There are endless options for outdoor nature adventures in the Pacific Northwest. I have an entire Instagram collection, titled “Places to Go.” of different spots around Oregon where I would love to bring my family. However, the reality is weekends are short and long, weekday trips with my two preschoolers may be fun to dream up, but are exhausting on all levels to pull off solo. When I found myself longing for true green space for my kids to run in by the end of winter, I realized I had yet to tap into all of the amazing nature reserves right here in the Portland Metro area!
While we explored, I kept track of the things making our day trips easier and less stressful for me, including access to bathrooms, easy parking, and, although we don’t need it any more, stroller-friendly. I packed a backpack with lunches, water bottles, and light jackets and we were on our way to experience the urban wilderness Portland nature reserves have to offer!
Powell Butte Nature Park (SE)
Restroom Access: Yes
Stroller-Friendly: Yes
Parking: Parking lot
Our Experience: The viewpoint here is wonderful on a clear day, with views of all the peaks in the area and information about each. The walk up to it was easy with a gradual incline. These nature reserves paths are mainly through meadows and low shrubs and it was a nice change of scenery from the other wooded locations we visited.
Portland Audubon Society (NW)
Restroom Access: Yes, in the Education Center
Stroller-Friendly: No
Parking: Small parking lot
Our Experience: This was a quick, but fun afternoon stop. The trails were narrow, winding, and uneven and we enjoyed scrambling around the roots and rocks. Both of my kids loved seeing the birds the nature reserves housed that were unable to be released back into the wild, especially the raven, Ari!
Wapato Greenway Loop (Sauvie Island)
Restroom Access: A porta potty off the trail head
Stroller-Friendly: Yes
Parking: A small parking lot at the trail head
Our Experience: We saw so much wildlife at this nature reserves; eagles, osprey, herons, snakes, and even cows from a neighboring farm! The path was flat and the surrounding terrain changed often, keeping my kids engaged while we walked the loop around the lake.
Tryon Creek State Natural Area (SW)
Restroom Access: Yes, attached to the Nature Center
Stroller-Friendly: Some trails are wide and relatively flat, but not all
Parking: Parking lot
Our Experience: Some of the trails at this nature reserves are equestrian friendly, which was a very cool bonus for my kids to see. They loved the winding trails and multiple bridges, and we saw a variety of wildlife. There are many trails to choose from, so it was easy to plan a path that fit within our time frame for the afternoon.
Cooper Mountain Nature Park (Beaverton)
Restroom Access: Yes
Stroller-Friendly: Yes; but be warned, there is a hill!
Parking: Parking lot
Our Experience: The path was wide and easy to navigate, with one gradual, long hill. There was a viewing point across a field and we were able to watch a few deer until they moved back into the woods. The nature reserves playground was a great bonus!
Tualatin Hills Nature Park (Beaverton)
Restroom Access: Yes, in the Nature Center
Stroller-Friendly: One of the trails is wide and paved
Parking: Parking lot
Our Experience: We saw deer, snakes, small birds, and rabbits while walking through the nature reserves. The paths were flat and easy to navigate. This was a busier spot than others, but we were there later in the day. We also participated in a very fun letterbox search offered through the Nature Center.
Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve (Hillsboro)
Restroom Access: Yes, in the Nature Center
Stroller Friendly: Yes
Parking: Parking lot
Our Experience: The education center was very fun and interactive, offering much information related to the animals and birds we saw in the nature reserves wetlands. There are a variety of trails to walk and plenty of spots to stop for snacks and bird watching along the way.
