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Oaks Amusement Park
Rating Details »
Category: Amusement Parks [Edit]
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland7805 SE Oaks Park Way
Portland, OR 97202
(503) 233-5777
- Hours:
Tue-Thu. 12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
16 reviews for Oaks Amusement Park
I really enjoy visiting Oak's Park. During the summer it really is a laid back place to be. Even with all the kids and families something about it takes you back to simpler times. If you think of amusement parks like Magic Mountain or Busch Garden's, this place is definitely not like that. It's not an adrenaline rush, it's more like a small old fashioned amusement park. Oak's Park is a small scale, old buildings, and has a country fair type feel.
The old roller rink is really cool even though it smells odd and old. Hey, this is what they did back in the day. It really is an experience. The park is also right on the Willamette River, which adds to the romantic ambiance. I think you can even take a train ride that goes all the way down to OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry).
During the summer it is usually really busy. Parking can get congested, but shouldn't be a problem if you have two feet and can walk. Hey, it's Oregon, do what the locals do. It's an enjoyable escape from the hustle of city life.
Ever wonder where they got the ideas for Scooby Doo? Hi. My name is Oaks Park--the poster child for beautifully creepy haunted amusement parks everywhere.
Sometimes I wake up in the morning and just feel lucky that I have my own authentic 1920's spooky carnival right down the street. It's a dream come true.
When I first moved here, I took a walk through Sellwood park and saw the aging riverside behemoth of fun poking through the trees and thought, 'My god, I've stepped into a 1970's horror movie. How awesome!"
The actual experience of Oaks is equal to the imagination. In a branded world of sophisticated corporate entertainment, it is so rare and precious to find a vanishing piece of authentic American cultural history preserved so well.
Sure, there are no 100 mph, hang upside down, double loop, make you sick with fear Batman rides at Oaks but, unlike Six Flags or Diseyland, Oaks Park is like a time machine where you can step back into your own childhood or even the childhood of someone born decades before you ever existed.
Oaks comes complete with every wonderfully seedy detail of the old time amusement park experience. It's slightly decrepit, full of authentically disturbing carnies, packed with rides that have that wonderfully dangerous 'maybe this is the time that it falls apart" feeling as you get on them and, finally, loads and loads of fun.
It also sports one of the best roller skating rinks I've seen in a long time that has, gasp, a working Wurlitzer organ in it.
But my favorite thing at Oaks currently is the Lewis and Clark ride. The first summer I was in Sellwood, the Lewis and Clark ride was actually the requisite Haunted House ride. And then during the Lewis and Clark bicentennial, they hastily switched it from haunted spookfest to pioneer celebration.
Only they didn't really switch anything. Took out a few skeletons. Repainted. And re-dressed any "animatronic" figures with coonskin caps and cured hide jackets. Including one figure that was clearly some sort of scary monster that now poses as an oddly vibrating Native American who is facing the wall away from the ride. Awesome! Strangely, it's more frightening this way.
Oaks Parks is great for kids, fun for adults and even fun for cynics who love encounters with decaying Americana.
This place really is a dump but Im still glad it's there. It really reminds me of that "KISS Meets The Phantom Of The Park" T.V movie from 1978.
Its too bad that they took out the Haunted Mine because it was the shit.
Well, I can see if you aren't a Jr Higher and you don't have small kids or family- this place might not be for you. However, I took my kiddos here this weekend past and it was a blast. Very small-kid friendly rides (my kiddos are 3 1/2, and 21mo old- so there were little rides they got to go on and they had a blast. The hours are strange- opening at 12 noon? But HEY! They don't charge admission or parking which is pretty amazing. Plus, it has a great small-town fair feel within the city limits- that's pretty special considering you don't have to drive to hicksville to experience an amusement park/ fair/ carnival type o' vibe. Very cool place and I'll definitely come again.
I used to love MAD LIBS though part of me always thought it was a crafty ploy by my teachers to get me to learn proper grammar skills.
Of course they were never as much fun as going to Portland's own amusement park...
On warm summer nights it is fun to get your friends together and go to a/an (adjective) PRICKLY place called Oaks Park. When you get there, you can rent a (noun) WATERMELON and go for a few laps around the roller rink. And don't worry, there are lots of (adjective) AVUNCULAR things to eat. You can start off with a hot dog on a/an (noun) BINOCULAR with mustard and relish on it. When you are full, it's time to go on the roller coaster, which should settle your (noun) ALIMONY. Other amusement park rides are the Octopus which is a little (adjective) ROBUST. The bumper cars are where you can sit on a big (noun) MOUSE-PAD and try to (verb) ERASE others as you drive around. If you want something (adjective) MIND-BENDING go on the Train Ride. It is sure to give you (noun) WHIPLASH. Oaks Park is a fun place to take kids, or act like one, if only for a few (noun) MILLENNIA.
Hahaha... oh that's wacky.
Awwwwngh, you're cute. You little amusement park you.
My childhood Spring's were marked by the County Fair. And the Santa Barbara County Fair was a mix of dog and pony and Magic Mountain sized rides. It always rocked. (How could it not rock at the Earl Warren Showgrounds.. as in the Warren Commission)
And then there were the Carnival's.. block sized hick shows, rickety ass rides, scaaarrry carnies. Oaks Park is the Carnival. Fun small rides, weird employee's, 2FerTuesday cheapness (tickets, food, candy, games!), but really, unless you're 7 with your folks, or 13 with your smooching buddy, it's just OK.
In it's defense, I dug the old timey Dance Hall Pavilion, and the multitude of picnic benches with lovely river views.
I don't even know where to start . . . It's a lost in the 70's, located in an angry-hippie, pass me a moon pie kind of town, where I don't ever seem to feel like I belong and yet always find places that I really identify with. While Portland continues to be an enigma for me, places like Oak Park help me find meaning in the abstract rebellion of the city.
Perhaps it was my low expectations and post Saturday Market need to escape people that allowed me to thoroughly enjoy every moment of the amusement park. Watching my daughter laugh and smile, filled with such excitement as she happily enjoyed every rickety, hokey small town carnival attraction not only gave my the vicarious ability to feel five years old again, but helped me to fondly remember all of the various boardwalks, fairs and city park carnivals of my own childhood.
Let me start by saying we took my 5 year old daughter here (per the sage suggestion of my wife) with my parents and brother while on a three week road trip from LA to BC. After a couple days of driving-hiking-eating-shopping, we decided to dedicate a Saturday afternoon at Oak park for my daughter. It was a great time!
The all-you-can-ride wristband is under $15, while my daughters wristband was slightly cheaper as it omitted her from 4 attractions that she wasn't tall enough to ride. The wristbands also admits you to a session in the roller rink, but unfortunately, we never made it that far. There is also the option to buy 7 individual ride tickets for $13 and go-carts are an additional $5.
Now . . . my favorite ride is a toss-up between either my shake-and-bake moment of glory (defeat) on the go cart track, or the absolute absurdity of the Lewis and Clark Expedition ride that fortuitously my daughter chose not to ride.
For the record, I would (and should) have won on the racetrack had I not tried to out think the diabolically erratic 12 year old that I was lapping, when suddenly he decided that perhaps hugging the outside of the track was fun ?#@&! I'd love to tell you it was a scene from CARS, but alas I felt like Ricky Bobby when my dear brother took my wife, my house, my remote and the lead in the race! As to the Lewis and Clark ride . . . take a camera. I continue to smile every time I look at the pictures.
The Ferris Wheel will give you beautiful views of the river, the roller coasters will jolt and bump you, and the train . . . well, (just smile) it is part of the charm. There are plenty of kid friendly rides, I found the entire staff to be refreshingly friendly, and I actually think this would be a sweet second-date kind of place.
Oak Park is a nostalgic, family friendly amusement park and while it's no Six Flags, it is uniquely and pleasantly Portland!
Hint: Anyone who made it this far - There is a nesting owl in the rafters of the Carousel, towards the Ferris Wheel. If you took the Lewis and Clark expedition to get a feel for Oregon, this owl may offer you some sort of redemption!
I really love this place. It's a simple, small park that is very manageable for small kids (mine are 2.5 and 4). There are plenty of ride options for all ages (well, probably ages 2 and up) and there is a nice picnic area by the river. The food options are limited so we generally bring our own.
There is nothing fancy about Oaks Park and that suits us just fine. Some could call it rickety or dated but I prefer eclectic.
One of the reviewers said it's like walking into a Stephen King story and that is absolutely true. A bit creepy...but in a good way.
Ughh...maybe it's because my family took me here all the time when I was a kid, but I totally can't stand Oaks Park. I literally laugh when my friends say they're taking their out-of-town friends there for a good time.
At night, from Sellwood, Oaks Park looks like a magical carnival with all their lights and what looks like a circus tent. When you get there, though, expect totally overpriced tickets and creepy ride operators. It's very...sketch. I'm always afraid the rides are going to break with me on them because they're old, and never feel very stable. But maybe that's the way it is with all carnival rides. The place has just been there so long, you'd think the rides could feel a little more, well, permanent. Also, avoid the bathrooms because they are gross.
BUT, the park is situated on a gorgeous piece of property. If you walk across the train tracks (really the only ride I'd recommend because it's so cute) and past the gazebo, you can walk up to the fence to look at the water. Now that's a sight!
Meh. Not great. Terrible hours. Really? You close at 7 on Saturday night? So lame. The rides are not great, probably more for kids. They do have go carts, but the course is pretty small. There are some typical amusement park food options, but nothing spectacular. No beer in the park, which brings me back to the point of it being more of a small family friendly place than a super fun amusement park.
This was the perfect spot for an afternoon with my 8 year old daughter. If you are not a Portland native, it's a little tough to find. After a couple of wrong turns we found our way bumping down a small road past Sellwood Park, and finally into the gates at Oaks Amusement Park.
If you are going to ride more than a couple rides, then a bracelet is the way to go. Since admission to the park is free, we "splurged" on the $14 deluxe bracelets. Though she was an inch shy of the height requirement for the "Looping Thunder" roller coaster, a few rides on the "Screamin Eagle" blew the tears right off her face.
Lots of other rides to enjoy for all ages too. I think I left my tummy on the "Round Up". We went faster (forwards and backwards) on the "Rock N Roll". And the "Zoom" coaster, though located in the kiddie area, was surprisingly thrilling.
Even though it was a beautiful summer day and the park was crowded, the wait for even the most popular rides was short. It was a refreshing change from the memorable queues at Disneyland and other theme parks. I think the lines at the food stands were longer and slower!
There are plenty of places to get some shade if it's a sunny day. The ride operators and staff seemed really friendly and happy to be there. The people watching opportunities are remarkable. The midway games are geared towards the younger set, and my daughter was the proud winner of a stuffed snake.
All in all, a great place for a family outing! We will be back with the rest of the crew... soon!
I've been to many a carnival in my day, and also plenty of fairs, but I can't recall the last time I hit an old school amusement park like this. Luckily for me, my friend was wrangling his toddler, so I got to go have fun with the 10 year old. Amusement parks are SO much better when you can see them through the eyes of a kid.
There is a decent little roller coaster, including a loop, that sadly ends too fast (we had to go on 3 times in a row to get our fill). And plenty of carnival rides that I had been too chicken to go on as a kid, but have now discovered I really was missing out on all that time.
One great bonus is that if you buy a day pass, rollerskating is included! The rink is a great old fashion one, that was rebuilt to float when the park periodically floods! Even if you don't skate, go inside to check out the old photos of women in giant hats and men in tuxedos on skates.
One of the weirdest parts of the park is the Lewis and Clark ride. My 10 year old friend was really excited to go on this, and I'm still not sure why. It is set up like a traditional tunnel of love or haunted house...super dark, with weird little exhibits around each corner. You follow the squeeky clean happy journey of Lewis and Clark and Sacajawea (and their dog - "everyone forgets Semen" my young friend bemoans), as they travel the wilderness, passing an anomatronic eagle, a dancing bear, and odd broken things which I can not explain. Once their journey has ended, suddenly there is an astronaut in a closet! And signs welcoming you to your future! So weird! So worth checking out.
Overall a fun place to go, especially if you are cheap like me and hate paying for individual rides at the fair...here you can ride all day for about $15. Woo hoo!
Just don't forget your sunscreen...though lines are terribly long (except for Iceys), you will spend a lot of time outdoors.
It is a perfect spot to take the kids on a cool summer day. Take even the youngest on the smaller rides and the mini roller coaster for some good fun.
My kids love Oaks Park. The roller coaster and old wooden carrousel are big hits. Here is a tip. Buy you kids a wrist band and then buy tickets for the parents. This way the kids can ride all the rides as many times as they want. There are some rides the kids and just ride and ride themselves. The wrist band is perfect. For the ones where a parent needs to accompany them, this is where the tickets come in. You can trade off between mom and dad and balance out the tickets to share the good time. Works great and saves a few dollars for lunch!
If you are tall be careful on the mini roller coaster. My knees have still non forgiven me many months later.
Oak's Amusement Park is one of those Portland oddities! When you see those signs that say, "Keep Portland Weird" this is what they're talking about. It's like walkin' around a Stephen King story!
Excellent people watching at this location!
The park is pretty small but it is a fun way to spend a few hours. I've posted some photos of the various rides so you can get the idea. Be sure to check their website (http://www.oakspark.com) to see when they'll be open. Their season is late March thru September.
And if you're really into adventure and want a "Total Portland" experience, take a tip from Mark In The Dark. Park at the north parking lot for Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. You can find info on the web. http://www.portlandonl... Then HIKE your way to the amusement park! It's a great trick to play on out of town guests! They think they're in for a day of nature (which they are), but suddenly they're at this amusement park built in 1905! It's two great experiences in one that you could only find in Portland, Orr-E-Gone! Walt Disney World just WISHES they could pull something like this off! Plus you don't have to hang out in BORE-Lando! :-)
There is also a vintage roller rink at Oaks Amusement Park which is a whole other story. Be sure to take a look when you're at Oaks.
Cons:
1. No Spook House
2. The carnival food IS spooky! Oaks could really make their park nicer by having a clean, modern looking food outlet. Even some shiny hot dog stands/ice cream stands would be a vast improvement. The drab little food hutch just doesn't cut it.
Oaks Bottom Wildlife Area is a great place to explore also, take the rest of the trail loop on your way back and get in some great bird watching. It's beautiful!
I am orginally from Portland. So please excuse me for loving this place. Every summer growing up, my mom would plan a special Oaks Park Day. I would pick 3 or 4 friends and we would head out to Oaks Park for a day of rides and a picnic. I still feel the excitement in my stomach when I think about it. Some of my favorite childhood memories are there.
So naturally when my daughter was old enough I could not wait to take her there. Unfortunately, I felt 18 mo was old enough and it really wasn't. That is okay, the next summer she was old enough. And we are hooked.
My daughter and I have spent 2 summers in a row now going to Oaks park every week. Oaks Park does preschool days every week. For $5 I can take my daughter on unlimited rides and she gets a snack and milk for story time after.
We don't need a big fancy amusement park. She is only 3. And I think this will make her happy until the teen years. I can only hope.
This is such a cute little amusement park! It's so different from the mainstream ones like Six Flags and King's Dominion. Though a bit small, I still had a fun time here. The ferris wheel was surprisingly big for a theme park of that size. I absolutely loved the little kiddie coaster!! :)
