Mount Tabor is a volcano inside the city. This extinct cinder cone, one of dozens of volcanic vents scattered around the Portland area, rises about 636 feet in Southeast Portland and is covered by a park of close to 200 acres that locals use as a backyard for walking, dog-walking, picnicking and sunset-watching. From the summit, the view runs across the skyline and toward the West Hills, and on clear days the Cascades are visible beyond. The park was designed in the early 1900s with advice from Olmsted, in a naturalistic style of long stairways, curving parkways and wooded trails, and it contains four open reservoirs built between 1894 and 1911, now a National Register of Historic Places site, several of them decommissioned and quiet spots to walk beside. Three marked trails of one, one and seven-tenths and three miles loop through the woods, and paved paths reach the summit. Facilities include a playground, tennis and basketball courts, horseshoe pits, an amphitheater and an off-leash dog area at the base. The park is open daily from 5am to midnight and costs nothing, which makes it one of the best no-cost outings in the city, especially around sunset when the light turns the skyline gold. Parking along the roads and in small lots is limited, so many visitors arrive on foot or by bike from the surrounding neighborhoods of Montavilla and Sunnyside.
A simple way to enjoy it
Park or arrive near the base, climb the stairways for the exercise and the sense of discovery, and finish at the summit with a blanket and a thermos. Evening is the classic time, but morning offers quiet and good light, and in autumn the maples and big-leaf trees provide color.
The Red, Green and Blue trails are named for their markers, and the shortest is a gentle way to see the woods before choosing a longer loop. Paved summit paths, accessible picnic areas, play areas and restrooms make parts of the park workable for strollers and wheelchair users.
Context makes the walk richer. The reservoirs supplied the city's drinking water for generations, and the fight to keep the open reservoirs rather than bury them has been a long neighborhood cause, part of why the area retains its historic character. The cinder cone is one of many in a volcanic field around Portland, a reminder of the volcanic past of the region.
Events add character
The PDX Adult Soapbox Derby takes over the park on the third Saturday in August, is free to watch and draws crowds of up to ten thousand, and other community events run through the warm months.
Practical notes
TriMet bus 15 stops at SE 60th and Belmont, a few blocks from the park, and the restaurants of Belmont and Division streets are nearby for a meal before or after, including a range of Lebanese, Vietnamese, vegetarian and pizza options. Street parking fills on sunny weekends and during events, so allow extra time.
The park is dark at night in places, so bring a light if you plan to stay after sunset. The forest canopy gives some cover in light rain, though the stairs are slick when wet. Pair it with Alberta Arts District or Hoyt Arboretum for a second park or neighborhood in the same day.
What to expect
The experience
A free city park on an extinct volcanic cinder cone, with summit views, marked trails, historic reservoirs and picnic areas.
Best time
Sunset for skyline views, mornings for quiet; autumn for color.
How long
One to three hours.
Tips
Open 5am to midnight. Parking is limited, so walk, bike or take TriMet bus 15 to SE 60th and Belmont. Stairs are slick when wet.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Locals-style sunsets, picnics and gentle hikes with a view of the skyline.
- Families
- Good: playground, picnic areas and paved paths, with plenty of room to run.
- Couples
- A free sunset spot with a blanket and a thermos.
- Pair with
- Belmont and Division street restaurants, or the Alberta Arts District.
- Time needed
- One to three hours.
Good questions
What are Mount Tabor Park's hours?+
The park is open daily from 5am to midnight, and entry is free.
Is Mount Tabor really a volcano?+
Yes. It is an extinct volcanic cinder cone rising about 636 feet, one of many such vents in the Portland area.
What trails are there?+
Three marked trails: Red at about one mile, Green at about 1.7 miles and Blue at about three miles, plus paved paths to the summit.
How do I get there without a car?+
TriMet bus 15 stops at SE 60th and Belmont, a few blocks from the park. Parking on site is limited.
What is the soapbox derby?+
The PDX Adult Soapbox Derby is a free event held on the third Saturday in August that draws crowds of up to ten thousand.
