Smith Lake

Smith Lake is part of the Smith and Bybee Lakes Wildlife Area, one of  the nation's largest urban freshwater wetlands, comprising almost 2000 acres.  Located in North Portland near the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, the wetlands provide for diverse communities of plant and animal life, including beavers and Western painted turtles.  Over 100 species of birds have been recorded in the area.  Metro Regional Parks and Greenspaces manages the wildlife area.

In 1999, Portland General Electric donated it's 313 acre portion of Smith Lake in North Portland to The Wetlands Conservancy.  PGE originally  purchased the Smith Lake property in the early 1980's as a mitigation site for possible Hayden Island development, plans since abandoned.

How to Get There

These are directions to the parking lot on N. Marine Drive.  Take I-5 to west N. Marine Dr. (exit 307). (If you’re going north on I-5, the exit road continues for about 1 mile before a right turn onto N. Marine Dr.) After about 2 miles on N. Marine Dr., you'll be on an overpass from which you can see Smith Lake on the left. At the bottom of the overpass, proceed for about 200 yards and turn left into the parking lot.

For More Information

Metro's website for Smith and Bybee Lakes Wildlife Area
Friends of Smith & Bybee Lakes

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