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”Powell Butte
The Powell Butte Nature Park is a great place to get outside and enjoy nature. The park has over 500 acres of open space, with hiking trails that lead to the top of the butte. There are also playgrounds, picnic areas, and a visitor center. Powell Butte is a great place to spend an afternoon outdoors with friends or family.
If you are looking for a more strenuous hike, the trails at Powell Butte can provide it. The butte is 620 feet tall, and the views from the top are worth the climb. Various miles of trails wind through the park, providing plenty of opportunities to explore.
If you are visiting Portland with your family, Powell Butte is a great park to visit. There are many opportunities for family bonding, whether you choose the nature center or the trails at the top of the butte. You can also bring your dog along during any time of day except between June 15 and September 15, when dogs are only allowed on leashes below six feet long. The park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset.
History of Powell Butte
The Multnomah County Land Company initially owned the land that now forms Powell Butte. In 1867, a group of settlers from Iowa arrived and claimed 640 acres of it for farming purposes.
In 1909 an electric trolley service began between Portland city center and Gresham on the eastern edge of town. The Powell Butte stop was added in 1912. The area around the butte began to be developed as a recreational destination.
In 1933 the Multnomah County Park Commission purchased the land for Powell Butte Nature Park. The park has been open to the public since then.
Facts About Powell Butte
– The area is named after Henry K. Powell, a pioneer who settled there in 1867 and began farming potatoes.
– The Multnomah County Land Company initially owned the land that now forms the park.
– Powell Butte is located in Gresham, Oregon, and can be seen from many parts of Portland city center.
– There are over 500 acres of open space at Powell Butte Nature Park.
– The nature park is managed by Portland Parks & Recreation.
– There are several miles of trails at Powell Butte Nature Park, in addition to the self-guided nature trail.
– Dogs must be kept on a leash when they are within 100 feet from any road or path designated for use by pedestrians only. They also cannot enter picnic areas and must not disturb visitors anyway.
– Dogs are allowed in the park all day from December through February and during daylight hours only from March 15 to November 14.
What to See at Powell Butte
Visitors to Powell Butte will find many different things to explore. There are several miles of trails, an observation deck at the top of the butte that provides:
- Excellent views.
- Picnic areas with playgrounds for children.
- A visitor center where you can learn more about the park’s history.
The nature trail is well marked, so it is easy to follow, and it provides a great introduction to flora and fauna of the area.
If you are looking for a place to relax and take in the natural beauty of Portland, Powell Butte is a great option. With over 500 acres of open space, there is plenty of room to explore. The butte itself offers excellent views of the city, and the trails provide an opportunity to get away from it all.
Activities and Events at Powell Butte
In addition to hiking the trails, visitors can also bring their dogs along if they are on a leash. Dogs are not allowed from June 15 through September 15.
Every year in February, Powell Butte hosts an annual Winter Festival that includes live music and entertainment, family-friendly activities, and food booths. The festival is free of charge with plenty of activities for the whole family.
If you are looking for a place to picnic, Powell Butte Nature Park is a great option. There are various picnic areas with playgrounds and restrooms available. The park also offers an observation deck at the top of the butte that provides excellent views of Portland.
Take a short hike to the top of this Butte with amazing vistas in all directions. This is a short hike with some great views and a picnic table at the top. This park has multi-use trails but mountain bikers should stay off the horse trails and both horses and mountain bikers should stay off the trails when they are muddy. From the top you will have great views of Mt. Hood in the distance.
The nature center at Powell Butte is open from April through September, and it offers tours of the park. There are also educational programs available for school groups throughout the year.
Things Not to Do at Powell Butte
There are some things that visitors should not do at Powell Butte Nature Park, including disturbing the wildlife.
- Dogs must also be on a leash all year long, and they cannot enter picnic areas or other designated areas where people congregate.
- Hunting and trapping are not allowed in the park.
- There is no camping allowed at Powell Butte Nature Park.
- Metal detectors are not allowed in the park, and digging is prohibited.
What to Bring to Powell Butte
If you are planning to visit Powell Butte, there are a few things that you will want to bring with you.
- Sunscreen, hats, and water bottles are all recommended, especially during the summer months.
- You may also want to bring binoculars for bird watching or a camera to capture the views from the top of the butte.
- If you plan to hike the trails, bring appropriate footwear and wear layers in case it gets cool.
- Pets are allowed in the park, but they must be on a leash at all times. Please clean up after your pet.
When to Visit Powell Butte
The park is open all day from December through February, allowing visitors of any age or ability to explore the trails and spend time outdoors with friends and family. From March 15 to November 14, dogs are allowed on leashes during daylight hours only; they can be brought along at other times as long as their leash is less than six feet long.
Powell Butte has a visitor center where you can learn more about the area’s history and find out what there is to see and do nearby. There are picnic areas with playgrounds for children, hiking trails that provide scenic views of Gresham and Portland city center, an observation deck at the top of the butte, and a self-guided nature trail. Dogs are allowed in the park as long as they are on a leash. You can bring yours along for an adventure.
The Powell Butte Nature Park is open sunrise to sunset year-round; admission is free. For safety and security reasons, the parking lot access is restricted to seasonal hours. It’s located at 1602 SE Powell Valley Road, Gresham, Oregon 97080. For more information, visit Multnomah County’s website at multco.us/parks-and-recreation/powell-butte-nature-park or call (503) 666-1649.
The closest public transit is TriMet bus #9 or bus 74 , just east of SE 162nd Ave at Powell Blvd. From there one would turn onto 162nd Ave and walk uphill for a half mile, to reach the parking lot and new Visitor Center. If one drives, there are accessible parking spaces close to the Visitor Center where one will find drinking fountains and an accessible restroom.
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