List of visited Parks and Natural areas

Creating a list as a challenge

First of all, let me share that I’m a big fan of making a list of everything (crossing out items makes me happy). Periodically, I use lists for completing chores or tasks, however, in this case, it was just one for having fun with my kids!

Previously to move to Portland in 2013, I read a lot about this place, the state, and the surrounding areas. The first impression after seeing the map was how green was everything! I addition, I read an article that talked about the concept of being a tourist in your own city and I regretted not doing this in my hometown in Argentina.

Immediately after arriving in Portland I decided to create a list of Parks and Natural areas we wanted to explore with my kids. We all love nature and the parks here are amazing.

How that challenge gave me the idea to create this blog

After creating the list and start exploring parks, I wanted to track our progress and keep us motivated, so I saved those visited places on a Pinterest board.

During the period of time I was sharing my board and my photos with friends, they started to ask questions and recommendations about those places.

Eventually, after all that interaction plus noticing how much time of research it takes to know how good/safe or not it is a place before going, it gave me the idea about creating one space to share all that experience to help others with that process.

List of Parks and Natural Areas

Finally, after all this introduction, here is our list! 148 visited places and counting!

My idea behind this post is to keep me accountable and update this list with a new post for each place. I still have to write about a lot of them so I will be working hard!

1. George Rogers Park (Out first adventure together!)
2. Magnolia Park.
3. Pirate Park- Portland.
4. Ecola state park.
5. Conestoga Splash Pad.
6. Play Structure at Outdoors in.
7. Barsotti Park.
8. Bethany Lake Trailhead.
9. Hagg Lake.
10. Terra Linda park.
11. PCC-Rock Creek Sports Complex playground.
12. Wildhorse Park.
13. Evergreen water park.
14. Play area Sellwood riverfront park.
15. Howard M. Terpenning Recreation Complex with two covered play areas and a 10-acre natural area with walking trails.
16. Cooper Mountain Nature Park: Located in Beaverton, Cooper Mountain Nature Park offers visitors a 230-acre of diverse habitats with 3.23 miles of beautiful trails, a natural play area, and expansive views.
17. Mt. Tabor.
18. The Portland Rose Garden in Washington Park.
19. Dawson Park.
20. Buxton Trailhead.
21. Hansen Ridge Park: A small and beautiful playground connected with trails, a creek, and a wetland.
22. Butte Creek Falls.
23. 53rd Ave Community Park. Hillsboro.
24. Hiteon Park.
25. Jackie Husen Park.
26. The Fields Park.
27. Reedville Creek Park.
28. Fanno Creek Greenway Trail.
29. Washington Park. Play area.
30. Council Crest Park.
31. Bicentennial Park (Hillsboro, Oregon).
32. Buckskin Park.
33. The Bluffs Park.
34. Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge: Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge is a 168-acre park located in a floodplain of the Willamette River. You will forget you are so close to Downtown Portland and feel you are in the wilderness.
35. Beacon rock Washington state.
36. Somerset Meadows Park.  
37. Mirror Lake Hike.
38. George W. Otten Park.
39. Tryon Creek State Natural Area: A beautiful oasis of greenery within the city. This park includes a 650-acre-plus natural day-use area with 8 miles of hiking trails, 3.5 miles of horse trail, and a 3-mile paved bicycle trail.
40. John Marty Park.
41. Greenway Park.
42. Waterfront Park in Hood River.
43. Pioneer Park, Stayton.
44. Cedar Mill Park.
45. Bridal Veil Falls: a short hike, breathtaking vistas, and a beautiful waterfall, in the Columbia River Gorge.
46. Wahclella Falls: Easy 2.4 miles round trip hike in the Columbia River Gorge with gorgeous views and two waterfalls. The trail was reopened in August 2019 after Eagle Creek Fire.
47. Wahkeena Falls.
48. Cathedral Park.
49. Elk Rock Garden.
50. Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.
51. Kenilworth city park.
52. Kelley Point Park.
53. Camassia Natural Area.
54. Hoyt Arboretum: A museum of living trees: hiking in the middle of the city! 12 miles of trails just minutes from downtown Portland! My favorite place in the city for finding inner peace and serenity.
55. Marquam Nature Park.
56. Lucia Falls Regional Park.
57. Oregon garden Silverton. 
58. Guy W. Talbot State Park.
59. Silver Falls State Park.
60. Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge: A great destination to connect with Nature. This refuge is another gem closed to Portland. If you are a nature lover this is a must-see place for you.
61. Cape lookout: it is a beautiful and popular Oregon State Park, located between Netarts Bay and the Pacific Ocean, which includes features like Campground and Day-use area with easy beach access.
62. Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint: It is a breathtaking destination located in Tillamook, Oregon, that offers visitors a beautiful natural setting, amazing views, and a small but lovely lighthouse.
63. Cape Kiwanda.
64. Tualatin Hills Nature Park: a diverse 222-acre wildlife preserve that combines forests, wetlands, and streams habitats right in the heart of Beaverton, Oregon.
65. Jackson Bottom Wetlands: Located minutes of downtown Hillsboro, Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve is a 635 acres natural sanctuary for wildlife and people.
66. Westmoreland Park Nature Play Area.
67. Meinig Memorial Park.
68. Dawson Creek Park & Trails behind Hillsboro Library.
69. Benson State Recreation Area.
70. Turner Creek Park playground.
71. Tualatin Community Park.
72. Marshall Park Playground.
73. Lower Macleay Park to Pittock Mansion: Pittock Mansion Hike features lush forest, a beautiful creek, a Witch’s Castle, Victorian-era Mansion, and amazing views!
74. Playground at Marshall Community Park in Vancouver.
75. Rosebay Park Hillsboro.
76. Khunamokwst Park.
77. Oxbow Regional Park: Oxbow Regional Park is a 1,000-acre Natural Area park located in Gresham, Oregon, that provides fantastic recreation opportunities thanks to the majestic Sandy River Gorge.
78. Latourell Falls: Latourell Falls is located in Guy W. Talbot State Park, and it’s the closest of the major Columbia River Gorge waterfalls to Portland. Hiking there in any season is beautiful, and in a short walk, you can see two waterfalls!
79. Drift Creek Falls Trail.
80. Regatta Grounds Park.
81. Children’s park, Hood River.
82. Bald Peak day-use area. Scenic viewpoint.
83. Orenco Woods Nature Park.
84. Somerset West Swim Center playground.
85. Wanda L. Peck Memorial Park.
86. Pioneer Park.
87. Angel’s Rest Hike.
88. Fountain Jamison Square.
89. Bethany Creek Park.
90. McKinney Park.
91. Jenkins State and Camp Rivendale Playground: Jenkins Estate is a 68-acre historic estate located in Beaverton, Oregon, where you can walk enjoying breathtaking views of gardens and the Tualatin Valley.
92. Laurelhurst Park.
93. Rock Creek Park.
94. Bannister Creek Greenway.
95. Dirksen Nature Park.
96. Mill Pond Park.
97. Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site.
98. Cascade Streamwatch Loop Hike.
99. Cook Park.
100. AC Gilbert Discovery Village.
101. RiverPlay park. Eugene.
102. Powell Butte Nature Park: Powell Butte is a fascinating Nature Park where you can hike on an extinct cinder cone volcano! Located between Portland and Gresham offers more than 611 acres and 10 miles of trails with expansive views and diverse landscapes.
103. Playground at Keizer Rapids Park.
104. Mountain View Champions Park.
105. Gateway Discovery Park.
106. Orchard Park, Hillsboro.
107. Timberland Park.
108. Trillium Lake.
109. Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area.
110. Skyview Park.
111. Wilsonville- Mursase Park.
112. Fort Stevens State Park.
113. Moulton Falls Regional Park: A place that looks like taken straight out of a Fairy Tale. The hike at this 387-acre park is short and beautiful! You can find there a gorgeous arch bridge and two waterfalls (photographers paradise).
114. Nehalem Bay State Park.
115. Tillamook Forest Center: Hiking, learning, playing and picnicking by the river, all in the same place.
116. Spring Garden Park: Fabulous park. A true gem with a splash pad and an original playground!
117. Pioneer City Park: A new playground with a beautiful forest.
118. Mount St. Helens Visitor Center: Historical place, great views, and beautiful outdoor areas.
119. Mount Talbert Nature Park.
120. Altamont Park.
121. Cedar Hills Park: Updated park with a beautiful playground. There are options for everyone in the family!
122. Century Oaks Park: Lovely shaded park with amazing wooden structures for playing for hours!
123. Stella Olsen Memorial Park: This wonderful park is located in Sherwood, Oregon. It features a big playground with creative activities to do, a picnic shelter, trails, and more.
124. Champoeg State Heritage Area: it combines History, Recreation, and Nature in the same place. A perfect mixture of activities for a day full of adventures!
125. Hyland Woods Natural Area: 30-acre forested park in Beaverton, Oregon, with 1.85 miles of trails and an Off-Trail Play Area.
126. Lowami Hart Woods Natural Area: Escape to the forest to enjoy Nature at its best in this gorgeous 28 acre forested and wetland Lowami Hart Woods Natural Area.
127. Kaiser Woods Natural Area: is a 28-acre site along the Rock Creek Trail greenway in Bethany area where you can find a native forest, wetlands, trails, and a playground.
128. Salmon Creek Trail and Park: Located in Northern Vancouver, Washington, Salmon Creek Trail and Park is a fantastic destination for a quick escape into Nature.
129. Viento State Park to Starvation Creek Falls: How about an adventure where you can visit two State Parks on the same day with an easy hike? Try Viento State Park to Starvation Creek State Park trail!
130. Wildwood Recreation Site: Wildwood Recreation Site is a Day-use facility located 40 miles east from Portland, along the wild and beautiful Salmon River. Ideal location for summer adventures! Hiking and swimming in the same place.
131. Molalla River State Park: Molalla River State Park is located at the confluence of the Willamette, Molalla, and Pudding rivers in Canby, Oregon. This Natural Area provides essential habitat for wildlife as well as day-use recreation.
132. Jenkins Estate: Jenkins Estate is a 68-acre historic estate located in Beaverton, Oregon, where you can walk enjoying breathtaking views of gardens and the Tualatin Valley.
133. Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area: One of America’s largest urban wetlands is right here in our city! Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area is located in North Portland and can be explored by trail like we did or by kayak or canoe.
134. Oceanside Beach State Recreation Site: Located in the beautiful community of Oceanside, the Oceanside Beach State Recreation Site is a popular place to beachcomb, surfing, and exploring tidepools.
135. Dabney State Recreation Area: Dabney State Recreation Area is a relaxing and family-friendly destination, located on the beautiful Sandy River, that features easy river access and a lovely shaded picnic area.
136. Dodge Park: Just 20 miles east of Portland and located at the confluence of the Sandy and Bull Run rivers, Dodge Park is a popular and beautiful destination for enjoying water activities with the entire family.
137. Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge: Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge is the home of a wide variety of wildlife and plants, including some endangered and threatened ones. Located at the junction of State Highways 99W and 22, it’s a perfect destination for nature lovers.
138. Bob Straub State Park: This Park is located in the gorgeous Pacific City, Oregon. This State Park offers excellent recreation opportunities while enjoying the fantastic views.
139. Lewisville Regional Park: Along the East Fork Lewis River and just 40 minutes from Portland, Lewisville Regional Park is an excellent destination for swimming as well as enjoying various outdoor activities.
140. Glenn Otto Community Park: This Park is one of the open parks where visitors can enjoy the lovely Sandy River. Due to its beautiful swimming beaches and easy riverfront access, this place is heavily used during Summertime.
141. Wapato Greenway loop: Wapato Greenway loop is an easy 2.3-mile hike around Virginia Lake, part of the 15-acre Wapato Access Greenway State Park, in Sauvie Island. Not only it’s an excellent destination for bird and wildlife watching, but it’s also open year-round!
142. Erratic Rock Natural Site: Would you love to see a 90-ton rock that was deposited during an Ice Age flood, that traveled from the Northern Rocky Mountains to Oregon? If so, Erratic Rock Natural site is your kind of State Park.
143. Cascadia State Park: Located at the confluence of Soda Creek and the lovely South Santiam River, Cascadia State Park offers visitors a peaceful nature getaway, with river access, hiking trails, campground, and also a waterfall!
144. Little Crater Lake: Located in the gorgeous Mt. Hood National Forest, Little Crater Lake is a stunning natural wonder waiting to be discovered after a short hike.
145. Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site: Located at Neskowin, Oregon, a charming coastal village, Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site features an ancient “ghost” forest, a sea stack, a creek, and a beautiful long beach to enjoy and explore.
146. Graham Oaks Nature Park: Graham Oaks Nature Park is a restored oak woodland in Wilsonville Oregon. Beautiful natural setting, ideal for riding your bike, having a peaceful walk, or picnic.
147. Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site: Arcadia Beach, located between Humbug Point and Hug Point, it’s a beautiful mile-long beach, an ideal Oregon Coast destination for those looking for a peaceful day by the ocean.
148. Portland Japanese Garden: Portland Japanese Garden is an urban green space gem. Experience and learn about Japanese culture on this serene retreat located in the beautiful Washington Park.

I hope this list inspires you to go and visit places! We are so lucky to have so many beautiful locations close to our home.