Mt. Tabor Park

Park
A man walking on the Mt. Tabor Park hiking trails
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Mt. Tabor Park Inclement Weather Update

Last updated Monday, March 11th, 2024: Due to damage from severe winter weather, some areas of the park remain limited or closed to the public. Do not cross any areas that have caution tape. This is for the safety of park visitors and park employees. 

When you visit Mt. Tabor Park, please continue to be aware of your surroundings.

Park visitors should use caution and look or listen for visual and/or auditory cues that may indicate a tree branch is falling from the upper canopy. 

Trailheads and trails may still present hazardous conditions for trail users. All trail closures are listed on the trail closures and delays webpage.

Mt. Tabor Maintenance Yard Project

Mt. Tabor Park Dog Off-Leash Area map

Renovation work is being planned for the Mt. Tabor Dog Off Leash Area to reduce erosion of the hillside. You may observe PP&R engineering staff onsite and see surveying marks in the area. We will update with a timeline for the work and what areas will be closed for construction once we have that information. 

Friends of Mt. Tabor Park

This park is maintained with the volunteer assistance of the Friends of Mt. Tabor Park. To find out how you can volunteer at your neighborhood park, call 503-823-5121.

Mt. Tabor Invasive Plant Control and Revegetation Project

Year acquired
1909
Size in acres
176.04
History

Portland's Mt. Tabor is a volcanic cinder cone. In 1894, the city built two open reservoirs on the site (two other open reservoirs were built in 1911). By 1900, Portland's growing eastside population demanded park space; in 1903 landscape architect John C. Olmsted recommended the city obtain more land at Mt. Tabor. In 1909, the Board of Park Commissioners used voter-approved bonds to buy approximately forty lots on Mt. Tabor for $366,000.

Portland Parks Superintendent Emanuel Tillman Mische, who had worked with the Olmsted Brothers' landscape design firm in Massachusetts, developed a naturalistic design for the park. The plan included long flights of stairs, gently curving parkways, numerous walking trails, and a nursery yard. It also showcased native plants. In 1912, construction workers discovered volcanic cinders which were later utilized in surfacing the park's roads.

At the crest of the park is a bronze statue of Harvey W. Scott, editor of The Oregonian newspaper from 1865-1872 and from 1877 until his death in 1910. A gift to the city by Scott's widow, Margaret, and family, it was sculpted by Gutzon Borglum in the early 1930s while he was at work on his monumental sculpture of four American presidents on Mt. Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Cast by the Kunst Foundry in New York, it was unveiled in June 1933 with great ceremony.

In 2017, the Mt. Tabor Park summit restrooms were reopened after being closed for many years. Funding from the 2014 Parks Replacement Bond allowed critical improvements like new plumbing, electrical systems, sewer line, lighting, roof, seismic upgrades, and ADA accessibility improvements from Harvey Scott Drive to the ADA accessible restroom.

Accessibility Notes

Parking

  • Parking lot and street parking
  • 1 designated parking space (van)
  • Paved pathway to play area with a moderate slope
  • 500 feet to play area

Play Area

  • Engineered mulch surface
  • Ramp into the play area

Play Equipment

  • Transfer station

Other Amenities

  • Accessible restroom at the summit
  • Accessible picnic table

Reservations available

  • Picnic site
  • Wedding site

Make a reservation through the customer service center

Images
Mt Tabor Park Resivour View

Park Location or Entrance

SE 60th Avenue and Salmon Street
Portland, OR 97215

Open hours

Park hours: 5:00am-10:00pm.

The park is closed to motor vehicles all day Wednesday, and from 10:00pm to 5:00am all other days. The road gates at Salmon, Lincoln/Harrison, and Yamhill Streets will be closed during those times.

Pets not allowed within Mt. Tabor Amphitheater on days of concerts.

Please see Mt. Tabor Park OLA map for designated off-leash area and park rules.

Upcoming construction

Construction started in October 2021, with expected completion in Summer 2024

Past construction

Park amenities/activities

Accessible Picnic Area
Accessible Play Area
Accessible Restroom
Horseshoe Pit
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Table
Playground
Plaza
Statue or Public Art
Stage (Outdoor)
Dog Off-leash Area
Paths (Paved)
Paths (Unpaved)
Basketball Court
Tennis Court (Lighted)
Volleyball Court

Neighborhood

City section

SE