Park Hours
5:00am-midnight

• The beach will not have lifeguards on duty.
• Visitors who wish to enter the water do so at their own risk.
• Personal flotation devices ("life jackets") are allowed, but will not be available to borrow on site.
• Permanent restrooms are available a few minutes’ walk or bike north of the beach at South Waterfront Park Garden, 1831 SW River Drive.
• The nearest TriMet bus stops are 35 and 36. Note that road construction may affect TriMet routes; check trimet.org before you begin your trip.

About Poet's Beach

In the summer, when water levels are lower, Poet’s Beach has a sandy shore with river access, and an in-water swimming area delineated with a swim line and floats. The swim line’s purpose is to mitigate potential conflicts between swimmers and other river use, including boats and other watercraft. Because Poet’s Beach is not lifeguarded, swimmers enter the river at their own risk and need to be aware of the risks and potential hazards of entering the Willamette River. Water depth is shallow in the area of Poet’s Beach.

Permanent restrooms are available a few minutes’ walk or bike north of the beach at South Waterfront Park Garden, 1831 SW River Drive. Wayfinding signs will point Poet’s Beach users to the permanent restrooms.

Getting to Poet's Beach

Poet's Beach is in South Waterfront Park, on the west side of the Willamette River and just north of the I-5 Marquam Bridge.

• Walk, roll, or bicycle along the South Waterfront Park Trail. Bicycle racks are available at Poet’s Beach for short-term use. Please note that road construction may prevent access to Poet’s Beach via SW River Parkway. SW Hall St and SW Montgomery St are better alternatives.
• If taking public transportation, the nearest Portland Streetcar stop is SW River Parkway and Moody Avenue. The nearest TriMet bus stops are 35 and 36. Note that road construction may affect TriMet routes; check trimet.org before you begin your trip.
• If driving, the nearest road intersection is SW River Parkway and Moody Avenue. Paid vehicle parking is available in the area.

Click for Poet's Beach mapped location

River Conditions

Remember, river swimming means colder water, and currents change depending on the tide, river level, and wind. Safety is our top priority, if you are not a strong swimmer, consider a Personal Flotation Device (PFD).

• For river swimming safety tips, click here.
• Concerned about water quality? The Willamette River is safe to swim and play in most times of the year. The City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services samples for bacteria and temperature weekly during the summer at five popular locations, including near Poet’s Beach. portlandoregon.gov/bes/CheckTheRec.
• For the latest on river temperature and conditions specifically near Poet’s Beach, check out portlandoregon.gov/bes/waterquality/results.cfm?location_id=7132.
• Do not swim in the unlikely event of a combined sewer overflow, which could occur during periods of exceptionally heavy rain. Alerts are posted at portlandoregon.gov/bes/CheckTheRec as well as portlandoregon.gov/bes/overflow.
• Do not swim in the event of an algae bloom advisory; check status of algae bloom advisories at oregon.gov/oha/ph/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/HarmfulAlgaeBlooms/Pages/Blue-GreenAlgaeAdvisories.aspx.