Posted in Oregon Parks & Gardens March 09, 2023 by

The Largest City Park In The U.S. Is In Oregon, And It’s Magical

Have you ever wondered – what’s the largest city park in the united states? We don’t blame you. National Parks get a ton of attention, but city parks, are not quite so. The answer to the largest U.S. city park might just surprise you…

Oregon is known around the country for its outstanding outdoor recreation. In addition to its iconic national park and superlative state parks, the Beaver State’s city parks are in a league of their own. 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.
Forest Park Conservancy/Facebook
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.
Zeb Andrews/Moment Collection via Getty Images
Forest Park offers an unparalleled opportunity for visitors to experience a true Northwest forest without leaving the Portland city limits.
Forest Park Conservancy/Facebook
This lovely preserve offers a variety of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, birding, and wildlife watching.
Mike Rohrig/Flickr
There are nearly 80 miles of roads, firelanes, and trails open to intrepid explorers, each offering a unique experience of the park.
Portland.gov
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!
Dee/iStock via Getty Images Plus
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.
Portland.gov
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.
Forest Park Conservancy/Facebook
Enchanting paths and footbridges wind through the lush landscape of Forest Park, beckoning busy city dwellers to take umbrage in its canopy.
Forest Park Conservancy/Facebook
Come and enjoy a peaceful escape in Portland, Oregon, at this immense -- and immensely beautiful -- urban park, the largest in the country!
Forest Park Conservancy/Facebook

Have you visited Forest Park recently? Did you know this city park in Portland, Oregon, was the largest in the U.S.? What a cool claim to fame! We’d love to hear about your experiences if you’ve ever visited this city park before.

Also, if you’ve enjoyed learning about the biggest city parks in the U.S., then we can keep this going! One of the largest urban parks in the country is in Northern California, and it happens to be a real beauty.

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Address: Forest Park, Portland, OR, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

What's The Largest City Park In The United States

March 10, 2023
Megan Todaro

What are the best small town downtowns in Oregon?

The best small town downtowns in Oregon include:

  • Jacksonville, Oregon
  • Baker City, Oregon
  • Florence, Oregon
  • Condon, Oregon
  • Ashland, Oregon
  • Sisters, Oregon
  • Yachats, Oregon

These charming small towns each feature delightful downtown areas or Main Streets that deserve a visit. For instance, Sisters, Oregon, hosts a variety of weekend events in the downtown area, drawing in a ton of crowds to fill the streets. Meanwhile, Ashland has a quintessential downtown area that is home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival every year!

What the best natural wonders are in Oregon?

The best natural wonders in Oregon include:

  • The Columbia River Gorge
  • Mount Hood
  • Painted Hills
  • Cannon Beach
  • Smith Rock State Park
  • The Wallowa Mountains
  • Crater Lake

These seven natural wonders in Oregon are renowned throughout the state and are what make Oregon a bucket-list-worthy experience. These natural wonders deserve to be experienced in person so you can take in the true beauty up close. While there are plenty of other natural places in Oregon worth shouting out, these seven are the named natural wonders of the state.

Are there other unique state parks in Oregon?

The most unique state parks in Oregon include:

  • Silver Falls State Park
  • Ecola State Park
  • Smith Rock State Park
  • Shore Acres State Park
  • Crater Lake National Park
  • White River Falls State Park
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
  • Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
  • Wallowa Lake State Park
  • Fort Stevens State Park
  • Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
  • Sunset Bay State Park

While none of these is the largest city park in the U.S., they still each have something special. Filled with natural beauty and one-of-a-kind features, these state parks offer spectacular scenery throughout every corner of the state.