The Best Parks in Portland, Oregon

8 Great Portland Parks

Whether you’re looking for fun weekend hikes to try, a beautiful picnic spot, somewhere to soak up the calming natural beauty of trees and flowers, or a place for a pick-up game of soccer or basketball, we’ve got you covered.

The Best Parks in Portland, Oregon:

1. Forest Park

2. Mt. Tabor Park

3. Peninsula Park

4. Washington Park

5. Lan Su Chinese Garden

6. Tom McCall Waterfront Park

7. Tryon Creek State National Park

8. Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

1. Forest Park

Featuring 5,200 acres of serene forests and untouched natural beauty, Forest Park is a favorite destination for local Portlanders and visitors alike. 

Situated in Northwest Portland, not far from one of the city’s most beloved shopping areas on 23rd Avenue, the park is home to more than 80 miles of walking trails and forest roads, covering more than seven miles along the Tualatin Mountains.

Forest Park is the ideal place to experience the untamed natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest without leaving Portland’s city limits. The forest canopy is also adorned with an abundance of birds and other small critters, and you can stop by the famous Witch’s Castle for fun photos or the Portland Audubon Society’s nature store and wildlife rehabilitation center.

2. Mt. Tabor Park

Sitting atop Mt. Tabor – a dormant volcanic cinder cone that’s part of the Boring Lava Field – is Mt. Tabor Park. The volcanic field extends all the way from the city of Boring, Oregon to Southwest Washington and has been extinct for over 300,000 years, making it perfectly safe to visit. 

The park is located just east of the bustling Hawthorne Boulevard and is beautifully maintained. Due to its elevation, Mt. Tabor Park offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the city.

Here are just a few of the amenities the 176-acre park has to offer:

• An accessible play area

• Sheltered picnic areas

• Horseshoe pits

• A playground

• An outdoor stage

• Paved pathways

• An off-leash dog area

• Basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts

3. Peninsula Park

The historic Peninsula Park, located in North Portland, offers gorgeous scenery and virtually endless activities for the whole family to enjoy. With over 16 acres of land, the park boasts a wide range of amenities, including tennis and basketball courts, a splash pad, a playground, and expansive picnic areas. 

Peninsula Park is also home to Portland’s first public rose garden, which has been beautifully maintained since its creation in 1909. Whether you want to have some fun with friends and family or you just want to take a leisurely walk through the garden, the park serves as a unique oasis that you can enjoy without ever having to leave the city.

4. Washington Park

Searching for the perfect place for a family day trip? Look no further than Washington Park! With 410 acres of lush greenery, the park is home to some of the best and most beautiful attractions the City of Roses has to offer. They include:

• The International Rose Test Garden

• Hoyt Arboretum

• An archery range

• The World Forestry Center

• The Oregon Zoo

• Amazing views of the city

• The Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial

• The Oregon Holocaust Memorial

• The Portland Japanese Garden

• The Rose Garden Children’s Playground

5. Lan Su Chinese Garden

The Lan Su Chinese Garden is widely regarded as one of the most authentic Chinese gardens you’ll find outside of China. Built by Chinese artisans from Suzhou (one of Portland’s global sister cities) the park features an idyllic botanical garden with native Chinese plant life and stunning architecture. 

While the park does require moderate admission fees, you’ll get more than your money’s worth with a tranquil atmosphere and authenticity you won’t find anywhere else in the city. After soaking in the natural beauty of the garden, take a look at the garden shop or visit the teahouse for a relaxing drink. 

6. Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Situated along the Willamette River in Downtown Portland, Tom McCall Waterfront Park offers over 30 acres of beauty in the city. With a wide walkable (and bikeable) path, you can enjoy the beautiful riverfront to your heart’s content, while still having easy access to markets, restaurants, and food trucks.

Whether you’re in the mood for a stroll in the city just 300 feet from the historic Burnside Bridge or you want to attend one of the many events held in the park, including the Portland Brewers Festival and the Waterfront Blues Festival, Tom McCall Waterfront Park is a true bright spot of Portland amenities and culture.

7. Tryon Creek State National Park

Tryon Creek State National Park is the perfect place to experience the wild natural beauty of the PNW without venturing too far from the city center of Portland. Located just 15 minutes south of downtown Portland it’s the only state park within city limits, and it remains a crowning jewel for Portland natives and tourists alike.

The 658 acres of lush forest offers eight miles of year-round hiking trails as well as a three-mile biking trail to take in the dense plantlife and wildlife as you explore the park. With over 50 species of birds as well as a variety of small mammals including bevers, squirrels, and foxes, you’ll truly feel at one with all that the natural environment has to offer.

8. Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

Ideally situated between the beautiful grounds of Reed College and the Eastmoreland Golf Course in Southeast Portland, the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is a 5-acre botanical garden that features 2,000 full-grown, colorful rhododendrons in addition to a variety of other beautiful plants, trees, and shrubs.

The best time to visit is between late March and September, when the majority of the garden is in bloom and the wildlife is most active.

The park and gardens are home to a lake where you’ll find wood ducks, mallards, pied-billed grebes, blue herons, widgeons, and a variety of other waterfowl. It’s also common to see thrushes, yellow-rumped warblers, northern flickers, and kingfishers. There’s even a pair of bald eagles that have made the park their home.