Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site 

On a warm summer day, you will find people swimming and wading in the clear Sandy River water. This park is one of the most popular swimming spots in the Portland area.

Broughton Bluff offers a variety of climbing routes on dark, mossy basalt rock. Bridge Cliff offers a lot of crack and face climbing, as well as multi-pitch climbing. Read on to find out more.

Hiking Trails

The nationally designated Wild and Scenic Sandy River roars through the park, carving cliffs and beaches. During hot summer days, you will find people swimming and wading in the clean, cool water.

The cliffs of Broughton Bluff offer rock climbing routes on mossy basalt. Climbers can enjoy corner, slab, roof, and flared crack routes at Bridge Cliff. There are also some easy top-roping opportunities at Jungle Cliff.

A lush oasis on an arid landscape, Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site appropriately honor its namesakes who camped here in November 1805. Stroll through old-growth forests of western redcedars and Douglas firs, where ferns, vine maples, and rhododendrons abound. Seek out the remnants of a Civilian Conservation Corps camp and explore the area where common mergansers, kingfishers, and orange-crowned warblers thrive.

Boating

The park offers a number of boating opportunities including sailboats, speed boats, and personal watercraft. It’s also a popular place to picnic and enjoy the river scenery.

On hot summer days, Portland area residents flock to the beach here to take a dip in the Sandy River as it flows into the Columbia at the western gateway to the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area. The waters here are shallow with a nice mellow flow that’s safe for kids to splash around in.

Boaters can also access the Weigand Marina at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site, which offers 116 leased seasonal docks as well as a boat launch for recreational use only. Learn more about boating opportunities in Oregon by visiting our interactive public fishing areas map. A great place to also visit is Luuwit View Park.

Fishing

Fish for panfish, bass, channel catfish, and northern pike at Blue Lake. Boating is permitted on the Sandy River without restriction at this park and the paved lakeshore path makes it easy to access the water. The sand beach at the park’s western end is popular for swimming and picnicking.

The Sandy River flows through the park and offers good fishing opportunities for winter steelhead (clipped adipose fin required) and coho from October through May. There is also a modest opportunity for summer steelhead in the Dodge to Oxbow stretch upriver from Lewis and Clark.

Swimmers should consult the Oregon Health Authority’s fish consumption guidelines and advisory before going in the water at this park or other waters near the Columbia Slough. The Sandy River at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site is sampled bi-weekly for E. coli.

Camping

The park is a favorite camping destination for families, with campsites nestled in the forest among lush ferns, gnarled snags, and cathedral-like thickets of giant trees. It also offers equestrian sites for those who prefer to bring their horse along on the trip.

Visitors can walk the Sacajawea Trail, a scenic 22-mile educational and recreational trail that follows both sides of the Columbia River. The trail features interpretive displays and installations that showcase Sacagawea’s historic journey as well as the Native American culture and history of the area.

Another great feature is the Broughton Bluff, a series of cliffs that are popular with rock climbers and hikers alike. A botanical walk is also available at the park, where visitors can discover many of the plants first cataloged by Lewis and Clark.

Picnicking

The picnicking opportunities at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site in Troutdale OR are abundant. There are picnic tables and grills, as well as restroom facilities. A picnic area that is dog-friendly is also available.

This park is a popular destination during hot days in the summer for locals to take a dip in the Sandy River. It has shallow areas and a mellow flow for kids to splash around in safely. It is also a great place to cool off after hiking or camping.

Other recreational opportunities at the park include a botanical walk where visitors can discover many of the plants first cataloged by Lewis and Clark. There are also trails that lead to Broughton Bluff, an impressive series of cliffs that attract rock climbers. Discover more interesting articles.

Driving directions from Rise and Shine Cleaning Service to Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site

Driving directions from Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site to Red Sunset Park