Top 11 Lakes around Gresham

Blue Lake Regional Park offers a wide array of activities, including boating, fishing (the lake is stocked annually with trout), and swimming. You can also explore several miles of trails, including boardwalks through wetlands, and utilize sports facilities like basketball courts, volleyball courts, and disc golf. The park is ideal for families, with a spray ground for children and numerous picnic areas. For more details, you can visit the official park page at oregonmetro.gov.

Yes, several lakes around Gresham are great for families. Blue Lake Regional Park is highly popular, featuring a spray ground, playgrounds, and picnic areas. Lacamas Lake, particularly the Heritage Trail at Lacamas Lake, offers a wide, well-maintained path suitable for walks with children and opportunities for wildlife viewing. The area around Round Lakes Upper Dam also provides benches, grills, and restrooms, making it convenient for family outings.

Fishing is a popular activity at several lakes in the Gresham area. Blue Lake Regional Park is stocked annually with trout, and privately owned watercraft are permitted for angling during specific seasons. Lacamas Lake is also recognized as a popular spot for fishing, with rainbow and brown trout, bluegill, and bass.

You'll find a variety of hiking trails near Gresham's lakes. The Lake to Lake Trail, Lacamas Regional Park, offers striking scenery from rivers to forests. Oxbow Regional Park, while known for the Sandy River, features extensive hiking trails through old-growth forests. For more hiking options, you can explore various routes in the region, including the easy Salish Pond City Trail or the moderate Gresham-Fairview Trail. Find more details on these and other trails in the Hiking around Gresham guide.

Yes, the area features some notable historical landmarks. The Round Lakes Upper Dam, originally built in 1883 for a paper mill, is a significant man-made monument. Additionally, the reservoirs on the slopes of Mount Tabor, such as View of Mount Tabor Reservoir Number 5, are considered historic structures that once supplied Portland's drinking water.

Many trails and parks around Gresham's lakes are dog-friendly. The Lake to Lake Trail, Lacamas Regional Park, and the Heritage Trail at Lacamas Lake are both welcoming to dogs. Similarly, the City of Portland Reservoir Number 5 area at Mount Tabor is also dog-friendly, offering a great view.

The lakes around Gresham offer diverse natural beauty. At Blue Lake Regional Park, you can observe wetlands and wildlife along boardwalk trails. Oxbow Regional Park is celebrated for its old-growth forests, mossy woodlands, and the Sandy River, where you can observe salmon runs in the fall. Lacamas Lake provides opportunities to spot wildlife along its shoreline, and Binford Lake is integrated into urban wetlands and dense forests.

The best time to visit the lakes around Gresham largely depends on your preferred activities. Spring and summer are ideal for water-based activities like swimming, boating, and fishing, with pleasant weather for picnics and trails. Fall offers beautiful foliage, especially in areas like Oxbow Regional Park, and is excellent for observing salmon runs. Many trails remain accessible year-round for walking and hiking, weather permitting.

Yes, the Gresham area offers several road cycling routes that can be combined with visits to the lakes. For example, you can find routes like the Springwater Corridor loops or the Main City Park loop. These routes vary in difficulty from moderate to difficult. You can explore more options in the Road Cycling Routes around Gresham guide.

For scenic views, head to Mount Tabor. The View of Mount Tabor Reservoir Number 5 offers a great perspective of the reservoir and the city, especially after sunset. The City of Portland Reservoir Number 5 also provides excellent views of downtown Portland from its east end.

Yes, Binford Lake is an excellent choice for a convenient and accessible natural escape within Gresham. It's integrated into the Butler Creek Greenway Trail, which winds through urban wetlands and dense forests, making it perfect for walking, hiking, and enjoying nature without leaving the city limits.

Oxbow Regional Park stands out for its rugged, wilderness-like experience, primarily centered around the Sandy River rather than a traditional lake. It's celebrated for its old-growth forests, impressive ancient trees, and opportunities for observing salmon runs. It offers extensive hiking trails and camping, providing a more immersive nature experience close to the city.