Enjoy The Gorge from the Water!
The Gorge is a great place for water lovers. Boaters and canoeists can explore the Columbia River’s peculiarities, while windsurfers and kiteboarders come from around the world to experience the wind tunnel that is The Gorge. You don't have to venture deep into the Gorge to find fun water recreation — the Sandy River is well regarded in the region for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and especially just floating down the river.
Trout Route
There’s nothing quite like floating the river on a warm summer day, but the logistics of driving, parking, and towing around a giant innertube can complicate an otherwise relaxing day. Enter the Trout Route shuttle service! The Trout Route makes access to the Sandy River easier and more convenient. Designed to reduce parking demand at popular river access points, this shuttle provides transportation to and from the river for visitors arriving by TriMet or by car.
Operated by Sasquatch Shuttle and funded in part by a grant from Travel Oregon, the service also offers tube rentals for those who need equipment, and provides an easy connection to downtown Troutdale, where riders can stop for restaurants, cafés, and food carts before or after their float.
The Trout Route operates Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and helps visitors enjoy the Sandy River while simplifying transportation, parking, and even tube rentals.
How it Works
Start your adventure at the Sasquatch Adventures store, located in the southeast corner of the Columbia Gorge Outlets. From there, a shuttle takes you upriver to Dabney State Recreation Area, where your float begins. From Dabney, you'll leisurely drift down the Sandy River's cool, glacial water for approximately 2-3 hours. Make sure to hop out at the beach at Glenn Otto Park — on the left bank of the river before the current picks up speed — and goes under the big, green bridge. You'll know you're at the right spot when you see the lifeguards. After you get out of the water, just grab your tube and follow the path up to the parking lot where the shuttle picks you up and brings you downtown or back to the outlet mall.
Shuttle tickets and tube rentals are available at the store on a first-come, first-served basis, or you can purchase tickets online in advance. If you have your own tube, you can buy a shuttle-only ticket.
Plenty of free parking is available at the Columbia Gorge Outlets. The lot accommodates all vehicle types, including RVs.
Shuttle Schedule & Pricing
The shuttle runs Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day on Saturdays, Sundays, Memorial Day, and Labor Day Monday.
Shuttles depart hourly. The first shuttle leaves the outlets at 11:30 a.m. Last tube rental is at 4:30 p.m. Last return shuttle is at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are available at the Sasquatch Adventures store or online at sasquatchshuttle.com.
- Shuttle Only (bring your own tube): $10
- Tube + Shuttle Combo: $19 per person
- 4-Pack Tube + Shuttle: $60
What to Know Before You Go
- No reservations are required, but summer weekends fill up fast — so consider arriving early
- Life jackets are provided for all floaters; kids must wear theirs at all times on the water, and adults must bring one along
- Water shoes are strongly recommended
- Wear clothes you're comfortable getting wet — and don't forget the sunscreen!
- Children who can comfortably span the tube opening may float independently. Younger children ride on a parent's lap.
Questions? Contact Sasquatch Adventures directly at (503) 852-9092 or info@sasquatchshuttle.com, or visit sasquatchshuttle.com/tubing for full details and online ticketing.
More Swimming Options
A popular swimming hole is at Lewis & Clark State Park near the mouth of the Sandy River, while Glenn Otto Park has a fantastic beach area on the Sandy River in Troutdale itself. The popular location is typically open from Memorial Day to Labor Day with lifeguards and a life jacket loaner station. If you fancy a dip in the Columbia, however, Rooster Rock State Park has three miles of river access.
Canoers, kayakers and paddle boarders find the Sandy River fits a wide range of abilities along the Sandy River Water Trail. The calm waters at Glen Otto Park or the Lewis & Clark Recreation Site allow for relaxing paddle boarding and kayaking. Those seeking a more natural environment can put in at Oxbow Regional Park or Dabney State Recreation Area. Adventurists can go even further upstream to find Class II and IV whitewater depending on the season. Regardless of the activity, it's always very important to follow these basic safety guidelines.
If river swimming isn't your thing, the Mt. Hood Community College Aquatic Center includes a 25 yard, six-lane competitive pool, an instructional pool, and an outdoor swimming pool, which is an Olympic-size 50-meter pool with depths from six to 17 feet. Adult lap swim and family recreational swim times are available. The Reynolds Swim Center is an indoor pool managed by Mt. Hood Aquatics that is available for fitness and swim lessons.
The following resources help visitors to Troutdale enjoy their water activities:
