Such a gem! This is a beautiful river beach close to Portland making it super convenient to get…read moreaway and enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of this gorgeous area. On a sunny day, in any month, the view is just spectacular. You can see both Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens from the beach area. The beach is clothing optional and people are in all variations from nude, to topless, to clothed. So if walking around naked isn't your thing, don't let that stop you. You do you and everyone else will do themselves. It all works. As you drive down NW Raider, you will pass the Island Cove Market. if you haven't bought a permit to park, stop here to get one. It's $7 a day or $30 for an annual pass, well worth it. Don't neglect to buy the permit, they patrol frequently and will fine or tow!!! After the Island Cove Market you will pass a beach - you will know based on the cars all parked on the left and a hill to the right with several stairs and handrails taking you over the small hill to beach. Keep driving. When you hit the gravel road, you are in Clothing Optional Beach territory. Anywhere along this several mile stretch, park your car to the left and walk through the various marked paths to the right. When you walk through the clearing, you will be delighted by the sight of a decent sized white sandy beach, the river sprawled out in front of you with views across the water to the grass and trees. Plus Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Hood standing proud. It's stunning! And so peaceful. There are no bathroom facilities. This is Sauvie Island and it's not built up or commercialized. That's part of the charm and why it remains so pristine. There are porta potties located every 40 feet or so along the parking area. As well as garbage bins. Do take all your trash with you, don't leave it on the beach. This beach is great for long walks, sunbathing, picnics, floating or swimming in the water. In the summer, the water is actually pretty warm. And few waves other than when a large barge goes by and creates some waves. So if you like stunning scenery, peace and quiet plus water you can swim in, check it out! I plan on frequenting often this summer. I'll be the one in full bathing suit and a sun hat!

Needs some infrastructure and maintenance. The parking place…read moreis filled with dust and the roads to this place is so dusty that when you are walking and a car goes by, you are filled with dust. The beach itself also needs some maintenance, some more trees are needed and in general some greenery is needed, it totally feels like a desert more than a beach.

This is a long, meandering river offering you a ton of recreationally minded activities. Much to…read moresee, much you can do and enjoy - worth your time to top in at one of the points you have access to stop in at along the river. The water is typically a perfect temp in the summer and the current is ideal for tubing - especially in the Clackamas area. Safe enough for the family, pretty enough you want to go alone and soak it in....

The Confession: I'm a masochist. Despite being clumsy and lacking any visual depth perception…read more(seriously, it's clinically proven), I can't really use those excuses when it comes to my persistent ability to get injured. If you see me, chances are I have band-aids on. So, I'm pretty sure it's just that I actually LIKE getting hurt. This is a case in point: The Prelude: Since I was about 3 years old, I have enjoyed exploring the depths of the woods, especially near some giant, rushing body of water that drowns out all the mundane commotion in my head. I like being surrounded by towering trees, waist-high ferns, and little, precious wildflowers. I've run into grizzly bears while huckleberry picking, yet never, ever have I been afraid in the woods. Not even at night when I have to go pee. I actually want to get lost and find my way home. This is my idea of fun, especially if I have a cold beer in hand. Problem is, I usually get hurt while I'm out there. In fact, I judge my excursions as such: the more I get hurt, the more fun I had. The Rub: This is where the Clackamas River is GOD to me. Yeah, I love to come here to swim, hike, camp, float down the river, picnic, etc. But I always leave with excessive scrapes, bruises, scratches, and bloodied body parts. Could be I just play hard. But I think it's more than that. It's as though the river gives me so much pleasure, it demands a little sacrifice from me. Not all rivers have this affect on me, mind you. Yesterday, it took a few pieces of skin from my arm when I fell down a hill, clambering to get to the water on a hot day. Last weekend, it took a chunk out of my leg when I foolishly attempted to mount a log in the river. Painful, yes. But these are battle scars of love, people. This is my idea of heaven. No other river has loved me this much and, I must say, vice versa. The 411: If you want to kayak, raft, camp, hike, lay on the rocks, float in an inner tube, or whatever...check out the Clackamas. Drive straight through Estacada and follow Hwy 224. Or take the fork at the Ranger Station and head down Forest Road 46. There are tons of campsites, both official and just off the road. The water is cold, but refreshing on a hot day. Or, you can head south on 46 to it up Bagby Hot Springs. But please be careful out there, kiddos. People do die on this river every year (in fact, a young woman just drowned 2 weeks ago), so treat it with respect and be aware of the dangers. And if you like getting (safely) beat up by nature, like me, take your neosporin and head out. You're going to get your ass kicked and you'll keep coming back for more.