I may sound biased here, but let’s be realistic – Portland has some of the best parks in the country and is known for its stunning natural beauty. Whether it’s mountainous parks that you can get lost in for hours, parks on river banks, or urban parks with great local architecture, we genuinely have it all.

With this in mind, you really are spoiled for choice if you want to go for a weekend stroll which is especially nice during the summer when the local nature is truly at its most beautiful. Here are some of the best parks to visit in the city:

Forest Park

This park is the largest urban forest reserve in the United States, with over 80 miles of hiking trails and a variety of flora and fauna.

Address: Portland, OR 97231

Washington Park

This park is home to the Oregon Zoo, the International Rose Test Garden, and the Portland Japanese Garden.

Address: 4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221

Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Located along the Willamette River, this park is perfect for picnics, walks, and bike rides, and offers great views of the city.

Address: 98 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204

Laurelhurst Park

This park has a beautiful pond, walking trails, a playground, and picnic areas. It is also home to a variety of birds and wildlife.

Address: SE Cesar E Chavez Blvd & Stark St, Portland, OR 97214

Mt. Tabor Park

This park is located on the top of an extinct volcano and offers stunning views of the city. It has walking trails, picnic areas, and a dog park.

Address: SE 60th Ave &, SE Salmon St, Portland, OR 97215

Peninsula Park and Rose Garden

This park has a beautiful rose garden with over 9,000 roses, a playground, a wading pool, and a picnic area.

Address: 700 N Rosa Parks Way, Portland, OR 97217

Powell Butte Nature Park

This park has over 600 acres of natural area with hiking and biking trails, and offers panoramic views of the city.

Address: 16160 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97236

Alberta Park

This park has basketball and tennis courts, a playground, a dog park, and a picnic area. It is also home to the annual Last Thursday street fair.

Address: 1905 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97211

Sellwood Riverfront Park

This park is located along the Willamette River and has a boat dock, walking trails, and picnic areas. It is also a great spot for fishing.

Address: 1221 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, OR 97202

Cathedral Park

This park is located under the iconic St. Johns Bridge and has walking trails, picnic areas, and a boat launch. It is a great spot for photography.

Address: N Edison Street and Pittsburg Avenue Portland, OR 97203

Hoyt Arboretum

This park has over 12 miles of hiking trails and over 2,000 species of trees and plants. It is a great place to explore nature and learn about the local flora.

Address: 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR 97221