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Parking

Parking for cars is limited at Washington Park, especially during warm, sunny weekends. Looking to avoid the hassle of driving? The park has many transit options including a free shuttle.

Pay to Park

Pay To Park

Payment is required for all numbered parking spaces in Washington Park, year round. If lots are full, overflow parking is available at Sunset Transit Center. 100% of all pay-to-park revenue stays in Washington Park.

Rates & Hours
  • 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., everyday, including holidays.
  • $2.00/Hour
  • $8.00/All Day
Parking Status

    • Rates and hours are subject to change due to special events, see pay station for details
    Free Motorist Assistance

    If you're having vehicle trouble and you're parked in a pay-to-park space, call 503-383-1409 for free on-site help. They can help with most vehicle problems, except lock outs. Service is available from about 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 7-days a week, depending on work load.

    View the parking map
    How to Pay to Park

    Payments can be made at pay stations or using the ParkingKitty app on your mobile phone. Pay stations accept coins (U.S. nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollar coins), VISA, MasterCard, or American Express.

    At a Pay Station
    Step 1: Note your parking space number
    Step 2: Visit a nearby pay station
    Step 3: Pay and take your receipt, you are not required to display your receipt in your car
    Step 4: Add more time later at any pay station
    Via ParkingKitty App
    Step 1: Note your parking space number
    Step 2: Download the mobile app, use the mobile website, or call 503.278.5748
    Step 3: Enter Zone 400 for Washington Park
    Step 4: Add more time later from your phone
    Accessible Parking Information

    Persons displaying a disabled placard must pay to park. More information on disabled parking in the park can be found here.

    General Information

    If you have trouble paying to park at the meter, use another pay station, call 503.823.2538 for customer support, or pay using the App.

    Government vehicles are not required to pay to park. For answers to more common questions, click here.

    Bus and RV parking

    Bus and RV Parking

    Due to the popularity of the park, bus and RV parking is extremely challenging, particularly in the summer months. Buses and RV’s are allowed to park in certain areas of the park when parking availability permits. When parking in numbered spaces, payment is required for each space occupied.


    Oversize vehicles may park at gravel trailheads along SW Kingston Dr, in the parallel spaces along SW Sherwood Blvd near the reservoirs, or in Lot A near the Oregon Zoo, Portland Children's Museum, and World Forestry Center. Use the Washington Park Free Shuttle or TriMet Line-63 to reach other park destinations. Please see our map for shuttle stops and park destinations.

    Please note that long buses and RV’s may have difficulty navigating the narrow park roads. Signs in these areas always take precedence and may be posted due to special events.

    Oversize vehicles that can fit into a single space (such as small RV's) without going over space lines or into travel lanes are not considered oversized vehicles.

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    Event Parking

    Event Parking

    If you're hosting an event in the park and expect a large number of guests, check in with your venue contact to determine what parking options are available. At this time, reserved parking options are not offered for individual guests.

    For events at Portland Parks & Recreation facilities (picnic areas and pavilions), contact the Parks Customer Service Center.

    Parking for Employees and Volunteers

    Parking for Employees and Volunteers

    In addition to temporary drop-off permits (see above), Explore Washington Park and Portland Parks & Recreation offer permits for employees and volunteers. At this time, permits for annual or seasonal visitors are not available. For employee or volunteer permits, please contact your manager to discuss options.

    Drop off and pickup, delivery zones

    Drop-Off, Delivery, and Pickup Zones

    Washington Park offers several passenger drop-off zones and delivery areas. It's best to schedule deliveries and drop-offs early in the morning (before 11:00 am), or later in the afternoon (after 3:00 pm). Download a free 30-minute drop off permit here.

    Please note that during warm, sunny weekends in the summer, traffic can be congested.

    Drop-off permits are available for quick trips to the park, allowing you to park in a regular parking space for up to 30 minutes at no cost. Download a permit; note the dates on the permit to ensure it is valid. View the drop-off and delivery map.

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    Parking Citations

    Parking Citations

    The City of Portland monitors and enforces parking within Washington Park. Citations are issued to vehicles in violation of City Code. If you received a citation, you can pay or appeal your citation through the Multnomah County Circuit Court. You may choose to write in an appeal via mail or appear in person.

    Find more information in our Common Questions.

    If you believe you received your citation due to a pay station malfunction, contact Portland Parks & Recreation with a copy of your citation and receipt here.

    You may also contact customer service at 503-823-2538. Please note that customer service is not able to revoke any citation.

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    Construction Alerts

    Construction Alerts

    • by admin - Thu, 11/05/2015 - 13:39
    Reservoir Construction
    All roads in Washington Park near the reservoir have reopened, but work continues. Expect truck traffic and delays on SW Sherwood Blvd and SW Lewis & Clark Circle for the next year.
    Washington Park & Zoo Railway
    The Zoo train is only operating within the Oregon Zoo and is not running to Washington Park. For details visit the Oregon Zoo's website.
    Trail Closures
    Portland Parks & Recreation manages the trails within Washington Park. For the most up-to-date closure information, click here.
    Read More

    Common Parking Questions

    I paid but entered the wrong space number.
    Call the customer service number on the meter and select the option for meter trouble. They will assist you in moving your transaction to the correct space number.
    I paid for the wrong space and got a citation.
    If you paid for the wrong space accidentally and received a citation, you should appeal the citation by following the instructions on the back of the ticket (option 2 or 3). Include a copy of your receipt as proof of payment and simply indicate what happened.
    Can I leave and come back?
    Yes, but your receipt and payment is only valid in the space you paid for. It is non-transferrable. If you park in a different space, you must pay again. Consider using the free seasonal shuttle to get around Washington Park and leave your car in a single space.
    I paid for the wrong space, then paid again for the right one. Can I get a refund?
    Sorry, as indicated on the meter, no refunds are provided.
    The exhibit I wanted to see is closed or the rose I like isn’t in bloom. Can I get a refund?
    Sorry, as indicated on the meter, no refunds are provided.
    Can I add more parking time to my transaction?
    Yes, but keep in mind that any new transaction will override the previous purchase. The best way to add more time is use the ParkingKitty app when your time is about to expire.
    Where are the free parking areas?
    Free parking is available at the signed trailheads throughout Washington Park. Free parking is also available at Sunset Transit Center, where visitors can ride TriMet MAX Light Rail one stop east to the park.
    May I reserve parking for my event?
    Sorry, reserved parking for events is not offered in Washington Park due to the congested nature of the parking areas.
    I believe I was double charged.
    Please have the credit card you used and your receipt ready and dial the customer service number on the back of your receipt. Many times guests visiting the Oregon Zoo purchased something inside an attraction that is equal to the amount they paid for parking, and it appears as though they were double charged. Note that meter transactions will appear as CITY OF PORTLAND or WA PARK on bank statements.
    Can I park overnight?
    Overnight parking is only allowed for park visitors in Lots A, B, and C for one overnight instance. Parking at trailheads, the Gardens, Hoyt Arboretum and all other areas is prohibited from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Pay to park during posted hours. Failure to pay the evening before and the next morning will result in a citation for failure to pay and overnight parking.
    The meter isn’t working. Can I park for free?
    No. Please use a different meter nearby to pay. You can also use the mobile app to pay – see details on the side of the meter. If you’re still having trouble, call the number on the meter and select the option for meter trouble.
    Can I park by truck/RV/bus over several spaces?
    Due to the historic nature of Washington Park, most roads are not designed for oversize vehicles. Buses, RV's, and trucks with trailers are restricted to specific areas of Washington Park. See Oversize Vehicle information. Note: if your truck, RV or bus can fit into a single space without extending into the travel lane or over space lines, it is not considered an oversize vehicle and may park in any general pay-to-park space.
    Where does my parking money go?
    All parking revenue collected in Washington Park stays in Washington Park. Learn about how your parking dollars are making improvements in the park here.

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