Field guide
Forest Park trail guide for runners and hikers
Official information for running or hiking a Forest Park trail. Find details on the 30-mile Wildwood Trail, access, parking, and on-leash dog rules.
Forest Park covers 5,200 acres, providing a critical refuge for hundreds of native wildlife and plant species. The park also functions as an important air and water filter for the area.
This guide contains official information about the park's trail network, how to access the trails, and the rules for all visitors.
Official facts at a glance
- 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
- Transit access (Lower Macleay)
- TriMet bus lines 26, 15, and 77
- Dog rules
- must be on a leash
- Bike-friendly trails length
- more than 25 miles of roads, firelanes, and trails
- Prohibited activities
- off-leash dogs, fires, drones, motorized vehicles, camping, fireworks, hunting and fishing, and possession of firearms
- Ridge Trail parking closure
- Ridge Trail parking area on NW Bridge Avenue is closed indefinitely
Sources: Forest Park (portland.gov), Trail Closures and Delays (portland.gov). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
The trail network
The park contains more than 80 miles of trails, roads, and firelanes. The Wildwood Trail is a 30-mile natural surface path that runs the length of the park.
Trails are primitive and can be steep. Expect average grades of 10 percent, average cross slopes of 7 percent, and natural obstacles up to 10 inches high.
Access and parking
Parking for the park is free. Designated ADA parking is available at the Lower Macleay and Wildwood/Pittock Mansion Trailheads. The Ridge Trail parking area on NW Bridge Avenue is closed indefinitely.
The Lower Macleay area is accessible via TriMet bus lines 26, 15, and 77.
Park rules and hours
The park is open daily from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Dogs are permitted but must be on a leash. More than 25 miles of the trail network are open to cyclists. Prohibited activities include fires, camping, drones, motorized vehicles, fireworks, hunting, and fishing. Possession of firearms is also prohibited.
Before you go
- The park is open from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm.
- Parking is free at designated trailheads.
- The Ridge Trail parking area on NW Bridge Avenue is closed indefinitely.
- Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
- Fires, camping, and drones are not permitted.
- Cyclists should stay on the more than 25 miles of designated roads, firelanes, and trails.
Nearby options: running and active spots in Portland. All cities: City running and hiking guides.