Oaks Amusement Park
4.4(7.6K)google
KidsYouth-FriendlyOutdoorThrillingCarnivalHistory
Overview
Operating continuously since 1905, Oaks Amusement Park is one of the oldest continually operating amusement parks in the United States, located along the Willamette River. This historic park beautifully blends vintage charm with modern thrills, featuring classic roller coasters, midway games, and family-friendly carnival rides. The jewel of the park is its historic wooden roller skating rink, which features a live, massive Wurlitzer pipe organ that provides the music for skaters. It remains a beloved, generational playground for families looking to enjoy nostalgic summers, picnics, and scenic riverfront recreation.
Practical Info
Suggested DurationAbout 3-5 hours
Best TimeOutdoor rides and roller coasters operate seasonally from May to September, making summer the ideal window for families. During rainy days or winter, head directly to their famous historic indoor roller rink, which features a live pipe organ.
Getting TherePerched in the Sellwood neighborhood of South Portland. Drive south along OR-99E, exit at SE Tacoma St, and follow signs down to Oaks Park Way; a massive dedicated paid surface lot is available out front. Cyclists and pedestrians can also seamlessly access the gates via the Springwater Corridor trail.
Travel Tips
- Ride Bracelet Guide: Standard gate admission only grants entry to the grounds. To ride the historic roller coasters and spinning attractions, you must purchase a Ride Bracelet online, which is significantly cheaper than buying single attraction ride tickets on-site.
- Roller Rink Capacity: The famous century-old indoor roller-skating rink operates on separate timed sessions with rigid capacity caps. Head to the rink ticket counter immediately upon entering the park to secure your skating session wristband.
- Park Rules & Transit: Outside picnic food is permitted on the lawns, but glass containers, outside alcohol, and charcoal grilling are strictly prohibited. The on-site lot fills quickly on sunny weekends; plan to arrive 30 minutes before opening.
Reviews
Positive
- As one of the oldest operating roller rinks in the country, the massive historic wooden skating floor and live Wurlitzer pipe organ music provide immense visual and nostalgic grandeur, living up to its name.
- Situated right along the Willamette riverbanks, the setting is full of pristine park tranquility. Featuring roller coasters, mini-golf, and picnic groves alongside the skating, it offers fantastic fun for families.
- The amusement park provides a large, free on-site parking lot, making the driving convenience excellent for families. Paved flat ground ensures seamless basic accessibility for strollers and wheelchairs.
- Entering the grounds without a ride wristband is completely free, delivering great value for those just wishing to picnic under mature trees. On-site security and crowd management keep it safe and relaxing.
Heads up
- During peak summer weekends, the crowd density within the ride zone completely overloads. Long lines snake in front of every popular roller coaster, which dampens the overall experiential value.
- Because the property has a long history, some outdoor ride mechanics, public restrooms, and trash bins look dated. The facility upkeep requires modern remodeling, and multilingual guide text is absent.
- Secondary spending inside the park is quite costly. Buying the ride wristbands separately is pricey, and the fast food options like standard burgers and hot dogs carry a heavy, tourist trap premium.
- Public transit accessibility is somewhat lacking. For non-drivers, catching a bus or streetcar from downtown still leaves you with a long, unshaded walk down the approach road, which can be exhausting.