Overview
Sauvie Island is in the Portland Metropolitan Area of northwestern Oregon. Located between the Columbia River, Willamette River, and Multnomah Channel the island is made up of sediment mainly deposited by the Willamette River where it enters the Columbia. It is one of the largest river islands in the United States.
3 sights · 5 things to do · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Sauvie Island
Howell Territorial Park
Large park centered on the Bybee-Howell House, a restored site dating to the 1850s. The park is frequently visited by birders who can find waterfoul in wetlands and forested locations.
Wapato Access
Oregon state park property along Multnomah Channel with a dock, dense forest, and wetland area good for viewing wildlife. Part of the larger Willamette Greenway, a series of nature areas along the length of the Willamett…
Warrior Rock Lighthouse
A lighthouse built in 1877 serving boat traffic on the Columbia River. It is the smallest lighthouse in Oregon and is at the end of a 3 mi hike.
Sauvie Island Wildlife Area
Wildlife area encompassing 11643 acre on the northern end of the island with numerous outdoor activities including hiking, canoeing/kayaking, bird watching, fishing, and hunting. Some Sauvie Island beaches are part of th…
Collins Beach
Sandy beach along the Columbia River. The northern end of the beach is clothing optional.
Columbia Farms U-Pick
Farm featuring numerous u-pick fruit when in season with fruits coming on in Spring and Summer. Pumpkins also available in fall.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 36°F. Wettest: Dec and Nov. (climate data from nearby Portland)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PDX Portland International Airport, Portland — 13 mi away (major hub). Directions
- SLE Salem-Willamette Valley Airport/McNary Field, Salem — 56 mi away. Directions
There is a single bridge, accessing the island from U.S. Highway 30. It is located on the southwest corner of the island and accommodates vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. At the base of the bridge is a parking lot that is the end of the line for TriMet's Route originating in Downtown Portland. provides mooring for boats traveling up and down the adjacent rivers.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Howell Territorial Park, Wapato Access, Sauvie Island Farms
- Afternoon The Pumpkin Patch and The Maize, Columbia Farms U-Pick
Day 2
- Morning Warrior Rock Lighthouse
- Afternoon Collins Beach
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The island was first inhabited by Native Americans with multiple settlements being described by various 18th and 19th century explorers. Epidemics of diseases brought by European and Euro-American explorers mostly wiped out this population by the mid 19th century with the Hudson's Bay Company removing survivors around that time. Since then, small farms have operated on the island with multiple u-pick fruit options for visitors and a few small fall festivals. The north end of the island is largely undeveloped with multiple shallow lakes, a lighthouse, and beaches on the Columbia River shore.
Get in
There is a single bridge, accessing the island from U.S. Highway 30. It is located on the southwest corner of the island and accommodates vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. At the base of the bridge is a parking lot that is the end of the line for TriMet's Route originating in Downtown Portland. provides mooring for boats traveling up and down the adjacent rivers.
Go Wapato Bridge
Get around
By car & bicycle
Sauvie Island is crossed by multiple paved two-lane roads with a few gravel roads in more isolated areas. Shoulders are rare but because of low traffic volumes and few hills, the island is a popular location for road biking.
By public transit
The island is served by TriMet Route 16 which originates in Downtown Portland, passes through the Northwest and St Johns neighborhoods, and terminates at the base of the Wapato Bridge. There is no public transportation serving other parts of the island.
See
See Warrior Rock Lighthouse
A lighthouse built in 1877 serving boat traffic on the Columbia River. It is the smallest lighthouse in Oregon and is at the end of a 3 mi hike.
Do
Do Collins Beach
Sandy beach along the Columbia River. The northern end of the beach is clothing optional.
Farms
Buy
Sleep
Camping
Go next
Sauvie Island is near Portland and St. Helens. Numerous outdoor activities are also nearby in Columbia County, the Portland area, and the Cascade Mountains in Washington and Oregon.
Nearby
Ridgefield
City / town · 10 listings · 8 mi away
St. Helens
City / town · 8 listings · 10 mi away
Vancouver
City / town · 39 listings · 11 mi away
Woodland
City / town · 11 listings · 14 mi away
Portland
City / town · 66 listings · 15 mi away
Aloha
City / town · 23 listings · 15 mi away
Beaverton
City / town · 37 listings · 16 mi away
Hillsboro
City / town · 71 listings · 16 mi away
My experience
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