Powell Butte is a favorite location when I want to escape to a green space and don’t necessarily have the time to go very far. One of the things I love about living in Portland is the abundance of green spaces and area hikes. This nature park features a fantastic variety of local flora and fauna year round; I see deer grazing in the meadows on about half my visits, which is always a treat. On clear days, views from the summit extend to several of the region’s tallest volcanoes; a handy Mountain Finder at the top helps visitors identify each prominent peak. The roughly nine miles of trails provide opportunities for short excursions or longer adventures.

With highlights like these, it’s no wonder this location stays busy all week long. Although it’s a popular destination, the trails rarely feel over-crowded once away from the paved route that runs from the parking lot to the summit.

Powell Butte Summit Loop Hike Summary

• Hike Highlights: Mountain views; spring/summer wildflowers; wildlife sightings
• Hike Lowlights: Crowded; traffic noise
• Time from Downtown Portland: 25 minutes
• Total Distance: Varies; as described, approx. 3 miles
• Elevation Gain: Varies; as described, approx. 220 feet
• Permits/Fees: None
• Other Key Notes: Multi-use trails for hiking, running, biking, horseback riding; dogs allowed on leash; paved trail for approx. 0.6 miles to mountain viewfinder, all other trails gravel or dirt; accessible via TriMet (local transit) bus 9

Road, Parking, and Trail Conditions at Powell Butte

Powell Butte Nature Park is accessible not just from the large parking area, but also from a few trail entrances around the perimeter. For those who prefer, you can even catch TriMet (local transit) and not mess with parking at all. The road to the main lot is narrow, and paved to the top; the lot itself has room for dozens of vehicles, plus a section for livestock trailers and buses. Adjacent to the lot is a spacious plaza and a small visitor center (open Wednesday-Sunday, 9am-3pm). A small fountain, restrooms, trashcans, and benches are in this area.

The trails on Powell Butte are overall in great shape! A 0.6 mile paved universal access trail goes to the summit; this leads to the Mountain Finder at the butte’s highest point. The rest of the nature park’s trails are either gravel or dirt; users are asked to stay off the dirt trails when they are muddy, to prevent erosion due to over use. Throughout the system, I encountered no particularly difficult terrain or fallen trees; the side trails leading to the summit are steeper in some places, but the overall grade is moderate at best.

Powell Butte Summit Loop + Trail Options

The most straightforward route is a summit loop, starting from the main parking lot and visitor center. This takes you on a tour of the butte-top meadows. Ascend via the paved Mountain View Trail. You’ll encounter opportunities to explore other routes, so if you’re looking for a longer adventure, don’t hesitate to explore these. There are two sharp corners as you go up Mountain View Trail, but aside from a bit of meandering at the start, it runs fairly straight. There are benches along the trail, including one at the second switchback just before the top. From there, it’s a short distance to the Mountain Finder and a couple picnic tables. Powell Butte was planted with an orchard and used for cattle grazing, before it was acquired by the city in 1925; several of the old orchard trees are just off the trail near the Mountain Finder.

Continuing clockwise where the trail transitions to gravel will loop you around Summit Lane, just under a mile long. In the spring and summer, a variety of wildflowers grow in the large meadow that this trail traverses. It is not uncommon to see deer here. I see them most often along the east and south sides of the butte, and less often nearer the busy foot traffic at the Mountain Finder.

Along the western leg of the loop, you’ll encounter four more trail intersections; these will take you onto the forested slopes of the butte, and create opportunities for longer hikes. In places, these trails aren’t as wide as Summit Lane. Be prepared to share the trails with others; this includes mountain bikes commonly, and horseback riders occasionally. My experience has been that other users are polite when crossing paths; remember that hikers yield to horseback riders, and mountain bikes should yield to both hikers and horses. Use your judgement when following these guidelines, as it sometimes makes sense for hikers to yield to downhill bikes and so on.

Physical Distancing on Powell Butte

Until the COVID-19 pandemic is well and truly under control, the physical distancing will remain a necessity during outdoor adventures. As in all Portland natural areas, a face covering such as a mask is required. When physical distancing is not possible, users should step off the trail and allow others to pass; when passing, do so quickly. And as always, follow leave no trace principles and remove any items you carry into the area with you to include pet waste. Dogs must remain on leash. I’m happy to say that almost everyone encountered on my most recent visit to Powell Butte was adhering to all COVID-related trail etiquette changes, and was very courteous as well.

Why to Visit Powell Butte

Don’t be fooled by Powell Butte’s location within city limits; a great deal of work has been done to return this area to a natural state (beyond visitor amenities). Wildlife sightings including deer, coyotes, rabbits, long-tailed weasels, and a wide variety of bird species are common. In spring and summer months, wildflowers bloom both in the summit grasslands and surrounding forests. If you’re looking for something a bit longer or with more elevation, strike out along one of the many intersecting trails to explore the forested slopes of the butte. You can find more about this location, including a brochure and maps, via Portland Parks & Recreation.

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