Hillsboro, Oregon

The Maple Trail loop lies in the heart of Portland’s Forest Park, at 5,100 wooded acres, it’s the largest forested natural area within city limits in the United States. It’s packed with tons of natural variety as it winds through the park’s most heavily forested canyons. You’ll be amazed at how s...

Located right underneath the St Johns Bridge, Cathedral Park is hard to miss. It was given its name due to the Gothic looking arches that sit above the park.This is one of my personal favorite places to photograph especially if you enjoy photographing bridges. This park can be crowded or have eve...

This trail is an easy out and back from either the west or east side of Forest Park. The east trailhead is off NW Skyline Blvd, on Saltzman Road, which is a dirt/gravel road like the trail. You'll park near the gates where there aren't No Parking signs up (the land around the trail at this point ...

To begin, park on North Pittsburg Ave and walk down to the river. Then, turn left and walk down the short less than a quarter mile until you see a spot where the beach is bigger than in other areas. This is an extremely good place to take photographs of the bridge, especially at night. Feel free ...

The Tualatin River Refuge Seasonal Trail Loop is a peaceful and scenic trail located within the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge in Sherwood, Oregon, just 30 minutes from downtown Portland. This family-friendly loop opens seasonally (typically May through September) and provides visitors...

The Witch’s Castle in Portland, Oregon, is a site steeped in a mix of historical significance and urban legend. Originally built as a ranger station and restrooms in the 1930s, the stone ruins are now known for their eerie ambiance and storied past.  The Witch’s Castle is accessible via a modera...

Leif Erikson Drive is a wide dirt road running through the heart of Forest Park that is closed to motorized vehicles…making it a magnet for those looking to add some relatively easy and scenic distance to their workouts. The road itself is nicely graded and well maintained. It has relatively goo...

Pittock Mansion offers a one of kind view of downtown Portland. This is a historic site that allows public access throughout the day and night. Parking is available at Pittock until 9pm but if you wish to visit the grounds after hours you can park at the bottom of the driveway, walk around the ga...

Pittock Mansion via Wildwood Trail is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Portland, Oregon. Once the private home of the prominent Portland pioneer Pittock family, the Pittock Mansion is a 22-room architectural marvel designed by Edward Foulkes an...

Take the train to Washington Park and hike through Hoyt Arboretum. This will bypass a few miles of Wildwood Trail, but you won't miss much. In the arboretum, the trail twists and turns through the trees, will smaller trails jutting off to the sides, through other groups of trees (each trail is a...

Founded in 1928 to conserve endangered species and educate visitors, Hoyt Arboretum is a 190-acre park in the forest above Portland's NW area. It's only 15 minutes from downtown! There are 12+ miles of trails to explore, my favorite is the Redwood Trail that takes you through towering redwoods a...

The Fanno Creek Greenway Loop offers a peaceful escape into nature right in the heart of the Portland metropolitan area. Winding through several cities including Beaverton, Tigard, and Portland, this family-friendly, multi-use trail follows the scenic Fanno Creek through parks, wetlands, and ne...

Lower Macleay Park is one of most easily accessible trailheads in the city, especially during one of Portland’s rare snow years where even driving up to 500 feet of elevation can challenge your car. You can park within the park entrance cul-de-sac, around the intersection of Upshur St. & NW 2...

While the Portland Japanese Garden is a popular place for tourists, it's also a favorite for Portland residents as it's located right in Washington Park close to trails and across from the Rose Garden. The Japanese Garden also just unveiled its Cultural Crossing expansion in April 2017, which inc...

The International Rose Garden located in Washington Park near downtown Portland is a must stop on your visit to the Rose City. The City of Roses, as Portland is known, won't let you down. Portland is host to the largest Rose Test Garden in the U.S. The 5 acre park, with over 7,000 rose bushes, an...

The Tualatin River runs from Hagg Lake, near Forest Grove, then travels through many small towns before it empties into the Willamette River at Willamette Park.Start at the Tualatin Community Park in Tualatin and paddle down to Willamette Park in West Linn. This section offers a few miles of easy...