This Portland Park is Actually an Extinct Volcano-and It's Also The First Urban Quiet Park in the U.S.

"The sun sinks into Portland's West Hills as I walk the steep slope that leads towards a towering forest canopy. As I climb, dirt paths wind through the overgrown greenery, and the light of the sun begins to fade in the twilight. Best of all? I can only hear the sounds of the forest-you'd never know you were in the heart of a city."

"Even in a city with as much urban greenery as Portland-there are over 200 parks around town-Mount Tabor stands out, literally. Rising to a height of 636 feet, Tabor's tree-covered summit and slopes loom above the skyline. From lofty lookouts and meadows, park-goers get sweeping views of downtown Portland and Mount Hood. Like its Cascadian siblings, Mount Tabor is also a volcano, albeit a burned-out one. Portland is one of only six U.S. cities to have an extinct volcano within its borders."

Mount Tabor Park is a 176-acre urban park in Portland, Oregon, characterized by dense tree cover and quiet forested slopes that muffle city noise. The park was designated the first Urban Quiet Park in the United States in 2023. Rising to 636 feet, the park occupies an extinct volcanic cinder cone and provides sweeping views of downtown Portland and Mount Hood. More than 50 tree species, including a heritage sequoia and Douglas firs, grow within its boundaries, and 143 bird species use the park. Trails, historic reservoirs, playgrounds, sports courts, gardens, and an amphitheater support both nature outings and community events.

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