Gresham: Discover Nature Trails and History

When planning a trip to Gresham, consider two main themes: trails through natural and river landscapes, and places where you can learn about city and regional history. If you’re looking for a hotel in Gresham, start by choosing one that suits the interests you want to shape your stay. Trails range from urban wetlands to wooded uplands; museums, a Japanese garden, and public art offer other highlights.

Trails Between City and Nature

The Springwater Trail runs from Boring through Gresham to Portland. The Gresham section is suitable for walking, hiking, jogging, cycling, picnicking, bird and wildlife watching, and horseback riding. For long stretches, the trail corridor follows the contours of 26-mile-long Johnson Creek. This trail therefore offers both a variety of activities and landscapes along the creek.

The 3.29-mile Gresham-Fairview Trail runs through urban wetlands and residential neighborhoods in the heart of the city. It’s suitable for walking, cycling, jogging, skateboarding, and inline skating, as well as for wheelchairs and battery-powered scooters. Its location in the city and the listed uses distinguish it from the Springwater Trail, whose Gresham section also includes horseback riding and wildlife watching.

The Gresham Butte Saddle Trail passes through a wooded upland landscape. The lush trail is 1.24 miles long and crosses several small tributaries. It connects to the summit of Gresham Butte and offers panoramic views of the city. Shane T. Bemis Nature Park covers 46 acres on Hogan Butte in the Gresham Butte neighborhood. It includes a paved, 0.5-mile interpretive loop trail.

Oxbow Regional Park encompasses 1,000 acres of river, forest, and hills along the wild and scenic Sandy River. Its hiking trails total more than 12 miles (19 km). The park has been closed for several months since September 8, 2026, while its outdated water system is replaced. Check its current status before planning a visit.

History, Gardens, and Art

The Gresham Historical Society Museum features exhibits on the community’s diverse history and culture. Gresham’s History Museum is housed in the city’s 1913 Carnegie Library. The Zimmerman House Museum is an 1874 farmhouse in northwest Gresham and houses thousands of artifacts.

The Gresham Historical Society offers monthly history talks, tours of historic cemeteries, and family-friendly workshops. Miyo Iwakoshi, believed to have been the first Japanese woman to live in Oregon, is buried at Gresham Pioneer Cemetery. These places and activities offer different ways to explore regional history: through exhibits and artifacts, as well as talks, cemeteries, and workshops.

In the heart of historic Downtown Gresham, artworks, including statues, line Main Street. They are part of nearly two dozen public art projects. Tsuru Island is Gresham’s Japanese garden in Main City Park; it is currently undergoing extensive renovations.

Getting There and Finding a Place to Stay

Gresham is accessible via Interstate 84, Highway 26, several bus routes, and the MAX Blue Line. When planning your stay, you can consider travel options separately from the places you want to visit. This lets you start your search with the focus you want—such as trails and landscapes or museums and history—rather than with a one-size-fits-all idea of your stay.

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