Powell Butte Nature Park — Attraction in Portland

When driving here, it feels like you're driving into a neighborhood, not into a park...so it's a bit confusing. Parking is very limited and this place is very popular. We had two trucks getting into a fight over our spot as we were leaving. One of them drove the wrong way, against the one way only signs to cut the other off and this type of behavior can cause an accident if you are not aware people are going against the one-way signs to take spots.

That said, on a sunny, clear, warmish day this is a beautiful park to see if you can park. This is not ADA friendly. You may be able to get up to the visitors center with some mobility issues, but you won't be traversing the trails. They are gravel, dirt and if it's rained anytime in the last week...muddy...very muddy. We were not prepared for how muddy, so we had to but our walk short and double back, but it was still neat to see multiple mountains from one lookout point. We visited on a day it was barely warm enough to wear spring weather clothing (shorts and a hoodie) just a short jaunt down the hill, in Portland. Up here, between the chilly wind and the few feet in elevation, the temperature can drop almost ten degrees...something to keep in mind.

There isn't much shade. It's mostly open space and there were mountain bikers, so keep that in mind. I wouldn't recommend visiting on a hot day, due to minimal cover. Bundle up on a cool day.

The visitors center is very informative. There is a couple of toilets on the back side of the building. There is a lot of information regarding how water gets to city folks and you can see just how large those pipes we usually don't see...as they are underground...are. I do recommend a visit...just have a backup plan if you can't find parking.

I loved hearing the frogs singing just below the...

2023 EDIT: The park is beautiful. The health of it as a whole could be better, but there is an abundance of native species plants and animals which is a good sign. Shrews, moles, voles, Douglas squirrels, various species of woodpecker, red legged frogs, sulphur millipedes, giant millipedes, many butterfly and moth species, swallows, vultures, deer, coyote, etc. To name some animals. Oceanspray, salmonberry, red huckleberry, black raspberry, trailing blackberry, thimbleberry, serviceberry, snowberry, a few rose species, cedar species, bigleaf and vine maple, beaked hazelnut, red alder, osoberry, scoulers willow, pines and firs. Lot of lovely stuff. Plus wildflowers! Camas, giant blue eyed Mary, Canada goldenrod, Spanish clover, aster, checkerblooms, madia, etc. There is so much up there and it varies depending on the time of year.

The reason I'm leaving off a star is the amount of dog feces laying around mouldering (or in bags! Its better left not being picked up at all than it is picked up, tied into a bag and then abandoned), and the number of people who think they're above the law when it comes to keeping their dogs on leashes. Sure, it's a wild area with forest, but it's still within city limits. It's also full of fragile wildlife and plants. Dogs going off leash and off trail jeopardizes their wellbeing.

Also: I wish people would stay on the trails. I see people trampling through densely wooded areas. That's not cool. There are rules posted all over the place and people break the rules constantly. They're there for a reason.

During certain times of the year I find an absurd number of dead shrews from cyclists, horses and dogs/cats (yes, cats). They don't live very long anyways but still, please be respectful of the trail and the animals that...

Powell Butte Nature Park: Portland’s Quiet Crown of Green

Tucked into the heart of Portland’s Eastside, Powell Butte Nature Park feels like a secret waiting to be discovered—a sprawling 635-acre volcanic cinder cone transformed into a sanctuary of wildflower meadows, whispering pines, and sweeping city views. This isn’t just a park; it’s a peaceful escape from urban life that surprises you with its quiet grandeur.

Hiking here is a journey through layers of Oregon’s natural beauty. Trails wind gently up the butte, rewarding you with panoramic vistas of downtown Portland framed by the iconic silhouettes of Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams on clear days. The mix of open grasslands and forested patches creates a patchwork of ecosystems buzzing with birdsong and seasonal blooms.

What makes Powell Butte special is its balance: it’s wild enough to feel like wilderness yet accessible enough for families, runners, and casual walkers. Wildflowers explode in spring, painting the fields with color, while in summer, the tall grasses sway like waves under the expansive blue sky. Winter and fall bring a quieter, introspective beauty—misty mornings and golden leaves carpeting the trails.

Dog owners will appreciate the off-leash areas, and bird watchers will find plenty to marvel at. Picnic spots and benches are scattered thoughtfully, encouraging visitors to pause and soak in the serene atmosphere.

Rating: 9/10 — Powell Butte Nature Park is Portland’s green gem: a place to hike, breathe, and reconnect with the calm pulse of nature just minutes from...