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    Dabney State Recreation Area

    3.7 (19 reviews)

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    Don B.

    Dabney State Recreation Area sits on the meandering Sandy River just up the Historic Columbia River Highway from Troutdale. It's a decent little park with parking a boat launch, and presumably some picnic areas and trails. For my purposes, it's the place to put in for a leisurely float down the Sandy to Lewis & Clark Park. The paved parking is packed during warm weekend days, and the $5 day use fee obviously doesn't deter many people from using this area as a staging ground for a sweet Sandy floatilla. There's a nice little boat ramp that leads to a sandy area where you can put in for your float, and the ramp itself has a good area to drop gear and inflate prior to putting in. I can't comment on much of the rest of the park other than the parking and the launch situation, but it looks in passing to be pretty cool. If the parking fills up, don't park out front on the Hwy (you'll get a ticket), go about 100 yards up the road and take a side road up to the left - park there. For summer swimming or floating, this park has exactly what you'll need. Nice, mellow water, good water access, and all the basic services.

    Thousands of baby fish!!
    Claire G.

    In one way, I'm sad that we can't bring our dogs, but in another, it's nice not to have to worry at all about who is or isn't cleaning up after their dogs. There's some nice walking trails and river access here. Today we went there and saved some juvenile trout from drying out after they beached themselves. I could have spent all day with these little fish knocking into my legs in the water today. It's peaceful (at least in spring before it fills up with underdressed adolescents. The wildlife is beautiful here on a quiet spring day. All sorts of beautiful bird song, chipmunks, squirrels, and salmon and trout frenzying the shore of the river.

    Perfect place to launch off for river floating!

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    15 years ago

    sweet spot to start your float down the sandy. A lot of family's but a great spot to jump in even for a swim.

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    11 years ago

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    12 years ago

    Fun disc golf course, great scenery. Lots of walking trails, picnic areas, and ducks in the pond! Can't wait to return!

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    Ask the Community - Dabney State Recreation Area

    Are dogs allowes?

    According to their website, no pets are allowed. Website: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=110

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    Review Highlights - Dabney State Recreation Area

    It's free to park at the lower level (Lewis and Clark) and I think its $5 at the upper level (Dabney) to park.

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    Glenn Otto Community Park - Paved walking trail in the shade.  No dogs allowed.  Trail is very short

    Glenn Otto Community Park

    4.6(8 reviews)
    1.9 mi

    Everytime I'm in Portland in the summertime, I come here to go swimming…read more I was super lucky, I was actually staying way over in the NW part of town and found out that the #77 crosstown busswhich was literally a block away from me would bring me straight here. So I gathered all my stuff for a day at the river, towels, sunscreen, plenty of water, snacks, hopped on the bus and spent a fantastic day here. Go early because there really isn' a lot of shade by the river and all the best spots get taken up early. There's also the woods to walk through filled with wild blackberry bushes everywhere. I guess my Canadianness comes out because I went straight into the water and swam about like it was nothing while everyone else was freaking out over how cold the water is and stayed close to the sandy shore. It's not. Especially on a scotching hot day, it really isn't a big deal. Also I have no idea how there can be drowning in a river which you can literally walk across, and never gets very deep. The current isn't all that strong if you go further away from the bridge, in fact the water is downright meandering at that point. If you have an umbrella, some reading material, lots of water, snacks, and you don't easily burn or get sunstroke, you can easily pass an entire, serene day here.

    Great trails leading to the Sandy River. A nice park to stroll through on a day trip to Troutdale.read more

    Photos
    Glenn Otto Community Park - Sandy river

    Sandy river

    Glenn Otto Community Park - Sandy River banks

    Sandy River banks

    Glenn Otto Community Park - View from the road

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    View from the road

    Blue Lake Regional Park - 4 of July

    Blue Lake Regional Park

    3.1(61 reviews)
    5.3 mi

    Beautiful large natural lake fed by underground springs…read more Small nonmotorized boats allowed under 3hp. This lake arguably provides the largest & nicest ADA pier for fishing in the greater PDX area. Plenty of shoreline for bank fishing or launching a SUP. Peaceful ADA trail loop and picnic areas throughout. Gold level 18 hole disc golf course is very popular here. Dogs and other pets are not allowed to protect sensitive wildlife areas. $5 parking pass for the day.

    It is a wonderful place with a wonderful view of Mt Hood! I really want to give this park 5 stars…read morebut that would be misleading and neglecting dog owners, legal lake swimming and outdoor PingPong enthusiasts. I read that the homeowners took over the ownership and full maintenance of the SolarBee water circulation units that minimizes the issues of a stagnant body of water. Those machines have increased the bird and fish populations! The bike paths thru the park are fun and educational as well as an actual wildlife tour! Beavers, Nutria, jackrabbits, Bald Eagles, Ospreys, turkey vultures, coyotes, raccoons, egrets, blue herons, river otters, bass, trout, blue gill, crappies, huge carp, Canadian geese, many kinds of seasonal ducks and I can't name them all but there is more! Yep, it is a real piece of nature that is being preserved and shared with activities like water spray park, basketball, volleyball, frisbee, softball, and a full on certified world class disc golf course ... that's pretty impressive. Oh yeah, all kinds of room for picnics and by yourself or large groups. It's a good size park. It's fun to do whatever you feel like if you need some sporting equipment, some is supplied at the main office.

    Photos
    Blue Lake Regional Park - Real cool events that Metro puts on during the summer! Hope there are more.

    Real cool events that Metro puts on during the summer! Hope there are more.

    Blue Lake Regional Park - New families

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    Dabney State Recreation Area - parks - Updated May 2026

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