Century-Old Quiet Park in Oregon: A Tranquil Portland Gem with Scenic Cinder Cone Volcano Views

Portland is brimming with parks. From under-the-radar city green spaces that rank among the West Coast’s most beautiful to the largest urban forest in the U.S. with some of Oregon’s prettiest trails, each park in Rose City offers its own little slice of Pacific Northwest heaven. While Laurelhurst is perfect for pondside picnics and Forest Park is a hiker’s nirvana, the best spot for quiet outdoor retreats with sweeping city views is Mount Tabor Park.

Situated atop a dormant cinder-cone volcano on the east side of Portland, the forested park looms 636 feet above the city, making it feel a world away from the buzzing metropolis below, yet close enough to admire its urban beauty.

Nominated as America’s First Urban Quiet Park in 2023, the century-old oasis — which dates back to 1909 — is the perfect destination for escaping the city without actually leaving it. Hike to the summit on a scenic paved walking path, spread a picnic blanket out on the grass, and take in the best view of Portland from one of its most sparkling outdoor gems.

Half the adventure of Mount Tabor Park is the journey to the top. If you’re driving, park your vehicle on the street along Southeast 60th or in the main lot by the Visitors Center at the park’s north entrance. TriMet bus routes 4, 15, and 71 also make stops on the park’s borders in case you’re relying on public transit. From the ground, there are several ways to reach the summit. If you want to get a workout, climb the 282 steps to the top, which are broken up into a series of steep, forest-lined staircases. For a relatively softer climb, you can hike (or bike) the 2.4-mile out-and-back trail paved with volcanic cinder that winds up to the top of the butte. Whichever option you choose, your labored breaths will be rewarded with a breathtaking city view from the peak, which is exceptionally stunning at sunset.

With acres of verdant grassy expanses blanketing the ground under the shade of native trees, there are plenty of spots that are perfect for rolling out a picnic blanket or a yoga mat. For waterside lounging, spread out along the gentle slopes of one of the park’s sparkling open reservoirs. If you’d rather grab a more formal seat, you’ll find benches scattered throughout the park, as well as picnic tables located in the Mount Tabor East Picnic Area. You can even plop a seat on a piano bench during the summer when Piano Push Play — a local organization that refurbishes pianos and places them in outdoor spaces around the city — adorns the top of Mount Tabor with an 88-key beauty to be enjoyed by music and nature lovers alike.