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Mount Tabor Park

Open reservoirs, hiking trails and an extinct volcano await at this Southeast Portland park.

Updated Oct. 18, 2023 3 min read Southeast Portland

Tuck Woodstock

Tuck Woodstock wrote and edited content for Travel Portland from 2014–2020. Read More

Portland is home to more than 200 delightful parks of all sizes and styles — but only one is built atop a volcano. In fact, Portland is one of six American cities with an extinct volcano within its limits, thanks to the 636-foot-tall (194 m) Mount Tabor. Experience this novelty by exploring 191-acre (77 ha) Mt. Tabor Park, a century-old public space known for its open-air reservoirs, annual Adult Soapbox Derby, and, yes, its volcanic cinder cone.

Know Before You Go

Mt. Tabor Park offers ADA-accessible picnic sites, restrooms and play areas, and paved paths up to the summit.

Mt. Tabor Park History

Named after an Israeli peak of the same name, Portland’s Mount Tabor became a city park in 1909. Parks superintendent Emanuel Tillman Mische consulted with famous landscape architect John C. Olmsted to create a design for the site, which included several walking trails, gently curving roads, long flights of stairs, and plenty of space to showcase native plants.

A few years later, construction workers found volcanic cinders in the park, which were used to pave the park’s pathways. That’s right — you’re walking or rolling on ancient lava from Mount Tabor itself!

family at mount tabor park plays piano and looks at view with dogs — Every summer, Piano Push Play installs dozens of custom-painted pianos throughout the city, all free for anyone to play.

Mount Tabor Reservoirs

Between 1894–1911, Portland built four open reservoirs on the slopes of Mount Tabor. For decades, these structures supplied water to residents across the city. In 1990, the city sold one of the reservoirs to private developers; the other three have since been decommissioned. These days, the enormous reservoirs, which were accepted to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004, simply provide a scenic backdrop to your park activities.

Mount Tabor Summit

You’ll enjoy spectacular views across Southeast Portland at the mountain’s summit, with the city skyline and West Hills in the distance. Grab a seat on one of the benches here and watch a summer sunset.

Participants enjoy a peaceful outdoor yoga class at the crest of Mt. Tabor Park.

Exploring Portland’s Extinct Volcanoes

Portland is home to four extinct volcanoes — some dating back millions of years. Here’s how to enjoy hiking, shooting hoops, picnicking and more on these natural wonders.

Mt. Tabor Park Trails

A mixture of footpaths and paved roads crisscross Mount Tabor, making it easy to start a hike (or stroll) from any point in the park. Need a bit more direction? Choose from among three official trails: the 1-mile (1.6 km) Red Trail, 1.7-mile (2.7 km) Green Trail, and 3-mile (4.8 km) Blue Trail. Find trail maps online.

PDX Adult Soapbox Derby

Built in 1956, Mount Tabor’s youth soapbox derby course had gone unused for decades until 1997 when Portlander Paul Zenk founded the PDX Adult Soapbox Derby. Every year, on the third Saturday in August, dozens of daring amateur racers zoom down Mount Tabor, competing to become the fastest (or most artistic or crowd-pleasing) derby car on the slope. The free event draws crowds of up to 10,000 cheering spectators; visit soapboxracer.com for more information and up-to-date event details.

Ya Hala

In Lebanese, “ya hala” is a way of saying “we welcome you.” This family-owned restaurant specializes in traditional Lebanese cuisine prepared with the freshest ingredients.
DC Vegetarian

DC serves a veggie take on classic meat dishes (which can be made vegan by request), including the Philly Cheesesteak that uses their signature seitan steak replacement.
Apizza Scholls

Apizza Scholls offers in-house dining and carryout. In addition to their gourmet pizzas, salads, desserts and draft beers are available. The arcade room features a variety of video game classics.
Bipartisan Cafe

Bipartisan Cafe features handmade pies, with vegan or gluten-free options. Purchaser a whole pie, or savor a single slice alongside a coffee or chai. Other menu offerings include sandwiches, soups and wraps.
Ha VL

This unassuming Vietnamese restaurant serves two authentic soups each day, as well as banh mi sandwiches, coffee and smoothies.

Mt. Tabor Park Amenities

In addition to leafy trails and unique sights, Mt. Tabor Park offers visitors a wide array of amenities. Entertainment options include a basketball court, horseshoe pit, playground, volleyball and tennis courts, and an outdoor amphitheater. A fenced, off-leash dog park is also located at the base of the hill. ADA-accessible picnic areas, play areas, and restrooms are available throughout the park.

girl on skateboard at park with big trees — Cyclists, bikers, and skaters frequently zoom down the extinct volcano.

runners and cyclists on the hillside of the extinct volcano — Mt. Tabor is a great spot for outdoor activities. You can hike the trails, play basketball, and bbq.

people enjoy a picnic at sunset looking out over a reservoir — Pack a picnic and relax in the grass to watch the sunset from Mt. Tabor Park.

large evergreen trees shade a trail. — Southeast Portland's Mt. Tabor Park is a great spot for outdoor activities.

blue sky view of a city in the distance from break in forest — Looking west from the top of Mt. Tabor, you'll see the best city views the eastside has to offer.

Visiting Mt. Tabor Park

Mt. Tabor Park is open from 5 a.m. to midnight daily. The park is bordered by Southeast Division Street to the south, Southeast 60th Avenue to the west, Southeast Yamhill Street to the north, and Southeast Mountainview Drive to the east. Street parking and parking lot access are available but limited; visitors can also opt to take TriMet bus 15, which stops at Southeast 60th Avenue and Belmont Street, only a few blocks northwest of the park.

Outdoors, Parks & Gardens