Mt. Tabor Park Off-Leash Dog Area is a wooded hillside run on the south side of Portland’s volcanic Mt. Tabor Park. Dogs share one large mixed-size area with dirt paths, steep slopes and heavy tree cover. Much of the boundary is fenced, but visitors consistently report open or low-edge sections, so reliable recall matters.
Plan your visit
- Dog-area hours: Portland’s current off-leash rule lists Mt. Tabor from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
- Park hours: The larger park is open from 5 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.; vehicle access ends at 10 p.m.
- Vehicle closure: Mt. Tabor is closed to motor vehicles all day Wednesday. The road gates also close from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on other days.
- Play area: One wooded, mixed-size off-leash area follows sloping dirt paths. There is no separate small-dog section.
- Water: Visitors report water stations, but bring a bowl and backup water because operation was not confirmed by the current city page.
Find the dog park entrance
The off-leash area runs along the south edge of Mt. Tabor Park above SE Division Street. For the shortest approach, use the lower east-side access near SE 68th Avenue and follow signs toward the wooded dog area. The main SE 60th Avenue and Salmon Street entrance reaches the larger park but can leave you with a longer, hillier walk.
Get directions to the Mt. Tabor off-leash area, then use the official map and posted signs for the final approach.
A wooded hillside adventure
This run feels more like a short forest walk than a flat neighborhood dog lot. The preserved exact-area photo shows a dog exploring a shaded dirt path beneath mature trees. Expect roots, inclines, dust in dry weather and mud after rain. The terrain may be difficult for visitors or dogs with limited mobility.
Know the boundaries
Use the designated area only; dogs must be leashed elsewhere in Mt. Tabor Park. Visitors describe most of the run as fenced, with a few open transitions or low sections near the upper edge. Walk the boundary first if your dog is an escape risk, and keep your dog close at entrances and where the trail approaches roads.
Rules before entering
Portland requires dogs to remain within view and under voice control. Each handler may bring no more than three dogs. Dogs must display current license and rabies-vaccination tags. Remove a dog showing aggression, do not bring a dog in heat or an incompletely vaccinated puppy, remove pinch or choke collars for play and supervise children closely.
What park visitors say
Park goers praise the large shaded setting, winding paths and hills that give active dogs a substantial workout. They also warn that the surface becomes muddy in wet weather, the slope can be tiring and the boundary is not equally secure everywhere. Visitors recommend towels, water and an extra boundary check before letting a dog range farther ahead.
Check current information
Use the official Mt. Tabor Park page for park hours, vehicle restrictions and notices. Review Portland’s current dog off-leash rule and park rules for dogs before visiting.
