Portland Parks and Gardens

(Portland, Oregon - OR, USA)

With over 240 parks, arboretums and gardens scattered around Portland, the City of Roses is one of America's greenest cities. Portland's abundant natural spaces range from the classical Chinese and Japanese gardens, to three significant rose gardens and other grassy expanses and forested oases. Portland also features a popular 'Forty-Mile Loop' of connected parks and trails.

The parks offer residents and visitors in Portland areas in which to unwind, meditate and wander, and they provide space for playing a wide choice of sports and other recreational activities including skating, jogging, cycling and fishing.

Washington Park

Address: 400 SW Kingston Avenue, Washington Park, Portland, Oregon (OR), 97201, USA
One of Portland's most significant parks, Washington Park encompasses the Japanese Garden, Hoyt Arboretum, International Rose Test Garden and the Oregon Zoo. The International Rose Test Garden is the largest of Portland's three public rose gardens and has been open since 1917, earning the title of Portland's oldest rose garden. It is resplendent with roughly 9,000 rose plants from almost 600 varieties and offers wonderful views of central Portland and Mount Hood.
Open hours: daily - 07:00 to 21:00
Admission: free

Japanese Garden

Address: 611 SW Kingston Avenue (in Washington Park), Portland, Oregon (OR), 97201, USA
Tel: +1 503 223 1321
This oasis of serenity, located in Washington Park and known as the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan, has been designed as a sanctuary for meditation, reflection and calm. Encompassing a ceremonial teahouse and five garden styles with stone features, koi ponds and a striking waterfall, the Japanese garden also affords breathtaking views over downtown Portland, the surrounding mountains and the Willamette River.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 16:00, Monday - 12:00 to 16.00, seasonal variations may apply
Admission: charge, discounts for seniors, students and under 17s, children under six free

Chinese Classical Garden

Address: Northwest Everett Street and Third Avenue, Portland, Oregon (OR), 97208, USA
Tel: +1 503 228 8131
Taking up a whole block in the Old Town / Chinatown District, the Garden of Awakening Orchids has been beautifully designed and constructed by 60 Chinese artisans employed to work on the task. Portland's Chinese Classical Garden is an elegant oasis of winding walkways, bridges, rockeries and trees interspersed with exquisitely cultivated gardens.
Open hours: November to March - 10:00 to 17:00 April to October - 09:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge, discounts for students and seniors, children under six free

Hoyt Arboretum

Address: 4000 SW Fairview Boulevard, Washington Park, Portland, Oregon (OR), 97221, USA
Tel: +1 503 823 3655
Nestled on a ridge above the Oregon Zoo in Washington Park, the Hoyt Arboretum includes over 1,000 species of trees and shrubs. With nearly 12 miles of serene walking trails flanked by trees from all over the world, Portland's Hoyt Arboretum is a favorite haunt of hikers and hermits alike.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Peninsula Park and Rose Garden

Address: North Albina and Portland Boulevard, Portland, Oregon (OR), 97217, USA
Hidden within the perimeters of Peninsula Park is a magnificent sunken rose garden containing nearly 9,000 plants. Easily accessible off the I-5 at the Portland Boulevard Exit, the garden maintains the Madame Caroline Testout rose, the flower that earned Portland its name as City of Roses.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Berry Botanic Garden

Address: 11505 SW Summerville Avenue, Portland, Oregon (OR), 97219, USA
Tel: +1 503 636 4112
This unique oasis was originally created by Rae Selling Berry, who traveled the world in search of rare plant species. The Berry Botanic Garden includes a rhododendron garden, a Native Plant Trail and an Alpine garden.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free, donations welcome

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

Address: Southeast 28th Avenue, one block north of Woodstock Street, Portland, Oregon (OR), 97202, USA
Tel: +1 503 771 8386
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in Portland is a magical wonderland of forests, waterfalls, a spring-fed lake and a stunning display of rhododendrons and azaleas from March through to June. It is also a birdwatcher's paradise with the lake attracting a multitude of migratory and water birds, as well as almost 100 different species of birds.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Forest Park

Forest Park, located in northwest Portland, is America's largest metropolitan park. The park is a joy for hikers, walkers and skaters, with an extensive web of trails dissecting its surface area.
Open hours: daily - 07:00 to 21:00
Admission: free

Mill Ends 24-Inch Park

Address: Corner of Southwest Naito Parkway and Taylor Street, Portland, Oregon (OR), USA
Tel: +1 503 823 7529
Portland's tiniest park originated when a journalist, Dick Fagan, decided to transform the pothole below his office window into a dedicated green space. He planted flowers in the hole and wrote many stories about the park and a fabricated leprechaun resident in order to generate interest in the project.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free