Portland Metro Area Open Water Swimming Locations Guide
- Daniela Klaz
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
If you're looking for a google doc version of this guide, please visit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/101YTqs50gzkM4oSe3Gwhgy1I9q9FaTh9YKKjdm_IKT8/edit?usp=sharing
Notes from the author(s):
These are open water swim locations, meaning the water quality and risk factors may change hour by hour. Evaluate safety and water conditions yourself before choosing a swim spot.
Recommended: Check USGS for water quality and conditions (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/).
Portland-area swim groups:
The Merfolk: https://www.facebook.com/groups/249111812232038/
Milwaukie Bay Peahens: https://www.facebook.com/groups/695489092593824
River Huggers: https://riverhuggerswim.org/
Broughton Beach Crew: there's a private WhatsApp group, they meet on Monday and Friday mornings at 6:30 AM at Broughton Beach Park
Sellwood Riverfront Park
Locations: Enter either at old broken boat ramp at the end of SE Spokane St. or at the steps beyond the new boat ramp (inside the dog park)
Moving water: yes, tidal and current
Parking: free
Showers: No
Safe to leave stuff on shore: no, other than old towels
Entry: mostly rocky, underwater hazards, beach only at low tide
Hazards: underwater broken pylons, large rocks
Recommended routes:
Swim towards Sellwood Bridge, staying close to the east bank, swim to or past the gas dock, house boats, and marinas
Swim north towards Ross Island, staying on the east bank, swim into the channel to swim by the house boats
Swim south to Milwaukee Bay, staying on east bank
Milwaukie Bay Park
Parking: Yes, free lot
Showers: No
Moving water: Yes, slow due it being a bay
Safe to leave stuff on shore: No
Entry: Boat ramp
Hazards: motorized watercraft
Recommended Routes: swim around the bay, head toward Sellwood (stay on east bank), swim south to Elk Rock Island (watch out for recreational boaters)
Clackamas Cove
Parking: Yes, free lot (16350 Main St, Oregon City, OR 97045)
Showers: No
Moving water: No
Safe to leave stuff on shore: Yes
Entry: Rugged walk down to the water, small rocky beach
Hazards: the beach is a sand-covered barge from the site being an old quarry. Watch out for metal rebar and other barge components sticking out of the ground.
Recommended Routes: anywhere within the cove is safe to swim in, but may get shallow around the opening to the Clackamas River sand bar
George Rogers Park Boat Ramp
Parking: Parking lot
Showers: No
Moving water: Yes, river
Safe to leave stuff on shore: Yes
Entry: sandy beach
Hazards: recreational watercraft
Recommended Routes: enter from the boat ramp or from the beach, swim either direction, stay close to shore due to boat traffic
Broughton Beach Park
Parking: $5 or metro permit, do not park in the boat trailer parking lot
Moving water: yes, tidal and current
Entry: mostly sand and small pebble rocks
Safe to leave stuff on shore: yes
Showers: No
Recommended routes: swimming parallel to shore between the sea wall and “teeth”. At calmer conditions, swim between the teeth and continue to osprey nest/second set of teeth
Hazards: jet skis, buried bonfires, trash on beach, glass on beach, glass in parking lot, fast moving water, strong currents
Hagg Lake
Parking: $10/$8 seniors or veterans or Hagg lake parking pass ($60/$40 seniors or veterans in 2025)
Various entry points: Boat Ramp C, Sains creek, Dam Overlook are most common
Side parking area at Boat Ramp C (most popular): https://maps.app.goo.gl/er3jTVoixF3SJEoE8
Showers: no
Moving water: no
Safe to leave stuff on shore: yes
Hazards: fishing boats, shoreline fishing, wake boarders, kayak rental operation, slick mud at shoreline, yellowjackets around picnic sites, underwater hatchery
Recommended routes: anywhere except on boat ramp, do your best to avoid boats
Other info: water level drops significantly in the summer
Vancouver Lake
Parking: $3
Showers: Yes, 1 outdoor shower, changing rooms
Moving water: No
Safe to leave stuff on shore: Yes
Entry: sandy beach
Hazards: Extremely shallow beach area then a sharp drop into colder water; rowing teams on marked rowing course, poor water quality during hottest temps (do not recommend in hottest months due to high bacteria levels)
Recommended Routes: anywhere outside the rowing lanes
Sauvie Island
Location:
Collins Beach https://maps.app.goo.gl/gPvLzhB914tAiVuh7
Sauvie Island Beach: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3VYghvNqSEChgYA7A
Parking: Parking permits are required on Sauvie Island to park in all wildlife areas on the island.
Daily permits are $10.00; annual permits are $30.00.
Showers: No
Moving water: Yes
Safe to leave stuff on shore: Yes
Entry: sandy beach
Hazards: highly traveled shipping lane (freighters) and recreational boater traffic
Recommended Routes: head north or south, just stay close to shore
Fallen Leaf Lake Park
Parking: Parking lot
Showers: No
Moving water: No
Safe to leave stuff on shore: Yes
Entry: muddy beach
Hazards: weedy bottom, poor water quality during hot summer months, variety of wildlife that contribute to high bacteria levels in the hottest months
Recommended Routes: anywhere in the lake
Silverton Reservoir Marine Park
Parking: Limited parking (arrive early to get a spot) ($5 or annual permit)
Showers: No
Moving water: No
Safe to leave stuff on shore: Yes
Entry: sandy beach
Hazards: Lots of non-motorized recreational watercraft
Recommended Routes: anywhere in the lake
Chinook Landing Marine Park
Parking: Paid lot/Permit
Showers: No, but ample bathrooms
Moving water: Yes, river
Safe to leave stuff on shore: Yes
Entry: sandy beach
Hazards: Motorized watercraft
Recommended Routes: stay close to south bank,
Lost Lake
Parking: Limited, paid parking (arrive early to get a spot for day parking)
Showers: No
Moving water: No
Safe to leave stuff on shore: Yes
Entry: sandy beach
Hazards: Lots of non-motorized recreational watercraft
Recommended Routes: anywhere in the lake
Notes: The water is super clear, Mt. Hood is breathtaking in the background, lots of cute newts
If you're looking for a google doc version of this guide, please visit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/101YTqs50gzkM4oSe3Gwhgy1I9q9FaTh9YKKjdm_IKT8/edit?usp=sharing
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