Forest Park
60 people recommend, 6 warn against itvia r/Portland, r/askportland30 comments cited below
The comments cited below are a sample of the full tally across 42 threads.
What people say, in short
Forest Park is a large urban forest in Portland that visitors recommend, and many suggest it for hiking and walking among the trees. Two point to its fire roads for steep hill workouts and runs, and one suggests it for more demanding hikes in wilder surroundings. One visitor notes it is easy to reach on foot or by transit from the garden area. The downsides: several visitors say off-leash dogs are a problem on the trails, and one says invasive plants such as ivy need more volunteer help.
Address
Forest Park NW PDX Entrance, 4099 NW Thurman St, Portland, OR 97210
At a glance
- Best for
- Nature, Walks
- Known for
- Hiking trails, Fire roads for hill workouts
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Forest Park, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/KatoPotato in r/Portland · Jan 2025
Celebrates Forest Park's beauty on a visit that day.
- Caveatu/smoomie in r/Portland · May 2026maintenance
Reports many invasive plants in the park and says it needs more volunteers; has done ivy removal there for years.
- Recommendsu/HighburyHero in r/Portland · Apr 2024
Implies Forest Park should top the list over Fernhill.
- Recommendsu/PoopsieDoodler in r/askportland · Apr 2026
Suggests heading up to Forest Park as a next stop in a local-style day.
- Recommendsu/Simmery in r/Portland · Jan 2025
Cites the park as a major reason they stay hopeful about the city.
- Recommendsu/valencia_merble in r/askportland · Jan 2024weather
Recommends hiking here, with tree cover on rainy days and layers to stay warm.
- Recommendsu/DarwinsPhotographer in r/Portland · Jan 2025uniqueness
Highlights the hidden wildlife webs the park supports, including a little-known rodent that lives there.
- Recommendsu/littl3-fish in r/askportland · Apr 2026
Points to Forest Park as a top natural area for visitors inside the city.
Show all 30 cited comments
- Caveatu/Academic_pursuits in r/askportland · Jun 2025
Says they've recently noticed many off-leash dogs in Forest Park.
- Recommendsu/suitopseudo in r/askportland · Apr 2024
Describes Forest Park as a pleasant place to walk.
- Caveatu/FredalinaFranco in r/Portland · Dec 2025
Agrees with the complaint about off-leash dog owners in the park.
- Recommendsu/LFahs1 in r/askportland · Apr 2024
Lists this park among popular sights that are still worth visiting despite their fame.
- Recommendsu/matt5mitchell in r/askportland · Jul 2026
Suggests picking among Forest Park's fire roads for a hill workout, since they climb straight uphill.
- Recommendsu/mountainsunset123 in r/askportland · Jan 2024
Grew up nearby, has hiked and biked its trails, and calls it a wonderful park.
- Recommendsu/oregoncurtis in r/askportland · Jul 2025
Suggests a relaxed walk there if the visitor enjoys hiking, and calls it a nice option.
- Recommendsu/hagofbolding in r/askportland · Jul 2026
Lists many Forest Park fire roads and named routes as strong hill options for runners.
- Recommendsu/slyasakite in r/askportland · Sep 2024
Suggests it for more demanding hikes in wilder surroundings.
- Recommendsu/cuddlepunch15 in r/askportland · Sep 2024
Says they enjoy hiking there.
- Recommendsu/wumbledun in r/Portland · Apr 2024
Calls Forest Park a close second for top park.
- Recommendsu/sukottokairu in r/askportland · Jan 2024
Says the nearby Washington and Forest Park area offers good hiking trails.
- Recommendsu/fibrousviscera in r/askportland · Jul 2025
Lists Forest Park among the parks the visitor should see, alongside Mt. Tabor.
- Recommendsu/DogsGoingAround in r/askportland · Feb 2025
Suggests walking through Forest Park.
- Recommendsu/TiredRundownListless in r/askportland · Jan 2025
Lists Forest Park among places to visit.
- Recommendsu/Pinkmongoose in r/askportland · May 2024
Suggests Forest Park when asked what to do in Portland.
- Recommendsu/ClayKavalier in r/askportland · Jun 2026
Lists Forest Park among top places to visit.
- Recommendsu/kurtburglar in r/askportland · Jul 2025access
Says it's easy to get to from the garden area by foot or transit.
- Recommendsu/sparinghippo in r/askportland · Jun 2024
Suggests checking out Forest Park for hikes.
- Recommendsu/Dr_Buckshot_ in r/Portland · Jan 2025
Expresses strong affection for Forest Park.
- Recommendsu/SkyKingPDX in r/askportland · Sep 2024
Lists it among several outdoor spots worth exploring.
- Mixedu/NobleLumpkin27 in r/askportland · Aug 2026
Recommends a longer return visit to Forest Park, but says belongings should not stay in a car during a hike.
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Freshness
Details last checked 10 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.