Forest Park is one of the largest urban natural areas within the city limits of a major metropolitan area and connects the city to the forested Pacific Coast Range. Covering more than 5,000 acres, it is a varied and evolving forest ecosystem. Overlooking the Willamette River, the park stretches for nearly eight miles along the northeast slope of the Tualatin Mountains.

Over 100 species of mammals and more than 100 kinds of birds thrive in Forest Park. Blanketed with Douglas fir, the park is home to hundreds of species of flowers and shrubs, including trillium and sword fern. Over 70 miles of interconnecting trails and lanes provide opportunities for circle hikes of varying lengths, including the 30-mile-long Wildwood Trail, a National Recreational Trail.