Swimming Areas
WHERE YOU CAN ACCESS THE WILLAMETTE RIVER
NORTH
Cathedral Park
Located on North Edison St. and Pittsburg Ave. under east end of St. Johns Bridge.
Kelley Point
Due to the frequency of drownings that have occurred at Kelley Point Park, Portland Parks and Rec does not recommend swimming at this location.
Sauvie Island
Located 10 miles northwest of Portland, it’s the largest island in the Columbia River.
NORTHEAST
Kevin Duckworth Memorial Dock
Located on the East bank of the Willamette River between Steel and Burnside bridges.
Broughton Beach
Located at 4536 NE Marine Drive on south bank of Columbia River near PDX airport.
SOUTHEAST
Station 21 Fire House Dock
Located at 05 SE Madison, adjacent to Audrey McCall Beach.
Sellwood Park
Located on the East bank of river at SE 7th and Miller St. just north of Sellwood Bridge.
Elk Rock Island
Located at SE 19th and Sparrow St. in Milwaukie. Limited parking on neighborhood streets.
Audrey McCall Beach & Dock
Located on East bank of river just south of Hawthorne Bridge.
SOUTHWEST
Tom McCall Bowl Beach
Located on West bank of river just south of Hawthorne Bridge near Riverplace Marina.
walton beach
The most popular beach on Sauvie Island, Walton Beach is located at the north end of Reeder Road. The beach is sandy and serene, with lovely shallow water, gentle waves, and easy entry into the river (though it does drop off in places).
Be aware there are no lifeguards on duty. Watch children closely. Personal floatation devices are recommended. Besides swimming, it’s a great area for building sand castles, flying kites, and watching for eagles and wildlife. Columbia Riverkeeper volunteers monitor water quality at this beach from June to September.
collins beach (clothing optional)
You’ll find Collins Beach further north up Reeder Road from Walton Beach. Collins is over a mile long and begins a quarter mile after Reeder Road becomes gravel. This is a clothing-optional nude beach. You can always keep your suit on if you prefer that to your “birthday suit”. It’s not as crowded as Walton and has more trees and shady areas – to relax or picnic, and avoid “sensitive sunburns”. There are no lifeguards at any Sauvie Island swimming area, so be careful and swim with a friend. The Columbia River can be chilly even in the summer, and there can be sudden drop offs. Right across the river is the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Great for bird-watching while you frolic in the water and on land.
willow bar beach
The beach at Willow Park is located off milepost 7 on Reeder Road. It offers a relaxing, natural setting, and a sandy beach that is almost 2 miles long with easy access into the water.
With so much sandy beachfront and a wonderful view of the Columbia River, this is one of the best beaches in the Portland area. There’s little shade but it doesn’t get quite as crowded as other Sauvie Island beaches – partly due to the semi hidden parking lot at the end of a dirt road off Reeder Road. Columbia Riverkeeper volunteers monitor water quality at this beach from May-September.
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