Overcrowded May - August. Not enough parking…read more Check the water quality- it's often polluted Expensive $120 parking tickets $145 fine for dog off leash "Beach" is very small Construction during summer 2026 on river path Go visit spring, fall or winter Or go very early in the morning in the summer

t's great for families and solo visitors alike. You can kayak here, but be prepared for a steep…read moretrail down to the water; bringing kayaks on dollies is recommended. Head past the bathroom and down the road to the launch area, then go right from the beach to reach Hog Island. The water is calm and relaxing. It's a nice spot for walking dogs, with easy trails and a sandy area by the river for them to enjoy.

Absolutely Beautiful! Even though it was windy , cold and wet. A must see if you ever visit…read moreWashougal, WA. I was just just looking at maps trying to find places to explore and was pleasantly surprised! Apparently you can swim in the lake and it's great for dogs!

Peaceful and beautiful spot on the river. A good family friendly spot. I plan on coming back here…read moreon a hot day to swim with the kiddos. Took my dog this time and let her off at the end of the beach which was pretty secluded. Some horses even showed up!

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.

I'm rating Tom McCall Waterfront Park 5 stars due to the happy, grateful moments, every time I am…read more here, especially during this March 2026 visit, My chasing cherry blossom dreams came true. I tried coming every year to catch the blooms for past 5 years ( I was either too early or too late) but Wow, this year I finally caught the blooms. My heart is filled with Joy! I have a LOVE for Sakura/Cherry Blossoms. Tom McCall Waterfront Park sure brings back wonderful memories when I visited Portland for the first time during my daughter's college day, very beautiful park! Tom McCall Waterfront Park if for Governor Tom McCall is about 36. acres with a view of Williamette River in downtown Portland, bordered by RiverPlace to the south, Steel Bridge to the north. Did you know this park used to be 6-lane highway, activists held picnics on the tiny riverfront walkway in 1969 to protest the lack of public space. Gov. Tom McCall formed a task force, Harbor drive closed in 1974 and the park opened in 1978. Besides annual cherry blossoms this park has trails, salmon street springs, monuments, various festivals, protest, events, are held here. Near by to Portland Saturday market. Parking is very limited, either street parking or private lot. I can't wait to visit Tom McCall Waterfront Park again, with or without cherry blossoms or for Fall, foliage- I hope to catch the blooms again next year! same time, same place, I loved to be back!

Great park that used to be a freeway! It contains a bunch of points of interest: the Battleship…read moreOregon Memorial, Salmon Street Springs, the Japanese American Historical Plaza, etc. It definitely makes the park more interesting, since otherwise it's flat and grassy with not a lot of other features. Amazing for cyclists and joggers though. The views of the river are pretty, and you can spend your lunch break walking around and getting fresh air. Portland's Saturday Market is hosted on the weekends (March until December) on the northern end of the park, right next to the Bill Naito Legacy Fountain. There's also other festivals that use the park as the grounds. I've heard that the cherry blossoms in the spring are very pretty, so I'll have to return for those!

We parked here to walk along the Springwater Corridor Trail to the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge loop…read moretrail. Parking is free, the lot is clean and there were plenty of shady spots available. They also have restrooms, picnic tables, and a boat dock available. I haven't used the beach access here, but the park is well-maintained and a nice place to take your dog. Would definitely recommend.

A lovely showcase of east Portland, set adjacent to the Willamette River. Perched just above Oaks…read morePark, with great views of the Sellwood Bridge and downtown Portland between the trees. I frequent this Park for nice evening walks and occasionally play Pickleball on the available courts. There is ample shade among the towering trees and nice benches when you want to just take a few minutes and stare at the water as it passes down the river. Parking is easy in the dedicated lot or neighborhood streets. There is a nice playground and a baseball field. One of the better parks in Portland! Mostly because the views are spectacular and the path is well maintained for a high quality albeit structured adventure in nature. You can also stroll over the bridge or catch some extra steps on the Springwater Corridor if you're feeling up to an extra dose of delight.

Skidmore Bluffs Park is more of a park for the view. Yes, there are trails there but they go down…read morevery steep slopes and if it's muddy you are bound to get some slipping and sliding in. In fact if you are really lucky while you are slipping and you grab at random things you may even grab a plant with thorns on it. Yay you! Skidmore seems like a park you have to walk to from the neighborhood that it is surrounded by. There is a small, round circle that appears to be a small parking lot but going off of the signs all over there it apparently isn't a place to park. It's more of a cul de sac. Overall I wasn't too impressed with the park but that view is great and if you want a good, panoramic view then Skidmore is the place to go.

Such a beautiful location with a nice view of the river and a lovely spot to have a picnic.read more

We used your service for a wine tour of the Williamette area of Oregon and thanks to your company…read moreand our awesome tour guide Daniel Johnson we had the best experience. Our guide was punctual and very knowledgeable of the area and the van was very comfortable. Will use this company again for a future trip

We did a day trip of hiking, sightseeing and wine tasting with Kieron. Can't recommend First Nature…read moremore highly enough. It was a fantastic day and very memorable. Felt like we were able to fit in so much in one day. Kieron is a wonderful, knowledgeable guide and an absolute pleasure to spend your day with.

Tools a walk around here while in town and it was so lovely! Water, poetry engraved all along the…read morepath. It was so nice to walk along the path and read all the poetry. Such a serene and peaceful trail. Would recommend!

Perfect little sneak away spot. People watch. Birds and so much more in a small space.read more

I had a great time on the beach with my friends and their kid all while watching boats pass by. The…read morecurrent isn't too strong but if you're in a floaty just make sure you don't float too far down the river. Enjoy!

Many people only think of "the pumpkin patch" or other U-Pick farms on Sauvie Island, but there is…read moreSO MUCH to see and do here. * Bird & Wildlife watching. There is a refuge on the NW side of the island where visitors can see bald eagles, cranes, herons, Osprey, nutria, deer, coyotes, and other critters. * Greenways and trails (Wapato Loop, Warrior Point Trail). * Beaches along the Columbia River (swimming, fishing), including a clothing-optional beach. * Kayaking and SUP (paddleboarding) on Multnomah Channel. * The island is a popular place for cyclists. * Picnic area at Howell Territorial Park. * Dog training and boarding at Sauvie Island Kennels and Charleton Kennels. NOTE: Permit required to park anywhere on the Island (except private property & businesses). DFW Fish & Wildlife regularly patrols, checking for permits and asking people to show their angler's licenses.

beautiful view but the beach was super muddy. definitely not swimmable unless you can handle very…read moresquishy mud and rocks everywhere.

This is a pretty unique park. The entrance is in a residential neighborhood and there's not much…read moreparking by the entrance. However, there's a parking area a few blocks up the from the entrance. At the entrance of the park, there's a nice playground, which is closed right now due to COVID. There's also a portapotty, but no real bathroom. We came on a Saturday morning and enjoyed a quick hike around the island with our three year old and six week old daughters. My three year old loved jumping around the rocks and watching the boats go by on the river. There were a lot of families fishing and splashing in the river, but there was plenty of space to spread out from other people. It's a great spot for a picnic.