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Blue Lake Regional Park

Places and activities  ›  Places to go  ›  Blue Lake Regional Park

Metro's Blue Lake Regional Park, located just 20 minutes from downtown Portland, offers a wealth of recreational opportunities for people of all ages.

Blue Lake is a 64-acre natural lake fed by underground springs. Children under 5 years of age are not allowed in the lake to help keep the water clean, but there is a spray ground for all ages with colorful features that shower, gush, dump and pour water. Visitors can also rent a paddle boat, row boat or canoe to explore Blue Lake.

Blue Lake Regional Park provides opportunities for boating, fishing and swimming, and makes a beautiful backdrop for hundreds of family picnics, community events and special programs throughout the year.

Water spray ground

Splash into Blue Lake's action-packed spray ground with colorful features that shower, gush, dump and pour water. On hot summer days the spray ground is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.More

Picnic reservations

Covered shelters and reservable picnic areas are available for gatherings of family and friends. Reservations are necessary for groups of 25 people or more. First-come, first-served tables for small groups are available along the lake front...More

The Lake House

In a beautiful garden setting overlooking Blue Lake, The Lake House provides a tranquil setting for weddings, receptions, recitals, memorial services, corporate functions and meetings...More

Boating at the lake

Paddle boats, row boats and canoes are available to rent at Blue Lake between May 1 and Sept. 30. For more information about boat rentals, call 503-661-6087. Privately owned watercraft are allowed on the lake for the purpose of angling between Oct. 1 and April 30, as long as they do not exceed 14 feet in length (17 feet for canoes) and 3.0 horsepower in motor capability.

Nichaqwli Monument

A group of sculptures at the west end of the lake work together as a reminder of the Chinook village life that once occupied the shores of the Columbia River. The Nichaqwli monument creates a contemplative spot to pause, reflect and honor the past while enjoying the natural beauty of this quiet corner of the park.

Disc Golf

Volunteers plan to break ground on a world-class, gold-level disc golf course east of the main park complex soon. More

Other things to do

• Please leave pets at home.
• Blue Lake is stocked annually with trout to improve your luck from the park's universally accessible fishing pier. Anglers under 13 can fish without a license. All angling must be in accordance with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations.
• The natural discovery garden invites visitors to experience the wonders of nature while learning to garden naturally.
• Vending machines are available at the swim beach area.
• Park visitors enjoy basketball, archery, volleyball, softball, horseshoes, playgrounds, walking and biking.
• The wetland area at the west end of the park offers a wildlife viewing platform and perimeter trail.

Location

Blue Lake Regional Park is located between Marine Drive and Sandy Boulevard off Northeast 223rd Avenue. From Interstate 84, take the Fairview exit (14) and go north on 207th Avenue to Sandy Boulevard. Turn right onto Sandy and travel east to 223rd and turn left. Proceed north to Blue Lake Road and the park.

Bike there

Use the bike lane east on Marine Drive to Blue Lake Road or use the bike lane east on Halsey to 223rd Avenue and follow the signs north to the park. Exercise caution on 223rd Avenue and Marine Drive. Bicycles are welcome inside the park on paved paths.
Learn more about biking in the region

Access

• Please leave pets at home.
• Open from 8 a.m. to legal sunset.
• Get in free with your annual pass or pay a parking fee of $5 per car or $7 per bus.
• Park visitors who walk or bike to the park do not pay a parking fee.
• Children under 5 years of age are not allowed in the lake, but there is a water play area for all ages.
• Many of the park facilities are wheelchair accessible including the parking areas, restrooms, archery, fishing dock, picnic areas, water spray ground, playgrounds, park paths, office, food concession, wetlands observation deck and trail loop.
• Blue Lake Regional Park is closed on Christmas day and New Year's day.

Park map and brochure

• Blue Lake Regional Park map and brochure 1.3M Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published May 8, 2012
• Spanish: Blue Lake Regional Park map 664K Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published May 8, 2012
• Russian: Blue Lake Regional Park map 672K Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published May 8, 2012