Kelley Point Park, Urban park at Columbia and Willamette Rivers confluence, Portland, US
Kelley Point Park is an urban park at the northern tip of Portland, Oregon, located exactly where the Columbia River and the Willamette River meet. The grounds are covered with native black cottonwood trees, and several viewpoints along the bank give a clear view of the two rivers flowing together.
During the 20th century, the site was managed by the Port of Portland and used to deposit material dredged from the rivers. In 1984, the land was converted into a public park open to everyone.
The park takes its name from Hall Jackson Kelley, an early American promoter who campaigned for settlement in Oregon during the 19th century. Visitors today experience the place mostly through its natural setting, where the two rivers meeting at the edge of the city create a sense of arrival or departure that feels unlike any other spot in Portland.
The park sits at the northern edge of Portland and is reached by driving through industrial areas, so arriving by car is the most practical option. Once inside, paved trails connect to Portland's 40-Mile Loop, and picnic areas with restroom facilities are spread across the grounds.
The precise point where the two rivers meet is actually located in the water, not on the shore, so what visitors see from the bank is an approximation of the true confluence. On calm days, the difference in color and speed between the two currents is visible on the surface of the water.
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