Regatta Park on Devils Lake: What to Know Before You Go

The Pacific gets most of the attention in Lincoln City, but head a few minutes inland and you’ll find a completely different kind of waterfront.

Regatta Park on Devils Lake is a lakeside park with a swimming area, fishing dock, boat ramp, playground, picnic areas, walking trails, and views across the water. It’s an especially good stop for families, but you don’t need kids in tow to have a reason to visit. You can launch a kayak, cast a fishing line, walk through the woods, or simply bring lunch and find a spot overlooking the lake.

And when the Oregon Coast is feeling particularly breezy, Devils Lake can offer a nice change of scenery without actually leaving Lincoln City.

Here’s everything to know before visiting Regatta Park.

Regatta Park at a glance

Regatta Park sits on the western shore of Devils Lake in Lincoln City. The waterfront park includes a mix of developed recreation areas and wooded open space, so there’s considerably more here than just a playground.

Visitors will find:

• A playground
• Swimming area
• Fishing dock
• Boat ramp
• Kayak rack
• Picnic tables
• Covered picnic tables
• Restrooms
• Drinking fountain
• Grassy areas
• Walking trails
• Morgan Family Stage
• Musical play features
• Sparky the Wish Guardian
• An Oregon Heritage Tree
• Views of Devils Lake
• ADA parking and accessible areas

Lincoln City Parks & Recreation maintains the park, and the city’s current park information lists both upper and lower parking areas with ADA parking near accessible restrooms.

Where is Regatta Park?

Regatta Park is located on the west side of Devils Lake in Lincoln City. The park is tucked into the residential area east of Highway 101, so it feels surprisingly removed from the busier parts of town despite being only a short drive away.

If you’re staying on the oceanfront in Lincoln City, that makes Regatta Park an easy addition to your day rather than an excursion that requires giving up half your vacation to driving. From Highway 101, access the area by heading east on NE 14th Street toward Devils Lake.

What is Devils Lake?

Devils Lake is a large freshwater lake sitting just east of the Pacific Ocean in Lincoln City. That geography creates an interesting vacation dilemma: ocean or lake?

Fortunately, nobody is making you choose.

The lake provides opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking, and hiking. Public parks around Devils Lake provide different ways to reach the water, with Regatta Park being one of the most developed options for families.

For Sea Gypsy guests, it means you can spend the morning looking at the Pacific, head inland to Devils Lake for the afternoon, and be back at the ocean in time for sunset. That’s a pretty efficient use of a vacation day.

Is Regatta Park good for kids?

Very. Regatta Park has long been one of Lincoln City’s popular family parks, thanks largely to its distinctive Sandcastle Playground.

There are also musical play features at the park, grassy areas, and plenty of room to turn a quick playground visit into a longer afternoon by the lake.

If your kids have reached the point in vacation where another scenic viewpoint isn’t going to impress them, Regatta Park may have considerably more negotiating power.

Can you swim at Regatta Park?

Yes. Regatta Park has a designated swimming area along Devils Lake.

The swimming area includes a sandy entry area, although Lincoln City Parks & Recreation notes that it is bordered by a short curb.

Swimming at a freshwater lake is a completely different experience from stepping into the Pacific. While the ocean off Lincoln City is beautiful, it’s also cold, powerful, and subject to waves and currents.

Devils Lake provides another option for visitors who want to spend time around the water.

Conditions can change, of course, so use normal water safety precautions and check for any current advisories or closures before swimming.

Can you fish at Regatta Park?

Yes. Regatta Park has a fishing dock that provides direct access to Devils Lake. Lincoln City’s visitor information notes that anglers at Devils Lake may encounter fish including rainbow trout, bass, and panfish.

The fishing dock is also one of the more accessible parts of Regatta Park. According to Lincoln City Parks & Recreation, the dock is flat and reached using a paved ramp with a slight grade.

If you plan to fish, check current Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations before heading out, including licensing requirements, seasons, and applicable limits.

Even if the fish aren’t cooperating, sitting beside Devils Lake isn’t exactly a terrible consolation prize.

Can you launch a boat at Regatta Park?

Yes. Regatta Park has a public boat ramp providing access to Devils Lake.

That’s an important distinction because not every public recreation area around the lake offers a boat launch. For example, the Devils Lake State Recreation Area campground does not have its own launch.

If you’re towing a boat, be aware that parking is limited. A 2025 Oregon State Marine Board document described Regatta Park as having parking capacity for approximately 11 trailers and 19 cars near the waterfront area, so busy summer days can fill the available space.

Arriving earlier in the day is a smart move when boating conditions and summer crowds are both good.

What about kayaking and paddleboarding?

Devils Lake is a popular place to get out on calmer freshwater, and Regatta Park provides direct access to the lake.

The park currently lists a kayak rack and boat ramp among its amenities.

Kayaking or paddleboarding can also give you a different perspective on Lincoln City. Instead of watching waves roll toward shore, you’re paddling across a lake surrounded by homes, wetlands, trees, and wildlife habitat.

As with any water activity, check conditions before launching, wear an appropriate personal flotation device, and pay attention to other boats using the lake.

Take a walk through Regatta Open Space

Don’t assume everything worth seeing at Regatta Park is beside the water.

The park connects to wooded walking trails through Regatta Open Space, giving visitors a chance to leave the playground and shoreline behind for a little while.

One of the highlights is an enormous old Sitka spruce.

And when we say old, we don’t mean “planted before your parents were born.”

The tree is estimated to be around 400 years old and is recognized as an Oregon Heritage Tree. Lincoln City visitor information specifically highlights it as one of the features along the Regatta Open Space Trail.

That means the tree was already doing its thing centuries before Lincoln City existed.

The wooded portion of the park is a nice addition if you want a short nature walk without committing to a larger hike such as God’s Thumb, Cascade Head, or Drift Creek Falls.

Find Sparky the Wish Guardian

You won’t have to look very hard for one of Regatta Park’s most unusual residents.

Overlooking Devils Lake is Sparky the Wish Guardian, a massive metal sculpture that stands more than 16 feet tall and weighs around 2½ tons. The friendly lake creature was created by Lincoln City artists Heidi Erickson and Doug Kroger and has been watching over Regatta Park since 2012.

Look closely and you’ll see that Sparky is made from a combination of fabricated steel and recycled materials, including tire tread. But the most important part of the sculpture is inside.

Suspended in Sparky’s body is a large heart designed as a “wish vessel.” The heart holds wishes collected from hundreds of people, which is how this giant lakeside creature became the Wish Guardian.

Sparky is hard to miss, and that’s intentional. The sculpture was designed on a large enough scale to fit the wide-open setting of Regatta Park without blocking the view of Devils Lake behind it.

It also makes for one of the more unexpected photo stops in Lincoln City. Beach photos are pretty much guaranteed on an Oregon Coast vacation. A picture with a 2½-ton wish-guarding lake creature takes a little more explaining.

Have a picnic overlooking Devils Lake

Regatta Park is also an easy place to turn lunch into part of the day’s activity. The park has regular picnic tables as well as covered picnic tables, grass, a gazebo, drinking water, and lake views.

Pack lunch at your condo, grab takeout somewhere in Lincoln City, or bring snacks and settle in for a while. A covered table shelter is also available for reservations through Lincoln City Parks & Recreation, with a two-hour minimum rental. The Morgan Family Stage can also be reserved.

For an ordinary visit, however, you don’t need to turn lunch into an organized event. Find a spot, eat, and enjoy the lake. Vacation can be complicated enough.

Why is it called Regatta Park?

The name isn’t random. Devils Lake once hosted major speedboat regattas that drew enormous crowds to the area.

The first official Devils Lake Regatta took place in 1933, attracting boating teams and swimmers from around Oregon. According to Lincoln City’s historical records, Devils Lake’s location at sea level made it particularly well suited to speedboat racing, and the lake was associated with numerous world speedboat racing records.

The event included much more than boats. Early regattas featured activities such as swimming, log rolling, foot races, boat parades, concerts, picnics, and dancing.

The first event was estimated to have attracted around 15,000 people and 5,000 cars—enough of a success that organizers needed a larger location the following year. The Devils Lake Regatta Grounds were selected for the 1934 event.

Annual regattas continued through 1940 before World War II restrictions brought the tradition to an end. An attempt to revive the event in 1947 didn’t reach the same level of success.

Today’s park is considerably more relaxed. Unless your kids are racing toward the playground.

Is Regatta Park accessible?

Several areas of Regatta Park have accessibility features. According to Lincoln City Parks & Recreation, ADA parking is available in both the upper and lower parking lots near ADA restrooms. The fishing dock can be reached by a paved ramp with a slight grade, while the Morgan Family Stage and musical play area are reached by paved, flat walkways.

Not every part of the park has the same level of accessibility. The grassy area sits on a hill and varies in stability, the swimming area’s sandy surface has a short curb around it, and portions of the playground use bark chips.

Visitors with specific accessibility needs may want to review Lincoln City Parks & Recreation’s current accessibility information before visiting.

Are there restrooms at Regatta Park?

Yes. Public restrooms are available at Regatta Park. There is also a drinking fountain, which is handy if your quick playground stop somehow becomes three hours. Parents know how this works.

When is the best time to visit Regatta Park?

Summer is the obvious choice if swimming, boating, kayaking, or spending an afternoon beside the lake is your priority. It’s also likely to be the busiest.

Spring and fall can be great for walking the trails, fishing, picnicking, and enjoying Devils Lake when there are fewer visitors around. On a clear fall day, you may get the scenery without as much competition for parking.

Winter visits are more weather dependent. You probably won’t be packing the swimsuits, but the wooded trails and lake views can still make Regatta Park worth a stop.

On warm summer weekends, consider visiting earlier in the day, particularly if you need boat-trailer parking.

What should you bring?

What you bring to Regatta Park depends on what you plan to do, but a few things may come in handy:

• Swimsuits and towels
• Water shoes
• Sunscreen
• Drinking water
• Picnic or snacks
• Fishing gear and required license
• Kayak or paddleboard equipment
• Personal flotation devices
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Layers or a light jacket

Yes, even in summer. This is still the Oregon Coast.

How long should you spend at Regatta Park?

Regatta Park can be a 30-minute stop or most of your afternoon. If you’re visiting primarily for the playground, you may be there for an hour or two. Add swimming, fishing, a picnic, or a walk through the open space, and it’s easy to spend considerably longer.

That’s part of what makes it useful for vacation planning. You don’t necessarily need an itinerary for Regatta Park. You can just show up and see where the afternoon goes.

Other things to do around Devils Lake

Regatta Park isn’t the only place to experience Devils Lake. Other public recreation areas around the lake include Sandpoint Park, which has a sandy beach, picnic facilities, and restrooms, as well as East Devils Lake State Recreation Area, where visitors can access the water and surrounding natural areas.

That means you can explore more than one side of the lake if you have the time. Or you can head back toward the Pacific. That’s one of the unusual things about Lincoln City: a lake day and an ocean day don’t have to be separate days.

Regatta Park FAQ

Where is Regatta Park in Lincoln City?

Regatta Park is located on the western shore of Devils Lake, east of Highway 101 in Lincoln City. The park is accessed from the NE 14th Street area.

Is Regatta Park free?

There is no general admission fee listed by Lincoln City Parks & Recreation for visiting Regatta Park. Certain facilities, including the picnic shelter and Morgan Family Stage, can be reserved for private use.

Can you swim at Regatta Park?

Yes. Regatta Park has a designated swimming area on Devils Lake.

Is there a playground at Regatta Park?

Yes. The Sandcastle Playground is one of the park’s best-known features.

Can you fish at Regatta Park?

Yes. Regatta Park has a fishing dock on Devils Lake. Check current Oregon fishing license requirements and regulations before fishing.

Is there a boat ramp at Regatta Park?

Yes. The park has a boat ramp providing access to Devils Lake.

Can you kayak at Regatta Park?

Yes. Regatta Park provides water access and includes a boat ramp and kayak rack. Devils Lake is used for kayaking and other paddling activities.

Are there restrooms at Regatta Park?

Yes. Regatta Park has public restrooms, including ADA-accessible restroom facilities.

Does Regatta Park have picnic tables?

Yes. You’ll find picnic tables and covered tables at the park. A covered table shelter can also be reserved through Lincoln City Parks & Recreation.

Are there hiking trails at Regatta Park?

Regatta Park connects with wooded walking trails through Regatta Open Space. One of the highlights is an approximately 400-year-old Sitka spruce recognized as an Oregon Heritage Tree.

Trade the ocean for the lake—at least for an afternoon

One of the best parts about visiting Lincoln City is that the Pacific isn’t your only option when you want to spend the day near the water.

Regatta Park gives you a completely different side of town. Swim in Devils Lake. Launch a kayak. Cast a line from the fishing dock. Let the kids loose on the playground. Find the old-growth Sitka spruce. Have lunch overlooking the water.

Then head back to Sea Gypsy Rentals, where the D River meets the Pacific, and switch your lake view back to an ocean view.

Two waterfronts in one day. Not bad for a town you can drive across in a few minutes.