When I tell people I live in Portland, they inevitably ask, “Does it really rain in Portland as much as they say it does?” Well, yes, it does rain a lot here. But to be honest, a drizzle doesn’t stop us from going outdoors as a family. Thanks to all the forest trails—and the Portland philosophy that a little rain never hurt anyone—it’s easy to find family hikes in Portland. And visiting the Hoyt Arboretum with kids is one of those family hikes in Portland that we love!

The Hoyt Arboretum is nicknamed “a living museum of trees” for good reason: Within its 190 acres, more than 2,300 species of trees and other plants thrive, including 6,000 endangered or threatened species.

All those numbers are lost on my own children, but one great thing about exploring the Hoyt Arboretum with kids is that there’s just so much to explore. With 12 miles of trails and trees just begging to be discovered, this family hike in Portland is a no-brainer for families—no matter the weather.

If you’re wondering what to do in Portland with kids, head on over to Hoyt Arboretum in Northwest Portland. Here, I’ll share our favorite things about this family-friendly park and how to enjoy it every season of the year.

How to explore Hoyt Arboretum with kids

Hoyt Arboretum, located just up the hill from the Oregon Zoo and the Portland Japanese Garden, is giant—you can go many times and see something different every time. 

Its size, though, means you’ll enjoy it more if you have a plan before visiting Hoyt Arboretum with kids. 

These are my favorite ways to see the best of Hoyt Arboretum in Portland, OR.

1. Walk the stroller-friendly loop

Park in the lot next to the Visitor’s Center (paid parking; you can always use the Parking Kitty app to pay from your phone). Then walk the paved trail that leads up and away from the Visitor’s Center. The 1-mile paved loop is perfect for strollers, though you’ll have to push uphill for some sections.

2. Go off-road

With so many trees, my kids wanted to explore under some of them, too! When visiting the Hoyt Arboretum with kids, observe the trees from every angle—from afar, close-up, even underneath their branches. They don’t have to stick to the trail!

Ask your littles about the similarities and differences among the trees. They’ll begin to appreciate the huge diversity of trees!

3. Collect fallen leaves

Hiking Hoyt Arboretum is one of my favorite things to do in Portland in fall, when many of the park’s trees were showing off their autumn colors. We found tons of differently shaped and colored leaves on the ground. Thankfully, we came prepared: The girls collected leaves in buckets, which we turned into art projects when we got home. (Want ideas? Check out my guide to nature art projects!)

4. Head for cover

When it’s raining, you can still explore Hoyt Arboretum with kids—but you might want to stick to the densely forested section of the park. If you’re coming from the Zoo, drive about 100 yards past the Visitor’s Center and take a left at an unmarked road with a wooden sign that says Hoyt Arboretum. The road will take you downhill, where you’ll find small parking lots and room to park on the shoulder of the road.

From there, you can explore dozens of trails through firs, pines, cedars and even redwoods. The thick forest will keep the heaviest rain from falling on you. See, this is how Oregonians get outside no matter the weather!

5. Hand over your camera

Edie in particular loves to take photos on my phone. I’ve found that she gets really into family hikes in Portland when she is taking photos. She examines leaves up close, looks for banana slugs and, well, doesn’t complain.

Sure, some parents may give me the side-eye for allowing technology into the Great Outdoors. But whatever. Seeing nature through the lens of photography is a great way to inspire kids’ curiosity in the natural world.  

6. Become a Tree Buddy

Simply download and print the Meet the Trees Hoyt Arboretum map and activity sheet (or get a copy in the Visitor’s Center). When you complete the questions, bring the sheet to the Visitor’s Center. Your kids will get a special certificate and a passport with even more fun activities to do on upcoming trips to the Hoyt Arboretum.

7. Tree Time! Preschool Walks

Little ones have an abundance of energy—why not let them walk it out and learn about trees during a Tree Time! Preschool Walk? The activity at Hoyt Arboretum with kids is for children ages 2-6. Every other Monday at 10am, rain or shine, kids will explore a nature-based theme through a volunteer-guided walk, story time and a craft. $3/child.

8. Climb a mini-Stonehenge

Ok, so the big rocks within Hoyt Arboretum aren’t actually a Stonehenge replica, or anything like it, but my kids got a kick out of it anyway. (They thought the big rocks in a semi-circle were a lot like the circle of stones from the Disney movie Brave!)

When we recently took a family hike in Portland, we pretended that we were the first people to discover these stones in the Hoyt Arboretum. And of course we had to document our find with a photo. 😉 You can leave finding the stones to chance; if you want a clue, wander around in the spruce and red fir trails. 

9. Feel tall—really tall—on the Redwood Deck

At one end of the Redwood Trail, you’ll find the Redwood Deck—a wooden platform among towering redwoods. When you visit Hoyt Arboretum with kids, you’ll definitely want to find this gorgeous spot tucked among the trees. We tried to get a photo here, but my littlest was too busy sprinting in circles to get a good shot. #realfamilytravel

Fall in love with family hikes in Portland

No matter how you explore Hoyt Arboretum in Portland, come back again and again. The park is free (though you have to pay to park in some sections). And the arboretum is always changing.

Visit the Hoyt Arboretum in the spring for the blossoms, then come back in the summer to see the nuts and fruit. Visit again in the fall to see deciduous trees’ vibrant leaves, and head into the dense forest to appreciate the beauty of evergreens when the rest of the world looks grey. 

And remember: We Oregonians don’t let crummy weather keep us inside. Whether you live in Portland or are visiting from afar, do as the locals do: Enjoy our beautiful state, rain or shine.

While you’re in Northwest Portland, don’t miss visiting the Portland Japanese Garden, which is just down the road from the Hoyt Arboretum. I wrote about how to enjoy the meditative retreat with kids—yes, it can be done, and the garden actually welcomes families! Click on over to read the do’s and don’ts as well as tips from a mama who has visited the Japanese Garden with two kids (and lived to tell the tale, ha!).