Picnic Tables & Shelters
Know Before You Go
- Hours: Open [[park_hours]]
- Cost: Always free
- Digital Maps Page
- portland.gov/parks
Reserve Online - 503-823-7529 (503-823-PLAY)
Visit the Construction & Closures Page for updates or closures related to events or maintenance.
Picnic tables are placed throughout Washington Park. Tables and shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with options to reserve specific areas for larger groups through Portland Parks & Recreation. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted unless part of a permitted event.
The Washington Park Free Shuttle runs on a continuous hop-on, hop-off loop, providing convenient access to many key destinations in the Park, including many memorials, statues & fountains.
Plan Your Visit
Casual visitors can enjoy any open table without a reservation. For large parties, celebrations, or organized gatherings, Portland Parks & Recreation offers reservable picnic sites. Availability and current rental details are managed directly through the City. If your event includes alcohol or special equipment, be sure to secure the proper permit ahead of time.
Elephant House Picnic Shelter
The Elephant House has been a gathering place in Washington Park for more than a century. Built around 1914 as part of the original Portland Zoo grounds, it once stood near the elephant exhibit—hence the playful name that stuck long after the zoo relocated to its current site in the 1950s. The rustic, open-air structure is one of the few surviving pieces of the old zoo, and its tile mosaics—added during mid-20th-century site improvements—reflect animal and nature motifs that subtly nod to its zoological past.
Today, the shelter remains a beloved landmark for families and groups, offering shaded seating, covered space, and convenient restrooms housed inside the structure. Surrounded by tall trees and close to park trails, it continues to serve its original purpose as a welcoming place to rest, gather, and explore.
Getting Here
Points of interest are located throughout the park. View and download a digital park map.
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Take the Red Line or Blue Line to Washington Park Station. Take the elevator to the station plaza. From here, board the Washington Park Free Shuttle, which stops at every major attraction in the Park.
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Take TriMet Bus 63 from downtown to the SW Rose Garden Way & Sherwood stop near the International Rose Test Garden and Portland Japanese Garden. From here, you can board the Washington Park Free Shuttle, which stops at every major attraction in the Park.
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Take TriMet Bus 20 to the W Burnside & NW 24th Pl stop. From here, use the Stearns Canyon Trail to enter the Park. This paved, car-free trail gradually climbs approximately 0.3 miles through a shady canyon toward the Oregon Holocaust Memorial, where you can board the Washington Park Free Shuttle, which stops at every major attraction in the Park.
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Take TriMet Bus 15 to the W Burnside & NW 23rd stop. From here, cross Burnside and walk approximately 0.2 miles, where you can use the Stearns Canyon Trail to enter the Park. This paved, car-free trail gradually climbs approximately 0.3 miles through a shady canyon toward the Oregon Holocaust Memorial, where you can board the Washington Park Free Shuttle, which stops at every major attraction in the Park.
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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 on foot. Several popular Park entrances:
Park Place Entrance: This picturesque entrance on Park Place features the historic Lewis & Clark column. If you continue on the path, you’ll pass the Sacagawea Statue, Chiming Fountain, shaded picnic tables, and a kids’ play area before reaching the newly restored Reservoir and entering the heart of Washington Park.
Madison Entrance / Madison Street Trail: Start at the west end of SW Madison St, near the Goose Hollow MAX station. The trail offers a gentle, tree-lined climb to the Reservoir. From there, follow SW Sacajawea Boulevard west to the Rose Garden area and other Park attractions.
Burnside Entrance / Stearns Canyon Trail: This paved, car-free trail starts off W Burnside St near NW 23rd Ave and gradually climbs approximately 0.3 miles through a shady canyon toward the Oregon Holocaust Memorial, where you can board the Washington Park Free Shuttle, which stops at every major attraction in the Park.
Learn more about getting here on foot or see a digital map of the park.
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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 on foot. Several popular Park entrances:
Park Place Entrance: This is the most popular bike approach from the city center. The climb from SW Jefferson onto SW Park Place is short but steep—about 600 feet of gain in under two miles.
Madison Entrance / Madison Street Trail: Follow SW Madison St west until it turns into a trail entrance at the edge of the Park. The paved Madison Street Trail offers a gentle, green-lined climb, open to cyclists and pedestrians only.
Burnside Entrance / Stearns Canyon Trail: This paved, car-free trail starts off W Burnside St near NW 23rd Ave and gradually climbs approximately 0.3 miles through a shady canyon toward the Oregon Holocaust Memorial, where you can board the Washington Park Free Shuttle, which stops at every major attraction in the Park.
Fairview Entrance / SW Fairview Blvd: Fairview connects smoothly from Skyline, Burnside, and the West Hills’ neighborhood grid, making it a popular approach for experienced riders. The grade is consistent but challenging, with narrow shoulders in places and a few blind curves. As you near the Park, traffic stays light, but visibility is limited.
Learn more about getting here by bike or see a digital map of the park.
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If you’re planning to come by car or rideshare, be prepared for limited parking and high demand on sunny days and during special events. Traffic to and within the Park can be slow on peak days, so plan extra time and consider taking transit and getting around using the Washington Park Free Shuttle for a less stressful, car-free visit.
Parking is paid and enforced throughout the Park, and designated rideshare zones are located near many popular park attractions.
Transit Tip
Picnicking with a cooler or folding chairs? Ride TriMet earlier in the day for more space onboard, then use the Free Shuttle Loop to scout sunny or shady picnic spots before settling in.
Getting Around
Pair your visit with another nearby attraction using the Washington Park Free Shuttle for a car-free day in the Park.
The Free Shuttle Loop connects every major attraction on a continuous free loop. Hop on and hop off using this free service to explore multiple destinations, including many picnic tables and shelters, in one visit—without the hassle of parking or navigation.
Accessibility
Many picnic areas are located near paved paths, restrooms, and open green spaces. Terrain varies by location, so visitors using mobility devices may prefer reserving a designated picnic site to ensure appropriate access and proximity to needed facilities.
