This Was 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.

That’s one of the many charms of Mount Tabor Park, a 176-acre spread of land in the Mount Tabor neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. Even though it’s centrally located, few sounds penetrate its thick wall of trees, earning it the distinction of the first Urban Quiet Park in the United States in 2023.

“It’s a touchstone for nature,” says Rachel White, treasurer of the Friends of Mt. Tabor Park community group. “It’s a sanctuary for getting away from the noise and stress of life.”

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.

To me, Mount Tabor is really more like a wild miniature wilderness than a typical city park. Roads and trails cut through thick forests like you’d find in a national park. Over 50 species of trees can be found here, including a heritage sequoia and Douglas firs. Visitors can hike along dirt trails, watch for some of the 143 bird species that either call the park home or use it as a migratory stop, or picnic by historic reservoirs. But there’s also plenty of amenities to enjoy, like playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts, gardens, and an amphitheater.

Mount Tabor is one of the places where the city comes together for everything from daily outings to annual events like summertime dance parties with Tabor Dance and Soapbox Derby races. If Pioneer Square is Portland’s living room, this is its much-loved garden.

“It’s available to anyone. Having that public space is so important,” White says. “It’s a beloved park and that’s part of the fun,” says White.

Located in East Portland, Mount Tabor is easily accessible from popular dining and shopping districts like Southeast Belmont, Southeast Hawthorne, and Southeast Division. TriMet bus routes run to the park, and there are several parking areas as well.