Powell Butte Nature Park

I just love that I live within walking distance of Powell Butte. I take my dog olive the staffy hiking up there almost every day. There's so many different trails to go on I've yet to go on the same exact route twice. When your up there it's hard to believe you are still in the middle of the city. It's a beautiful place to explore. I highly recommend it!

This is my favorite local hiking spot. It’s more of a nature walk than a true hike. It’s perfect for my pugs and it’s a bunch of loops that all connect into each other so you can’t get lost. Also there are small maps at different spots to help remind you of where to go. Don’t leave ANYTHING in your car though because I’ve seen a lot of broken glass but hey this is Portland we should all know better.

Was pleasantly surprised how peaceful this was. I loved how there are so many different trails to explore, and well maintained. I really enjoyed this park, and will return to walk some of the other trails. It’s great for walkers, runners, cyclists and kids.

Great nature park on an ancient volcano! Has a variety of trails, both in forest shade and open meadows. Many are hilly, but well designed. Lupine is blooming now. Mountain views from top. Lots of parking. Two restrooms. A visitor center at parking lot was not open on this day.

The parks they have in Oregon are great! I've lived in a couple of different states. But this park was great. The views, the trails. Nice place. Being in nature is the best medicine!

Beautiful, peaceful natural setting. Paved and unpaved paths for walking, jogging or bike riding. Dogs on leash are welcomed. Free parking. Park closes at 10 pm.

Except for some loud music, from a house nearby, a very relaxing place. People getting pre wedding and graduation photos taken. Nice trails. Very clean. Nice views.

This place was super nice, calm, quiet. I met some friendly people on the way. As someone who only travels with her dog, safety was a concern for me but I saw plenty of people and families to feel safe. The only part I was concerned about was the trail close to people’s backyards on the lower half. Other than that I felt safe! There are plenty of trails to take and great views!

One of the best views you'll have of Mt.Hood and Mt.Saint Helen, and in some spots of the butte, you can see both at the same time. The trails are clean and well marked. You can take many different loops depending on how long and far you want to go. The visitor center is also very educational and shows the water distribution and process. Great place to hike and even take family photos at.

There's nothing lIke a good stroll on a crisp clear day in December to stave off the inevitable onset of Seasonal Affective Disorder in the Pacific Northwest, and Powell Butte Park is a pretty decent place to stretch your legs if weather permits. The park is fairly large, with multiple trails, and most of them are well maintained, though none are super-hard thigh burners; there are some moderate hills but this is generally a family-friendly place with easy paths. That said, be in the lookout for horses and mountain bikers too; they're allowed to share some of those trails, and it's not always clear who's allowed where. Parking can be a nightmare on holidays and weekends, or really nice days; get there early or be prepared to park down on Powell Blvd like we did and hike a ways up to the park. On rainy days the place can be pretty sloppy too - lots of mud, as you'd expect. All in all, a decent park with lots of open spaces, and some okay views of the Cascades on nice days but nothing outrageously scenic. If you're in the area it's fine, but not really worth a trip across town if you're on the other side of Portland.

When I first visited Powell Butte years ago, I thought the whole park was just the area at the top - a dry meadowland with great views. Now that I've been back a few times, I realize that of course the 611 acres has a more diverse ecology. I'm aiming to get on as many trails as I can, so I'll edit this review and provides updates about each one... Dogwood Trail - Short loop through the forest, about a half mile. Muddy in winter. Nicer parking lot in a neighborhood. People need to pick up after their dogs. Holgate Lane - Sketchy parking at the end of a road. Straight up hill trek to the top. Three quarters of a mile one way, so 1.5 out and back. Large pipe along a lot of the way, not the most scenic.

It's a big butte hehe. Trails are clearly marked with signage. Half of the trails located by the parking lot/visitor center are plains with basically no shade. It wasn't until I got to the douglas fir trail when I finally encountered the foresty area. I was going to tackle cedar grove trail but it was uphill, so I took fernwood, hawthorn,summit, mountainview, to the parking lot instead. Turned out to be about 5 miles total. Watch out for the piles of horse poop.

Currently another location in the portland metro with a piano. Push. Play. Normally a quiet get away currently is loud with construction.

600 acres of fun! We dropped by today for the first time to try out hiking at Powell. Such a stunning spot! Unfortunately today wasn't clear, so we didn't get to partake in the gorgeous mountain views we've read about. However that didn't mean there wasn't beauty and fun to be had. Today we just carved out a 3 mile loop trek for ourselves. The different trails and intersections are well marked. The smaller hiking trails are mostly dirt based, so mud was abundant today. The larger paths were still puddly, but since surfaced with gravel way less messy. They are very clear that they want to keep our feet on the trails and out of the grass and trees leaving it for the wildlife...signage everywhere. They are also clear that dogs are welcome but are to remain leashed. Unfortunately, it's pretty clear that neither rule is followed. Loads of options for trail fun here, whether your choice is by foot, bike, or horse. The place seems to be a favorite for group outings and tours, as we encountered quite a few today. If you enjoy a little outdoor time, you probably can't go wrong here. We already plotted out courses for our next few visits.

We lucked out and visited on a clear day, so the views of the surrounding area and of the mountain were lovely. I'm dinging them a star for not having more parking, though. This park covers 600 acres, yet the parking lot is quite small in comparison. People were constantly looping around the parking lot trying to find a spot. There area a variety of trails to choose from, from short to long, and some are paved and ADA accessible. The few trails we went on were quite easy, with flat paths and the inclines were at a very gentle slope over a long stretch so it wasn't difficult. They have a restroom facility at the visitor center, but it's not always open depending on what time of day you visit (when we were leaving it was only 3:30p on a Saturday at the end of September and the caretaker was already locking up the visitor center & restrooms).

I have a deep connection with this location. So beautiful and diverse. Great place to return to the perfect present moment.

The hiking and expansive views of fields and mountains are enjoyable. You should not expect to "get away from it all" at this park. The park is extremely crowded, almost like a grocery store. Parking is a problem on a nice day, though no-parking signs seem to be all but meaningless while there isn't any enforcement during covid. So many dogs, a decent amount off leash despite the extremely clear, unambiguous signage. Dog piles scattered about with reckless abandon on the trail or tossed off the side. Saw one couple take their dogs off trail to poop in the brush?!?! Wtf. Spotted a kestrel and a red-tail, but don't expect to be too impressed with the "nature" at this "nature park" as it is mostly scared into hiding by hordes of people and dogs.

Well marked network of interconnected trails. About 8 miles of trails or double down and take the trails both ways and double the distance and double your fun. All loops run about a half mile to 2 miles with elevation gain's of 50 to a few hundred feet or so. Nothing technical. Easy Peasy. Well-maintained. And a very popular spot. Take the ridge for grandiose views of Mount Hood and bask in the sunlight ha ha. Drop and traverse trails under big fir trees and enjoy the coolness of the shade ha ha. Hillside trails covered in ferns, moss and Oregonian green lushness. Let it rain and put on a poncho and go ha ha. Hike it. Mountain bike it. Stroll it by moonlight. It's all right all right. Good parking lot and visitor center at SE Powell Blvd. and 162nd Ave.

I chose this trail because: a) I wanted an easy trail to start with for finding my love for hiking again b) I wanted a hike that was well-marked. Each trail post includes a mini map so it's super helpful c) Dog-friendly (on-leash only) For those who are trying to get into solo-hiking but are nervous and are directionally-challenged such as myself, give this place a try! If you get nervous on whether you're going the right way, you can always use GPS on your smartphone. I even had my Pokémon Go on the majority of my hike here and the trails show up on Google map. If you do only the perimeter of the trail, it's approximately 4 miles round trip. The parking lot by the visitor center has about 50 spots. I ended up parking at Ellis Street & 145th which is one of the trailheads. At the visitor center, there are 2 bathroom stalls for each gender, along with 2 water fountains. There are a variety of trail cover: gravel, dirt, and a short section paved concrete. Saw lots of dogs, bikes and strollers on this hike. This trail is so easy that I saw some folks walking in their pajamas with their sandals as if they're there to cure their hangover. Overall, it's a peaceful getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city and a wonderful way to enjoy the green and mountains of the Portland area.

Powell butte is an amazing place to go to. However, in the past few years, it has gotten crowded. I would advise you to avoid powell butte due to the fact that it could be crowded.

Easy or advanced hiking available here and don't forget your cameras because the available sights of mt. Hood are phenomenal. Also a great place for artists to find quiet places to paint, read, write etc.

Great place to walk with your dog! Now that I have been here more often (than that my checkins show), I feel comfortable sharing some feedback about this park in the middle of East Portland. The interesting feature of this park is that it is one big 'bump' in the area, a well-known feature of a butte (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butte) with the distinct flattish top. You take a turn at a red light and basically drive up the hill to park. Be aware that parking is limited (2 lots) and can be difficult, especially when you arrive on a busy Sunday afternoon. Patience is then a virtue. Next time I am going to try Sunday morning as it seemed less busy when I arrived around one-ish, and busier when I left at 3PM. So what is a butte and why go visit? Because this solitary hill gives you a lovely view of all the surrounding mountains. Also, the park service used gravel and/or sand on most paths, so it is an enjoyable (and safe when you are alone!) hike with your canine companion. Most people keep their dog on a leash, and I saw no loose nr. 2s floating around either, which was nice. The occasional pole with pictures near the arrival center gives you additional background information on flora. Going back for more walks with my Gnof!

If you are looking for wide open space with beautiful vistas Powell Butte is for you. There are also trails into the surrounding forested area. The parking area is not vast but adequate and on 3 small levels. I was very disappointed though to spot evidence of broken car glass indicating car break-ins. There were 4 alone in the upper small parking level and I spotted 2 more on my drive out. These were all very recent looking. Disappointing that it appears that a walk around the park means a serious risk of having your car boosted! Be advised that here you can not leave anything in your car.

I LOVE this spot. I've been here multiple times and still feel like there's more on the trails to see and explore. I've shot portraits here a few times and every time I am so thankful to have an open field like this so close by. The photos always turn out amazing and people ask where they were taken. They can look completely different just depending on what season you go. (See photos)

We love walking our two dachshunds here. They're exhausted by the time they've conquered one trail and greeted a ton of dogs along the way. Not all the trails are paved and some are more accommodating for mountain bikers, trail runners, and even horseback riders. A couple trails drop down to the Springwater Trail, too. Each trail is marked to guide you in the right direction and the views on some of them can be quite stunning on a clear day. Parking is free. The lots fill up quickly when the weather is especially nice but it does trickle down toward the entrance if need be. Water fountains are located near the parking lots as are the restrooms. There's even a basin at the bottom of the fountains for dogs to easily access as well. Powell Butte Nature Park is perfect for all ages and being able to bring our dogs makes it even more enjoyable. We're grateful to access this 600+ acre park within our city. Definitely check it out if you haven't already done so.

Oh, my, God Becky, look at that butte! I like big buttes I can not lie. Since moving back to east Portland, I've rediscovered this forgotten treasure of a park. I spent a chunk of my early childhood living in the area that the butte resides in. Back then (the 1970's) it was a Meadowland Dairy, and there were cows grazing up there. The dairy was up and running until 1990. In my 20's I moved to NW Portland and had Forrest Park (the witch house), and Washington park (Fruit loop!) to frolic in. In my 30's and 40's I lived in the Hawthorne/Mt. Tabor area. Mt.Tabor and Laurelhurst were my neighborhood haunts. I had forgotten all about Powell Butte. Powell Butte is a 600 feet tall extinct volcanic cinder cone holds a 612-acre park: Powell Butte nature park. The park has nine miles of hiking trails and offers spectacular views of Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens, and if you're blessed with a clear day, glimpses of Mount Adams, Mount Rainier, and Mount Jefferson They have a gate that allows entry to the park by car @ SE 162 and Powell. The road leads to the visitor center, with a three-tiered parking lot with adequate parking spaces. It's never been full when I've been there. The visitor center is open to the public Wednesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and has a public restroom. The gate is open and closed at the following times - Fall: 7:00 AM-8:00 PM Winter: 7:00 AM-6:00 PM Spring: 7:00 AM-8:00 PM (until Memorial Day) Summer: 7:00 AM-10:00 PM (Memorial Day to Labor Day) There is an assortment of trails you can take from the visitor center, wheelchair-accessible. Pets are allowed if kept leashed. Like Mt. Tabor, Powell Butte contains reservoirs that supply drinking water to the City of Roses. There are a two 50 million gallon water reservoirs buried underneath the butte. You'll find hikers, walkers, mountain bikers, and runners commingling with wildlife. Wildlife I've viewed on visits: birds, rabbits, and deer. Coyotes also call the butte their home. Powell Butte is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. I find myself here quite a bit nowadays. Take a picnic, camera, sunscreen, and a hat. There is a lack of shade on most of the trails. There is a 100 year old walnut orchard that is straight out of a Andrew Wyeth painting. Mt. Tabor (where I spent my elementary school years exploring) will always hold a special place in my heart, but move over Tabor, there's a new butte in town!

Love the update this park recently received. The trails are endless! You could probably walk 20 miles easily and not get the same view as you crisis-cross the many trails. The top trail on the far entrance near the new visitors center has a the best views of Mt. Hood. There is also a huge dog park at the bottom of the eastside of the park. This is my favorite park for bringing my pups because they are welcome on the trails they can take a break in the dog park before we head back in the car.My friends purse was stolen from her trunk at this location so parking in the main lot is the safest and leave valuables at home.

Powell Butte nature park was suggested by a neighbor a few weeks ago and on a really nice sunday, I ventured out that way. This place actually gets two separate reviews because it's two parks basically. Trimet drops you off at around 162nd and Powell and that's not good. Construction, construction and more of the same crap. There are four things you will see plenty of at the northeastern part of Powell Butte and those are saplings, fences, dog crap and horse crap. Not a whole lot to keep one interested. The view up on the butte is pretty good but not a whole lot else. The second part of this review is when I headed south and found the Goldfinch trail heading into the forest. Here is where it got good. The trail takes you through turns slowly heading back down. Bikes and horses are allowed on these trails so be aware. The Goldfinch linked up with another trail and I made it out the southeast corner around 136th. Apparently if you bike the outer path it's a 40 mile trek around the park. Not bad. So two stars for the northern part, four for the southern and three seems fair overall. Personally, Mt Tabor and Forest Park have more character and much more trails to go on but I might make it back here again. Enjoy.

This park has made drastic improvements since the water bureau construction has ended. If you haven't taken a look lately, this would be worth seeing. Several trail features have been improved and there is a cool information area at the trail head. Parking is better now too. Close to the city, but still pretty wild. This used to be someone's farm, you can see the old fruit orchard and the wide spaces for livestock, back in the day. The main trail is paved, which makes it an excellent all-weather place to get out and see nature. If you bring a dog, be sure it stays on a leash, because the entire park is an official wildlife space. You are not allowed to walk off trail because of the wildlife protection in effect. Be sure to take a look at the photos!

A fun little hike in the heart of the city. Located right off of 162nd and Powell you will find this little gem. This little park resides right in the middle of where Portland turns into Gresham. There is a little short driveway that will take you up to the parking lot. Parking is very limited here so I would recommend coming early or visiting on the weekdays. There are also some parking spaces at the bottle of the park near the mobile houses. However, you'll have to hike up the hill if you park below. There is a cool little information area they have a map of the trail and bathrooms and a drinking fountain. The drinking fountain is closed during the winter. The trail is pet and bike friendly. It starts off as a paced trail and then turns into a rocky path with pebbles thrown in. Once you reach the top there is a great view of Portland and the surrounding areas. Due to the many dogs that visit the park I would advise caution to stay on the trail as to not step on any pet droppings. Additionally, I would suggest extra vigilance while walking since I have also seen poop on the trail as well due to the irresponsible dog owners. The majority of the trail is flat and easy to walk. It can get pretty crowded on the weekends and during off work hours. So expect some company while you are there. The forested area is also nice if you want to take a longer hike. Keep in mind that this trail that leads to the little forest does get muddy after rainfall. Overall, this is a cool little hike in the heart of the city. While there isn't a waterfall at the end, it does give a great view of the city and surrounding mountains. Bring some water as it can get pretty hot on the sunnier summer days. There is no tree cover except for the forested area.

What a great set of trails for walking/dog-walking, running, or biking! There's a mix of paved, gravel, and "soft" roadways --- something like 8 miles total -- as well as a variety of environments (meadow vs forest's edge vs forest). We weren't fortunate enough to get any tall mountain views from the summit because of too many clouds, but I appreciated the vista point signs that showed you where they'd all be out on the horizon. Trails and their convergences and distances are also marked along the way. Really easy to navigate, though I snapped a picture of the trail map at the visitor center just to make sure I had it for reference along the way. Map also available here: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/article/541773 Note: the entrance is actually up 162nd Ave, and not on SE Powell itself. Not sure if the (free) parking is usually so full up, since this was our first time here. I suppose it was so tight because today was the first sunny/dry weekend day in quite a while. Just be prepared to make some circles and shark out your spot. Also, no garbage cans out on the trails. Don't be a kook -- pack out all your trash, including your dog's.

This is my least favorite place to hike inside of Portland proper. There's so much gravel. There are some good woods to walk through, but nothing you can't find at the trails at Marquam Hill, Tryon Creek, or Forest Park (all of which I'd recommend a million times over before this place). You get to the top and it's just a bunch of big, yellow grass. And gravel. If it's clear you'll get some good mountain views but it's Portland so odds are it's either cloudy and rainy or hazy. There also aren't many good loops. Trails just take you onto other trails and you end up lost and confused asking why you're doing this in the first place. Feel like ruining your good boots or sandals on some gravel? Come here, otherwise head to a better trail system.

Came here for the first time recently to go running on the numerous trails and absolutely loved it. It's a beautiful place and you don't realize how you're smack dab in the city since you're above it all on the butte. We did get lost a bit because there are so many paths, but the exploration was part of the fun. We'll be back!

I didn't have a mountain bike so I hiked/jogged these trails for a couple hours. Very pleasant views and quite peaceful. Some parts are open and scrubby but eventually morphs into forest with tight windy trails. Would be a good flowy bike trail with tight turns and some short, sharp climbs. Not very technical from what I could see but I didn't get to all the trails. Lots of walkers though so you'd need to be careful to keep the speed down.

Great, pet friendly place for a walk. There's a few different paths and ample parking. Some of it is gravel, but some is paved so you don't have to worry too much about mud from rain. There's a water fountain near the parking lot with one for your dog too. The views from the top of the butte are pretty great. There's a lookout spot that points out where the surrounding mountains are. I haven't been on a clear enough day, but the view was still great nonetheless.

This place could easily be a 5-star park, but they have next to no trash cans, no doggie bags, the maps stink, and the little visitor center there is no longer maintained. Otherwise, the trails are pretty enjoyable and you can put in some miles there if you're so inclined. It's quite a ways from Portland, which has its benefits, including parking and less crowds. Overall nice place to get in some walking with the dog/friends.

I worked at a property today very near Powell Butte and had a chance to get off at 4. Ron being the good scout that he is came out and picked me up. It was really a good time to give the park a short walking tour and enjoy the marvelous view. I had somehow skipped visiting here, something that had to be remedied especially since I was born and raised very nearby. I remember when it was almost all rural and part of Meadowland Dairy Farm and part of unincorporated Multnomah County. Not that its of any great importance, but I had my fifth birthday party there; the Holstein cows didn't seem to mind. Things have changed dramatically on the property itself at street level at 162nd & Powell from essentially a rural setting to a nearly complete suburban setting. As you drive up the hill and into the the park, all thoughts of the city or suburbia disappear to be replaced by a full in-the-round vista of the valley and views of Mt. Hood and other Cascade mountains; simply breathtaking. There are a couple of smallish parking lots where the cars are left and visitors are welcome to walk or hike around and even ride bikes. Ron and I got out of the car and explored a bit, but there's a lot of to see and do here, so we're going to return during spring and summer and get to know the park better. The City of Portland Park Bureau website is excellent: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/finder/index.cfm?&propertyid=528&action=ViewPark Reading through this to refamiliarize my self with the area makes me even more eager to return and do some hiking and get a look at the great variety of wildlife. I urge you to come and see the park as well; it's a real gem.

What a great little spot in the middle of the city. Lots of different trails with views.of mt.hood, and st.helens. you can walk through the Forest or go into the valley. It's great when it's raining as well because the park is so heavy with trees you can only hear the rain hit the leaves if it's not raining too hard. It's a great spot to ride in too. It's connected to the spring water trail with easy access to get into the park and maps to help you maneuver throughout. It's a great kid friendly park with lots to look at including deer!

I've been coming here for a long time for runs. It's always nice and peaceful. A lot of dog walkers out here even when it's raining. I really enjoy my runs here and there has never been a problem and even when the parking lot seems crowded the park actually isnt.

Upon my first visit, the main roadway was closed off due to some maintenance. I was disappointed because it was the weather beautiful out and I wanted to get out and explore. Several days later, I was riding my bike on the Springwater Corridor going West, and notice a little sign that said Powell Butte Nature Park(around 156th st?). The curious side of me said why not and decided to dive right in. On my first impression, this layout kind of reminded me of Forest Park. Once in the nature park, it has the feeling that your miles out of the city. You could easily spend several hours walking the trails. I have to give props to the people who maintains the park and trails. The maintenance is well kept and very welcoming. When I'm in a hiking mood, this is definitely one of my go to spots in the SE.

Big park with good trails. Many of the secondary trailed feel very natural and clean. Not gobs of people trampling over everything. There are hours of trails that are not very difficult, but be ready for some hills. You will definitely see dogs, so beware the off leash ones that are almost always pit-bulls. The neighborhood Has a lot of these people that don't seem to care about other people walking the trail with their animals on leash. It's a good park.

Great views and easy trails. Understandably, no off leash area, but we still enjoyed!

Such a cool place and I went on a rainy and windy day! I'm excited to go back when I can actually see the mountains from the top. I thought it was cool that the mountain view trail was really well paved. When my mom visits I will actually be able to push her up the hill, which is really rare!

If you're into Mt biking and you live in the Southeast, this is the place to go. Go Ride!

I've been coming here for years. Great trails to easily escape to. Phone service over the entire area, which is sometimes a negative, but if I want a quick place to hike, during the week, when I need to remain in touch with work, this is ideal. In recent visits I haven't enjoyed it so much. Since they have mostly completed the construction, they put gravel over a significant amount of the trails. Not only is it noisy and unpleasant to walk on, but it hurts my dog's paws. The side trails thru the trees, don't have gravel, but you still have to walk on some of it to get to these. There are often mountain bikers you have to dodge on the side trails too.

I've been walking the trails of Powell Butte Nature Park for years now. Even though I no longer live in the Portland area this is usually one of my first spots to return to when I'm back in town. The views are so lovely and the trails are never crowded. It can be a bit tricky to find the entrance since there isn't clear signage posted on Powell but once you're in the park you will feel like you're worlds away from the city. My favorite is to head into the wooded areas and enjoy the majesty of very large, old growth trees. There's just nothing like the quiet tranquility that being in nature can provide.

Great hike! Very close to my house, I like that it is safe and my kids felt good about being in the woods, right in the middle of the city.

Great place to go hiking and enjoy views of Mt Hood! Easy to access trails that lead to an amazing open meadow with views of Mt Hood and more. Pet friendly and family friendly. I live near these trails and hike on them all the time during the summer. If you don't want to hike through the woods you can enter at the visitors center and check out the views for yourself.

Really nice park to come for a bike ride or hiking. There's large areas of wide open flower/grass fields that make you wanna frolic and sing through the rolling hills as if you are in the movie "The Sound of Music." There's a lot of trails here for both activities. For biking, most of the trails are either dirt or gravel. There are some flatter areas but there are some pretty steep areas too. I'm just an amateur "mountain" biker, I barely even classify myself as a mountain biker and I still did some of these trails...really slowly, but I did them. It's not too narrow, however,some of it can get pretty bumpy with rocks and tree roots, but most of the trails aren't terrible. The only scary part is that there is a cliff drop off on one side of some areas of the mountain biking trail, so if you lose your balance or you stop and lean towards the cliff drop off side, then you are in trouble! The "cliff drop off" is not as bad as I'm making it sound, it's a gentle slope and there are plenty of shrubs and trees to break your fall along the way, but still, you don't want it to happen to you. Bottom line, wonderful park! Loved it! I would totally come back to hike or mountain bike again. I came on a really sunny and almost hot day, so it was just gorgeous! Loved it!

Sunny, open nature trails. lovely view. would be great for dogs and kids. not a difficult trail/hike.

I love walking here. Not worth it if it's raining for me but when it's decent whether it's the perfect small getaway without having to leave far out of town.

I've lived in the Portland area for 8 years and had never been out here! It was really beautiful here, with nice views of Hood! The reservoir from what I understand was moved here from Mt. Tabor. It was really nice here. We did a loop hike, but it was hot and with no hat or anything I didn't want to do too much out there. I was hoping for more tree coverage, but it was pretty nice there. There is a piano there too that you can play, and a really pretty center for knowledge about the reservoir and piping, etc..... We had a very enjoyable experience there and I'll be back.

I've been coming to this nature trail since I was a teenager hanging out with my "alternative" friends while they did their... not... illegal... recreation. I brought Claire here the other night for the first time in many years, as the sun began to sink. We'd just filled up on bbq at the folk's house with some family friends. We needed to burn some calories. Claire told me she didn't want to get caught in the trail after dark, and I agreed that we'd be out before then. Unfortunately, we were CLOSE to out, when it suddenly became pitch black. She's very unfamiliar with this trail, and while it's vanilla to somebody who knows it inside out, it can be a bit frightening to a newb. She got a bit panicky, even though a pitch black night at the Sandy River Delta (where plenty of transients camp out) doesn't faze her. She expressed a great concern about where we were going, but I told her what the next few "landmarks" were that we'd see, and sure enough they appeared within a few minutes and we were out. She seems disenchanted with the trail now despite how easy it is. She didn't even care about the big beautiful owl that flew past us at the top of the trail. I still love this easy, peaceful walk however :)

This green mound, which in actuality is an extinct cinder cone (volcano!) is protected by Portland Parks and Rec and is one of PDX's many great parks. Powell Butte is a wild park--many trails dedicated to walking, equestrian use, and mountain biking circumvent this green space which is unmanicured and natural. Like Forest Park on the west side, it fulfills the need to hike within the urban realm. Portland's amazing parks like this one bring wild into the city. Head up to the top for a view of all of the great volcanoes that dot Oregon's beautiful horizon.

Powell Butte Park is a fantastic day-hike get-away right here in beautiful SE Portland. With several trails available you have options for an hour-long trek around the orchard with spectacular views of Hood, St. Helens and many other local peaks. If you have a bit more time, take the jaunt through the woods/forest to soak-up some real-deal Oregon tree-culture ambiance. There are restrooms and a couple of picnic tables at the trailhead, but once you are out on the trails, it is "au naturelle." Think day-hike in the woods, not fully developed city park and you will be fine. It can get a little/lot muddy during heavy rains so plan accordingly. Overall, great park, nice trails, super views, and yet another reason Portland, Oregon kicks butt on most other cities.

First of all, me and my friend are both beginners. Yelp recommended this location since I live close to this area and many trails at this site are fit for people who are not experienced. Pros: (1) spacious parking lot (2) many trails with different landscape (forest, grassland, wetland, and something I forgot) and soil materials (e.g. Gravel vs sand) (3) good scenery (4) clean potty (5) HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE* *only few trails Cons: (1) horrible map-- we got lost many times and the "new" map is not helpful at all (2) lots of unclaimed poop bags or just poop in general-- maybe more trash can available in paved road?? Expect: (1) lots of bugs (2) noise from construction (3) possible new trail(s) (4) greeting from friendly fellow hikers Conclusion: not bad, will come back again after study the area more. Could give 3.5 stars if I can but yelp say no :(

I find it mostly depressing. The trails aren't terribly interesting or challenging. I always get the impression that a lot of deals go down here after dark. There is a ton of litter, dog poop and dead vegetation. Perfect place to film a Apocalypse genre film or Depeche Mode video. The view of Mount Hood is nice, but you can do better anywhere in Portland. Sad Horns.