This park is a great place to walk along the Columbia River with views of the river and Mount Hood…read moreon a clear day. They have a few different parking lots, and some public restrooms near the parking & picnic shelters, but some restrooms close for the Winter and there aren't any restrooms out on the trails. There's a couple of covered picnic shelters and beach access at a few spots, so it can be popular in the Summer. The trails is quite long, and connects to the trail system at the wildlife refuge next to it, so you can just walk out & back for as far as you'd like. The trails are mostly flat and gravel, so it's not to bad or muddy if it's rained recently. And if you're in this area and want to grab a beer after you finish your walk, both Recluse Brew Works and 54-40 Brewing are very close by (and 54-40 has a great patio open in the warmer months and great food, too).

Love the "beach" as we call it. Summer is fantastic but winter is the best. Bring the dogs and…read morethere are days you have your own private beach to run and play.

This is a review of the flat water float from Dabney State Recreational Area to Lewis and Clark…read moreState 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

Thee best lazy river float in oregon yet…read more.. You will not be let down... Locals... tourist... just all having fun... Residents up and down the river relaxing.. bbq and enjoying life... it makes you fall all in love with oregon again.. Enjoy

Amazingly, magical park for weekly family hikes! Beautiful scenery, friendly people and pets, can't…read morewait to go again!

Beautiful with enough trails and loops that you can do as short or as long as you like. Very lush…read morewith ankle sounds even though streets and neighborhoods surround the park. You will feel like you've left town and gone somewhere magical. Can be buggy in the evening, go early. Well shaded so it's cooler even on a hot day. Lake, creeks, falls, and plants a plenty to see

Really nice facility. Clean, lots of room for boat trailers, well maintained docks. Everything Met…read moreor exceeded expectations.

Easy launch site for kayaks as well as motor boats. This is a clean, well-tended park with…read morebeautiful views of the Columbia. There are plenty of trees to sling a hammock or just to chill in the shade. The western part of the park offers a smallish beach and shallow water for family picnics. There's a lot of parking--much of this park is dedicated to parking. There are life jackets available via the honor system to keep people safe. I truly appreciate that move. In truth, this may not be the best picnicking area with only five tables available, but if you don't mind spreading a blanket and enjoying a more intimate view of the beach and the river, this could work out well. There is a day use fee of $5 and you can pay at the entrance via a park employee or at one of the autopay stations. There are 10 gender neutral bathrooms and 6 lanes of boat ramps. If you are kayaking or canoeing, the shore is a bit rocky and the water is very dynamic. I had to paddle hard to clear the Island to get to the Washington side of Government Island. Be careful!

One of the best dog parts I've ever been to. It's a good 30 minute drive but definitely worth it…read more There are trails that lead in multiple directions so it is easy to get lost unless you have a map on your phone. However, a lot of the trails loop around so if you keep going, you'll eventually get back to where you started. There's a river that your pups can go swimming in and lots of open areas for them to run around. I definitely recommend this place for your pups!

If you can do the drive, or live local, this is the dog park to end all dog parks. Spacious, wild,…read morelots of trails and water, your pup will love it. Haven't had a bad experience here with bad owners (you know what I mean), but some don't obey the leash areas, but again, haven't seen a bad owner or pup here, and we go a lot. That's my take on the general good times. The things that need some work or are just the way it is here are picking up after your fur baby. Nobody needs poop on a trail. And the parking is what it is, if you don't get there before 8 am on a weekend, you may not get a parking spot, as this place is busy. But there's so much space, once you're in, it never seems too overwhelming. Pics may be not part of the official park, but you get the idea. Wow!

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.

Came here for an educational lesson…read more There are multiple parking lots and stations. This area is beautiful.

Plenty of parking and it's a $5 day use parking fee, plus they have a boat ramp and restroom…read morefacilities. No pets allowed. They have a disc-golf course as well. We primarily wanted to walk along the river so we stayed on the trails closest to the water and walked along the river area. I'm not sure about their other trails, but it seemed like a pretty big park that was well-maintained. Seems like a popular place for people to come to do some boating or floating/tubing on the river.

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.

Lewis and Clark boasts one of the best, and most accessible swimming holes in the Portland metro…read morearea, particularly for those with little ones, or for people lacking in strong swimming skills. The current here is negligible, the water relatively shallow all-throughout, and there is plenty of sand and shade to go around. Plus, free parking (no day use fee), and it's literally right off the highway! The only downside to be aware of is that the railway bridge is heavily used: during our three hour visit, no less than four trains came barreling through, roaring and blowing their horns, which spooked our young son a little each time; he would cling to me until each passed which, due to their length, lasted several minutes. People sensitive to loud noises should take note and prepare accordingly.

One of my favorite parks, due to easy access to nature without a car. I can get there from the…read morecity in about 45 minutes via Trimet and be in wooded trails. The Sandy River area is beautiful.

We rolled into Cascade Locks on a Sunday in July, the kind of Gorge afternoon where everyone within…read morefifty miles has the same idea: get out, get sun, get a burger. Eastwind Drive-In sits right on Wa Na Pa Street, red and white building, that iconic soft serve and hamburger sign swinging out front like it's been doing this since before any of us were born. And it has. The line was out the door and down the sidewalk by 3pm, easy thirty minute wait, and nobody seemed to mind. That tells you something before you even taste the food. We ordered the double bacon cheeseburger, and it did not disappoint. Real griddled beef, two patties, melted cheddar doing exactly what melted cheddar should do, crisp lettuce, all of it stacked on a sesame bun that held together through the whole ordeal, which matters more than people think when you're eating standing up in a parking lot with a dog giving you the full guilt trip. Speaking of: we took our food down to the park by the lake, picnic tables under the trees, and Willow, our English lab, decided that burger was the single most important object in the entire state of Oregon. Nose right up against it, patient as a saint, working every angle. She didn't get any. She deserved some. That's the tension of loving a good dog and a good burger at the same time. Prices are fair for what you get, hamburger starts under seven dollars, the shakes and soft serve looked like the real draw for half the line, and the menu board out front covers everything from tater tots to Italian cream soda, which is a detail I did not expect and now can't stop thinking about. If you're passing through Cascade Locks, Eastwind Drive-In is worth the wait. Bring cash patience, bring an appetite, and if you bring a dog, be ready to share eye contact you won't win.

A wonderful spot to take your dogs where they can explore 100 archers of land and water with the…read moreluxury of being off leash. There's enough room for dogs to run around while not interacting with one another.