Facility Overview

Washington Park Parking Lot B (officially designated as Zoo / Forestry Center Lot B) is a premier open-air surface parking facility situated at 1004 SW Knights Boulevard in the scenic West Hills of Portland, Oregon. Positioned within the bustling south campus of the 410-acre Washington Park, Lot B provides direct, ground-level access to the city’s crown-jewel cultural and zoological institutions. Because it is a completely open-air lot, there are zero vertical overhead clearance barriers, making it exceptionally accommodating for standard passenger vehicles, minivans, full-size SUVs, extended-bed pickup trucks, and high-roof passenger vans. Dedicated parking bays, smooth asphalt paving, and clearly designated pedestrian paths allow motorists to park and navigate effortlessly toward nearby ticket plazas and trailheads.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Lot B boasts one of the most advantageous locations in Portland for nature lovers, families, and cultural tourists. Situated directly in the South Entrance campus of Washington Park, the lot is located just steps from iconic regional destinations:

• Oregon Zoo: Located a brief 2- to 3-minute stroll across the plaza, offering world-class wildlife habitats and seasonal events such as ZooLights.
• World Forestry Center Discovery Museum: Located practically adjacent to Lot B (under 2 minutes on foot), featuring immersive forestry exhibits and event spaces like Miller Hall.
• Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial: Situated within a 3-minute walk north along SW Knights Boulevard, providing a tranquil woodland memorial space.
• Hoyt Arboretum: Accessible on foot in approximately 5 to 7 minutes via paved connecting paths, offering 190 acres of living tree collections and 12 miles of hiking trails.
• Portland Japanese Garden & International Rose Test Garden: Located within the northern portion of Washington Park; visitors parked in Lot B can reach them effortlessly in 5 to 8 minutes by hopping onto the Washington Park Free Shuttle Loop that stops adjacent to the lot.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Arriving at Parking Lot B is exceptionally convenient for drivers traveling from downtown Portland or the western suburbs. The facility is accessed immediately off US Highway 26 (Sunset Highway) at Exit 72 (Zoo / Forestry Center), leading directly onto SW Canyon Road and SW Knights Boulevard without negotiating complicated neighborhood side streets. Post-event departures flow back smoothly toward highway on-ramps, though visitors should anticipate moderate delays on peak summer afternoons and during major zoo evening events. For multi-modal connections, Lot B sits directly above the underground Washington Park MAX Light Rail Station, where high-speed elevators transport passengers from TriMet Red and Blue Line trains directly to the surface plaza adjacent to the lot.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Expansive Surface Layout: Spacious outdoor parking stalls with generous drive aisles for easy maneuvering and zero height restrictions.
• Accessible ADA Parking: Marked ADA-compliant accessible spaces located conveniently close to curb ramps and paved plaza entrances.
• Flexible Payment Methods: Multiple on-site solar-powered pay stations accepting major credit and debit cards, as well as seamless digital payment via Portland’s official Parking Kitty mobile app.
• Direct Shuttle Connection: Steps from the Washington Park Free Shuttle Loop stop, which circulates visitors to all park attractions every 15 to 30 minutes.
• Safety & Maintenance: Routine park ranger patrols, clear pedestrian crosswalks, nighttime pole lighting, and waste/recycling receptacles.

Ideal For

• Family Zoo Outings: Parents and caregivers traveling with strollers who need close, stair-free access to the Oregon Zoo main gates.
• Hikers & Outdoor Enthusiasts: Day hikers exploring the Hoyt Arboretum trails, Wildwood Trail, and broader Forest Park trail systems.
• Museum & Event Attendees: Visitors attending lectures, corporate gatherings, and community events at the World Forestry Center.
• Park Explorers & Tourists: Travelers seeking a central, secure base to park and use the free intra-park shuttle system.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Because Washington Park welcomes over three million annual visitors, Lot B can reach full capacity by mid-morning on warm summer days, holiday weekends, and during evening festival lights. Drivers are strongly advised to check real-time parking space availability on the Explore Washington Park website before departure or arrive before 10:00 AM on busy weekends. If using the mobile parking service, download the Parking Kitty app beforehand and note your zone number; this allows you to extend parking time remotely without having to return to your vehicle during zoo visits. To deter opportunistic vehicle break-ins common in scenic public parks, never leave backpacks, electronics, chargers, or shopping bags visible inside your vehicle—store all items securely in the trunk prior to arriving.