Rocky Butte

Rocky Butte is an extinct volcanic cinder cone rising 411 feet (125 meters) above Portland and visible from Interstates 205 and 84. The steep forested slopes create a distinctive landmark in the surrounding landscape.

The cone formed from volcanic activity occurring between 285,000 and 500,000 years ago. During the 1930s, the Works Progress Administration built a tunnel, park, and other structures here using local basalt stone.

The original name Mowich Illahee means 'home of the deer' and reflects indigenous heritage. Visitors walking through the park today connect with the land's deeper roots and the people who once knew it.

Access the area through NE Rocky Butte Road, open from 5 AM to midnight daily. The route winds through forested terrain with varying grades, making an early or late visit ideal for cooler conditions.

The formation contains basaltic andesite with olivine phenocrysts, a specific mineral composition visible in the rock. Observant visitors can spot these distinctive crystals embedded throughout the volcanic stone.

Location: Multnomah County

Part of: Boring Lava Field

GPS coordinates: 45.54658,-122.56593

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:29