Forest Park
Escape the city without leaving Portland in this massive urban wilderness that's a haven for animals and adventurers alike.
John Patrick Pullen
With 70 miles (113 km) of trails, aptly named Forest Park is a popular escape for runners, cyclists, equestrians and hikers alike — leashed dogs are even allowed to enjoy its splendor. Located in the city’s northwest corner, this 8-mile-long (13 km) conservancy covers 5,156 acres (2,086 ha), providing a respite from urban life, supporting more than 112 bird and 62 mammal species and acting as a natural air purifier.
Wildwood Trail
A favorite route is the 30-mile (48 km) Wildwood Trail, which spans the entire length of Forest Park, connecting it with the Audubon Society Sanctuary, Pittock Mansion and Washington Park through the region’s 40-Mile Loop system of trails. The pathway can be accessed just northwest of the Washington Park MAX station and offers endless loop options with shorter paths, so you don’t have to commit to the whole thing. The park can also be accessed from several points in the Northwest Portland neighborhood; an entrance up Northwest Thurman Street leads to Leif Erikson Drive, a favorite road for exploring the park’s wooded hills.
Parks and Gardens
Enjoy verdant paths and beautiful blooms at these outdoor destinations.
Macleay Park Trail
The most popular trail in Forest Park is the scenic 5-mile (8 km) round trip trek from Lower Macleay Park to the Pittock Mansion. Macleay Park, located at the west end of Northwest Upshur Street just past 29th Avenue, provides an easily accessible starting point. Follow the Lower Macleay Trail, which traces Balch Creek, the park’s largest stream, into a thickly wooded ravine.
One mile up the trail, where it intersects the Wildwood Trail, visit the moss-covered remains of a stone building erected by the Works Progress Administration in 1936. (Known by locals as the “Stone House” or “Witch’s Castle,” the structure is, in fact, a former restroom.) Continue straight on the Wildwood Trail, still following Balch Creek, and begin a leg-pumping ascent to Upper Macleay Park. (A smattering of picnic tables and a port-a-potty make this an ideal rest stop.) The Bird Alliance of Oregon, with its free interpretive center and wildlife rehabilitation facility housing owls, red-tailed hawks, and more, provides an inviting detour nearby.
For the final leg, continue across Northwest Cornell Road and stay on the Wildwood Trail, which snakes upward on a .5-mile (.8 km) climb through a quiet canopy of towering firs to reach Pittock Mansion. Set nearly 1,000 feet (304 m) above the city, the 100-year-old home of 10th-century newspaper tycoon Henry Pittock features immaculate gardens and sweeping downtown views — a fitting reward for an afternoon on the trail.
Mentioned Elsewhere Online
Forest Park Conservancy
City of Portland
More Portland Parks
These public outdoor spaces are beloved spots for biking, running, picnicking and more.
Mount Tabor Park
Mount Tabor Park, a century-old public space, is known for its open-air reservoirs, forested hiking trails, sunset picnics, epic city views, its annual Adult Soapbox Derby, and, yes, its volcanic cinder cone.
Peninsula Park & Rose Garden
Discover outdoor fun for the whole family — plus thousands of blooms — at Oregon’s oldest public rose garden.
Laurelhurst Park
Just north of Portland’s Belmont neighborhood sits Laurelhurst Park, one of the city’s most scenic escapes with over 300 trees, a duck pond and an array of free public events.
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