5 Perfect Picnic Spots in Washington Park
Washington Park is packed with amazing picnic spots, but with 410 acres to explore, it’s hard to find the perfect one. This is your guide to the five best places to picnic in the Park—and exactly how to find them.
Park Place Picnic Grove
Located just inside Washington Park’s Park Place entrance, this spot feels like the Park’s front porch.
How to get here:
- From downtown, take SW Park Place west until you reach the park entrance. If you’re taking the Washington Park Free Shuttle, get off at the Sacajawea/Oregon Holocaust Memorial stop and walk east toward the entrance.
- TriMet Bus Line 63 and Line 20 take you directly to Washington Park’s Park Place entrance.
The Vibe: Shady, peaceful, and historic. You’ll be sitting to the right of the Lewis and Clark Memorial Column, a massive 34-foot granite shaft. Once you finish your meal, you can take a short walk over to see the Chiming Fountain, Sacajawea Statue, and the Washington Park Reservoir.
Stevens Pavilion at Hoyt Arboretum
This iconic A-frame wooden shelter is tucked into the towering Douglas firs of the Arboretum.
The Vibe: Modern-rustic and woodsy, featuring 10 permanent tables (six under cover), plus one table behind the Pavilion above the Bamboo Forest and another table to the side of Fir Trail adjacent to Stevens Pavilion.
How to get here: Stevens Pavilion is located directly across from the Hoyt Arboretum Visitor Center. The Visitor Center parking lot is small and frequently fills up fast. The best way to get there is by taking the MAX Blue or Red line to the Washington Park MAX Station. From there you can hop on the Free Shuttle Loop and hop off at Hoyt Arboretum’s Visitor Center Stop—you’ll see Stevens Pavilion right across the street.
Rose Garden Picnic Tables
You can’t visit Washington Park without seeing the International Rose Test Garden. It’s free to enter, hosts an incredible view of Mount Hood, and has hundreds of beautiful rose varieties!
The Vibe: This is the best place to eat your sandwich in the shade before walking over to stroll through ten thousand roses. 🌹
How to get there: Parking near the International Rose Test Garden is extremely limited, so the best way to get here is by taking TriMet. You can take TriMet Line 63 directly there or take the MAX to the Washington Park MAX Station and hop on the Free Shuttle Loop. These picnic tables are located just north of the Rose Garden Amphitheater and the Washington Park Tennis Courts. You’ll see the picnic table grove on your left as you’re approaching the Gardens if you’re riding on the Free Shuttle Loop or TriMet Line 63.
Trip Tip: If you didn’t have enough time to pack for a picnic, you’re in luck! The Beautiful Oregon Food Cart is open for business late March through early September directly across from the Rose Garden Store. They serve yummy treats, cold drinks, snacks, hot dogs, fried rice, yakisoba noodles, and more.
Elephant House Picnic Shelter
Don’t worry, there aren’t actually elephants here anymore! This historic 1950s-era structure once housed the Oregon Zoo’s elephants but has been converted into a unique picnic pavilion.
The Vibe: If you’re a parent, the Elephant House is the perfect place for you! Pack a picnic and take the kids to the Rose Garden Children’s Playground. After all the calories have been burned and tummies are rumbling, walk one minute down Sherwood Boulevard to the Elephant House to enjoy your family picnic.
How to get there: It’s located on SW Sherwood Blvd, just a six minute walk south from the Int’l Rose Test Garden/Portland Japanese Garden TriMet and Free Shuttle Loop stop. The limited parking on Sherwood Blvd fills up fast. The easiest way to get there is by taking TriMet Line 63 to the International Rose Test Garden and taking a brief walk south on SW Kingston Ave (which turns into SW Sherwood Blvd). A bus ride through Portland makes for a fun experience for the whole family!
Redwood Deck at Hoyt Arboretum
Hidden within Hoyt Arboretum, this massive wooden deck is built directly inside a grove of awe-inspiring Redwoods.
The Vibe: While there aren’t traditional picnic tables here, the wide wooden benches and deck space are perfect for a casual picnic under some of the tallest trees in Portland. Don’t forget to bring your camera! The views from the Redwood Deck are some of the most photographed in Washington Park–you’re probably going to want to take some photos (or at least a selfie) to document your adventure.
How to get there: From the Hoyt Arboretum Visitor Center, follow the Redwood Trail. It’s a gentle, 5-10 minute walk on a well-maintained path.
General Trip-Tips for your Picnic in Washington Park
- The Free Shuttle is your friend: Parking is $2.40/hour and fills up fast. Take the MAX to Washington Park station, then connect with the Washington Park Free Shuttle to travel between these locations.
- Leave no trace: Washington Park is a protected habitat. Pack out everything you pack in!
- Check for events: Stevens Pavilion and Elephant House shelters can be reserved for events. If you see a “Reserved” sign, please respect the permit holders.
