Oaks Amusement Park is a throwback: a family-run amusement park on the east bank of the Willamette River in the Sellwood neighborhood, operating for well over a century, where the rides are arranged along a classic midway rather than a themed resort. The park lists 24 rides, a mix of thrill rides, kiddie rides and carnival classics, plus games and a midway full of snack stands, and its charm lies in how unhurried it feels compared with a large theme park. Next door sits the roller rink, which the park describes as America's oldest and most famous, and which is open year-round, so there is something to do here even when the rides are not running. This matters for planning: the rides close for the winter, and the park's own site says it reopens for its 122nd season on March 20, 2027, so a November visit means the rink rather than the midway. The park sells tickets and wristbands online, with quantities limited, so buying ahead guarantees admission, particularly on busy days. Onsite, the park accepts credit, debit, prepaid cards and mobile pay, and cash guests can load cash onto a prepaid card at a reverse ATM. It is a low-key, nostalgic choice for families with younger children and for visitors who want a different kind of Portland afternoon.
Choosing between rides and rink
During the riding season, wristbands are the usual value for anyone planning several rides, while individual tickets suit light riders with small children. The roller rink runs sessions that differ by day and audience, including preschool skate sessions and special sensory-friendly sessions with quieter music and the party lights off, which the park has scheduled around holidays.
Check the session calendar before you go, because public skate times are not constant, and arrive early for popular sessions. Rental skates are available, and the rink is good for beginners as well as experienced skaters.
Setting is part of the appeal. The park sits beside the river near the Sellwood Bridge, with the Springwater Corridor trail and the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge close by, so you can pair a morning of birdwatching or cycling with an afternoon on the midway. In summer the open air and the river make it an enjoyable evening destination, and the Sellwood antique and restaurant district a few minutes away has places to eat afterward.
Parking is on site, and TriMet buses serve the area, though the park is more convenient by car or bike than by transit.
Honest expectations
This is not a megapark. The rides are modest in scale, and big thrill-seekers may find the lineup tame compared with a major theme park. For families with children under about ten, and for adults after a nostalgic carnival atmosphere, it is a good-value afternoon. Check the opening days and hours on the park's hours page before traveling, because the schedule varies by season and weather, and note that the business office keeps weekday office hours that do not match ride hours.
If your trip falls in winter, treat the rink as the attraction and plan the rest of your day around indoor Portland highlights.
What to expect
The experience
A classic riverside amusement park with 24 rides, games and a year-round roller rink.
Best time
Spring through early autumn for the rides, which reopen March 20, 2027; the rink is open year-round.
How long
Three to five hours.
Tips
Buy tickets or wristbands online, since quantities are limited. Check rink session times before you go. Rides are closed for winter.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families with younger children and anyone who enjoys old-school carnival rides and roller skating.
- Families
- Excellent: modest rides, games and the roller rink suit children of many ages.
- Couples
- Nostalgic and relaxed, especially at the rink.
- Pair with
- The Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge or Sellwood's antique and dining district.
- Time needed
- Three to five hours.
Good questions
When are the rides open?+
The rides are closed for winter and reopen for the 122nd season on March 20, 2027. Check the park's hours page for the season you plan to visit.
Is the roller rink open in winter?+
Yes. The roller rink is open year-round, though session times vary.
How many rides are there?+
The park lists 24 rides along its classic midway.
Should I buy tickets in advance?+
Yes. Tickets and wristbands are sold online, quantities are limited, and buying ahead guarantees admission.
How do I pay on site?+
The park accepts credit, debit, prepaid cards and mobile pay, and cash guests can load cash onto a prepaid card at a reverse ATM.
