Blue Lake Regional Park

See and do

Rent paddle boats, rowboats and canoes from noon to 7 p.m. daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day when temperatures reach at least 70 degrees. Rentals might also be available before Memorial Day and on weekends after Labor Day during nice weather. For boating information, call 503-661-6087. (Please see below for guidelines on private watercraft.)

Fish from the universally accessible pier. Be sure to follow all Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations; children younger than 12 don’t need a license.

Learn to play disc golf – or polish your skills – on Blue Lake’s world-class, gold-level, 18-hole course.

Reflect on the Chinook village that once occupied the shores of the Columbia River at the Nichaqwli sculptures, on the west end of the lake.

Relax on the beach or swim in the lake. The lake is open for swimming from Memorial Day to September 30. No lifeguard is on duty. No children under 5, to help keep the water clean.

Splash into an action-packed spray ground with colorful features that shower, gush, dump and pour water – open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day when the temperature reaches 70 degrees.

Walk, bike or romp at the playgrounds.

Play basketball, volleyball, softball, soccer or horseshoes.

Have a picnic along the lake or make a reservation for a group of 25 or more. For picnic reservations, call 503-665-4995 or email [email protected].

Share your time and make a difference at Metro parks by volunteering.

The Lake House is temporarily closed until further notice.

Free Metro Parking Days 2020

Enjoy free parking at Oxbow and Blue Lake regional parks, Broughton Beach, M. James Gleason Memorial Boat Ramp and Chinook Landing Marine Park on Jan. 1, 16, 20; Feb. 17 and 20; March 19; April 16; May 21; June 18; July 16; Aug. 20; Sept. 17; Oct. 15; Nov. 11, 19 and 27; and Dec. 17.

Know when you go

Open from 8 a.m. to legal sunset.

Parking fee is $5 per car, $7 per bus (free with annual parking pass).

Closed on Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year's.

Children under 5 years are not allowed in the lake, but there is a water play area for all ages.

Much of the park is wheelchair accessible, including the parking areas, restrooms, fishing dock, picnic areas, water spray ground, playgrounds, park paths, office, wetlands observation deck and trail loop.

From October through April, you can use only a private boat with horsepower less than 3.0 and shorter than 14 feet (17 feet for canoes and kayaks). Private watercraft, such as recreational boats and paddleboards, are not allowed on the lake anytime during the year.

Dogs and other pets are not allowed, because they can damage sensitive habitat and threaten wildlife.

Hunting is not allowed.

Drones, model planes, model boats and other remote-controlled vehicles are not allowed.

Geocaching is allowed with guidelines.

Natural discovery garden

Smell the flowers, touch the leaves, and feel inspired by this peaceful, playful demonstration garden at Blue Lake Regional Park. Gather ideas to make your yard pesticide-free and a fun safe place for kids, pets, pollinators and songbirds. Learn how natural gardening can protect lakes, streams and the animals that live there, too. All ages can explore the “pizza garden,” sniff plants and flowers, find the softest leaves and see what wildlife have to say about natural gardening. The discovery garden is open year-round during regular park hours, and entry is included with park admission. Look in the calendar below to find family friendly guided activities. Guided activities in the garden are free and wheelchair accessible.

Find activity sheets for family fun in the garden

Learn more about natural gardening

Improvements in progress

Improvements are continuing at Blue Lake Regional Park thanks to money from the parks and natural areas levy voters approved in 2013.

A new entryway completed in June 2015 features wider entry lanes and three new booths. Restoration work has been completed on the Blue Lake Wetland Trail, which now features a compacted gravel surface. New boardwalks and viewing platforms completed in early 2016 enhance the wetland habitat and visitor experiences. Work is also finished on four new restrooms buildings, which are accessible to families, gender-neutral and single-occupancy spaces.

Upcoming improvements include upgrading the park office and maintenance facilities.

Rendering of the park improvements

1.94 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 9, 2015

Parks and nature investments

Parks and nature investments

Five times during the last two decades, voters across greater Portland have approved funding measures to support a network of regional parks, trails and natural areas. Learn how Metro uses the money to protect water quality, restore fish and wildlife habitat, and improve access to nature.

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Natural discovery garden

Events

Improvements in progress

Parks and nature investments

Nature in Neighborhoods grants

Regional trails system

Contact

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Natural discovery garden

Related documents

Events

Improvements in progress

Related work

Parks and nature investments

Nature in Neighborhoods grants

Regional trails system

Contact

Feedback