A picnic and the scenic hikes in Portland go hand-in-hand, especially when spring arrives and the weather warms. We can’t help but yearn to soak up some of the sun’s rays and spend as much time outside as possible. Don’t waste your time searching online for “hiking trails near me,” though. Instead, check out any (or all) of the trails below, which are some of the best hikes in Portland if you’re looking to picnic at the city’s most picturesque locations.

1. International Rose Test Garden
4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221, USA
Travel USA / Flickr
Take a short trek around Washington Park, ending in one of the most beautiful places in the city - International Rose Test Garden. Bring a blanket and sit for a while on the grass and enjoy the fragrant scenery.
2. Laurelhurst Park
Southeast Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard & Southeast Stark Street, SE Cesar Estrada Chavez Blvd & SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97214, USA
Tom Hilton / Flickr
Stroll the paved and unpaved trails at Laurelhurst Park and then have a picnic near the pond for a low impact and lovely afternoon.
3. Washington Park
4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221, USA
brx0 / Flickr
If it's the weekend and the Rose Garden is too crowded, take a hike around Washington Park and find a quiet spot. There is plenty of nice open grass here that makes a great picnic spot.
4. Hoyt Arboretum
Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR 97221, USA
Stacey Kizer / Flickr
Rolling hills are inviting in this tree-filled wonderland. Whether spring, summer, or fall, Hoyt Arboretum is a great place for a stroll and picnic under the canopy.
5. Peninsula Park
700 N Rosa Parks Way, Portland, OR 97217, USA
Alex / Flickr
Walk the perimeter of Peninsula Park on a walking trail before finding a nice secluded spot in the quiet rose garden to dine.
6. Mt. Tabor
Mount Tabor, Mt. Tabor, Portland, OR, USA
Tim Lauer / Flickr
On the east side, Mt. Tabor is the place to go. Hike one of the three wooded trails and picnic at the top of the park amongst trees of epic size.
7. Westmoreland Park
North Westmoreland Road, N Westmoreland Rd, Dallas, TX, USA
brx0 / Flickr
At Westmoreland Park, you can stroll around the pond on both paved and unpaved trails before heading to one of many picnic tables, or simply dine along the stream for a lovely natural picnic.
8. Rocky Butte
Stephen Unchurch / Flickr
There is not much of a hike here, but you can either circle Rocky Butte on the road or even hike up alongside the road to add a bit more activity to your picnic. Once you are on top, you'll quickly learn there are few places in the city that compare to Rocky Butte when it comes to views.
9. Pittock Mansion
Pittock Mansion Park Viewpoint, 3130 NW Monte Vista Terrace, Portland, OR 97210, USA
Jeremy McWilliams / Flickr
Start at the Lower Macleay Park Trail and connect with the Wildwood Trail to Pittock Mansion. Once there, skip the admission fee and instead, picnic on the surrounding grounds and enjoy the best part about the mansion: the view.
10. Sellwood Park
Southeast 7th Avenue & Southeast Miller Street, SE 7th Ave & SE Miller St, Portland, OR 97202, USA
Tufts_of_Tafetta / Flickr
Ample grassy areas and quiet paths make Sellwood Park a top-notch picnic spot. Enjoy river views and a little bit of peace and quiet close to downtown.

Do you agree? Are these the best hikes in Portland for a picnic? Know of any other spectacularly scenic hikes in Portland? What’s your favorite trail? Let us know!

If you’re searching for easy hikes in Portland, it doesn’t get much better than these easy-to-access waterfalls in Portland.

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Best Hikes In Portland

Daniella DiRienzo | April 16, 2022

Aside from the best hikes in Portland, what are some other ways to enjoy the outdoors?

You don’t have to be an avid hiker to enjoy the great outdoors in Portland. There are lots of outdoor attractions in the city that can be visited without exerting much effort such as Peninsula Park. Located in the Piedmont neighborhood, it has all of the perks of a typical park including playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas. But, the park’s best feature is its rose garden. Boasting thousands of vibrant blooms, it’s nothing short of breathtaking. It’s also historically significant – it’s Oregon’s oldest public rose garden.

What are the best kid-friendly hikes around Portland?

There are lots of kid-friendly hikes around Portland. One of the best can be found at the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. Encompassing just over 160 acres, it’s comprised of a mixture of habitats including meadows, woodlands, and wetlands. In addition to immense scenic beauty, the refuge boasts several amenities including biking and hiking trails. The hiking trail, which is just over 2 miles, is a loop that winds around the entire refuge, offering one of the easiest and most scenic hikes in Portland.

Are there any must-visit parks in Portland?

No visit to the city would be complete without a stop by Mill Ends Park. Consisting of a single tree in the median of a parkway, it’s tiny, and that’s what makes it so special! It’s actually touted as the “smallest park in the world” – an honor it received in 1971 by the Guinness Book of Records. Living up to its reputation, the teeny-tiny park consists of a small, circular patch of land, measuring just 2-feet across, which comes out to 0.00007205784 acres.

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