Forest Park
Forest Park
4.5
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
About
The largest urban park in the county, lined with trails for hiking and biking.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
726 reviews
Excellent
555
Very good
151
Average
12
Poor
7
Terrible
1
sexybaby7399
Oregon436 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
We enjoyed this great outdoors park that has lots of walking trails some of which are pretty rough and definitely rugged. Lots of great views. Not for the faint of heart as trails are often thin with major drop offs beside them. Port a potties available if needed. A great place for a walk with lots of options some of which are noticeably steep. Recommended!
Written March 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lori P.
11 contributions
Aug 2021
Hike to the Witches Castle, is really "the hike". The castle is just an old brick building filled with graffiti. I still enjoyed seeing it. However, the hike (if you don't hike) is not flat as described and the lower level trail was closed (we didn't know that until we got to the castle. This meant we had to go back uphill the way we came (didn't want to do that) or find our way out another direction (which we did with the help of a local). beautiful forest.
Written August 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jake R
1 contribution
Dec 2020
I liked it, it was worth seeing. Would I go again? Probably not. If I lived there I would utilize it. But it claims it's the largest urban forest in America, but that is incorrect. The Trinity Forest (Dallas, TX) is more than a 1000 acres larger and is the largest in America.
Written January 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lumen c
4 contributions
Dec 2020
Word to the wise: in the winter, wear good hiking boots! That said, our adventure was so beautifula nd lush. Everything was packed with mosses and ferns. I wish I had a hiking trail into a magical forest in my backyard like the lucky Portlanders!
Written December 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jane801
Rochester, MN16 contributions
Jun 2022
Hard to believe that such a huge and beautiful park is so close to downtown Portland. I stayed in Portland without a car, and walked from my hotel to Pittock Mansion, and then picked up the Wildwood trail. Trails are well maintained and well marked. Dogs are allowed on leash, and bikes are allowed on some trails.
Written June 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew T
324 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
This is an incredibly beautiful forest to walk around in. If you have the time you can easily spend the whole day there. Lots of undulation so if that’s a difficulty walking need to be considerate of that. But the walking trails are really well paved. Overall rating 9.7
Written October 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer
Salem, OR9 contributions
Jul 2019
Love this park but it does get quite busy. Parking is a little wonky but glad me and my friend that I was taking pictures of found a couple spots. Great area especially with the stone house and the little creek. It was gorgeous summer day. For more pictures please visit stunningportraitphotography.com
Written June 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelingmike
Hillsboro, Oregon144 contributions
Overview:
This is a large forest track that has been set aside by the city of Portland to be used as a recreation, and a wildlife coridor area. It is located to the west and north of the city and goes out further to the north and west in it's distance. There are hiking trails throughout it, including a 40 mile loop. Along the trail you can access the Oregon Zoo, the Pittock Mansion, Hoyt Arboretum, McCleay park, and the Audubon Society building. While there are many hiking trails through the park, the main trail is the WildWood trail. Most trails are only used for hiking, or running. However, a few trails are used for biking.
Helpful hints:
1. If you visit the Pittock Mansion you can pick up a trail map at the front desk.
2. You can find restrooms at the zoo, the Pittock Mansion, Hoyt Arboretum, and at McCleay park. Beyond that, they are hard to come by.
3. You can start at the zoo and hike from here. Arrive by the Maxx Train (Washington Park stop inside the tunnel, and then take elevator to the top.), or take the public bus #63, or by driving and parking at the very top of the hill.
4. The sites that I have listed above are all within a 5 mile hike (and a 5 mile hike back.) starting from the zoo. For a shorter hike you can start from the zoo and go to the Pittock Mansion for a 3.5 mile hike. Take the WildWood trail in each case.
Overall an enjoyable hike inside of Portland. Please take the time to rate my review. Thanks.
This is a large forest track that has been set aside by the city of Portland to be used as a recreation, and a wildlife coridor area. It is located to the west and north of the city and goes out further to the north and west in it's distance. There are hiking trails throughout it, including a 40 mile loop. Along the trail you can access the Oregon Zoo, the Pittock Mansion, Hoyt Arboretum, McCleay park, and the Audubon Society building. While there are many hiking trails through the park, the main trail is the WildWood trail. Most trails are only used for hiking, or running. However, a few trails are used for biking.
Helpful hints:
1. If you visit the Pittock Mansion you can pick up a trail map at the front desk.
2. You can find restrooms at the zoo, the Pittock Mansion, Hoyt Arboretum, and at McCleay park. Beyond that, they are hard to come by.
3. You can start at the zoo and hike from here. Arrive by the Maxx Train (Washington Park stop inside the tunnel, and then take elevator to the top.), or take the public bus #63, or by driving and parking at the very top of the hill.
4. The sites that I have listed above are all within a 5 mile hike (and a 5 mile hike back.) starting from the zoo. For a shorter hike you can start from the zoo and go to the Pittock Mansion for a 3.5 mile hike. Take the WildWood trail in each case.
Overall an enjoyable hike inside of Portland. Please take the time to rate my review. Thanks.
Written March 29, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GeorgePortland_OR
Greensboro, GA309 contributions
Aug 2014 • Solo
(This is an update of a popular review.)
I've hiked all over the US and was surprised to find some of the best hiking anywhere within a 60-mile radius of Portland. I live in Portland now and regularly use the trail system within Forest Park. The trails vary in nature from easy (practically dead level) to more strenuous (the ones that run from bottom to top of the Portland Hills). The entire park lies within the City of Portland, whose Parks Department provides excellent trail maintenance. Because of the rills of the hills, a trail like Wildwood (easy in most sections and starting in the Arboretum above downtown) wends its way for 30 miles from near the Zoo to Newberry Road north of Portland.
For visitors to Portland with a car, I would recommend any section of the Wildwood trail or Leif Ericsson Drive (a closed roadway running through much of the park) that is accessible from NW Thurman Street and from Germantown Road. [Thurman St access is blocked by a major bridge repair in the summer/fall of 2014. Ask a local about access to Leif Ericsson.] Beautiful, near level sections of the Wildwood Trail are accessible from NW 53rd Street, a righthand turn most of the way up NW Cornell Road in the Portland Hills. Wildwood is closed to bikes; Leif Ericsson isn't, and LE can sometimes be hazardous because of inconsiderate bikers who don't call out before flying by you and your startled dog.
Recently, a young man has created a nice app for the iPhone on Forest Park, showing the trail system. The app is evolving nicely into a very useful tool. The best paper map of the park is available at REI stores in town and elsewhere and is known as the Green Trails Map of Forest Park (#426S). Check the Forest Park Conservancy website for information on their pocket-size sectional maps. I found mine at the Arboretum gift shop.
The pluses: FP has 70+ miles of forested trails to keep you busy, and they vary in strenuousness. It's fun to take plant and tree ID books on the hike and figure out what different kinds of ferns (huge!) you are seeing, and what the trees are. In warmer weather you can bank on sightings of the famously large banana slugs that populate the NW. A guaranteed EEEW! from kids. You are never far from civilization, but it doesn't seem that way. Some porta-potties lie along the Leif Ericsson trail, usually close to road access points. Most folks unleash their friendly dogs on the hikers-only Wildwood Trail without incident. Wildwood is a popular runners spot, too. No park is without incidents, but I'd rate the Wildwood Trail as very safe for singles.
The minuses: Good valley/mountain views are few and far between because you are hiking in a forest. No easy access to food, water, and snacks, so pack them. Inconsiderate bikers on Leif Ericsson. Repeat: inconsiderate bikers on Leif Ericsson. Some of the best access points--53rd, Germantown Rd, Newberry Rd--aren't accessible on public transportation.
A bonus: if you have a car at your disposal, from the Alphabet District (NW 23rd and environs), take Lovejoy west. It becomes Cornell Rd. Turn right on Skyline, and drive several miles (past Germantown Rd) and turn right on Newberry, going downhill. The terminus for the Wildwood Trail is part-way down the hill. After hiking on it, continue downhill by car to Rte 30 (St Helens Rd), turn left and in a mile or two take the right turn for the bridge to Sauvie Island. There are nature preserves of a major sort on the island--migratory swans, sand hill cranes, raptors, and more--as well as excellent farm markets, Cistus Nursery (plant lovers' dream), and miles and miles of flat roads for cyclists.
I've hiked all over the US and was surprised to find some of the best hiking anywhere within a 60-mile radius of Portland. I live in Portland now and regularly use the trail system within Forest Park. The trails vary in nature from easy (practically dead level) to more strenuous (the ones that run from bottom to top of the Portland Hills). The entire park lies within the City of Portland, whose Parks Department provides excellent trail maintenance. Because of the rills of the hills, a trail like Wildwood (easy in most sections and starting in the Arboretum above downtown) wends its way for 30 miles from near the Zoo to Newberry Road north of Portland.
For visitors to Portland with a car, I would recommend any section of the Wildwood trail or Leif Ericsson Drive (a closed roadway running through much of the park) that is accessible from NW Thurman Street and from Germantown Road. [Thurman St access is blocked by a major bridge repair in the summer/fall of 2014. Ask a local about access to Leif Ericsson.] Beautiful, near level sections of the Wildwood Trail are accessible from NW 53rd Street, a righthand turn most of the way up NW Cornell Road in the Portland Hills. Wildwood is closed to bikes; Leif Ericsson isn't, and LE can sometimes be hazardous because of inconsiderate bikers who don't call out before flying by you and your startled dog.
Recently, a young man has created a nice app for the iPhone on Forest Park, showing the trail system. The app is evolving nicely into a very useful tool. The best paper map of the park is available at REI stores in town and elsewhere and is known as the Green Trails Map of Forest Park (#426S). Check the Forest Park Conservancy website for information on their pocket-size sectional maps. I found mine at the Arboretum gift shop.
The pluses: FP has 70+ miles of forested trails to keep you busy, and they vary in strenuousness. It's fun to take plant and tree ID books on the hike and figure out what different kinds of ferns (huge!) you are seeing, and what the trees are. In warmer weather you can bank on sightings of the famously large banana slugs that populate the NW. A guaranteed EEEW! from kids. You are never far from civilization, but it doesn't seem that way. Some porta-potties lie along the Leif Ericsson trail, usually close to road access points. Most folks unleash their friendly dogs on the hikers-only Wildwood Trail without incident. Wildwood is a popular runners spot, too. No park is without incidents, but I'd rate the Wildwood Trail as very safe for singles.
The minuses: Good valley/mountain views are few and far between because you are hiking in a forest. No easy access to food, water, and snacks, so pack them. Inconsiderate bikers on Leif Ericsson. Repeat: inconsiderate bikers on Leif Ericsson. Some of the best access points--53rd, Germantown Rd, Newberry Rd--aren't accessible on public transportation.
A bonus: if you have a car at your disposal, from the Alphabet District (NW 23rd and environs), take Lovejoy west. It becomes Cornell Rd. Turn right on Skyline, and drive several miles (past Germantown Rd) and turn right on Newberry, going downhill. The terminus for the Wildwood Trail is part-way down the hill. After hiking on it, continue downhill by car to Rte 30 (St Helens Rd), turn left and in a mile or two take the right turn for the bridge to Sauvie Island. There are nature preserves of a major sort on the island--migratory swans, sand hill cranes, raptors, and more--as well as excellent farm markets, Cistus Nursery (plant lovers' dream), and miles and miles of flat roads for cyclists.
Written August 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rattlebrain
Seattle, WA94 contributions
Mar 2013 • Family
We only explored the trail to the Witches Castle, which was easily accessible and more of a stroll than a hike. The trail leads down the bottom of a steep canyon, with moss hanging from all the branches and the feeling that you're in another mysterious world, far from the city. The old stone building that is the Witches Castle would be a great place to film a horror movie!
Written March 31, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I've heard Forest Park will eventually have a parking lot, visitor's center and restrooms. But, I can't find any type of timeline for when construction will be started/completed. Does anyone know? Thank you!
Written March 15, 2020
I don't know, but there should be a dept. of parks that you can contact.
Written March 16, 2020
I am travelling to Portland for the first time this summer.
Forest park has so many trails, which trails would be you suggest to be the top 3. i fear i will not be able to walk all the trails, but would like to make the most of it.
Any suggestions?
Thank you
Carla
Written May 23, 2019
Hi, Carla,
I'm new to Portland so I'm not sure which trails we took. I'll text my daughter and ask for her recommendations and get back to you.
Cheers,
Sharon
Written May 23, 2019
Can you please tell me are leashed dogs ok to visit?
Written January 22, 2019
Yes. We saw several dogs on a leash. I'd keep them away from the creek though.
Written January 23, 2019
Courtney C
Colorado Springs, Colorado
How long should we schedule if we want to drive around the park and maybe get out to take photos or hike for an hour?
Written March 15, 2017
To help set expectations, Forest Park, is mainly literally a forest with a large number of hiking trails in it. The longest trail, the Wildwood trail is 30 miles long in one direction, so you could spend days covering all of the trails. In my opinion, if I only had one day and 3 hours to hike the trails, I would try to park near the Portland Audubon Society at the Macleay Park parking area and hike the Wildwood trail from there to Hoyt Arboretum and back. Along the way you would enjoy the spectacular views at Pittock Mansion. On a clear day, from Pittock Mansion you can see downtown Portland and 4 8000ft and higher mountains (they are really volcano)
Written July 8, 2017
Yes! Best place is off of German Road more towards the St Johns Bridge. The Trails are a little bit bigger, less rocky, and more even BUT, you will still need to watch your step. Make sure you wear the proper gear and good running shoes. The closer you get to Portland, the more challenging, steeper, and people are present.
Written October 8, 2016
ні столию
Now back to English for a more complete answer. Forest Park is basically a very large forest with many hiking/running, and biking trails. It does not have many open meadows that would support installing tables.
Written September 8, 2017
Are there any restaurants in the outskirts? It'd be nice to work up an appetite while on the trail and then finish off at a restaurant/bar... Any idea if there are any? Thanks!
Written April 25, 2016
Forest park is really big so it depends which trailhead you use- I like the one with "the witches castle" it's where I took my engagement pictures- there are a TON of places around there though, best option in my opinion is to just walk around and see where you end up 😉 It's a bit further south but Salt and Straw is a must try!
Written April 25, 2016
Actually Forest Park is free and is bordered by Washington Park which is also also free. That said, they have made almost all the parking in Washington Park (which includes the Zoo, Rose Garden & Japanese Garden) paid during the peak hours ($1.60 hour I believe). If you want to go for a hike for free, you can enter Forest Park off of Cornell, Thurman, Skyline (NW Saltzman), 53rd, Germantown or probably off some streets coming off NW St. Helens (I have never done this myself but it looks like the trails come down there.) This is all street parking and be aware that cars do get broken into here. The only toilet facilities I know of in these areas is maybe 1/4 mile up Leif Erickson Trail from the Thurman entrance - there are some porta-potties. Street parking here on the nice weekends is at a premium. Using Google Maps or the Walking Map from the City of Portland, you can see where the trails cross the road and can sometimes find a small pocket to park. If you park in Washington Park (toilets at the Arboretum, Zoo, Rose Garden) you can pick up the paths into Forest Park. Or take the bus or MAX there. There is a bus that goes up Thurman.
Written May 18, 2015
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