Joseph Wood Hill Park

Joseph Wood Hill Park, built in 1935, sits atop an extinct volcanic cinder cone butte within the Portland Metro Area. The cinder cone itself is part of the Boring Lava Field—a group of more than 30 cinder cones throughout Oregon and Washington. The placement of the park in this location, with its 600-foot elevation, provides an incredible 360-degree view of the area, including Downtown Portland to the west, Mount St. Helens to the north and the Columbia River Gorge to the east. Beyond the vista point, the historical site includes public art installations and can be reserved for special events.

The area surrounding Joseph Wood Hill Park is known as the Rocky Butte Natural Area. Joseph Wood Hill, the park’s namesake, is known for establishing the Hill Military Academy in Northwest Portland in 1901 and later moving it to the Rocky Butte area.