Getting to the Rose Garden

TRIP TIP #1

Join the Bike Bus!

Why ride solo when you can roll in with a group? Grab your bike (or any set of wheels that keeps pace) and join the Bike Bus—a fun, people-powered caravan heading straight to the Rose Garden Amphitheater.

👉 When: Thursday, September 25, 2025. Meet at 12:00 PM. Roll out at 12:30 PM.

👉 Where: Chapman Square (across from the Portland Building bike storage room entrance)

👉 How: We’ll pedal up Jefferson Street and connect to the Madison Trail for a scenic, all-together ride. Once you arrive, you’ll find 13 two-sided bike lockups ready and waiting at Washington Park Amphitheater.

👉 Who’s Organizing: Claudio Campuzano & Alex Brey. Questions? Reach out to alex.brey@portlandoregon.gov.

👉 BIKETOWN: Use the reward code PBOTEARTH25 for $25 off.

TRIP TIP #2

Parking Will Fill Fast—Take TriMet Together!

For the best experience, arrive car-free. Taking TriMet is one of the easiest, quickest way to get to Washington Park. Meet up with your colleagues and enjoy the ride together!

👉 When: Thursday, September 25, 2025. Meet at 12:00 PM. Leave at 12:30 PM.

👉 Where: 1st floor, east side/park side.

👉 How: One group will take MAX, another will ride TriMet Line 63 catching the bus at the 6th and Salmon Stop.

👉 Who’s Organizing: Alejandro Orizola, Amanda Zyph, and Danny Dunn. Questions? Reach out to danny.dunn@portlandoregon.gov.

Rather ride alone? There are so many ways to get to the Park on TriMet. Here are a few of our favorites.

👉 TriMet Trip Option #1: MAX + Free Shuttle Loop. Hop on the MAX Red or Blue Line and ride to Washington Park Station. From there, the Washington Park Free Shuttle takes you right to the Rose Garden, just steps from the celebration at the Amphitheater.

👉 TriMet Trip Option #2: MAX + Trail Walk. Take the MAX to Goose Hollow and walk the Madison Street Trail into Washington Park, until you reach the Reservoir. From there, follow SW Sacajawea Boulevard west and continue into the Rose Garden area.

👉 TriMet Trip Option #3: Direct Bus from Downtown. Ride TriMet Line 63 from Pioneer Courthouse Square for a direct trip to the Park. Buses drop off at the International Rose Test Garden hourly from 10 AM to 6 PM.

👉TriMet Trip Option #4: Bus + Trail Walk. Catch Lines 15 or 20 to NW 23rd & Burnside, then enjoy a one-mile walk through the Park’s winding paths to the Amphitheater. It’s a great way to stretch your legs and take in the scenery.

TRIP TIP #3

Catch a Ride with Uber or Lyft

Prefer a door-to-door option? Ride-share services like Uber and Lyft make it easy to get to the celebration without the parking hassle.

👉 Use the Primary Drop-off Zone.The best Washington Park drop-off area is located right at the Rose Garden—shared with the Line 63 bus stop and the Washington Park Free Shuttle stop. It’s the closest spot to the action, making it easy for your driver to pull up, drop you off, and send you on a short stroll across the street to the festivities.

👉 Getting Home is Just as Easy. When you’re ready to head out, simply return to the drop-off location and request your ride home. The spot will be clearly marked for pick-up after the event.

TRIP TIP #4

Take the Scenic Route—Walk In!

There’s no better way to arrive at the celebration than on foot. Washington Park is crisscrossed with beautiful trails that lead you right into the heart of the festivities. Skip the parking crunch and enjoy a peaceful, nature-filled approach.

👉 Stearns Canyon Trail from Burnside. If you’re coming from the north, enter Washington Park through Stearns Canyon, just off W Burnside near the TriMet stops for Lines 15 and 20. This shady, paved trail is closed to cars—perfect for walking or biking under a canopy of trees. The trail takes you uphill past native plants, rocky outcrops, and birdsong before connecting you to the Oregon Holocaust Memorial and nearby park roads. From there, simply follow the signs toward the Rose Garden. The connecting sidewalk and MAC Trail deliver you right into the garden area, and the Amphitheater is just steps away. Expect a gradual climb that rewards you with a green and peaceful approach to the festivities.

👉 Madison Street Trail from Goose Hollow.Starting near downtown or hopping off the MAX at Goose Hollow? Head west on SW Madison Street until you reach the Madison Street Trail entrance at the edge of Washington Park. The trail offers a gentle, tree-lined climb that brings you to the Reservoir. From there, follow SW Sacajawea Boulevard west and continue into the Rose Garden area—the Amphitheater is just a short walk ahead.

TRIP TIP #5

Parking Is Super Limited. Drive Only If You Must.

Parking near the Rose Garden is extremely limited, so please carpool if you’re driving to make sure everyone has a chance to park. Remember, car prowls can occur in Washington Park—remove valuables and store other items out of sight.

👉 On-Site Parking (Very Limited)

• SW Sherwood Blvd street parking (~180 spaces)
• Rose Garden lot (~25 spaces) & Tennis Courts lot (~60 spaces)
• Lewis & Clark Circle (~20 spaces)
• Washington Way (fewer than 20 spaces)

Please don’t block nearby neighborhood streets.

👉 Park & Ride. To make things easier, Portland Parks & Recreation is offering downtown parking in Waterfront Park so employees can conveniently walk, bike, or take transit up to Washington Park for the event.

👉 Morrison Bridge Parking Lot

• Address: 499 SW Naito Pkwy
• Parking Kitty Zone: 1499
• Fee: Enter the validation code EOSUMMER in Parking Kitty at checkout for free all-day parking.
• Note: Each Parking Kitty user may use the validation one time.

👉 Parking in Washington Park. If you do find yourself driving into the Park, you may also use the validation code EOSUMMER in Parking Kitty for free parking during the event.

👉 Parking Near the Zoo. There are multiple lots near the Oregon Zoo and the World Forestry Center. From the Portland Building, hop on Hwy 26 West and take the Oregon Zoo/Forestry Center exit. Follow signs for Oregon Zoo Parking. Once you’ve parked, look for the Washington Park Free Shuttle stop right by the Zoo entrance. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes and will carry you directly into the heart of the Park. Hop off at the Rose Garden stop, and you’ll find the Amphitheater just steps away.

👉 TriMet Park & Ride. If the Zoo parking lots are full, the nearby TriMet Sunset Transit Center has 600+ free spaces—just park there and hop on the MAX Red or Blue Line to Washington Park Station.