Field guide
Running routes in Portland for active visitors
Find running routes and hiking trails in Portland. This guide covers Forest Park, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Eastbank Esplanade, and Mount Tabor Park.
Portland offers several distinct areas for running and hiking. For long-distance trail running on natural surfaces, Forest Park provides an extensive network. For paved, urban routes along the river, Tom McCall Waterfront Park and the Eastbank Esplanade are suitable options.
City parks like Mount Tabor Park and Laurelhurst Park offer a mix of paved and unpaved paths in smaller, more contained settings. Each location has its own specific hours, parking rules, and guidelines for sharing paths with others.
| Place | Distance (official) | Hours | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Park | more than 80 miles of trails; 30-mile | 5:00 am-10:00 pm | natural surface |
| Tom McCall Waterfront Park | Not listed | Midnight | Not listed |
| Eastbank Esplanade | 1.5 miles; 1,200 feet | Not listed | Paved |
| Mount Tabor Park | Not listed | 5am to 11:59pm; 5am to 10pm | Paved and unpaved paths |
| Laurelhurst Park | Not listed | 5:00am-10:30pm | Yes |
Forest Park
Forest Park contains more than 80 miles of trails and more than 25 miles of roads and firelanes within its 5,200 acres. The 30-mile Wildwood Trail has a natural surface. Trails are primitive and can be steep, with natural obstacles up to 10 inches high.
The park is open from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm. Parking is free. Dogs are permitted but must be on a leash. Runners may share some paths with bicyclists.
- Park description and size
- at 5,200 acres, provides critical refuge for hundreds of native wildlife and plant species and acts as an important air and water filter.
- Total trail network length
- more than 80 miles of trails
- Wildwood Trail length
- 30-mile
- Wildwood Trail surface
- natural surface
- General trail difficulty
- primitive and can be steep, with average grades of 10%, average cross slopes of 7%, and natural obstacles up to 10 inches high
- Park hours
- 5:00 am-10:00 pm
- Parking fees
- free
- ADA parking locations
- Lower Macleay and Wildwood/Pittock Mansion Trailheads
Sources: Forest Park (portland.gov), Trail Closures and Delays (portland.gov). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Full notes: Forest Park trail guide for runners and hikers
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
This park features a two-way separated off-street path on SW Naito Parkway between SW Harrison and SW Clay Street. A full pedestrian signal at SW Jefferson provides a connection to the park. The park itself closes at midnight.
Several parking lots are available nearby with hourly and daily rates. Lot hours are generally 5:00am to 10:00pm, and overnight parking is not allowed. Some pay stations require exact change for coins and do not accept all credit cards.
- Representative parking location
- Northbound on Naito: 1720 SW Naito Pkwy (J Block)
- Park closing time
- Midnight
- Special parking rates note
- Check the Parking Kitty App for special rates.
- J Block parking details
- Rate: $2/hour, $12/day max. Hours: Daily, 5:00am-10:00pm, including holidays. Parking Kitty Zone 1399.
- Hawthorne Bridge Lot Motorcycle Zone parking details
- Rate: $0/hour. Hours: Daily, 5:00am-10:00pm, including holidays. Mobile payment only. Parking Kitty Zone 1416.
- Morrison Bridge Lot parking details
- Rate: $4/hour, $12/day max. Hours: Daily, 5:00am-10:00pm, including holidays. Parking Kitty Zone 1499.
- Salmon St Lot parking details
- Rate: $4/hour, $18/day max. Hours: Daily, 5:00am-10:00pm, including holidays. Mobile payment only. Parking Kitty Zone 1446.
- Parking payment restrictions
- Pay stations do not accept Discover card. Most pay stations accept coins but require exact change.
Sources: Parking Guide for Parks (portland.gov), SW Naito Parkway Improvement Project (portland.gov). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Eastbank Esplanade
The Eastbank Esplanade is a 1.5-mile paved park path in the Buckman neighborhood. It includes a 1,200-foot floating walkway and has unique lighting for nighttime use. The path is open to both pedestrians and bicyclists.
Access is available from the Steel Bridge RiverWalk. All dogs must be leashed.
- What it is
- Park
- Size
- 10.69 acres
- Hiking trails
- Yes
- Main entrance address
- SE Hawthorne Ave and SE Water St Portland, OR 97204
- Neighborhood
- Buckman
- Esplanade length
- 1.5 miles
- Floating walkway length
- 1,200 feet
- Path surface
- Paved
Source: Eastbank Esplanade (portland.gov). Official page, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Mount Tabor Park
This 176.04-acre park in Southeast Portland has both paved and unpaved paths. A new multiuse trail for pedestrians and bicycles is open at SE 64th Avenue and Division Street. An accessible restroom is available at the summit.
The park is open from 5am to 11:59pm. Motor vehicles are not allowed in the park all day on Wednesdays and are restricted from 10pm to 5am on all other days.
- Park description
- One of Portland's most beloved parks
- Park size
- 176.04 acres
- Location
- Southeast Portland's Mt. Tabor neighborhood
- Path surfaces
- Paved and unpaved paths
- Park hours
- 5am to 11:59pm
- Vehicle access hours
- 5am to 10pm
- Visitor Center hours
- Weekends from 10am-3pm, and at times during the week
- Parking availability
- Parking lot and street parking
Sources: Mt. Tabor Park (portland.gov), Mt. Tabor Maintenance Yard Project (portland.gov), portland.gov (portland.gov). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Laurelhurst Park
Laurelhurst Park offers both paved and unpaved paths on its 32.27 acres. The park contains a 3-acre spring-fed pond. An accessible restroom is available.
Park hours are 5:00am to 10:30pm. The park includes a designated dog off-leash area. Parking is available on the street.
- Main entrance address
- NW Corner of SE César E. Chávez Blvd. and Stark Street, Portland, OR 97214
- Paved paths
- Yes
- Unpaved paths
- Yes
- Park hours
- 5:00am-10:30pm
- Picnic site reservations
- Available for picnic sites
- Parking type
- Street parking
- Restroom type
- Accessible restroom
- Dog rules
- Has a dog off-leash area
Source: Laurelhurst Park (portland.gov). Official page, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Before you go
- Check park hours before planning a run, as opening and closing times vary by location.
- Dogs must be leashed in most parks, though Laurelhurst Park has a designated off-leash area.
- Be aware that you may be sharing paths with bicyclists, particularly on the Eastbank Esplanade and parts of Forest Park.
- Parking availability ranges from free lots and street parking to paid lots with specific hours and payment methods.
- The Ridge Trail parking area for Forest Park on NW Bridge Avenue is closed indefinitely.
- Vehicle access to Mount Tabor Park is closed all day on Wednesdays.
More cities: City running and hiking guides.