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Information
This page contains information about the shuttle connecting neighborhoods in Portland to Forest Park and Washington Park.
What is the Express Shuttle?
The Forest & Washington Park Express Shuttle is a free pilot transit service operated by Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R). During summer 2026, Express Shuttle buses will make regular stops in neighborhoods in East, North, and Northeast Portland and Forest Park and Washington Park, two popular city parks that are hard to get to because of their locations and limited public transit options. The buses will provide a free way for people to get to these parks from areas closer to home.
Ride the Express Shuttle to explore Forest Park and Washington Park this summer. To find things to do in Forest Park and in Washington Park, check the Activities Calendar below. Information and activities will be available in multiple languages. All buses are ADA accessible.
This project is funded by the Oregon Department of Transportation's Innovative Mobility Program.
Shuttle Map
Check back here soon for a detailed map of the shuttle routes and information about each stop!
Stop Information
East Line
East Portland Community Center (City Stop ID: 1)
The Express Shuttle stop is located at the entrance to Floyd Light Middle School at 826 SE 108th Avenue. Find the Express Shuttle logo and timetable on a sign near the stop.
Express Shuttle riders may access community center restrooms and other facilities while the center is open. Check the hours of the East Portland Community Center.
Gateway Transit Center (City Stop ID: 2)
The Express Shuttle stop is located at the TriMet Park & Ride south of NE Pacific St. Find the Express Shuttle logo and timetable on a sign near the stop.
Express Shuttle riders may utilize the Park & Ride facility or connect to the Express Shuttle via TriMet. Plan your trip on TriMet.
Lower Macleay Trailhead (Park Stop ID: C)
The Express Shuttle stop is located on the traffic circle at Lower Macleay Trailhead. Find the Express Shuttle logo and timetable on a sign near the stop.
There are picnic tables, a covered picnic pavilion, ADA accessible restrooms, and a short, paved, ADA accessible trail at this trailhead. Learn about trailhead amenities and trail information.
Northeast Line
Parkrose / Sumner Transit Center (City Stop ID: 3)
The Express Shuttle stop is located at the TriMet Park & Ride north of the Transit Center. Find the Express Shuttle logo and timetable on a sign near the stop.
Express Shuttle riders may use the Park & Ride facility or connect to the Express Shuttle via TriMet. Plan your trip on TriMet.
Peninsula Park Community Center (City Stop ID: 4)
The Express Shuttle stop is located at the intersection of N Kerby Ave and N Rosa Parks Way, at 6017 N Kerby Ave, southeast of Peninsula Park Community Center. Find the Express Shuttle logo and timetable on a sign near the stop.
Express Shuttle riders may access community center restrooms and other facilities while the center is open. Check the hours of the Peninsula Park Community Center.
Lower Macleay Trailhead (Park Stop ID: C)
The Express Shuttle stop is located on the traffic circle at Lower Macleay Trailhead. Find the Express Shuttle logo and timetable on a sign near the stop.
There are picnic tables, a covered picnic pavilion, ADA accessible restrooms, and a short, paved, ADA accessible trail at this trailhead. Learn about trailhead amenities and trail information.
North Line
Charles Jordan Community Center (City Stop ID: 5)
The Express Shuttle stop is located at the intersection of N. Houghton Street and N Wayland Avenue, south of the Charles Jordan Community Center. Find the Express Shuttle logo and timetable on a sign near the stop.
Express Shuttle riders may access community center restrooms and other facilities while the center is open. Check the hours of the Charles Jordan Community Center.
St. Johns Community Center (City Stop ID: 6)
The Express Shuttle stop is located at the intersection of N Central Street and N Burlington Avenue, west of the St. Johns Community Center. Find the Express Shuttle logo and timetable on a sign near the stop.
Express Shuttle riders may access community center restrooms and other facilities while the center is open. Check the hours of the St Johns Community Center.
Leif Erikson Drive Trailhead at Germantown Road (Park Stop ID: E)
The Express Shuttle stop is located in the parking area at Leif Erikson Drive Trailhead at Germantown Road, near the restrooms. Find the Express Shuttle logo and timetable on a sign near the stop.
There are portable restrooms, including an ADA restroom, at this trailhead. Learn about trailhead amenities and trail information.
Washington Park / Oregon Zoo (Park Stop ID: A)
The Express Shuttle stop is located at the TriMet Washington Park MAX Station near the Oregon Zoo. Find the Express Shuttle logo and timetable on a sign near the stop.
Express Shuttle riders may connect to the Express Shuttle via TriMet. Plan your trip on TriMet. They may also connect to the Washington Park Free Shuttle to explore other areas of Washington Park.
Park Loop
Washington Park - Oregon Zoo (Park Stop ID: A)
The Express Shuttle stop is located at the TriMet Washington Park MAX Station near the Oregon Zoo. Find the Express Shuttle logo and timetable on a sign near the stop.
Express Shuttle riders may connect to the Express Shuttle via TriMet. Plan your trip on TriMet. They may also connect to the Washington Park Free Shuttle to explore other areas of Washington Park.
Pittock Mansion (Park Stop ID: B)
The Express Shuttle stop is located near the Museum Store at Pittock Mansion. Find the Express Shuttle logo and timetable on a sign near the stop.
Express Shuttle riders may enjoy special programs provided by Pittock Mansion. Check Pittock Mansion hours of operation, accessibility, and admission information.
Lower Macleay Trailhead (Park Stop ID: C)
The Express Shuttle stop is located on the traffic circle at Lower Macleay Trailhead. Find the Express Shuttle logo and timetable on a sign near the stop.
There are picnic tables, a covered picnic pavilion, ADA accessible restrooms, and a short, paved, ADA accessible trail at this trailhead. Learn about trailhead amenities and trail information.
Upper Macleay Trailhead (Park Stop ID: D)
The Express Shuttle stop is located at the east end of the larger Upper Macleay Trailhead parking lot, just down the trail from the smaller parking lot off of NW Cornell Rd. Find the Express Shuttle logo and timetable on a sign near the stop.
There are portable restrooms, including an ADA restroom, at this location. Express Shuttle riders may access the Bird Alliance of Oregon from this shuttle stop. Check Bird Alliance of Oregon for operating hours, programming, and other information.
Schedule
The Forest & Washington Park Express Shuttle will operate on Fridays and Saturdays between June 12-August 22, 2026.
Check back here soon for more information about the schedule each day!
Activities Calendar
Catch the shuttle to explore, learn, and have fun in Forest Park and Washington Park this summer!
Review a calendar of activities occurring at shuttle stops in Forest Park and Washington Park. You can also check out upcoming events across Washington Park.
Check out the calendar of hikes, community gatherings, nature education, intergenerational and family-friendly activities, events in multiple languages, and more!
Trail Information
You can explore many trails from all five Park Stops. Read information below about different hiking or nature exploration trails at each stop.
Park Stop A - Washington Park / Oregon Zoo
Adventures from this location:
- Explore the trails in Hoyt Arboretum
- The Arboretum grounds are open from 5am to 10pm daily.
- The Visitor Center is open daily from 10am to 4pm.
- Plan your visit to Hoyt Arboretum.
- Plan your visit and explore Washington Park destinations, such as the Oregon Zoo, World Forestry Center, International Rose Test Garden, Archery Range, Portland Japanese Garden, Oregon Holocaust Memorial, Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial, and Sacagawea Memorial.
- A Free Shuttle loop lets you explore Washington Park without the hassle of parking or navigation. It's easy to connect from the Express Shuttle to the Free Shuttle. Just transfer between shuttles at the Oregon Zoo / MAX Station.
Park Stop B - Pittock Mansion
Adventures from this location:
- Pittock Mansion --> Hoyt Arboretum --> Pittock Mansion
- Approximately 3 miles
- Round trip hike
- Elevation gain / loss of 980ft
- Involves hiking on a combination of surfaces, primarily natural surface trails, but also paved road
- Includes steep trails with switchbacks.
- Hike around Pittock Mansion for a great view of the City of Portland
- Hike this one-way and catch the Washington Park Free Shuttle or Express Shuttle back to your starting point (check Express Shuttle Schedule)
- Popular trail may be busy with hikers, runners, and people with dogs, children, and/or groups
- Pittock Mansion --> Lower Macleay Trailhead
- Approximately 2.5 miles
- One-way hike
- Elevation loss of 1,130ft
- Involves hiking on a combination of surfaces, primarily natural surface trails, but also paved trail and paved road
- Includes steep trails with switchbacks and some rocky and uneven surfaces
- Involves one road crossing on NW Cornell; with a signed crosswalk
- Hike next to a creek for .8 miles
- Catch the Express Shuttle from the Lower Macleay Trailhead back to Pittock Mansion (check Shuttle Schedule), or hike this round-trip (approximately 5 miles)
- Popular trail may be busy with hikers, runners, and people with dogs, children, and/or groups
- Pittock Mansion --> Hoyt Arboretum trails
- Hike approximately .65 miles to reach the entrance to Hoyt Arboretum, at the Barbara Walker Crossing bridge.
- Elevation loss of 400ft
- From entrance to Hoyt Arboretum, hike marked trails within Hoyt Arboretum trail system
Park Stop C - Lower Macleay Trailhead
Adventures from this location:
- Lower Macleay Trailhead --> Balch Creek Viewpoint --> Lower Macleay Trailhead (ADA trail)
- Approximately .25 miles
- Out-and-back hike
- Features elevation gain/loss of 25ft
- Paved trail
- Includes one bridge crossing
- Overview of a creek
- Popular trail may be busy with hikers, runners, and people with dogs, children, and/or groups
- Lower Macleay Trailhead --> Stone House, Wildwood, Wild Cherry, Leif Erikson, Thurman Loop --> Lower Macleay Trailhead
- Approximately 5 miles
- Loop hike
- Features elevation gain/loss of 1,230ft
- Involves hiking on combination of surfaces, primarily natural surface trail, but also paved trail, City street, and stairs
- Includes rocky and uneven surfaces and occasional steep sections
- Hike next to a creek for .8 miles
- Popular trails may be busy with hikers, runners, and people with dogs, children, and/or groups
- Lower Macleay Trailhead --> Stone House --> Lower Macleay Trailhead
- Approximately 2 miles
- Out-and-back hike
- Features elevation gain/loss of 370ft
- Involves hiking on a combination of surfaces, primarily natural surface trail, but also paved trail
- Includes rocky surfaces and short steep sections
- Hike next to a creek for .8 miles
- Popular trail may be busy with hikers, runners, and people with dogs, children, and/or groups
- Great for children
- Lower Macleay Trailhead --> Bird Alliance of Oregon
- Approximately 3 miles
- One-way hike
- Features elevation gain of 880ft, loss of 480ft
- Involves hiking on a combination of surfaces, primarily natural surface trail, but also paved trail
- Includes rocky and uneven surfaces and some steep grades
- Hike next to a creek for .8 miles
- Catch the Express Shuttle from Bird Alliance of Oregon / Upper Macleay Trailhead back to Lower Macleay Trailhead (check Shuttle Schedule)
- Popular trail may be busy with hikers, runners, and people with dogs, children, and/or groups
Park Stop D - Upper Macleay Trailhead
Hikes from this location:
- Explore the trails at the Bird Alliance of Oregon
- Free, open daily, dawn to dusk
- Please stay on trails and respect wildlife
- No smoking
- No dogs (allowed at Macleay Park)
- No bicycles or horses
- All user restrooms located at the Bird Alliance of Oregon Interpretive Center
- Upper Macleay Trailhead --> Stone House --> Upper Macleay Trailhead
- Approximately 1 mile
- Round trip hike
- Elevation gain / loss of 217ft
- Involves hiking on primarily natural surface trail that includes rocky and uneven surfaces and steep grades
- Hike next to a creek for a portion of the hike
- Popular trail may be busy with hikers, runners, and people with dogs, children, and/or groups
- Upper Macleay Trailhead --> Stone House --> Lower Macleay Trailhead
- Approximately 1.3 miles
- One-way hike
- Elevation loss of 500ft
- Involves hiking on primarily natural surface trail that includes rocky and uneven surfaces and some steep grades
- Hike next to a creek for most of the hike
- Catch the Express Shuttle from the Lower Macleay Trailhead back to Upper Macleay Trailhead (check Shuttle Schedule), or hike this round-trip (approximately 2.6 miles, elevation gain / loss of 600ft)
- Upper Macleay Trailhead --> Pittock Mansion
- Approximately 1.1 mile
- One-way, uphill hike
- Elevation gain of 629ft, loss of 199ft
- Involves hiking on natural surface trail that includes rocky and uneven surfaces and steep grades
- Hike on a soft-surface trail
- Catch the Express Shuttle from Pittock Mansion back to Upper Macleay Trailhead (check Shuttle Schedule), or hike this round-trip (approximately 2.3 miles, elevation gain / loss of 833ft)
- Upper Macleay Trailhead --> Hoyt Arboretum
- Approximately 2.7 miles
- One-way hike
- Elevation gain of 1,050ft, loss of 740ft
- Involves hiking on natural surface trail that includes rocky and uneven surfaces and steep grades
- Hike this one-way and catch the Washington Park Free Shuttle to explore destinations in Washington Park, or take the Express Shuttle back to your starting point (check Express Shuttle Schedule)
- Explore trails at Hoyt Arboretum upon arrival
- Hike this round-trip (approximately 5.4 miles, elevation gain / loss of 1,680ft)
Park Stop E - Leif Erikson Drive Trailhead at Germantown Road
Adventures from this location:
- Leif Erikson Drive Trailhead at Germantown Road --> Tolinda Trail --> Leif Erikson Drive Trailhead at Germantown Road
- Approximately 2 miles
- Out-and-back hike
- Features elevation gain/loss of 400ft
- Involves hiking on a wide, packed gravel / cobblestone park maintenance road with a gentle grade
- Popular trail may be busy with hikers, runners, and people with dogs, children, and/or groups
- Great for children
- Leif Erikson Drive Trailhead at Germantown Road --> Springville, Wildwood, Cannon --> Leif Erikson Drive Trailhead at Germantown Road
- Approximately 4.5 miles
- Loop hike
- Features elevation gain/loss of 1,130ft
- Involves hiking on a wide, packed gravel / cobblestone park maintenance road, as well as natural surface trail with some uneven surfaces and steep grades
- Portions of this hike may be busy with hikers, runners, and people with dogs, children, and/or groups
- Cannon Trailhead at Leif Erikson Drive at Germantown Road --> Wildwood, Newton, Wildwood --> Cannon Trailhead at Leif Erikson Drive at Germantown Road
- Approximately 3.8 miles
- Lollipop loop hike
- Features elevation gain/loss of 920ft
- Involves hiking on natural surface trail with some uneven surfaces, and wide, packed gravel / cobblestone park maintenance road
- Portions of this hike may be busy with hikers, runners, and people with dogs, children, and/or groups
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ride the Express Shuttle?
There is no cost; it is free to ride the Express Shuttle.
Do I need a ticket to ride the Express Shuttle?
No! Simply check the Route Map and Shuttle Schedule for the Express Shuttle stop nearest to you, then board for free when the bus arrives. You do not need to show ID or proof of identity.
Who can ride the Express Shuttle?
Everyone is welcome on the Express Shuttle. Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to accompany their minor children on the Express Shuttle.
How do I ride the Express Shuttle?
Check the Route Map and Shuttle Schedule for the Express Shuttle stop nearest to you, then board for free when the bus arrives.
You can ride the Express Shuttle to Forest Park or Washington Park any time during the shuttle's operating hours. You can hike, observe nature, gather with friends or family, or explore park trails or attractions on your own.
Or, you can ride the Express Shuttle to attend a scheduled event or activity in Forest Park or Washington Park. Check the Activities Calendar to learn what events and activities will occur in the parks while the shuttle is running.
I am registered for an event or activity in Forest Park or Washington Park. Will there be room for me on the shuttle?
People who have registered for a scheduled event or activity in the parks will have priority to board the Express Shuttle before people who are not registered for a scheduled event or activity. When you board the bus, tell the driver that you are registered for a scheduled event or activity happening that day. You do not need to show ID or proof of identity.
If the bus is already at capacity, check the Shuttle Schedule for the next available bus. For best results, arrive at your stop early to be near the front of the line, or catch an Express Shuttle bus that gets you to the park earlier than the event is scheduled to begin.
Do I have to sign up for an event in the park in order to ride the Express Shuttle?
No! Feel free to ride the Express Shuttle to explore the parks on your own. You do not need to register or sign up for anything to ride.
My minor child wants to ride the bus unattended. Will someone chaperone them?
Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to accompany their minor children on the Express Shuttle. The Express Shuttle is a public transit service. It does not include childcare or chaperones for minor children.
If your child wants to attend an event or activity offered in the park, check the details of the event on the Activities Calendar for any registration or waiver requirements.
Can I bring a service animal on the Express Shuttle?
Your service animal is welcome on the shuttle. You are not required to have a permit, but the shuttle bus operator may ask you to confirm that your animal is a service animal. You are responsible for the care and supervision of your animal while riding the Express Shuttle.
- Your animal must be on a leash or in a closed carrier, remain under your control, and behave appropriately.
- The animal must remain at your feet or on your lap. The animal may not sit on a vehicle seat.
- The animal must not be aggressive toward people or other animals.
- The animal must be housebroken.
- You are responsible for any damage or soiling caused by the animal.
Read Portland Parks & Recreation's policies regarding service animals.
Can I bring a pet on the Express Shuttle?
The Express Shuttle is unable to accommodate pets at this time.
Can I bring a bicycle on the Express Shuttle?
The Express Shuttle is unable to accommodate bicycles at this time.
Can I bring a stroller on the Express Shuttle?
The Express Shuttle has limited room for strollers.
Share Your Feedback
Questions?
- Email ParkExpressShuttle@portlandoregon.gov or
- Contact 311
- 7 days a week - 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. excluding federal holidays
- Call: 3-1-1 / 503-823-4000 (outside Multnomah County or VOIP)
- Email: 311@portlandoregon.gov
- Language interpretation available