When Portland wants a beach day without the coast drive, it heads to Blue Lake Regional Park in Fairview. The spring-fed lake’s swimming beach, grassy shores and mountain views have anchored family summers for generations.
The splash pad keeps little kids squealing, while bigger ones claim the disc golf course, fishing pier, paddle boat rentals and sand volleyball courts. Shaded picnic shelters host birthdays all season, and the park’s nature discovery garden teaches as it delights.
Metro keeps it beautifully run and blissfully affordable — pack the cooler, bring the sunscreen, and claim a patch of grass early. This is Portland’s summer living room, east-side edition.
