Visitor Center Loop - Hoyt Arboretum

A short, shaded loop around the Visitor Center with a generally flat, paved surface and one bench for resting. The loop passes under the shady Beech and Oak collections and an alpine garden in the Visitor Center courtyard where additional seating, restrooms, and water fountains are available.

A wooden trail marker post at the corner of a trail above a sloping grassy hillside with "Visitor Center Loop" labeled at the top outlined in gray with the Hoyt Arboretum Friends and Portland Parks and Recreation logos underneath. A mix of tall broadleaf and conifer trees are in the background against a blue sky. — Trail marker post for the Visitor Center Loop on the southeast side of the building.

Quick Facts

Surface: Paved Asphalt

Grade: Under 5%

Elevation Gain/Loss: None

Length: 0.1 mile

Number of Benches: 1

Minimum Trail Width: 42 inches (at the ramp leading to the Visitor Center).

Typical Trail Width: 74 inches

Sun Exposure: The portion of the trail around the north side of the building, with shade all around in the morning, and sun exposure in areas, especially along the east side of the building in the afternoon.

Other Things to Note: There is a drop-off of varying steepness along the trailside.

Visitor Center Loop Trail Preview

Access the Visitor Center Loop

Start the Visitor Center Loop from the Hoyt Arboretum Visitor Center at 4000 SW Fairview Blvd. You can grab a free trail map, or come inside for visitor support from staff and volunteers.

A screen grab of the Hoyt Arboretum trail map with a red marked section along the Visitor Center Loop. — The Visitor Center Loop marked in red on the Hoyt Arboretum Trail Map.

For more information about the Visitor Center, general accessibility, parking, and transit options, please see our Plan Your Visit page.

A concrete path around a rocky garden leads to a small building with a green roof. — The view of the Visitor Center from the paved ramp around the alpine garden on the west facing side of the building.

The northwest side of the Visitor Center Courtyard connects to the trailhead of the Visitor Center Loop.

There is a hard-surface path that connects to the trail closer to the building around the gravel section at the front of the Courtyard. There is a large rock protruding from the gravel near the wall of the courtyard to look out for.

The east side of the Visitor Center Courtyard that leads to the trailhead of the Visitor Center Loop. — The gravel area of the Visitor Center Courtyard showing a large rock protruding from the surface.

Trailhead of the Visitor Center Loop with a Trail Marker post in the foreground, showing the paved path and greenery along the trailsides. — The Visitor Center Loop trailhead marker post at the start of the trail in front of the Visitor Center.

Known Obstacles and Usability

The Visitor Center Loop is entirely paved and generally flat, though you may encounter some minor root intrusions and trail drop-offs along the path.

A wide view of the start to the Visitor Center Loop that shows the paved path leading into a shaded area with vegetation around the edges. The paved path shows some cracks from root intrusion, and the Visitor Center building is visible through vegetation on the right side. — Minor cracks in the path from roots intrusion at the first curve of the loop near the trailhead.

The trail is 74 inches across with a drop-off on the side opposite of the Visitor Center, which is an especially steep drop-off about midway down the trail, near the bench.

A view of a sloping paved path with minor cracking with dried grass directly around the path and trunks with vegetation off to the sides. — Minor cracks and a slight upslope in the path at the end of the loop leading back to the ramp down to the Visitor Center Courtyard.

The path is mostly cool and shady thanks to douglas-firs, oak, and beech trees, with some small patches of sunlight. In the winter, the trail can get mossy and slightly slippery, so it’s good to mind your step.

Resting Spots

There is one bench for resting along the loop where the path wraps around toward the Arboretum’s greenhouses. The bench overlooks a view of Mt Hood in a clear day and offers views of the Oak and Beech Collections.

A wooden bench with arm rests on a paved path outcropping overlooks a grassy hillside with beech trees and oaks in the background. — A wooden bench with arm rests and paving around the front and a drop off on the trail edge.

The Visitor Center Loop ends back in the courtyard where you started, where there are more areas for sitting.

Questions?

Please reach out to Hoyt Arboretum Friends for more information about trails including accessibility concerns.

[email protected]
503.865.8733