Home › Oregon › Portland › Rocky Butte Natural Area
Rocky Butte Natural Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 2,727 Google reviews · Running trail in Portland, Oregon · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Rocky Butte Natural Area'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.
Out-of-the-way option for relaxing on the grass amid sweeping views of the city, airport & river.
What runners say about Rocky Butte Natural Area
“The view is beautiful and there is a spot that you can stop by the mannahouse school that leads you down a little viewpoint over the highway.”
“Usually pretty quiet but does attract teenagers and young adults whom seem to use allot of cannabis outside.”
Surprisingly good views from this park! Could see in numerous directions; especially West, North and East. I was there around 3pm in December and the light was really nice; the valley views popped. Clear sky's and the mountains were snow covered. Interesting stone structure that felt old.
The views up here are absolutely beautiful!!! It’s a two second hike up a small hill and you’re here! A great places to see the mountains! You can also see Portland and Vancouver!! Definitely worth a visit and it’s extremely pretty and quiet. Only reason I gave it a 4 star is there was some druggies in the area.
I need to go here again with a better camera and again at night, as well as in the daylight hours. Very nice tourist spot to view Portland. So pretty at night with the lights of the buildings. Clean and well maintained hiking trails. Totally recommend this to those who like hiking and lookout points.
The drive up to the top of the hill is slow MPH and winding. Parking is limited around the perimeter of the hill and the base is located right inside of a residential neighborhood. It is a pretty steep climb to get up to the top. Once at the top, you have sweeping views in almost every direction of the Metro area.
Trail conditions & character
“The view is beautiful and there is a spot that you can stop by the mannahouse school that leads you down a little viewpoint over the highway.”
“Parking is limited around the perimeter of the hill and the base is located right inside of a residential neighborhood.”
“The drive up to the top of the hill is slow MPH and winding.”
“I especially enjoyed the sunset here; the sky was a mix of orange, pink, light purple, and blue, with the snow on top of the mountains shimmering beautifully.”
“Usually pretty quiet but does attract teenagers and young adults whom seem to use allot of cannabis outside.”
“My favorite time of the day to come to rocky butte is definitely sunset, maybe even afterwards.”
Plan your run at Rocky Butte Natural Area
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
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- 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+1 503-823-7529
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 5 am–12 am |
| Tuesday | 5 am–12 am |
| Wednesday | 5 am–12 am |
| Thursday | 5 am–12 am |
| Friday | 5 am–12 am |
| Saturday | 5 am–12 am |
| Sunday | 5 am–12 am |
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.
Mount Tabor - Stairs
4.8 ★★★★★ 593 reviews
Hiking area with picnic tables and walking trails, plus a playground and scenic overlooks.
Glendoveer Nature Exercise Trails
4.8 ★★★★★ 105 reviews
Two-mile trail winding around a golf course for walking and jogging.
Mt. Tabor Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 6,749 reviews
Large forested park covering an extinct volcano with tennis courts, a playground & 360-degree views.
Whitaker Ponds Nature Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 468 reviews
Calm lake, with ducks, geese and egrets, set amid an industrial area.
Kelly Butte Natural Area
4 ★★★★☆ 437 reviews
Wooded park featuring steep hiking paths & wildlife-viewing among the evergreens.
Columbia Springs
4.7 ★★★★★ 270 reviews
Historic site, featuring fish hatchery ponds and wooded trails, plus an outdoor environmental classroom.