PLAN YOUR VISIT

Getting to Washington Park by Bike or On Foot

Walking or biking to Washington Park is a great way to enjoy the journey and reduce your environmental impact. The Park has trails, bike parking, and bikeshare stations to support active transportation.

A visitor walking down a forest staircase into Washington Park surrounded by fall trees.

Planning Your Trip

Walking & Biking Entrances to the Park

Washington Park's boundaries meet Portland's street grid in a few key places, and several car-free trails lead into the Park from surrounding neighborhoods, making it easy to explore the Park by bike or on foot. Once inside the Park, cyclists are welcome on all Park roads, but trails are reserved for walking or hiking.

Biking Tips

  • Lock Your Bike

    Bike racks are available at all major attractions. Most are standard U-racks located near entrances and visitor centers.

  • Ride Early for the Quietest Roads

    Traffic and pedestrians spike after 10am

  • Expect Steady Traffic

    Especially between the Oregon Zoo and Portland Japanese Garden

  • Check Winter Closures

    Storms may cause temporary shutdowns

  • Ride Single-File

    Watch for shuttle stops and pedestrian crossings

  • Use Caution

    Especially on the descent from SW Fairview Blvd to the Rose Garden—expect tight turns and limited visibility

Read More About Biking in Washington Park
A TriMet bus driving through Washington Park, shown next to information about combining transit with biking or walking.”

Combining Walking & Biking with Public Transit

Take the MAX Light Rail Red Line or Blue Line to Washington Park Station. From there, you can ride uphill through the Zoo area and connect to SW Fairview Boulevard or SW Knights Boulevard to access the rest of the Park.

Standard-size bikes are allowed on TriMet trains and buses.

You can also use the Washington Park Free Shuttle, which accepts bikes when space allows.

A runner on a flowering spring trail in Hoyt Arboretum, next to common questions about biking and walking in the Park.
 

Common Questions

  • No. Soft-surface and hiking trails are off-limits to all bicycles, including e-bikes. Bikes are permitted on all public roadways within the Park, including:

    • SW Park Place to SW Lewis and Clark Way

    • SW Kingston Drive

    • SW Rose Garden Way (one way–uphill)

    • SW Fairview Boulevard

    • SW Knights Boulevard

    • SW Fischer Lane

    Some paved connectors—like Stearns Canyon Drive and the Madison Court Trail—allow bike travel but are shared with pedestrians.

  • Yes. The Park-wide speed limit is 20 mph for all vehicles including bicycles. Please abide by the direction of one-way streets in Washington Park.

  • For detailed information about accessible routes and terrain throughout the Park, visit our accessibility guide.

    Learn about accessible paths →

  • Yes. Walking and biking are free ways to visit Washington Park. All trails and paths are open to the public at no cost.

View More FAQs

More Transportation Options