Outdoors
in Portland, OR

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There’s nothing better than breathing fresh air and getting in touch with nature. State parks, botanical gardens, trails, lakes, and farms are exactly the place to do it – and this area is full of them.

Take a look at all the options within driving distance – you’ll be surprised at how close your next adventure is. We provide the driving directions, but the sunscreen’s on you!
Alberta Park
Alberta Park

(503) 823-7529

1905 NE Killingsworth St
Portland, OR 97211   Directions Website

Enjoy one of Portland's beautiful outdoor spaces and hang out at Alberta Park. The park offers amenities and attractions like a basketball court, a soccer field, a baseball field, a tennis court, paved walking paths, and an off-leash dog area where pups can roam free. There's also a playground where the kiddos can run wild and picnic tables where everyone can hang out together.

Audubon Sanctuary
Audubon Sanctuary

(503) 292-6855

5151 NW Cornell Rd
Portland, OR 97210   Directions Website

The flora and fauna of the region is presented perfectly at the Audubon Sanctuary. Explore this 150-acre outdoor oasis through its four miles of hiking trails, where you'll see a variety of plant and animal life along the way. Features of the sanctuary include Balch Creek, and the Wildlife Care Center.

Forest Park
Forest Park

(503) 823-4492

Portland, OR
Website

There's no better place to enjoy nature than at Portland's Forest Park, known as the nation's largest wooded city park. The park occupies over 5,000 acres and sits overlooking the beautiful Willamette River, providing a peaceful environment for hikers, bikers, and outdoor lovers in general.

Hoyt Arboretum
Hoyt Arboretum

(503) 865-8733

4000 SW Fairview Blvd
Portland, OR 97221   Directions Website

See the natural beauty of Portland first hand at the Hoyt Arboretum. The arboretum was founded to conserve endangered species and wilderness. There are over 12 miles of trails that weave throughout the 187-acre expanse, offering you the perfect vantage point to observe the beauty of Oregon.

International Rose Test Garden
International Rose Test Garden

(503) 823-3636

400 SW Kingston Ave
Portland, OR 97205   Directions Website

Smell the roses at the International Rose Test Garden. The garden features walking paths throughout so you can walk through and see the wide variety of over 722 types of roses blooming here. This rose garden is located in Washington Park, so there's plenty to see and do here.

Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve
Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve

(503) 681-6206

2600 SW Hillsboro Hwy
Hillsboro, OR 97123   Directions Website

Enjoy being in the presence of nature at the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve. Outdoor beauty and wildlife come together in a perfect presentation of beautiful, undisturbed Oregon landscape here at this 725-acre preserve. Here, you'll have the chance to spy otters, deer, beavers, geese, ducks and other animals thriving in their natural habitat.

Lan Su Chinese Garden
Lan Su Chinese Garden

(503) 228-8131

239 NW Everett St
Portland, OR 79209   Directions Website

Get a glimpse of Chinese culture and history through the natural attractions at Lan Su Chinese Garden. The garden is home to several beautiful plants including water lilies, begonias, roses, hibiscus, crape myrtle, and others. Lan Su also includes a teahouse that serves up a variety of teas like oolong, white tea, and herbal tea.

Leach Botanical Garden
Leach Botanical Garden

(503) 823-9503

6704 SE 122nd Ave
Portland, OR 97236   Directions Website

Indulge in the outdoor beauty found within the Leach Botanical Garden. The garden harbors a wide variety of native plants, including blooms that have been around since before the area was settled. If you want to dig a little deeper and get more insight to the garden's most beautiful flowers, take a look at the Botanical Library at Leach Garden.

Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge

(503) 823-7529

Portland, OR
Website

The Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge is comprised of the wetlands on the east bank of the Willamette River. This preservation area stretches a little over 140 acres and provides several hiking and biking trails for those who want to explore nature and enjoy the great outdoors.

Oregon Zoo
Oregon Zoo

(503) 226-1561

4001 SW Canyon Rd
Portland, OR 97221   Directions Website

From Africa to Asian, the Amazon and beyond, explore the attractions at the Oregon Zoo. The animals here are housed in a variety of exhibits that replicate their natural habitat. On your journey through the zoo, you'll see animals like lions, zebras, rhinos, tigers, elephants, bears, and even dinosaurs. That's right, the Oregon Zoo is home to animatronic dinosaurs that bring the prehistoric creatures back to life.

Portland Japanese Garden
Portland Japanese Garden

(503) 223-1321

611 SW Kingston Ave
Portland, OR 97205   Directions Website

Embark on a journey through the Portland Japanese Garden, hailed as “the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan.” As you roam through, you'll find that there are five main gardens: Flat Garden, Strolling Pond Garden, The Tea Garden, Natural Garden, and Sand and Stone Garden. Tranquility and lovely scenery are guaranteed here.

Sauvie Island
Sauvie Island

(877) 678-5263

Portland, OR
Website

Escape the city for some fun on Sauvie Island. The island is large, boasting its own rivers, lakes, and islands, and its plentiful natural beauty has made it a popular destination for outdoor revelers. Sauvie Island has several areas for hiking and biking, and is also a great place to experience birdwatching, hunting, and fishing. On your way to the island be sure to look to the horizon to catch a pristine view of the Cascade Mountain Range, including Mt. Rainer, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Jefferson.

Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area
Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area

(503) 797-1545

5300 N Marine Dr
Portland, OR 97203   Directions Website

Appreciate the life of the outdoors as you take in the sights at the Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area. As America's largest protected urban wetland, this natural area is home to animals like beavers, river otters, bald eagles, turtles, osprey and more. While Bybee Lake serves as a preserve, Smith Lake is a popular destination for light water recreation like fishing or canoeing.

Tanner Springs Park
Tanner Springs Park

(503) 823-7529

Portland, OR
Website

Stop for a break from hustle and bustle at Tanner Springs Park. The park boasts paved walking paths, public art and statues, along with water features throughout. This lovely outdoor oasis occupies a little less than an acre of space, located between 10th Avenue and Marshall Street.

The Grotto
The Grotto

(503) 254-7371

8840 NE Skidmore St
Portland, OR 97220   Directions Website

Whether you want to appreciate your love for nature or revel in your Catholic faith, The Grotto is the place to do it. The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, or The Grotto, is a Catholic shrine and a botanical garden. The 62-acre garden includes beautiful plants, several sculptures, and walking paths throughout.

Tryon Creek State Park
Tryon Creek State Park

(503) 636-9886

11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd
Portland, OR 97219   Directions Website

Hang out in the middle of the city at Tryon Creek State Park. This park is the only state park in Oregon to be located within a metropolitan area, meaning you can experience fun outdoors without having to venture too far from the city. Hiking, biking, and nature walking are popular at this park.

Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge

(503) 625-5945

19255 SW Pacific Highway
Sherwood, OR 97140   Directions Website

Explore the habitat of some of Portland's native wildlife at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is home to a variety of creatures, including about 200 species of birds, 50 species of mammals, and 25 species of reptiles and amphibians. Be sure to check out the exhibits at the Wildlife Center to learn a little more about the wildlife you'll see as you venture through the outdoor preserve.

Waterfront Park
Waterfront Park

(503) 823-7529

98 SW Naito Pkwy
Portland, OR 97204   Directions Website

Family time just got a lot more scenic. Plan a day of fun at Waterfront Park. This park overlooks the Willamette River and features a walking path throughout. Along with its gorgeous views and blooming cherry blossom trees, the park is home to a number of important landmarks, including the Japanese American Historical Plaza.

World Forestry Center & Discovery Museum
World Forestry Center & Discovery Museum

(503) 228-1367

4033 SW Canyon Rd
Portland, OR 97221   Directions Website

Learn about forests and their impact on our environment at the World Forestry Center & Discovery Museum. Exhibits showcase the system and structure of forests throughout the world. There have been features on logging, the story of chocolate and the cacao tree, and the wildlife that calls the forest home, like bats and wildcats.

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