Sandy River Park Descriptions

Most parks have designated hours of operation and specific rules for alcohol use. Be sure to visit the park website for more information.

Barlow Trail Park – Sandy Ridge Trailhead

The Barlow Trail Park and Sandy Ridge Trailhead are adjacent recreation sites near the confluence of the Sandy and Salmon Rivers. The area is cooperatively managed by BLM and Clackamas County. There is no boat launch or direct vehicle river access available at either site. River users are encouraged to park at Barlow Trail Park and carry boats across East Barlow Trail Rd at this time. Both sites provide vault restrooms and the Sandy Ridge Trailhead offers paved, pull through parking for vehicles with trailers. BLM has identified the Sandy-Salmon confluence area as a future river access point and day use recreation site, but no date for development has been set.

Managing Agencies: Clackamas County Parks, 503-742-4414; Bureau of Land Management (Salem District), 503-375-5646 Website: https://www.clackamas.us/parks/barlowwayside.html or http://www.blm.gov/or

Directions: From the east side of Sandy, head east on US Highway 26 (Mount Hood Highway) for 11.4 miles. Turn left on Sleepy Hollow Dr soon after a large sign indicating a left turn for Marmot. NOTE: This will be the second turn-off for Sleepy Hollow Rd. Once on Sleepy Hollow, go 0.3 miles and turn right on E Barlow Trail Rd and over the Sandy River. Barlow Trail Park will be on the right in approximately 0.3 miles. The Sandy Ridge Trailhead will be on your right 0.6 miles beyond Barlow Trail Park.

Dabney State Recreation Site

Dabney State Recreation Site marks the western terminus of the Sandy’s National Wild and Scenic River and State Scenic Waterway designations. Offering views of scenic bluffs and access to large sandy beaches, Dabney has been a popular summer destination for decades. An excellent boat ramp serves rafters, kayakers and floaters. Other amenities include picnic facilities, flush restrooms, and even a well-rated disc golf course. Recreation sites are open from dawn until dusk each day.

Managing Agency: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), 1-800-551-6949 Website: http://www.stateparks.com/dabney.html

Directions: From I-5 take exit 300 onto I-84 E/US-30E toward Portland Airport/The Dalles; Take exit 18 toward Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site/Oxbow Regional Park; Turn left onto Crown Point Hwy; Continue onto Historic Columbia River Hwy; turn right after 2.6 miles and your destination will be on the left.

Dodge Park

The 14-acre Dodge Park is a popular location for visitors who come to picnic, swim, camp, fish, or use the park as a river access point. In 2011, the Portland Water Bureau completed improvements and the park now has new camping opportunities with 5 RV and 15 walk-in tent sites. Dodge Park represents the eastern terminus of the Federal Wild and Scenic and State Scenic Waterway designations. It is the last developed site on the river until the US Forest Service campground at RM 48.

Managing Agency: Portland Water Bureau, 503-823-7404 Website: http://www.portlandonline.com/water/dodgepark

Directions: From I-205 N take exit 12 for OR-212 E/ OR-224 E toward Estacada/Mt. Hood; Turn right onto OR-212 E/Carver Rd; Continue to follow OR-212 E; Continue onto SE Compton Rd; Turn right onto SE 352nd Ave; SE 352nd Ave turns left and become SE Dunn Rd; Turn left onto SE Bluff Rd; Turn right onto SE Hudson Rd; Turn right onto SE Lusted Rd; Turn left to stay on SE Lusted Rd.

Former Marmot Dam Site

Marmot Dam’s removal in the fall of 2007 opens up new opportunities for recreation, public access and river recreation on the Sandy. The BLM has identified the site as a new day use recreation area and river access point, but at this time no date for additional development has been set. Currently, a gate prevents vehicle access to the site itself so a 1/4 mile walk from a temporary parking area is necessary. Please note that all commercial and competitive use of the site requires a permit from the BLM.

Managing Agency: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), 503-375-5646 Website: www.blm.gov/or/index.php

Directions: From I-205 take exit 12 for OR-212E/ OR-224 E toward Estacada/Mt Hood; Turn right onto OR-212 E/Carver Rd continue to follow OR-212 E; Slight right toward US-26 E/Mt Hood Hwy (signs for SE 312th Dr/Sandy/Mount Hood); Merge onto US-26 E/Mt Hood Hwy via the ramp to Sandy/Mount Hood; Turn left onto SE Ten Eyck Rd; Take the 2nd left to stay on SE Ten Eyck Rd; continue onto SE Marmot Rd; Keep Left at the fork; Turn right to stay on SE Marmot Rd; Turn right to stay on SE Marmot Rd.

Glenn Otto Park

Glenn Otto is the most heavily-used park within the City of Troutdale’s park system. In the summer the park’s large beach is a popular destination for swimming and picnicking. A number of urban park amenities can be found here including shelters, playgrounds, restrooms and potable water. A small stand adjacent to the park offers café snacks (sandwiches, coffee, etc) and fishing gear. To manage summer crowds and ensure public safety, seasonal river rescue and lifeguard stations are located here.

Managing Agency: City of Troutdale, 503-665-5175 or 503-666-8303 Website: https://www.troutdaleoregon.gov/publicworks/page/glenn-otto-community-park

Directions: From I-205 take exit 22 to merge onto I-84 E/US-30E toward US-30/The Dalles; Take exit 18 toward Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site/ Oxbow Regional Park; Turn left onto Crown Point Hwy; Take the 1st right onto E Historic Columbia River Hwy; destination will be on the left.

Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site

Located on the Historic Columbia River Highway and just south of the I-84 interchange, a signed pull-through and boat ramp provide good river access. The park is heavily visited by locals and visitors alike, often serving as the takeout location for trips originating upstream at Dabney State Recreation Site. The park has a focus on interpretation, with a self-guided botanical tour and historical panels. Recreation sites are open from dawn until dusk each day.

Managing Agency: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), 1-800-551-6949 Website: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=116

Directions: From I-205 take exit to merge onto I-84 E/US-30E toward US-30/The Dalles; Take exit 18 toward Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site/Oxbow Regional Park; Turn left onto Crown Point Hwy; destination will be on the right.

Oxbow Park

Located in the scenic Sandy River Gorge, Oxbow Regional Park offers the most extensive infrastructure and wide ranging recreation opportunities on the river. At 1,200 acres, the park provides river users a large trail system, a well-developed and obvious river access point and even coin-operated showers. Oxbow is also the river’s best visitor information source, with rangers on site, an entrance booth and numerous kiosks. The river draws rafters and kayakers and offers anglers some of the best winter steelhead and salmon fishing in Oregon.

Managing Agency: Metro Parks, 503-757-1850 Website: http://www.oregonmetro.gov/index.cfm/go/ by.web/id=150

Areas Administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

The BLM-managed lands along the water trail are undeveloped and do not have amenities or public infrastructure. It is your responsibility as a river user to protect the river’s natural and aesthetic beauty to preserve your access. While on BLM-managed lands:

Pack out what you pack in – Leave No Trace
Obey camping and hunting closures
Respect adjacent private property and stay on public land (punishable as trespassing)
Dispose of human waste by digging a hole (4” to 6” deep) and at least 200 feet away from water sources.
Avoid trampling riverside vegetation and stay on established pathways.

Website: http://www.blm.gov/or/index.php Phone: 503-375-5646