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Hoyt Arboretum
Welcome to the Hoyt Arboretum, the gorgeous wooded wonderland located within the West Hills of Portland, mere minutes from Washington Park. First established in 1928, this arboretum was founded by a collection of timber industry representatives, the Portland Parks and Recreation Department, and the U.S Forest Service. Within this gorgeous park, you and your group will have the chance to explore over 6,000 different trees and shrub specimen from around the world, a total of over 2,000 different species, 65 of them being endangered or vulnerable for endangerment. This entire area serves as a sort of living laboratory, so to speak, a truly beautiful and educational place in Portland to connect with nature and discover some new (and local) trees and plants.
Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots while here, with several different options to explore the 189 acres of trees, each tree along with your hike complete with helpful labels. Each label gives both the common and the scientific names, allowing you a truly easy way to learn while here. This museum of living trees also holds an onsite visitor center, a spot where you can learn about how the Hoyt Arboretum got started and how fully it is dedicated to conserving endangered species, as well as educating the surrounding community.
After a visit to the center hit the 12 miles of trails, meadows, and picnic areas, or perhaps opt in for an arboretum tour. The tours are free and have been offered here since 1970, complete with free transportation to and from the park aboard the Washington Park Shuttle. You may want to bring your camera, as this gorgeous place will surely catch your photographer's eye at one point or another!
