About this spot
High Rocks Park sits on the Clackamas River in Gladstone, just off McLoughlin Blvd/99E, with a small parking area and a short walk down to a columnar-basalt ledge popular for jumping and sunbathing. It's also one of Oregon's most dangerous swimming spots: strong current, an undercut bank, hidden underwater ledges, and cold water have caused multiple drownings, including fatalities in recent years, several involving alcohol. Trained lifeguards are stationed here through the summer specifically because of that accident history - swim only when they're present, and never alone. Water calms and drops through peak summer; early-season and post-rain flows are far more dangerous. Wear a life jacket if you're not a strong swimmer.
Safety first. Cliff jumping is inherently dangerous and can cause serious injury or death. Conditions — water depth, submerged hazards, and access — change constantly. CliffScout is community-sourced reference information, not a guarantee a spot is safe. Always assess the conditions yourself before jumping, and never jump where you're unsure. You assume all risk.