The Largest City Park In The U.S. Is In Oregon, And It’s Magical
Oregon is known ’round the country for its amazing outdoor recreation, and in addition to its iconic national park and superlative state parks, the Beaver State’s city parks are in a league of their own, too. In fact, Portland, Oregon is home to the largest city park in the U.S., and this urban oasis is nothing short of magical.
Located just a stone's throw from the hum and buzz of busy PDX, Forest Park is an urban oasis that's long captured the hearts of Portlanders.
At 5,200 acres, Portland's Forest Park is one of the largest urban forests in the U.S. With more than 80 miles of trails, fire lanes, and forest roads, Forest Park stretches for more than seven miles along the eastern slope of the Tualatin Mountains, overlooking Northwest Portland and the convergence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.
In terms of hikes, the Wildwood Trail and Lower Macleay Trail Loop is perhaps the most well-known trek in Forest Park. This 3.2-mile trail is a straightforward trek all can enjoy -- provided, of course, you aren't spooked by ghost stories, because it happens to lead to a real-life witch's castle!
The fairy tale feel of the Wildwood Trail is felt all throughout Forest Park, a place flush with Douglas fir, big leaf maple, grand fir, red alder, Western red cedar, Western hemlock, and verdant ferns.
There are also 30 miles of seasonal and perennial streams within the park, originating along the crest of the slope and draining east to the Willamette River.
