Address: 3400 SW Council Crest Dr
Pricing: Free
Phone: (503) 823-2525
Hours: 5:00am-12:00pm, Cars are allowed 5:00am-9:00pm
How To Get There:
From downtown Portland:
From downtown Portland:
1. Head north on NW 6th Ave toward NW Couch St
2. Take the 1st left onto NW Couch St
3. Take the 1st left onto NW Broadway
4. Continue onto SW Patton Rd
5. Turn left at SW Greenway Ave
6. Turn right at SW Council Crest Dr
By public transit:
Take Tri-Met Route #8 from downtown Portland. Get off at SW Gaines & 11th. Walk east toward Council Crest Park.
Parking:Free parking is available
Visit Website
Council Crest Park: An Eagle’s Eye View of Portland
Apr 16, 2010
Tucked away in the West Hills, Council Crest Park is a secret gem among the various Portland Parks. Standing tall above its surroundings, it is believed to be the highest point in Portland, coming in at 1,073 feet above sea level. Take in the full panoramic views on all sides. It also has areas to relax and have lunch while taking in the breathtaking scenery.
While a lot of visitors to Portland go to nearby Washington Park, even many city residents are unaware of the wonders of Council Crest Park. On clear days, you can see all the way to Mt. Rainer as well as other local peaks such as Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens. With only few visitors during the weekdays, you can feel like you are being let in on a secret in this beautiful vantage point.
According to the city’s website, “Council Crest got its name because it was here where Native Americans held meetings and built signal fires.” Standing on the top of the park, one can imagine this, as you can view the whole Willamette Valley.
The main feature of the park is the water tower which located in the middle on top of a grassy hill. However, tucked away on the lower part of the east side of the park are the picnic benches. This is a good option for shade, especially on warm spring or summer days. Kids can play and there is an off-leash area for pet owners.
An overlooked function is that the space can be reserved for weddings. An unlikely spot for many, but one which would make unforgettable moments.
For those looking for a more active park visit, there are multiple paved and unpaved paths to choose from. None are too strenuous, but make a perfect stroll through Portland’s urban wilderness.
The park can be quite busy on weekends, so it's best to try for a weekday if you want a quiet, scenic picnic. It also makes a fun excursion for young families. Kids will enjoy the open areas and adults can breathe in the views from the top of Portland.
HelloPortland Tip: In need of a romantic destination? Council Crest Park at sunset will make any heart swoon.
- by William Crane, Portland Reporter for HelloMetro
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William CraneWilliam Crane is an accomplished print and online journalist (http://www.william-crane.com) His work covers a variety of topics including features, local community news, sports, music, and political/social issues.
Graduating from Seattle University with a B.A. in Journalism, William's writing has appeared in a variety of different publications including the Stranger, Capitol Hill Times, the Skanner, Backfire Magazine, and the Internationalist.
