Blue Lake 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.

Designed for interactive fun and cooperative play, enjoy Blue Lake's new water spray ground, opening in July 2006.

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

Blue Lake is a natural lake fed by underground springs. Water at the lake's popular 400-foot swim beach stays cool and fresh through a recirculating system that brings in water from deeper parts of the lake. The water at the swim beach is tested and monitored twice weekly to ensure it remains one of the safest natural water bodies for swimming in the Portland metro area.

Covered shelters, reservable picnic areas and The Lake House 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.

Paddle boats, row boats and canoes are available to rent at Blue Lake between May 1 and Sept. 30. 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.

* 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.

* Ice-cold drinks, candy, bottled water, sno-cones and ice cream treats are for sale Thursday through Sunday from Memorial Day weekend until Oct. 15 at the swim beach and from portable carts within the park.

* 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.

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.

On summer weekends and holidays, take TriMet's Blue Lake Shuttle to the park. 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.

Open from 8 a.m. to legal sunset. Get in free with your annual pass or pay $4 per car or $7 per bus. Park visitors who take TriMet, walk or bike to the park do not pay an entry 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.

For more information, call the Regional Parks and Greenspaces Department at (503) 797-1850, fax (503) 797-1849 or send e-mail to metroparks@metro-region.org.