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Forest Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 3,513 Google reviews · Running trail in Portland, Oregon · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- 80 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Forest Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
5,000+-acre wooded area with trails for hiking, biking & bird-watching, including a 30-mile route.
What runners say about Forest Park
“The sheer size of Forest Park is impressive, but what makes it so incredible is how accessible it is and how comprehensive and well maintained the trail system is.”
“There's a lot of beautiful streams and greenery that are perfect for any nature lover.”
“The trail is well maintained, peaceful and it feels clean and safe.”
“It wasn't crowded with people, but there was a runner and a dog walker.”
This is such a beautiful park! For being so close to the city, it's actually very quiet. Even on a Saturday morning you don't see many people on the trails and most of the people you will see are runners, so it's not very crowded.
Last week I started my hike from the trailhead off of Skyline Boulevard. The trail is well maintained, peaceful and it feels clean and safe. Frankly, the health of the forest is spectacular.
This place is a gem right next to the heart of Downtown Portland. I love all the trails, wildlife and sense of peace and stillness that this place provides. Other hikers and runners are courteous as they pass you. I am looking forward to exploring other parts of this great park.
Enormous and wonderful city park…what else I can say? This is already more than what I can ever ask for. The sheer size of Forest Park is impressive, but what makes it so incredible is how accessible it is and how comprehensive and well maintained the trail system is.
Trail conditions & character
“Very few signs of being in a major city, little sound pollution and occasion views of downtown.”
“There can be quite a few joggers, families and people with dogs, but it is so large that we forget other people are there until we cross by on the path.”
“Parking can get tight at some entrances, so watch for places you can turn around.”
“The trail is well maintained, peaceful and it feels clean and safe.”
“There are many connecting trails and lots of different ways you can make a loop hike, long or short.”
“The sheer size of Forest Park is impressive, but what makes it so incredible is how accessible it is and how comprehensive and well maintained the trail system is.”
Plan your run at Forest Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Loop distance80 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websiteportlandoregon.gov
- Phone+1 503-823-4492
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 5 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 5 am–10 pm |
Running trails near Portland
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Ridge Trailhead
4.4 ★★★★☆ 138 reviews
Hiking area offering kid-friendly trails through a forest setting, plus scenic views.
Wildwood Trailhead at Germantown Rd
4.7 ★★★★★ 255 reviews
Hiking and running trails through lush, tree-filled woods, with sections of wide paths. Dogs permitted.
Linnton Loop Hike Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 126 reviews
Forested hiking area with kid-friendly trails and a creek.
NW 53rd Dr trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 144 reviews
Trail access point to explore a 5,200-acre urban forest park with roadside parking.
Leif Erikson Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 260 reviews
Popular place to hike, walk and run, with a mostly gravel path flanked by trees.
