New seasonal hours
Blue Lake is open 7 days per week. Reservations are from 8 a.m. to one hour before park closure.
May 1 through Sept. 14
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sept. 15 through Oct. 31
8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Nov. 1 through March 14
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
March 15 through April 30
8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Reservations are open
Reservations are required for all covered spaces. Uncovered spaces are available for first come, first serve for groups under 25 people.
You can reserve your space over the phone by calling 503-665-4995 or online at our reservation website.
Reservations are accepted 15 days to nine months in advance. No day-of reservations are available at this time.
Reserve your picnic shelter online
How to reserve a picnic area
- Take a look at the picnic areas below. Click on each picnic area to view photos and amenities. Choose from:
- shelter types: wooden, with canopy covers, without covers
- beer and/or wine: allowed with permit or not allowed
- Choose some possible dates for your event.
- weekend rates are for Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
- weekday rates are for non-holiday Mondays through Fridays
- Reservations for Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, May 1 through Sept. 30, are priced according to the "weekend rates" in the table below; reservations for non-holiday Mondays through Fridays are charged the "weekday rates." All picnic reservations from Oct. 1 through April 30 are charged the weekday rate.
- Use our online reservation system to check availability. For questions or additional information:
Reserving combined shelter units
If you would like to reserve a combined shelter unit (ex. Multnomah A+B) please call the Blue Lake office at 503-665-4995. Combined units are not available to reserve online at this time.
Wooden shelters
Beer and/or wine allowed with permit.
Areas with canvas canopies
Beer and/or wine allowed with permit
| picnic areas |
capacity |
daily rates:
weekend / weekday |
|---|
|
B-2
|
50
|
$100 / $50
|
|
B-3
|
50
|
$100 / $50
|
Areas with canvas canopies
No beer or wine allowed
| picnic areas |
capacity |
daily rates:
weekend / weekday |
|---|
|
D-1
|
100
|
$120 / $50
|
|
D-8
|
50
|
$100 / $50
|
|
D-13
|
100
|
$120 / $50
|
Uncovered areas under the trees
Beer and/or wine allowed with permit
| picnic areas |
capacity |
daily rates:
weekend / weekday |
|---|
|
A-1
|
100
|
$65 / $25
|
|
A-2
|
100
|
$65 / $25
|
|
B-1
|
200
|
$165 / $50
|
|
C-1
|
50
|
$50 / $25
|
|
E-1
|
50
|
$50 / $25
|
|
E-2
|
50
|
$50 / $25
|
|
E-3
|
50
|
$50 / $25
|
Uncovered areas under the trees
No beer or wine allowed
| picnic areas |
capacity
|
daily rates:
weekend / weekday |
|---|
|
A-3
|
100
|
$65 / $25
|
|
A-4
|
100
|
$65 / $25
|
|
A-5
|
100
|
$65 / $25
|
|
A-6
|
100
|
$65 / $25
|
|
A-7
|
100
|
$65 / $25
|
|
C-2
|
50
|
$50 / $25
|
|
C-3
|
50
|
$50 / $25
|
|
C-4
|
50
|
$50 / $25
|
|
C-5
|
50
|
$50 / $25
|
|
C-6
|
50
|
$50 / $25
|
|
C-7
|
50
|
$50 / $25
|
|
C-8
|
50
|
$50 / $25
|
|
C-9
|
50
|
$50 / $25
|
|
D-2
|
50
|
$50 / $25
|
|
D-3
|
50
|
$50 / $25
|
|
D-4
|
50
|
$50 / $25
|
|
D-5
|
100
|
$65 / $25
|
|
D-6
|
50
|
$50 / $25
|
|
D-7
|
100
|
$65 / $25
|
|
D-9
|
100
|
$65 / $25
|
|
D-10
|
50
|
$50 / $25
|
|
D-11
|
50
|
$50 / $25
|
|
D-12
|
50
|
$50 / $25
|
|
E-4
|
50
|
$50 / $25
|
First-come, first-served sites
There are clusters of picnic tables in 10 areas along the shore of the lake that are free to use on a first-come, first-served basis. They are ideal for small, impromptu gatherings. If you have 25 people or more, you must reserve a picnic area.
Alcohol
Beer and/or wine is allowed with a $225 permit fee and a reservation fee for a designated area. Permits can be purchased online when making a reservation. A minimum of 14 days notice is required to secure a permit.
Amplified music or public address systems
You must obtain a permit to use amplified sound. Permits are free and can be added when you make your reservation. Amplified sound can be used only in the following areas:
- all of Shahala Shelter (A and B)
- all of Clatsop Shelter (A and B)
- all of Multnomah Shelter (A, B, C and D)
- all of Chinook Shelter (A and B)
- all of Celilo Shelter (A and B)
Electricity
Electrical outlets are available for use only in the following areas:
- Shahala Shelter (A and B)
- Clatsop Shelter (A and B)
- Multnomah Shelter (A, B, C and D)
- Chinook Shelter (A and B)
- Celilo Shelter (A and B)
Catering and amusement providers
You are welcome to have your picnic or event catered or to rent equipment from a professional amusement provider with the required permit. Personal inflatable equipment, and slip and slides are not allowed. Permits can be purchased online when making a reservation. A minimum of 14 days' notice is required to secure eligible permits. Learn more about caterer and amusement provider guidelines here.
Vehicle fees
There is a vehicle fee of $5 per motorized vehicle and $7 per bus on all days. This fee is in addition to the reservation fees.
All pre-paid parking passes must be purchased at least 10 business days before the reservation holder’s event. This includes passes bought over the phone and in person at the Blue Lake or Oxbow park office. The reservation holder is responsible for distribution of passes to attendees prior to the reservation. No exceptions.
Price: $5
Picnic reservation cancellation and refunds
You will receive a full refund:
- If you cancel your reservation 31 days or more before the reservation.
- If Metro closes the park on the day of the reservation.
You will not receive a refund if you cancel your reservation 30 days or less before the reserved date.
Rescheduling
You may reschedule your reservation for a $20 change fee, if you do so at least 7 days before your event, depending on site availability. If you cancel after rescheduling, no refund will be given.