus lines 16, 77, 20, and 63.
ADA access: Limited. Lower Macleay Trail has 0.2 miles of accessible trail. It is paved with minimal grade.
Forest Park is massive. With over 5,000 acres of forest, hiking here feels like you are in the middle of the wilderness. The trails are surrounded by conifers like Doug firs and cedars as well as deciduous alders and big-leaf maples. The undergrowth is thick with ferns. It is home to an abundance of animals from birds to mammals to amphibians. You could hike for days and still not have seen the whole park. If you want to have a day in nature that’s close to the city, Forest Park is the best place for hiking in Portland.
Located on the eastern slope of the Tualatin Mountains, there are plenty of opportunities for hill climbing if you’re looking for a challenge. You can also find gentle trails perfect for a peaceful stroll in nature.
Here are a few of the notable trails and hike suggestions:
The Wildwood Trail is the best-known and longest trail in Forest Park. Its 30+ miles of trail connect many of the park’s popular features.
Leif Erickson Drive is a wide, 11-mile trail that was once a road for vehicles. It’s also one of the best trails in Forest Park for biking.
If it’s your first time visiting Forest Park, I’d suggest the hike from Lower Macleay Park to Pittock Mansion, which takes you past the Stone House (also known as the Witch’s Castle). This hike hits some of Forest Park’s most memorable landmarks in a little under 6 miles roundtrip.
The 4-mile out-and-back Ridge Trail has a great view of the St. John’s Bridge through a gap in the trees.
The Portland Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary has around 4 miles of trails. Stop to see the Pittock Bird Sanctuary before setting off on your hike.
2. Washington Park
International Rose Test Garden
Miles of trails: 15+ miles
Dog friendly: Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the trails.
Parking: Mostly metered at $2/hour or $8/day.
Transit: Max red and blue line, the 63 bus, and Washington Park shuttle.
ADA access: Pretty good. Major attractions like the Portland Rose Garden and Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial have paved sidewalks with gentle grades. A free shuttle connects attractions.
Washington Park has a wonderful blend of woodland hiking and urban attractions tied together by hiking trails. Although there are over 15 miles of trails in Washington Park, you can see the highlights on a 4-mile loop hike that includes parts of the Wildwood Trail, Oak Trail, and MAC Trail. Find detailed instructions and a map for this hike here.
Washington Park is also one of the best places to hike in Portland without a specific plan in mind. Trail junctions have signs that will point you toward park attractions and include distances. Here is what to look for while you’re there:
International Rose Test Garden - a formal garden with over 10,000 rose bushes
Portland Japanese Garden (entrance fee) displays eight types of Japanese gardens
Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial and Oregon Holocaust Memorial
Sculptures, statues, and public art
Multiple playgrounds and picnic areas
Oregon Zoo (entrance fee)
World Forestry Center (entrance fee)
Archery range
Hoyt Arboretum, a museum of living trees (see below)
It’s also easy to reach the trails of Forest Park from Washington Park. Look for the Barbara Walker Crossing, a funky pedestrian bridge over Burnside Rd that connects the parks.
Barbara Walker Crossing
3. Hoyt Arboretum
Hoyt Arboretum
Miles of trails: 12 miles
Dog friendly: Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the trails.
Parking: Metered parking lot is $2/hour or $8/day.
Transit: Red and blue Max lines, the 63 bus, and Washington Park Shuttle.
ADA access: Some. Look for the Overlook Trail, Bristlecone Pine Trail, and Visitor Center Loop Trail.
Although technically part of Washington Park, Hoyt Arboretum deserves special mention because of the unique layout of its hiking trails. It is a museum of living trees with over 2,300 tree species represented. Trails in the arboretum highlight different tree types like maple, beech, magnolia, and oak. For anyone out there like me who is always wondering about the names of trees, the labels in the Hoyt Arboretum are valuable resources to expand your knowledge.
The Visitor Center in the Hoyt Arboretum is open from 10 AM - 4 PM and has free trail maps to help you navigate the park. The coniferous forest trails and Winter Garden trails are some of the best places for winter hiking in Portland as they stay pretty green year-round. Look for the Redwood Deck surrounded by towering redwood trees of three different species.
Just up the trail from the Redwood Deck is the dawn redwood, the Hoyt Arboretum’s most famous tree. Dawn redwoods were considered extinct and were known only through the fossil record until the 1940s when a grove of living trees was found in China. The Hoyt Arboretum’s dawn redwood grew from a seed that came from that grove, the first of its kind in the Western Hemisphere in millions of years. Dawn redwoods are deciduous trees that are most striking in the fall when their leaves turn yellow.
The Hoyt Arboretum is located near some of Portland’s best parks and attractions. You can reach the Rose Garden in 1 mile and Pittock Mansion in 1.6 miles of hiking trails.
4. Tryon Creek State Natural Area
Jackson Shelter at Tryon Creek State Natural Area
Miles of trails: 8 miles
Dog friendly: Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the trails.
Parking: Free parking lot.
Transit: Closest bus routes are the 35 and 39. There is about a 30-minute walk from the bus stop.
ADA access: Limited to the 0.3-mile Trillium Trail, a paved loop trail starting from the Nature Center. Accessible Nature Center and restrooms.
Tryon Creek State Natural Area is the only Oregon State Park within the city of Portland. With miles of interconnected trails, it’s also one of the best parks in Portland for loop hikes. You’ll have no trouble finding a trail whether you’re looking to hike less than a mile or several miles. That being said, the trails have many junctions that can get confusing. It’s a good idea to pick up a free trail map from the Nature Center. The map includes suggested hikes that combine multiple trails to see the park’s best features.
Several trails begin at the Nature Center. The 0.3-mile Trillium Trail is a paved loop trail with minimal grade. Most other trails are unpaved and head downhill toward Tryon Creek through a forest of Doug fir, cedar, and big-leaf maple trees. In spring and summer, it is one of the best places to find trillium blooming.
One of my favorite things to do at Tryon Creek State Natural Area is to go hunting for bridges. There are eight bridges in the park over Tryon Creek and its tributaries. Sadly, the park’s suspension bridge was damaged by a fallen tree, but there are plenty of picturesque wooden bridges remaining.
The nearly 700 acres of forest at Tryon Creek provide important habitats for animals. The park is a good place to look for deer, coyotes, foxes, rabbits, chipmunks, songbirds, salamanders, tree frogs, and banana slugs among others. You might also spot horses on one of the park’s equestrian trails.
5. Marshall Park
Playground at Marshall Park
Miles of trails: 3-mile lollipop loop trail
Dog friendly: Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the trails.
Parking: Free parking at the trailheads. There is one on 12th Drive and one on 18th Place.
Transit: Bus line 12 has a stop a little over a mile from Marshall Park. Use the trailhead on 18th Place.
ADA access: No
The hiking trails at Marshall Park explore its 400-foot-wide canyon that was once the site of a quarry. Tryon Creek flows at the base of the canyon. The feature that makes Marshall Park one of the best parks in Portland is its playground, which feels like it’s deep in the woods even though it’s only a few steps away from the parking area on 12th Drive. Near the playground, you’ll see a couple of picnic tables and a small stone bridge that crosses Tryon Creek. Just up the trail, there is a little waterfall where Tryon Creek tumbles over some large boulders.
There is a loop trail about 1 mile in length on the north side of the park that includes both trailheads and the playground. You can continue over the stone bridge and head south to add an out-and-back section for a total hike of about 3 miles. The hike is wooded throughout. Look for Doug fir, western hemlock, cedar, and big-leaf maple trees. You’ll reach a trail junction on the out-and-back portion of the hike. Follow it to the left. Know that this trail can get very muddy in winter!
The trail ends at busy Boones Ferry Road, although there is an option to continue to the nearby Tryon Creek State Natural Area. Look for North Creek Trailhead across Boones Ferry Road about 0.2 miles down the road. Find detailed instructions and a trail map here.
6. Powell Butte
Bench on the Mountain View Trail at Powell Butte
Miles of trails: 9 miles
Dog friendly: Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the trails.
Parking: Free parking lot. It does fill up on nice weekend days.
Transit: Bus lines 9 and 74, although you will have to walk up the hill from the bus stop.
ADA access: The Mountain View Trail from the parking lot is paved. It never gets very steep, although it does go uphill to the summit of Powell Butte. Accessible restrooms.
Powell Butte is an extinct cinder cone that is part of the Boring Volcanics, a group of small shield volcanoes in and around the Portland area. Today the park at Powell Butte has some of the best hiking trails in Portland, which pass through grasslands, forests, and wetlands. The summit of Powell Butte is over 600 feet high and has views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Rainier, Larch Mountain, and Rocky Butte on a clear day.
There is an interpretive center near the parking lot with information on various topics from the park wildlife to Portland’s Water Bureau. One of its more memorable displays is the pipe sections of different sizes with great climbing potential for kids. Look for the picnic tables near the interpretive center. On a clear day, they have a mountain view.
Powell Butte’s most popular trail is the paved Mountain View Trail, which heads uphill to the butte’s summit. At the top, you’ll find a viewpoint with signs that point to all the mountain peaks visible from the butte. You can make this trail into a loop by continuing on Summit Lane, which is where you can see Mt. Jefferson.
The grassy fields of Powell Butte are one of the best places in Portland to see both songbirds and birds of prey. Also keep an eye out for deer, rabbits, voles, raccoons, chipmunks, and coyotes.
7. Mount Tabor
Mt. Tabor Park
Miles of trails: Choose between 1.3-mile, 2.3-mile, and 3-mile trails plus other connector trails.
Dog friendly: Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the trails. There is also an off-leash area at the south end of the park.
Parking: Free parking lot.
Transit: Bus lines 71 and 15.
ADA-access: Pretty good. Restrooms, picnic areas, and playground are accessible. The trail to the summit is paved. There is a section with an uphill grade. Some trails are along paved partial vehicle streets.
Mt. Tabor Park sits on top of a volcanic cinder cone that is part of the Boring Volcanics, a somewhat enigmatic group of volcanoes thought to be related to the Cascades. At over 600 feet high, Mt. Tabor has several impressive viewpoints. You can see downtown Portland, the West Hills, Mt. Saint Helens, and Mt. Hood at different places in the park.
Mt. Tabor is one of Portland’s more developed parks with amenities like a playground, picnic pavilion, tennis courts, basketball court, and soapbox derby track. You never quite forget that you’re in the city when you visit Mt. Tabor, but the enormous pine trees help make it one of the best parks for hiking in Portland.
The park has three main loop trails that connect the highlights of the park. There are free, detailed trail maps near the parking area to help you find your way, although I find it equally fun just to wander around. These are Mt. Tabor Park’s official trails:
The 1.3-mile Red Trail is an easy introduction to the park with views of downtown Portland and the open-air reservoirs.
The 2.3-mile Green Trail is the best trail to see Mt. Hood on a clear day. It is also paved throughout most of its loop.
The 3-mile Blue Trail is the longest trail with the most elevation gain. It circles all three of the park’s reservoirs and gets you close to the park’s summit.
8. Marquam Nature Park
Mosaic at Marquam Nature Park
Miles of trails: 7 miles
Dog friendly: Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the trails. There is a stunning off-leash dog park if you head up to Council Crest.
Parking: Free parking is available at the trailhead.
Transit: Bus line 65.
ADA access: Not for the trails, although Council Crest Viewpoint is accessible.
Marquam Nature Park has 200 acres of forest in Southwest Portland. One of its most memorable features is the tiled mosaic near the park shelter. Hundreds of volunteers contributed to its creation in 2013 under the guidance of Portland artist Lynn Takata. Several trails begin at the mosaic, offering a variety of options for loops and lollipop loops.
One of the best hikes in Portland begins at Marquam Nature Park and leads up to the viewpoint at Council Crest Park, which is thought to be the highest point in the city. From the Marquam shelter and mosaic at the trailhead, start heading uphill on either the Sunnyside Trail or the Shadyside Trail. Both meet up with the Marquam Trail, which will bring you the rest of the way up to Council Crest. The hike is forested for most of the way until you reach the clearing at the top.
Council Crest Park has one of Portland’s best viewpoints. In ideal conditions, you can see both the city and five Cascade Mountain peaks: Mt. Hood, Mt. St Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt. Jefferson, and Mt. Rainier. The park has lots of grassy areas for picnics, an off-leash dog park with a showstopper view of Mt. Hood, and a large bronze statue of a mother and child.
Council Crest Viewpoint
9. Kelley Point Park
Kelley Point Park
Miles of trails: 1.7-mile loop hike
Dog friendly: Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the trails and at the beach.
Parking: Free parking lots. They do sometimes fill up on summer weekend days.
Transit: Bus line 11 has a stop about a half mile away from the park entrance (weekdays only).
ADA access: Pretty good. There is a paved trail with minimal grade around most of the park, including the viewpoint. Restrooms are accessible. There is no good paved access to the beach.
While Kelley Point Park does not have many miles of hiking trails, it is one of the best parks in Portland for river views. The park is situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, known as Kelley Point. There is a sandy beach surrounding the park with views of the rivers, Sauvie Island, and Mt. Saint Helens. Swimming is not allowed at the beaches due to dangerous conditions in the water.
The loop hike at Kelley Point Park is an easy stroll through a forest of cottonwoods. When you reach Kelley Point, there is a viewpoint with a couple of benches near the trail that looks onto the confluence of the rivers. Chances are you’ll see giant ships out in the water. On the other side of the trail is a large grassy field with picnic tables. Several small trails lead out to the beach along the way.
Kelley Point Park is one of the best places in Portland for birdwatching. Look for cormorants, gulls, osprey, and bald eagles. The beaches are especially good spots to watch for birds. While you’re there, look for the elaborate driftwood creation that looks like a pirate fort.
If you have a kayak or canoe, look for the boat launch near the first parking lot at Kelley Point Park. The second two parking lots are on the hiking trail.
10. Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
Wapato March at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
Miles of trails: About 4 miles
Dog friendly: Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the trails.
Parking: Free parking areas on the north and south ends of the park.
Transit: Bus line 19.
ADA access: No
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge in Portland’s Sellwood neighborhood will take you through forests, grasslands, and wetlands. There are two trailheads, one on either end of the park. I slightly prefer the south trailhead at Sellwood Park for being closer to the wetland area, although you can reach all parts of the park from either.
From the trailhead at Sellwood Park, you’ll get a great view overlooking the wetlands of Oaks Bottom and downtown Portland. The trail descends through a forested area to reach a grassy meadow. There, the trail splits. To the left, you’ll reach the Springwater Corridor shared bike path. The right will continue on an unpaved trail with boardwalk sections through the woods around Wapato Marsh. Go ahead and take either. You can come back on the other trail when you return.
The trail around the Wapato Marsh is one of the best hikes in Portland to see wildlife, especially birds. Look for ducks, geese, wigeons, and herons among others out in the water. It’s worth it to take a minute on the viewing platform on the east side of the marsh to see what’s out there.
Past the marsh, the trails continue through a cottonwood forest. There will be a tadpole pond with signs letting you know what critters you might see there. Next, take the underpass that crosses the Springwater Corridor and continue on the trail along the Willamette River. Look for Ross Island across the river. At the northern end of the park, the trail will begin to loop back the way you came.
11. Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area
White pelicans and egrets at Smith and Bybee Wetlands
Miles of trails: 2 miles out and back
Dog friendly: No
Parking: Free parking lot.
Transit: Bus line 11.
ADA access: Good. Parking lot, restrooms, and trails are accessible. There are ramps to reach the wildlife viewing platforms.
Smith and Bybee Wetlands in Northeast Portland keeps a low profile. Located near the airport and Cascade Station Mall, it does not seem to be a promising place for a park. Yet Smith and Bybee is the largest protected wetland in a US city, with acres of pristine habitat for birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. It is one of the best parks in Portland for hiking if you’re interested in wildlife.
The park’s hiking trail, the Interlakes Trail, connects the park’s two lakes, Smith Lake and Bybee Lake. Although not a very long hike, this trail has excellent wildlife-viewing potential. Dozens of songbirds visit the area as well as predatory birds like bald eagles, ospreys, and red-tailed hawks. Ducks, egrets, herons, and white pelicans frequent the marshy lake areas. Also be on the lookout for deer, beavers, river otters, turtles, and frogs.
There are signs at the parking lot with information about the park’s plants and animals. The trail begins flat and paved along the road, then heads into the woods. There is good shade from cottonwood trees on the trails, which lead to two wildlife-viewing platforms, one on each lake. After you’ve reached both platforms, return the way you came.
Smith and Bybee Wetlands is also a scenic and peaceful place to go kayaking or canoeing from around April-June. If you continue past the parking lot for the hiking trail, you’ll reach a boat launch area.
12. Laurelhurst Park
Ducks enjoy the pond at Laurelhurst Park
Miles of trails: About 1.5 miles
Dog friendly: Yes, the park includes an off-leash dog area.
Parking: Free street parking around the park.
Transit: Bus lines 17 and 20.
ADA access: Good. Accessible paved trails, restrooms, and picnic tables.
While Laurelhurst Park feels much more like an urban park than a wilderness retreat, it is one of Portland’s best parks for amenities. There are several picnic areas, a playground, a basketball court, a tennis court, a volleyball court, a horseshoe pit, and a soccer field. Plans are also in the works to add a skateboard ramp and pickleball court.
Since Laurelhurst Park is relatively small and easy to navigate, my favorite way to hike there is just to wander on the trails. Near the east side of the park, you’ll find a pond that is home to turtles and a group of particolored ducks. You can make a loop around the duck pond as well as a larger loop around the park itself. There are many large impressive trees along the trails, including several dawn redwoods.
For a longer walk, consider heading through the neighborhoods to Lone Fir Cemetery, Portland’s oldest cemetery with graves dating back to the 1800s.
Ducks of Laurelhurst Park
In summary, the best parks for hiking in Portland are:
Forest Park
Washington Park
Hoyt Arboretum
Tryon Creek State Natural Area
Marshall Park
Powell Butte
Mount Tabor Park
Marquam Nature Park
Kelly Point Park
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area
Laurelhurst Park
Enjoy the hiking trails of Portland!
With love,
Emma
Looking for more to do in the area? There are many more parks to hike and explore just outside of Portland:
For post-hike drinks, consider checking out one of the best wine bars in Portland.
