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    Cathedral Park

    4.7 (150 reviews)
    Open 5:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

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    St. Johns Bridge views.
    Jaya P.

    I love visiting Cathedral Park anytime of the year. The views, especially of the St. Johns Bridge are incredible. Lots of places to go on a walk, picnic or simply enjoy the views. There is also plenty of parking and the park is spacious.

    Such a great view of St. John bridge
    Cynthia W.

    We really enjoyed this park. It was beautiful! Nice big trees and great pathways to walk. It was spacious too. The park is so clean. You can tell it is well taken care of. The views of St. John Bridge is wonderful too! Also, parking was so easy. They have a parking lot, but also lots of street parking on all parts of the park. We definitely enjoyed our little relaxation here. Great spot for a picnic or a walk.

    Marissa L.

    I like visiting Cathedral Park when we're in Portland. It's usually quiet, not too crowded, and I love the views of the St. Johns Bridge, Willamette River, and surrounding landscape. The park has a small parking lot and bathrooms, and plenty of space for walking. The swim dock is great for getting even closer to the bridge. Overall, just a nice place to spend some time with beautiful views.

    Alex K.

    They host the annual jazz fest here which is free but they ask for donations to keep things going. Fabulous event around one of my most favorite Portland bridges. They also just put in a new million dollar dock that you can get out into the river and ever go swimming in an area protected from the motorized boats. They have picnic tables and even a small beach. Great place to just hang out!

    Under the bridge
    Tiffany M.

    This is a very pretty area, and there's even parts of it where you can go near the water. I remember parking being easy to find too, but the also partially being a bit confused finding the area itself while driving in because the surrounding area felt a bit industrial. It was a bit windy the day I went, so it would not have been nice to stay their too long. But if you're looking for scenic areas to view, especially in the Portland area, because of the well-kept park area and also the bridge, I would recommend this place !

    Amanda M.

    This is a great spot for some walks, looking at St. John's bridge, or even having a picnic. Has a good amount of parking at the park, and some nice walking trails.

    Ana T.

    This is a great stop to check out the St. John's Bridge. It was early in the morning, so there was still parking available in the boat launch parking lot. It's a great place to take pictures. There were the occasionally dog walkers crossing our paths. The bridge is still undergoing construction at this time.

    Jason V.

    Cathedral Park is one of the most, if not *THE* most iconic, impressive and remarkable parks in Oregon, and the entire PNW. While just about all parks of repute have sprawling, manicured green space, picturesque trees, water features and the like, none share Cathedral Park's unique aesthetic, stretched out in the shadow of the titanic, somewhat Gothic St. John's Bridge, itself an architectural and artistic wonder! Dwarfed by the cyclopean structure overhead, a visitor to Cathedral Park may not immediately realize how far the grounds of the park actually stretch out. Like a multi-tiered cake, there are several levels of grassy meadows, tree-lined trails and pathways, and multiple river access points. The park can effectively be divided into upper and lower levels, with the former offering picturesque views of the bridge's namesake architecture, its support structure resembling that of the nave of a Cathedral and running parallel to it underneath, while the latter sprawls out along the river's edge, with grassy knolls galore, as well as the park's "official" (and free!) parking lot on the north side. Cathedral Park is home to myriad events throughout the year, most notably its famous (and free!) annual Jazz Festival. It is also constantly utilized by a swarm of photographers engaged in wedding, engagement, graduation and/or baby photos. Buskers, acrobats and performers of all types are frequently found loitering and performing throughout its acreage, regardless of weather or the time of year. Despite its popularity, it never seems crowded, leaving plenty of room for picnickers, field sports, joggers, yoga practitioners and every other flavor of hippie to congregate without stepping on each other's toes. Adding extra value to an already unparalleled park is its proximity to several shops, pubs, breweries and restaurants within walking distance. Need picnic supplies? There's a Safeway less than half a mile away. Craving some beer and brats? Try Occidental Brewing's beer garden and attached German Wursthaus! Need a quick chocolate fix? The legendary Moonstruck Chocolate Company has a shop just off the green! Few places anywhere offer the same level of panoramic perfection, spacious surroundings, and unequaled utility of this multi-purpose municipal meadow. Cathedral Park manages to somehow live up to the divine nature of its name, and is equally as impressive, if not more so, than any church or temple in Portland, and possibly even more sacred. I'm not much of a church-goer, but I confess, this is one Cathedral I would attend on a regular basis.

    Kim R.

    Cool park with a gorgeous setting below St. John's Bridge. The most obvious thing during our visit...the park is a very popular place amongst photographers. We encountered a large wedding party during a session, as well as 3 other couples having countless pics taken today. The bridge does indeed make for a special and unique backdrop for some cool pics. There are a few paths to the top parking lot down to the river, as well as a few picnic tables. Today there were quite a few families and folks with their pups out for a sunny stroll. Unfortunately there was also a not-so-appealing "deal" going down right off a path in a small lot. We made our way down to the waters edge. There's a dock walkway you can venture onto, it's not in the best shape...and is unfortunately surrounded on one side by a lot of trash and other debris that's washed up to the edge and gotten stuck. If you can ignore the trash, and don't encounter any shady parking lot deals as we did, the park itself is beautiful. A lovely backdrop for a brief stroll and/or your next photo session.

    Walk to the edge of the park and you will find folks fishing and dogs playing.
    Elizabeth L.

    Such a great park. If you have a dog they will love to put their paws in the water. My daughter loved it too

    Cascade Photo for the win on this
    Martina C.

    WOW. We did our family photos here after waiting nearly 4 years to see this gorgeous spot. For photos, there were LOADS of families out doing them that day! Everyone was super conscious of each other, polite, socially distanced AND made sure that they moved out of a particular space when they saw another group approaching to use that same space. For our first trip I could not have been happier. It was easy to park, and every single view was stunning. JUST stunning. The graffiti under the bridge is to be expected, but unfortunate as this has some of the prettiest views in the city in my opinion.

    Lots of shady areas & picnic tables
    Kim G.

    With the stunning Gothic arches of the St. John's Bridge as the magnificent backdrop, Cathedral Park is the prettiest park in Portland! Whether you are directly underneath the spectacular metalwork or anywhere in the park, the view is breathtaking from each and every angle. It's a photographers paradise! At one point, I had to put my camera away so I could stay in the moment and just soak all the images into my memory. The park itself isn't huge, but there is plenty of space to picnic in privacy. Lush green lawns with a paved walking path takes you from the boat launching area on the north, under the bridge, and to the shoreline of the river and the Water Pollution Control Laboratory to the south. Walk the entirety, including the paths by the Water Pollution Lab, to fully enjoy the views from multiple vantage points and vistas. On a sunny day, there are children and dogs playing in the river, people floating on whimsical rafts, and lots of people picnicking, playing frisbee or just sunbathing. So Americana! Along the path on the north end are a dozen or more picnic tables under the trees. After walking across the St John's Bridge, I enjoyed a handmade picnic lunch on one of the tables, the perfect resting spot. Make sure to walk under the bridge and up the stairs to Circle Point for amazing photos of the stacks of arches that support the bridge underneath, mirroring the same arches on the top of the bridge. To walk the actual bridge, I first parked my car on a side street on the St. John's side and walked West then back East, picked up my car then drove to the parking area under the bridge. There is also a parking lot on the north side by the boat launch and street parking on the south side. In the summers, when there isn't a global Pandemic, the city of Portland hosts movies and concerts in the park. The 3 day Jazz Festival is one of the City's best and should not be missed! Musicians play day and night, there are lots of food vendors, and the park is filled with families and friends of all ages and races enjoying the music in this magical space.

    St John's bridge
    Isaac S.

    A lovely park in nice outdoor nature and close to hiking spots in hills , close to grocery store safe way, fast food, other restaurants. Definitely worth it solo and a group

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    Plenty of parking - and views! Stop by for an incredible bridge view while you walk along the trail towards the water.

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Cathedral Park

    Are dogs allowed?

    Yes

    Can i have a barbecue in this park on saturday and bring a couple of grills to cook with.?

    Yes, Welcome to another park that we can cook and easy at

    Is there BBQ grills located here?

    No

    Can I set up a volleyball net here?

    I would think so since its a public park

    View All 5 Questions

    Review Highlights - Cathedral Park

    Off leash dog park, beautiful views, ducks and geese, ships and boats on the Willamette, a little beach area.

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

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    Scovare Expeditions

    Scovare Expeditions

    4.2(66 reviews)
    8.8 miSouth Portland, Southwest Portland

    Life these days is at warp speed and this cruise is the perfect way to slow things down!!!…read more This beautiful, old ship is something to truly check out! Rose is her name and Captain Shane was not disappointing! Not only was he our Captain, oh Captain, he was extremely informative (educating us on safety protocol) open for questions, and pictures at the helm!We couldn't have asked for a more personable & entertaining Captain! In fact, I'd pay to see him in a comedy club! The ship itself holds 49 passengers and its big enough to move around and not feel like sardines, all packed in shoulder to shoulder. It has 2 bathrooms, a small kitchen with salon and I believe it's 3 levels. The only warning that I have is the dock is quite steep on your way to the ship and what goes down must come up, so it's not the easiest return to the parking lot but it's doable. I.e., I have had both knees replaced and have chronic back pain and I made it. Wear good shoes. We were on the river right at 6:30 and Captain Shane immediately put the mainsail up. I felt like I was back East, Westport Harbor, Mass. in 1976! My buddies and I were out on little skiffs when the Tall Ships started heading home after participating in the 1976 Bi Centennial celebrations They were absolutely majestic and a sight that I will remember forever! I want to say to both locals and visitors that the, Schooner Rose, is a special gift to everyone that enjoys gorgeous sunsets, our beautiful river and that lazy kind of feeling you get sailing! You will forget, even for an hour and a half, your problems, the worlds problems and the uncertainties that come with it all! BEST prescription ever!! Thanks, Captain Shane, and crew, for a memorable experience!

    We took the maiden sunset voyage of the Schooner Rose 85ft tall ship from the Harbor 1 Marina with…read moreour friends and Captain Shane. It was a beautiful evening on the Columbia River with ample room to move around the ship and 3 decks. We sat on the couch on the forward part of the ship and it was like being in our living room but with an amazing view. Captain Shane even allowed me to captain the ship and put on his captain's hat for a bit and his first mate showed me how to use the rudder control and compass and some basic right of way rules. I had a blast. Truly a one of a kind experience. They offered snacks as well and at the end of the tour, we sat on the ship docked with our friends and watched the sun fully set, talked with Captain Shane, and I even got a tour of the engine room. Hands down the best boat cruise in Portland. You can even bring your own drinks and food and we had a little picnic onboard. Note that in the future, they will AirBnB out the ship which would be an awesome stay.

    Photos
    Scovare Expeditions - Schooner Rose sailing on the Colombia with a beautiful sunset!

    Schooner Rose sailing on the Colombia with a beautiful sunset!

    Scovare Expeditions
    Scovare Expeditions - Susannah posing on the, Schooner Rose, the only tall ship on the West Coast!

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    Susannah posing on the, Schooner Rose, the only tall ship on the West Coast!

    Portland Spirit Cruises and Events - 40th birthday celebration

    Portland Spirit Cruises and Events

    3.7(443 reviews)
    7.3 miCentral Eastside, Hosford-Abernethy

    Heads up! The ramp down to the boat is very, very steep. I'm able bodied and it hurts my knees…read more They have a solution if you're unable to walk the ramp, but it's a real adventure. It's so steep that they offer a wheelchair tied to a rolling machine with a rope. The special machine slowly pulls the chair on the ramp because it's not safe for a human to push or pull or even navigate your own wheels. Steeeep. Super steep. The first floor has a bathroom; the second floor and the rooftop do not. If you can't navigate stairs, you are stuck on the first floor. There really isn't a bad seat on the boat. Even if you aren't sitting right at the window, there is a perfectly awesome view from the middle. The second level is fully enclosed, except for a small patio in the front. Level three is the partially covered open air roof rooftop. There's a small gift shop up top towards the front that leads to the navigation quarters. You can talk to the navigation crew and the captain. Very cool. Overall, it's super fun to be on a boat. I'm grateful for what we have and the name does fit: The Portland Spirit. This one has the aesthetic of a good old Portland dive bar. It's not fancy; it's apparent that it hasn't been renovated or updated in ages. The tables have peeling laminate and the chairs have that familiar Portland grime. Looks like It was built in 1986 (it was). HAPPY HOUR CRUISE EXPERIENCE Our group was not able to navigate stairs, but they allowed us to stay on the first floor even though it was not open for happy hour (on our cruise) and made special trips to serve us since the bar was only open on the second floor. There is an ongoing narration about history and sites to see along the way, so if you are hoping to have a conversation, keep that in mind. Happy cruising!

    We booked the big foot cruise. 2 adults and 2 teens. We were the last on the boat. The headphones…read morewere scattered about and 2 of us didn't get them. The boat was really crowded. People sit sideways on the small bench so there is little room in order to see out. Without headphones you can't hear the narration so it just becomes a boat ride. I wouldn't do this again.

    Photos
    Portland Spirit Cruises and Events - Lowest deck

    Lowest deck

    Portland Spirit Cruises and Events - View from the top deck

    View from the top deck

    Portland Spirit Cruises and Events - Captain

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    Captain

    Jantzen Fuel Depot

    Jantzen Fuel Depot

    4.5(44 reviews)
    4.1 miNorth Portland

    Under new ownership and you'll find them friendly and wanting to offer you a good experience. A…read moresmall convenience store with fast food and drinks to take on your boat. Noticed they also have kyak and paddleboard for rent

    This review is for the paddle board rentals!…read more My 2 friends and I tried to book the paddle boards online the day prior. For some reason we were only able to book one, even when trying on different devices/ browsers. We tried calling but weren't able to get through so we decided to just go in person the next day. For our reservation, we were texted the instructions on where to park & how to get down to the right dock. The instructions were easy to follow. Despite the online reservation not working, we were still able to get 3 paddle boards! After signing a waiver and paying, the staff will give you a life jacket, measure the paddles according to your height, and give a quick tutorial on how to get onto the board. It was my first time paddle boarding and it was pretty easy to learn! We did a 2 hour rental (which is plenty of time) and had a lot of fun going through the recommended path and using the current to drift back. For the 2 hours it was about $30 which was more than worth it. There is a locker (without locks) where you can leave your clothes/ other items. If you want to bring a water bottle or other personal items that are ok to get wet, there is a bungee cord at the top of the board to secure those items in place. There are also restrooms with flush toilets at the dock. This experience was honestly one of my favorite parts of the weekend and I would highly recommend. I just hope they are able to get their online reservation system fixed for a smoother booking process!

    Photos
    Jantzen Fuel Depot - The bonus was the instructor! He was so supportive and encouraging for every level.

    The bonus was the instructor! He was so supportive and encouraging for every level.

    Jantzen Fuel Depot - Kids LOVE SUP!

    Kids LOVE SUP!

    Jantzen Fuel Depot - Good for all skills.

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    Good for all skills.

    Progress Lake

    Progress Lake

    5.0(2 reviews)
    11.5 mi

    Im not sure how successful folks are with catching fish in this large pond, but sitting by the dock…read moreis very peaceful. The lake is centered around the shopping mall so there are a few restaurant that overlook the lake. There are also ducks that live there.

    Came here today with fishing friend who did some actual fishing. Nothing was caught (fish 1 -…read morehumans 0), but it was really OK, and I thoroughly enjoyed sitting in my camping chair and watching the fish jump in the air and the world passing by. A few other people were down on the dock casting for fish, others sat on the various rock formations sort of zoning out, and it was a real pleasure to see the children and parents sharing something they really loved. If the youngsters aren't interested in the fishing, they can come down and feed the ducks - such fun. The water is so clear you can see down to rocks and plants on the bottom and also nearest the dock flashes of the goldfish as they glide along (these goldfish eventually grow into some very large carp). There are evidently some sturgeon as well along with the rainbow trout, and also lots of ducks and other water birds (a few still with babies). Oh yes, lots of dragonflies - flashes of black and fiery orange red - add to the charm. People who fish welcome you right into their society and talk readily about their fishing experiences and how the big one got away and even why. This is a terrific family experience and for those who want to come out alone. The best time is to come early, before 7, and especially after the lake has been re-stocked, if you want to catch some fish. But like I said, it's a wonderful experience whether fish are caught or not. Give it a try. And remember if you don't catch any fish, you can hike back up to the shopping center above and get some breakfast. Not a bad day at all, in fact a damn fine one if you ask me.

    Photos
    Progress Lake - Love fishing for trout

    Love fishing for trout

    Progress Lake - Quack quack

    Quack quack

    Progress Lake

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    Cathedral Park - parks - Updated September 2026

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