Forest Park is located along the eastern slope of Portland's Northwest Hills, which the local Native Americans called the Tualatin Mountains.

In 1803, William Clark of the epic Lewis & Clark expedition paddled far enough up the Willamette River to observe what is now Forest Park. He described this primeval forest as having Douglas fir as its predominant tree, with trunks ranging from five to eight feet in diameter!

Over 110 different species of birds and 50 different species of mammals have been seen in Forest Park, including ring-necked pheasant and sandhill crane. Within the boundaries of Forest Park lie seven other parks, and Forest Park as a whole is the largest wilderness park within city limits in the United States.

• Hike the Wildwood Trail, the longest section of Portland's 40 Mile Loop Trail.