We parked here to walk along the Springwater Corridor Trail to the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge loop trail. 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. read more

Sellwood Riverfront Park - Entrance - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

A lovely showcase of east Portland, set adjacent to the Willamette River. Perched just above Oaks Park, 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. read more

Awesome park especially if you have a dog so like to run to get a ball off leash and go in the river. Great spot

let me weave a little magic into your Selwood Riverfront Park love letter! Picture this: you park your car at Selwood Riverfront Park, that hidden gem tucked along Portland's Columbia Riverfront. It's not just a spot to leave your wheels-it's your gateway to paradise. The air hums with possibility, crisp river breeze carrying whispers of adventure. I swear, every visit feels like stepping into a painting where the Willamette and Columbia collide in a glorious, shimmering embrace. You're not just starting a walk; you're embarking on a love affair with the city's heartbeat. From here, Selwood's charm sets the stage-grassy lawns stretch lazily toward the water, perfect for a quick dog stretch or a stolen moment of calm before the loop begins. It's like the park winks at you, saying, Ready to fall for Portland all over again? Now, you hit the path toward the Steel Bridge, and holy wow, it's a sensory overload in the best way. The Columbia River stretches out, vast and majestic, like nature's own IMAX screen. Sunlight dances on the water, turning ripples into liquid gold while sailboats glide by like elegant swans showing off. Buildings tower on the horizon-sleek, historic, and everything in between-framing Portland's skyline like a postcard you didn't know you needed. People bustle past: joggers in neon, dog walkers with wagging sidekicks, and maybe a kid chasing dreams (or bubbles). It's grand, alive, and somehow intimate, like the city's letting you in on its secrets. I get chills just thinking about it-this loop isn't a hike; it's a front-row seat to Portland's soul. You'll catch fishermen casting lines, kayakers slicing through waves, and that one guy on a tandem bike who always looks thrilled (and slightly terrified). Halfway through, the dog park at Selwood steals the show-trust me, it's a riot. Pups of every shape zoom around like caffeinated rockets, yipping and wrestling in clouds of grass dust. Your own furry friend dives into the fray, tail wagging like a metronome on overdrive, and suddenly you're grinning at strangers who get it-these dogs don't care about your day; they just want zoomies! Kids laugh, owners sip coffee from overpriced but worth-it mugs, and the whole scene feels like a community hug. It's messy, joyful chaos that grounds you after the river's grandeur. This park isn't just a pitstop; it's where the loop's magic lingers, reminding you why you keep coming back. Pro tip: bring treats, and you'll be everyone's hero (especially the golden retrievers). By the time you circle back to Selwood, sweaty, happy, and probably craving tacos, you realize it's not just a walk-it's Portland's love letter to you. The Steel Bridge loop, starting from your favorite parking spot, isn't nice; it's life-affirming. Grand views, goofy dogs, and city swagger all wrapped in one two-mile hug. Do it at golden hour for sunset sorcery, or midday when the river sparkles like it's flirting. Either way, Selwood Riverfront Park is your launchpad to Portland's best-kept secret. I'm booking my dog for a playdate-join me? read more

Sellwood Riverfront Park - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

Visited this place for the first time today after an impromptu extended run that exceeded my initial expectations. I followed the spring water path until I reached Sellwood Riverfront Park. The weather was lovely, and I am considering returning with my child and dog in the future. read more

Perfect park especially if you have a dog! I love the view and she loves to play! Its our first time here 2 months ago. We are from Sacramento! Nothing can beat this place. You can let your dog run without the leash so they are free. Fun fun fun. Just don't take your dog here if he is aggressive and not friendly. All in all we had a great time here. Would love to go back when we visit Portland again. read more

Sellwood Riverfront Park - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Bath in serenity at this lovely park. Let your dog run off-leash from land to sea and back. Or take a walk in the trail. Or sun bath on the dock. Or have a picnic. Or skip rocks. Or fly a kite. Take in a bit of the Portland backdrop. This park has a little something for everyone. read more

See all

A dock by the river to sit and jump in? Giant grassy field for picnicking and activities? Cycle friendly route? Water and grass for your dog to play in? Loveeee it. Had the pleasure of coming here on my bike with friends, lovely path to get here btw, and loved the environment here. Everyone was enjoying this place where you could get out onto the water, sit in the dock, picnic on the grass, and they also have a parking lot! I do wish they had bike racks for people though, and bbq grills? There are 4 picnic tables available. It was nice and clean but the 1 trash can by the parking lot was mad full :( They really need another one close by. Otherwise I'd recommend coming here to enjoy the sun and water. read more

Sellwood Riverfront Park - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

Awesome family and Fido-friendly dog park along the Willamette: the perfect place to soak on a sunny Sunday afternoon! The wife and I took the kids this past weekend for some summer recreation, hoping that after several weeks of 80+ temperatures, the water would be warm enough to wade in. Sure enough, the river was moderate and placid (sans a few wakes from speedboats racing up and down the river), and nearly as tepid as bathwater. The beach itself was busy without being packed. Yes, there are dogs everywhere; if this is a problem for you, go elsewhere. Even with Rover and friends roaming off-leash, every pupper we encountered was friendly, and the owners present were sociable and responsible. There is some litter (usually at the tree line), and I found at least two small pieces of broken glass in the sand as well. Whether they were washed up from the river, or left behind by inconsiderate partiers, I cannot say. Just be cognizant of these warnings (which should be your default behavior for ANY river or beach), and you and your family will be fine. read more

See all

A nice big flat grassy unfenced area located next to a parking lot. Down the path is a riverfront area where people fish, jet ski, play with their dogs, and canoe. There's also oaks amusement park right next to the riverfront if you head north. read more

Sellwood Riverfront Park - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

I feel so incredibly lucky to live just a few minutes from this park. Even before I had a dog, we'd come here to picnic, watch the sun go down, put our feet in the water, or just walk around. Now that I do have a dog, it's a great place to take him and let him run around. The views are gorgeous... from the under-side of the Sellwood bridge to the south, and a peek of downtown Portland to the North. You can walk out on the dock and get some great pics. There are only a few picnic tables, and it's first-come, first-served. So get there early if you want one. There are several benches around, too. The bathrooms could be cleaner, so I avoid them when I can. But still, this spot is pretty special. If you decide to visit, please treat it kindly! :) read more

See all

Sad to say that I didn't give many Portland attractions or eateries 5 or even 4 stars, but surprisingly, Sellwood was one of my favorites out of my whole bachelorette weekend. Probably because I took my husky puppy, and he had a blast. Parking was easy to find. There were so many paths to follow once we got out of the car, so I let Oz (husky) off leash to decide. As predicted, he ran past all the dogs on the field and made a beeline for the water. He LOVES swimming. We encountered so many wonderful people, and Oz was in cold water heaven. For the humans, it's a clean and safe place to walk around. Something about the atmosphere is just serene. Not that I plan on coming to Portland more often, but I'll always come here when I do! read more

This place is heaven if you have a dog who loves to swim and fetch a ball. She could not be happier here. #YellowLab #RiverDog

This beach has provided a great space for outdoor campfires during covid. When it's nice out expect to see lots of people on the beach hanging out but usually everyone is respectful, and covid safe. After lots of rain the water does get pretty high so a nice large beach can't always be expected, though it seems to be going down now that spring is here. The beaches are relatively clean, so remember to take trash away with you to keep it that way. We saw beaver too, so keep your eyes peeled for the local wood muncher. read more

Sellwood Riverfront Park - Yo, it's the beaver - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

My single most love of Portland is its abundance of parks. And not jus average parks but parks that go above and beyond. This beautiful park is for dog lovers, kayakers and boaters, families and singles, homeless and free. It is an amazing opportunity to walk along the river sit and enjoy the coolness of the riverfront. Many folks dip in the Williamette and each to their own. I always bring a blanket, cooler and a good book...sometimes a sweetheart! read more

Sellwood Riverfront Park - Amazing Eastside! - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This area makes you feel like you're playing on the beach but you're actually just on the east side of Willamette River. I feel so at home here since everyone is playing fetch with their dogs in the water, kids are swimming, and Portlandians are barbequing and sun tanning on the docks by the side of the river. Sailboats float by, and kayaks stride through. It's very calming to walk along this riverfront "beach." Uphill, there is plenty of grass to be had, so dogs again can run rampant playing fetch with their owners or chase with each other. If you haven't realized it by now, this park is very, very dog friendly! Sometimes, there's concerts here where stages are temporarily built and people can crowd around and drink beer and picnic. There's ample parking and plenty of places to take off cycling or just walking too! read more

Great dog park with a large grass off-leash area and a strip of beach on the river where lots of dogs love to frolic and fetch. There is plenty of room for dogs and people to avoid conflict. Summer weekends can get busy but there is ample parking and lots of friendly people. read more

Sellwood Riverfront Park - Retrieving sticks from the river. - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

Terrible. I'm super shocked that Sellwood would allow this park to have so much junk on the beaches and sidewalks when so many people, kids and dogs are there. I couldn't believe the amount of broken glass and rusty nails I found. It was my first time taking my son and dog and we will not be going back there. read more

Sellwood Riverfront Park - Several pieces of broken bottles I found standing in one spot. This is not beach glass, these are sharp. - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Rocky shallow beach with small patches of sand. Sweet hideaway on a summer day. Great place for sailboat and jet boat watching or picnicking. Lot & lots of dogs & dog lovers here. read more

Sellwood Riverfront Park - July 2017 - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

I love bringing my dog to the dog park section here, but tire of people complaining about dogs being off leash when that is what the area is for. It's great all the events that they have at this park, and attend them often during the summer but wish there was more warning that when they plan to take over the off-leash dog area so I don't waste a trip getting down there to turn around and leave. read more

Pretty view of the river. The park is very small, but you can connect to other parks in the area.

this is one of the few places in pdx where you can take your dog swimming without having to leave the city. the pooch has webbed toes so he needs his aquatic fix every now & then. yes, we let the muppet swim in the icky, dirty Willamette river and then hose him off while wearing haz-mat suits. the sandy beach is fairly clean--no bottles or garbage lying around and lots of sticks/driftwood for a quick game of tug of war. the water deepens to swimming level within a couple feet to a few yards out depending on how far south you are (south = deeper, faster). there is a decent current beyond the buoys so keep an eye on your dog, even strong swimmers can get towed away. theoretically jet-skis & motorized craft are not supposed to go between the buoys & the shore to prevent creating wakes but that doesn't always stop them--just another reason to watch out for the pooch cuz a big glug of water can drown them as well. yay: 1. easy access to water for swimming: technically the off-leash area is the grassy area in the center but as long as Fido gets along well with others you shouldn't have a problem (unless the doggy police show up!) 2. lots of beach, driftwood, & other dogs to play with 3. plenty of spaces in the parking lot nay: 1. turns into a muddy bog in the winter 2. watch out for currents 3. no running water so bring drinking water 4. it's the Willamette so your pooch will need a good hosing off once you get to a water supply read more

Sellwood Riverfront Park - bo derek...puh-leese! - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Concerts, dog park, little church, swimming, dock, trails to Oaks Park...Love this place

I live nearby and found this place through word of mouth and then confirmed it with Yelp. I was all excited to have what I thought would be a great place to bring my dog for an off leash run and play Frisbee. I thought that going on a weekday before noon (10am) I would be able to have a little quiet at the park. I get there and it is a mad house! Parking was full. There were people and dogs everywhere. If your dog likes to play with other dogs it might work. If your dog is like mine and wants to play with you and catch the ball/Frisbee this place might not work out. The area is pretty but I was not blown away. What killed it for me is that there is NO fencing and dogs (or kids for that matter) can run right into the parking lot or busy street. The rest of the park is nice. There are a lot of options as far as activities (playground, soccer fields, kayak landing, running trails, picnic areas, etc) read more

Let me see what can I say about Sellwood....This park is what makes me think of Portland. I mean really all the parks do but this one has the added benefit of being on the water. My dog and I love coming here and dipping our toes in the water. This is one of our first parks we discovered in Portland. The center grassy area is set aside as the off-leash area during certain times (although it's more like all the time). The dogs also run and play along the sandy riverfront that stretches pretty far. Great if your dog likes to swim and play fetch. Like I said my dog is more of a beach bum and just likes to feel the water. The farther down the sandy beach you walk the less people there are...just in case you like a little peace and quiet time. Now the details...there is a small trail to walk through and it comes out behind Oaks Park. There are a few picnic tables to watch the small boats, kayaks, and canoes come in off the water. There is a small pier some people fish off of. Lots of trees for cover while having a bonfire near the water (heard there is one for the winter solstice). There are a few bathrooms by the parking area (although only one is usually open). Plenty of grassy knolls to star up into the sky or share with all the dogs. Sometimes there are concerts out here or other special events. Overall a great place to hang out with your furry friends or to take some time for yourself. read more

This is my latest Sellwood discovery and wow, it is a good one. Sellwood Riverfront Park is separated from Sellwood Park and Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge by the train tracks and a bike path. It is quieter and less crowded although there are a lot of dogs! Among other things it is an off-leash dog park, which is pretty cool. The only strange part is, the dog park part of the park isn't fenced in but the park is fairly secluded so the dogs seemed to stay w/in the area. The park also has several picnic tables, a boat dock, lots of walking paths, access to the beach, quite a few shaded areas, and this cool nature preservation area which had some benches hidden throughout the paths. If you take the path to the river and walk along the beach you are hit with some amazing views of downtown. Very cool park, I hope to go back quite soon. Nice place for a picnic and to chill out for a while. read more

Beautiful! A walk through Sellwood Riverfront Park yields something for everyone. You'll pass clean, sandy banks, floating houses, well-preserved riparian zones and native wetlands, public tennis courts, an off-leash (but not fenced in) dog park, a see-saw playground, and the oldest, continuously used, pioneer church in Oregon. (Definitely stop by the church- the architecture (high steeple, mosaic window, whitewashed boards) is lovely.) This side of the river offers a panoramic view of the city, and is quiet, clean & refreshing to boot. :) What a breathtaking find. Thanks, Yelpers! read more

This is a cool park to take your dog for a swim in the river. I went when the weather was nice on a Sunday morning and it was packed with people and dogs. My dog loved it. The biggest issue with this place is people not picking up their dogs waste. There is poop everywhere read more

I'm happy this area exists, it's really beautiful but expect MUD! Literally the muddiest dog park I've ever been to, though it did rain yesterday... Expect to give your dog a bath after! read more

Sellwood Riverfront Park - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This place is pretty cool! On weekends it gets busy but that's cool too, more play friends for your dog, the river is clean and there's ample free parking. It's in a beautiful area and after even a half hour of 'river frisbee' my dog is exhausted. It's very scenic and Portlanders are good at clean up. So no poo. read more

See all

My guy and I showed up at Sellwood Riverfront Park on a Monday for the summer concert series (runs every Monday through July and August from 6:30 to 8:30). I have heard about this park for years, but never checked it out because it's on the other side of town (meaning it's not in the Pearl...I really need to leave my 'hood a wee bit more!!!) This is a beautiful neighborhood park right on the Willamette River with a boat dock, walking paths, picnic tables and an outdoor stage for concert performances. This is the perfect spot to bring a kayak or canoe and drop it in the water for a little paddlin' because the river is very easy to access from this park. The best part about Sellwood Riverfront Park is that it's not overly packed with people. You can enjoy a quiet picnic with your Honey or pop a squat on one of the park benches overlooking the Willamette and enjoy a good book without the noise and traffic of larger city parks bustling with tons of people. read more

Avoid water after rain. Aside from that this area is a real treat. Short trails nearby and lots of dogs. Don't come here if you're dog averse. Make sure to walk around short trail hidden near dog field and check out the pier. I like. read more

Sellwood Riverfront Park - Water's edge with view of town - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Sellwood Riverfront Park is the only beachfront park I know of in Portland. There's a small strip of sand for those beach loving folks. This is dog friendly park and comes with an off leash area for dogs to roam. There's a dock for those who prefer the aquatic life over the four legged friends. For those who want to bring their kayak, there's ample parking and a washroom. The area is not small, but not large, though a nice green patch with lots of water and city skyline views. read more

See all

Love this place! My dog loves running around and swimming- this place is great for both! I normally take her after work on weekdays or weekends during the day. It does get crowded on weekends- tons of children and dogs, especially in the summer. It can be a hassle finding parking, luckily I've never had issues with it but I've heard people complaining about it. read more

Sellwood Riverfront Park - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

My kind of dog park. There's a big open field for the pup to run around like a lunatic. There's a concrete spot with tables and benches for hanging out, eating, drinking, etc. There's a sizable stretch of beach and relatively clean water for swimming. It's even warm and clean enough for you to swim with your dog. Probably not your first choice, but it's been nice to teach our dog how to swim. The water is not, however, clean enough for drinking so do bring water. Be aware, it does get very muddy very quickly when it's wet out. Even the paved areas. Bonus, the park connects to Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refugee. If you have an afternoon to kill, park at Oaks Bottom and walk into the park. It's a beautiful walk, you get some extra exercise and your pup has time to dry off before you make it to the car. read more

This is Portland. It rains. Rain and dirt make mud. Wear boots and go play with the dogs. Just love this park, beach, off-leash heaven! Parking can really suck, so just plan for this and you won't be surprised. read more

Sellwood Riverfront Park - Parks Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I want so badly to like it here, but unfortunately, i wasn't even able to find parking!! Add on the fact that i was in traffic for (I KID YOU NOT) 2 and a half hours due to the construction on Macadam and the bridge to cross to the other side of the river (I live in the South Waterfront District). The photos look so amazing, i wish i could muster up the courage to try and find parking again, but after such a horrible experience, i think i'd rather stick to my other tried and true doggie parks. Maybe after the construction is finished read more

Parks has a field by the parking lot with access to the river. Friendly people and good dogs! Bathrooms and running water are available. read more

Sellwood neighborhood has a beautiful riverfront park. I've come to this park for 20 years. Summer offers nice shade and easy access to the beach. The only reason I won't give it a 5 stars is because there are so many dogs all the time. It is off leash park and if you sit in your car all you see are animals relieving themselves all over the grounds. I don't want to sit or lay down in the grass. Most people pick-up afterwards so that helps. So I suggest Upper Sellwood for rolling in the grass. read more

I love this park!! It starts off as a large, open dog park area. Then, as you get closer to the water, there are picnic tables and then stairs leading down to the riverside beach. Dogs abound and the view is gorgeous, with the summer ambient sounds of Oaks Park in the background. read more