Portland's Best Nature Parks
The nature and parks in Portland are unmatched by any other major city in the country. In the summer months, you can find me biking, hiking, or running after work at one of many urban and suburban nature parks: little pockets of greenery close to home, perfect for weekday adventures!
If you prefer a downloaded guide
A Local's Guide to Parks in Portland
I've always struggled with living in a city. If I could have everything my way, I'd live in a cabin in the woods and never have to experience the crowds, traffic, and industrialism of cities. Unfortunately, life doesn't work that way, and my life thus far has mainly centered around Portland, Oregon. I've lived in a few different places in the US now, so I can confidently say that the nature and parks around Portland are UNMATCHED by any other major city in the country.
I've compiled a list of my favorite urban and suburban nature parks, to make it a little easier for you to opt outside on weekdays or whenever you want to stay close by. This is a living document! I will be adding parks as I explore more of the city, so keep checking back for more ideas. Let me know your favorite!
Links to Sections
Click on any of the below links to scroll down to that section of the page.
Forest Park
You can read more about Forest Park here, as it's impossible to be concise about such a vast and incredible place. Forest Park is truly the mother of all urban parks, and we don't realize how blessed we are to have it here in Portland.
I set a goal for myself to hike or run every single mile of Forest Park, to help combat seasonal depression during winter months. I am so close! But it has been quite the commitment: Forest Park has over 80 miles of trails and contains 5,200 acres.
The park’s two main trails are the Wildwood Trail and Leif Ericson Drive. The two run parallel to each other, but Leif Ericson ends at about 12-miles, and Wildwood continues for another 18 or so (it’s over 30 miles long!). There are so many fire lanes, connector trails, and forest roads to explore here. A great gateway to Forest Park is the beginning of Leif Ericson Drive at the end of NW Thurman Street. Stop at Dragonfly Coffee House after your excursion (or go before and grab a chai latte for your chilly stroll through the woods).
One quick note - car prowls are extremely common at all Forest Park trailheads, so don't leave anything visible at all.
Here are some helpful links:
Beaverton
I've lived in the Beaverton area for several years now! I also work in the area, and feel very lucky to be so close to so many great parks.
Tualatin Hills Nature Park
This is my favorite place to go for an easy trail run. There are about 4.5 miles of trails looping through a wooded area by the Nike campus. Some are paved, but most are woodchips or dirt. Sadly, no dogs are allowed. This is a bummer for me, but it does allow for wildlife to thrive: I've had deer jump out in front of me, seen frogs, and even heard a woman get attacked by an owl.
Important Things to Know:
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Located in Beaverton close to the Nike campus
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No dogs allowed
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About 4-5 miles of wooded trails, with several bridges and boardwalks
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Free parking, flushing toilets, and water fountain at trailhead
There is a nature center here open on weekdays from 9-5, and Saturdays from 10-3. They offer yoga classes, seasonal plant sales, and programs for children. Parking is free and reasonably safe. There are flush toilets, sinks, and a water fountain!
Tualatin Hills Nature Park is very close to a Trimet Station and busy highway, yet somehow feels worlds away. To learn more about it, check out the links below:
Fanno Creek Greenway Park
The Fanno Creek Trail stretches for about 10 miles from Beaverton to Tigard. There are several places to park and access the trail, but one of the most common is the Greenway Park. You can park at the 99 Ranch Market parking lot to be right next to the disc golf course. Or, you can park a mile away at the Denney Creek Trailhead and walk to Greenway Park.
Important Things to Know:
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Located between Beaverton and Tigard
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Part of a 10-mile Fanno Creek Trail
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Disc golf course, playgrounds, and paved trails for biking, running, or walking
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Free parking, no bathrooms or water fountains at parking lots, but several porta-potties along the trail
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Greenway Park tends to flood during winter, so several trails might be closed (see picture below)
The Fanno Creek Trail can be a little confusing because it stretches for such a long area and includes several different management districts. The eventual plan is to expand the trail so it all connects, but there are a few sections you'll have to walk on sidewalks for a block or so.
The websites below have trail maps and other information to help you plan a route:
Summer Lake Park
Summer Lake Park is a smaller park south of Beaverton and north of Bull Mountain. It's best for walking, as there are not a lot of trails to create a longer run. There are tennis/pickleball courts, playgrounds, and a dog park. Fishing is even allowed at the lake! (Oregon fishing license required)
Important Things to Know:
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A smaller park between Beaverton and Tigard
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Best for fishing (seasonal), walking, picnicking, or playing tennis/pickleball
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Free parking, flush toilets and water fountains
Here are some helpful links for Summer Lake Park:
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Article about the park from Tigard Life that includes a map
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Tigard Parks website
Cooper Mountain
This is currently one of my favorite parks to run or hike in. I've been coming here for years since I used to work in Aloha. It has beautiful oak savannahs and prairies, with incredible views of the valley. Unfortunately, no dogs are allowed here. The nature center offers classes and events, but is usually closed. There is a great picnic area under a canopy, so you can get a view of the valley without worrying about rain.
Important Things to Know:
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Located near Aloha
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No dogs allowed
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No bicycles allowed
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About 3.5 miles of moderately steep trails
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Free parking (but the lot closes at dusk), flush toilets and water fountains at parking lot
Cooper Mountain is part of the Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District, but it is newly managed by Metro. Here are some useful links to get more information:
Tigard & Surrounding Area
I recently moved to a house in unincorporated Washington County, so I'm kind of in Beaverton AND Tigard at the same time (depending on who you ask). I've been exploring the parks in Tigard over the past few years and feel very lucky to live here. Tigard and Tualatin have some of the best nature parks and trail systems. Tualatin even hides glass hearts in their nature parks every February, which adds a layer of fun! I wrote about the Heart Hunt here.
Gabriel Park
A hidden gem! Garden Home/Hillsdale is an up-and-coming neighborhood in SW Portland - I didn't even know it existed until my husband bought a house here. Gabriel Park is a huge suburban green area in the heart of Garden Home, and has everything you could ever want in a park: an inclusive playground, sports fields, two dog parks, a community garden, a skate park, tennis/pickleball courts, and miles of trails both through the woods and on sidewalks.
Parking here is free! There are several lots, some have actual bathrooms with flush toilets and water fountains, others just have porta-potties. If you've never been to this area of Portland before, you're in for a treat. I'd recommend stopping at Fat City Cafe, Gigi's Cafe, Spielman Bagles, Portland Coffee Club - Hillsdale, Barbur World Foods, the Multnomah Village food carts, and the Ole Bole Troll at the Nordic Center.
Important Things to Know:
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Located in the Hillsdale Neighborhood
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About 3 miles of wooded trails
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Playgrounds, two dog parks, a garden, pickleball/tennis courts, and a skate park!
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Best for walking and shorter runs, or picnicking
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Free parking, flushing toilets, and water fountains
Gabriel Park also has many trees that look perfect for climbing! Check out the below links for maps and more information.
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City of Portland website for Gabriel Park
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Trail Map
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Friends of Gabriel Park website (a little outdated but has some good information)
Cook Park
I first discovered Cook Park when I was looking for places to paddleboard. The boat launch at Cook Park is one of the best ways to access the Tualatin River. In addition to water activities, Cook Park has great access to running trails. The Tualatin River Trail follows the river and goes west through Jurgens Park, or east to Tualatin Community Park and Durham City Park.
There are also many picnic areas and pavilions that can be reserved. I've seen live orchestra concerts here in the summer! Cook Park also hosts the Tigard Balloon Festival every summer, during which the entire park is closed to the public.
Important Things to Know:
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Located in Tigard
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Tualatin River Trail connects Cook Park with the Tualatin Community Park and Durham Park
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Great for kayaking and paddleboarding
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Playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, soccer fields, basketball courts, nature trails, and picnic areas
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Lots of access to running trails
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Free parking, flush toilets, and water fountains
The Tualatin River has great sunsets! I've kayaked here in spring, summer, and fall - the water is usually very calm and flat, and the scenery is beautiful. Bald eagles are common! Here are some links to more info on Cook Park:
Tualatin River Wildlife Refuge
I love walking here, but I'm a little salty about it not allowing dogs, or running! It is very beautiful, but it is right off Pacific Highway between Tigard and Sherwood. It feels a little silly that the highway noise supposedly doesn't disturb the wildlife, but one jogger will?
The majority of the park's trails are closed from October to April to allow for migratory waterfall. However, there is a trail that remains open year-round. The nature center is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10-4. This park is popular for birdwatchers, and there are also a lot of nutria.
Important Things to Know:
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Located off Pacific Highway between Tigard and Sherwood
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No dogs, bicycles, running, or jogging allowed
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Most of the park is closed in the winter, but a very nice trail is open year-round
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Free parking, flush toilets and water fountains at parking lot
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Nature center is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10-4
I had a beautiful snowy walk here a few winters ago! Even with the seasonal closures, there's plenty to see. Here's some links for more info:
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Interactive map of the Refuge
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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website for the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge
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Friends of the Refuge website
Stella Olsen Memorial Park
When I lived in Sherwood, I discovered the Cedar Creek Trail at Stella Olson Memorial Park. There are some great boardwalk trails over wetlands, and you can make a really nice run by connecting this Trail with some sidewalks. Stella Olson Park is walking distance from Symposium Coffee and the historic district of downtown Sherwood. There is an amphitheater that hosts concerts too!
Important Things to Know:
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Located in Sherwood
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Best for picnicking, walking, and running
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Free parking, flush toilets and water fountains at parking lot
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Cedar Creek Trail goes through the park
There's not a ton of information on this park out there, but it's pretty easy to just show up and follow the trail. Here is some more information:
Lake Oswego
Lake Oswego is known as the wealthy and exclusive part of Portland, and it lives up to that reputation. However, it is close to Tigard and has great, easily accessed nature parks! If you can get past the lack of diversity, and HOA-gated-community types, it's a fun place to visit.
George Rogers Park
George Rogers Park is best known for a "historic furnace" which is an unusual claim to fame. It's much better to visit for paddleboarding, kayaking, running, and picnicking. The Park is on the banks of the Willamette River. Motorized boats are allowed here, so the water can be a little choppy. George Rogers Park is also the starting point of Old River Road, which begins as a paved footpath, then turns into an actual road. If you continue down Willamette Drive, you'll eventually reach Mary S. Young Park. There is a beautiful river-front picnic area here by the furnace. It gets pretty crowded on sunny days.
Important Things to Know:
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Located in Lake Oswego
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Kayak, paddleboard, and motorized boat access to the Willamette River
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Running trails and a beautiful picnic area by the river
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Free parking, flush toilets, and a water fountain
There isn't a ton of information on George Rogers park online, but here are some of the useful links I found:
Mary S. Young Park
You can connect Mary S. Young Park with George Rogers if you want a longer run!
There is a large off-leash dog park, sports fields, and miles of trails here. There is even river access with beaches. Most of these trails are unpaved and have some sneaky elevation gain.
Important Things to Know:
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Located in West Linn
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River access (but no boat launch), a dog park, sports fields, and running trails
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About 5 miles of unpaved running trails
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Free parking and flush toilets at parking lot
The river access at Mary S. Young Park is perfect to give dogs a chance to swim! It's a very dog friendly park, which I appreciate, as so many on this list don't even allow dogs. Here is some more information:
Camassia Natural Area
This is probably the least-well-known spot on my list - you've probably driven past it without even realizing. The parking "lot" is just a neighborhood cul-de-sac. A trailhead is marked, and it will take you to fragile camassia fields, which bloom in the spring. Sadly, dogs are not allowed here. It's a smaller park and only takes about 2 miles to walk through. It is basically on a cliff overlooking US-25, and once you know where it is, you'll notice it every time you drive by on the highway.
Important Things to Know:
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Located in West Linn
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No dogs allowed
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A tiny, privately owned park with stunning wildflower fields, best for a short hike
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Free street parking, no bathrooms or water available
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Unfortunately I've yet to catch the annual camassia bloom - the picture above is what the trail looks like most of the year. Here's some links for more info:
Eastside Portland
I've never lived on the east side of Portland, and I don't visit very often. The west side is generally better for nature and parks, but there are a few places I enjoy visiting across the river.
Sandy River Delta
This is our favorite place to take our dog! You will either need to pay for a day pass, or display a valid NW Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass. Oregon/Washington state passes are not accepted. There are pit toilets in the parking lot, but no running water. Floating the Sandy River is a popular summer activity, and just down the road is the Lewis and Clark Recreation Site, where you can end your float or just enjoy time at the beach.
The Sandy River Delta is also called the Thousand Acre Dog Park, because it is literally 1,500 acres of off-leash dogs. This would be a bad place to take an aggressive or reactive dog, and absolutely don't come here if you or your child is afraid of dogs. There are several trails through the wetlands and places for your dog to swim in the Sandy River. There is one trail with a bird blind that requires dogs to be leashed.
Important Things to Know:
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Located in Troutdale
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A 1,500 acre off-leash dog park with access to the Sandy and Columbia Rivers
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Best for walking - with or without a dog
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Parking is $10 for a day pass, or requires a NW Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass
This is a federally managed site, hence the parking fee. Here is more information:
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US Forest Service website for the Sandy River Delta
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National Park Service information on the Sandy River Delta's history as part of the Lewis & Clark Expedition
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Trail map from Friends of the Sandy River Delta
Mount Tabor
I try to avoid the east side of Portland, due to frequent crime, but I make an exception for Mount Tabor. I've had car break-ins at other parks, but never at Mount Tabor, so it's somewhat safe (just don't leave anything visible in your car).
It's a sneakily huge park, and parking can be a little confusing. Google maps will take you to one of several entrances, and you'll likely have to walk up a bunch of stairs to get to the main areas of the park. The roads are closed to cars every Wednesday (subject to change) so you can bike or walk up the roads safely. People also like to longboard here.
There are a few different reservoirs at Mount Tabor. The largest one is a popular spot to watch the sunset. During the summer, there are dance parties here with a DJ and lots of light up hula hoops. My favorite event hosted at Mount Tabor is the Adult Soapbox Derby. Every summer, teams build very intricate derby cars and ride them down the sloped roads. It's very crowded, but so much fun to watch.
Important Things to Know:
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Located in Northeast Portland
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Be vigilant about personal safety here at night, and do not leave valuables in your car
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Free street parking, several bathrooms and water fountains throughout the park
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Best for running, biking, walking, and picnicking
Here are some useful links with more information on Mount Tabor and its events:
Washington State
I grew up in Vancouver, Washington, so I'm very familiar with several parks up there. It's really not too far from Portland, but traffic crossing the bridge makes it feel much further. A usually 30-minute drive can be up to 2-hours on a weekday evening. If you do get the chance to visit Portland's northern neighbor, be sure to check out some parks. Vancouver is a weird place and I'll never live there again, but the nature parks are very nice.
Lacamas Lake
I grew up visiting Lacamas Lake with my family to go walking or fishing. There is so much to do here. The area actually has three lakes very close to each other - Round Lake, Lacamas Lake, and Fallen Leaf State Park. There are hiking and running trails around every lake and the neighboring forest. Some are paved, and some are wooded trails.
The Camas Lily Fields are east of Round Lake (similar vibe as the Camassia Nature Preserve in West Linn). There are trails leading to Woodburn and Lower Falls too. The best place to access these is a parking lot off NE Everett St at the junction of Lacamas and Round Lake.
Kayaking and paddleboarding are also popular here, as is fishing. Unfortunately you will need a Washington State fishing license, as there's no reciprocity between WA and OR.
Lacamas Lake is far bigger than Round Lake - you can park at Heritage Park, or by the Lacamas Lake Lodge. Parking fills up very quickly especially on weekends. The Lacamas Lake Heritage Trail is about 3.5 miles along the length of the lake, and it's totally flat and paved, making it perfect for biking.
Fallen Leaf Lake is the least visited area, and it could be a good place to park if everything else fills up. No fishing is allowed here, but the lake is open to kayaking and paddleboarding. Swimming in all three lakes is allowed, but I'd discourage it. Toxic algae blooms are too common, so be careful of taking dogs near the water.
Important Things to Know:
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Located in Camas, Washington
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Amazing running trails around 3 lakes - 10+ miles at least of paved and non-paved trails, both flat and hilly
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Paddleboarding, kayaking, and fishing access
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Waterfalls and wildflower fields
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Free parking, bathrooms and water fountains at most parking lots
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Dogs allowed, but watch for toxic algae in the lakes
Lacamas Lake is absolutely beautiful in the fall. The above picture is at Fallen Leaf State Park. The parking lot flooded (you can see the shelter behind the giant puddle that used to be a parking lot). The running trail was still above water and it made for a beautiful autumn run.
Here are some useful links to navigate the Lacamas Lake area:
