Tryon Creek State Park is one of the more well-known outdoor spots in Portland. The 658-acre natural area is Oregon’s only state park within a major metropolitan area. Thanks in large part to Friends of Tryon Creek, there are a number of attractions and activities that make the park one of the city’s more popular destinations, including 8 miles of hiking trails, 3.5 miles of horse trails, 3 miles of paved bike paths, and a nature center. The park also offers guided hikes, summer day camps, junior ranger programs, and a litany of special events. A 2.1-mile loop around the grounds is a great way to get a feel for what the park has to offer.
Distance: 2.1-mile loop
Difficulty: Easy
Trail surface: Hard-packed dirt; rocky, paved
Hiking time: 0.5 to 3 hours
County: Multnomah
Land status: State park
Seasons: All
Restrooms: At the nature center
Trail contact: City of Portland, Parks & Recreation, (503) 823-6007; portlandoregon.gov/parks/
Maps: Oregon Road & Recreation Atlas: Page 106 F4
Finding the trailhead: From downtown Portland, take I-5 South to exit 297. Head south on Terwilliger Boulevard, following signs for Tryon Creek State Park. After just over 2 miles, turn right onto the entrance road and follow it to the parking area. Maps of the park’s trails are provided inside the nature center. GPS: N45° 26.488' / W122° 40.559'
The Hike
From the nature center, head south along the paved Old Main Trail. Pass a junction with the Big Fir Trail on the right and continue to a junction with the Red Fox Trail. Take the slight left onto the Red Fox Trail and descend on the dirt path to a bridge that crosses Tryon Creek. Pass a junction with the South Creek Trail and continue to a junction with the Cedar Trail. Douglas fir, red alder, bigleaf maple, vine maple, cottonwood, hemlock, and western red cedar trees can be found throughout the park. And while the first 0.5 mile was dominated by maples and cottonwoods, the next 0.5 mile ascends through a shady grove of cedars.
After 1 mile of total hiking, pass a junction with the Hemlock Trail on the left; continue on the Cedar Trail. The path rolls and weaves through the park now, occasionally climbing and diving into and over ridges. The trail soon arrives at the Bunk Bridge and crosses over quietly babbling Park Creek. Stay straight at a junction with the West Horse Loop and arrive at a potentially confusing trail junction with another horse trail. Stay straight and immediately encounter another junction with the Middle Creek Trail. Make a left here and follow the path as it parallels Tryon Creek.
Cross another bridge and make an immediate right to stay on the Middle Creek Trail. At a junction the Middle Creek Trail takes a right turn. Stay straight here, now on the Maple Ridge Trail. A short distance later, at another junction, make a right and arrive back at the nature center and main parking area.
Miles and Directions
0.0 Start from the nature center and head south on the paved Old Main Trail.
0.1 Stay straight at a junction with the Big Fir Trail.
0.3 Make a slight left onto the Red Fox Trail.
0.6 Make a right onto the Cedar Trail.
1.0 Stay right at a junction with the Hemlock Trail.
1.4 Stay straight at a junction with the West Horse Loop.
1.6 Stay straight at a junction with a horse trail.
1.7 Arrive at a junction with the Middle Creek Trail and make a left.
1.8 Turn right to stay on the Middle Creek Trail.
1.9 Stay straight and continue onto the Maple Ridge Trail.
2.1 Make a right to return to the nature center and main parking area.
Local Information
Post-hike food and drink: Oswego Grill, 7 Centerpointe Dr., Lake Oswego