This is a review of the flat water float from Dabney State Recreational Area to Lewis and Clark State Recreation area on the Lower Sandy River. I know this is not a normal category, but I personally felt a review of this trip would have helped me this last summer. From what I hear the top two most popular flat water floats in the outskirts of Portland are the Lower Clackamas and Lower Sandy Rivers. Originally my friends and I tried to float the lower Clack, but the parking lots where full and stuck in a traffic jam. So after about an hour of driving all over and not finding parking we decided to check out the Lower Sandy River section. This float was just as crowded but the parking lot area was so much larger what we found a spot. Now the first tip I will give out is to go early on a weekend day or go on a weekday and you will have better luck. The second tip I will give you is to park at the downhill park first if you shuttle two vehicles. If you want to combine these two tips, make a plan to spend the day with your friends and leave the first car parked early while you go out and enjoy some activities before the float. Though it is worth noting that you can occasionally find shuttle services these days. I have not used this yet, but will next summer. Once we got setup we found plenty of friendly people, if you bring your own pump be prepared for people asking to borrow it. The section of this river is amazing to check out. The beaches have pretty white sand and the water was not very cold in August at least. The water was slow going for the most part but there was a couple of sections where you will want to maneuver quickly and a few places where there is debris. Be sure to keep an open eye out for strainers and foot entrapment opportunities. The river passes through some forests, neighborhoods and has a cool view of a little bamboo garden that gave it a nice little zen vibe. Towards the end there is a rocky area that has some rapids. I made the mistake of tying off onto some friends inner tubes and was shot in between some boulders and rapids. I got lucky, but you will want be be prepared for that as I was not! Overall this was an amazing float that is sure to have you stoked and relaxed at the same time. Be sure not to litter in this area so this activity doesnt get shut down.
For inner tube rentals check out the website below
https://www.clackamasriveroutfitters.com/
For Shuttle information check out the website below.
http://oregonriverrentals.com/products/clackamas-river-shuttle-pass/21
For the upstream park information check out the website below
https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=110
For the downstream park information check out the website below.
https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=116 read more