Visiting Sauvie Island Wildlife Area's Beaches

A new Sauvie Island Beaches Parking Permit will be required on summer weekends from June 15 - Labor Day beginning summer 2026.

In April 2026, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission approved changes to the Sauvie Island Beaches Parking Permit program. A new Sauvie Island Beaches Parking Permit will be required on certain days beginning summer 2026.

Where and when will the permit be required?

Beginning summer 2026, a new Sauvie Island Beaches Parking Permit will be required at Walton, Collins, and North Unit Beaches on weekends and holidays from June 15–Labor Day.

The traditional annual Wildlife Area Parking Permit remains valid across the rest of SIWA, including at Willow Bar and Gilbert boat ramp. It is valid at all Sauvie Island beaches outside the summer season weekends/holidays, including access to the Warrior Rock Trail.

Only vehicles with Sauvie Island Beaches Parking Permit will be able to park at the Walton Beach, Collins Beach, and North Unit parking areas during those select summer weekends. Vehicles travelling to the beaches will be required to go through a check station at Reeder and Rentenaar Road to confirm possession on some days. Parking along roads or other areas is prohibited and violators may be towed.

The program does not limit the number of people who may enter the Wildlife Area — it only limits the number of vehicles to keep Reeder Road open to emergency access and prevent the gridlock we've seen in past summers.

How much will it cost?

Sauvie Island Beaches Parking Permit: Required only at Walton, Collins and North Unit beaches on summer weekends and holidays. A daily permit is $10, and a seasonal permit is $30 (limited number available).

Wildlife Area Parking Permit: Still valid everywhere on the wildlife area except the three beaches on summer weekends and holidays. A daily permit is $10, and an annual permit is $30.

How to purchase a permit?

Sauvie Island Beaches Parking Permits and Wildlife Area Parking Permits will be available for purchase online or by visiting a license sale agent. More information about when permits will be available is coming soon.

On hot summer weekends and holidays, vehicles at Sauvie Island's beaches can outnumber parking spaces by a large margin, leading to traffic jams and safety issues.

Why is ODFW making this change?

During hot summer weather, many people flock to Sauvie Island Wildlife Area's beaches to swim in the Columbia River. On weekends and holidays, vehicles can outnumber parking spaces by a large margin, leading to traffic jams and safety issues.

The over-capacity of visitors threatens public safety and wildlife habitat. Visitors who can't find a parking spot tend to park on dry grass along roadsides, creating a fire risk. Emergency vehicles have been unable to quickly reach the beaches due to traffic jams and double parking.

The level of traffic and parking problems also damages riparian wildlife habitat along the beaches of Sauvie Island Wildlife Area, which is set aside primarily as wildlife habitat for migratory birds.

Finally, it impacts residents of Sauvie Island, who report visitors parking on their property and jamming roads, leaving them unable to travel or leave the island on weekends.

A pilot program was launched during summer 2025 to manage overcrowding issues, improve the user experience and protect public safety and wildlife. Last summer's pilot showed that even on the busiest days, visitors who planned ahead were consistently able to get a permit and, importantly, were able to find parking more easily once they arrived. ODFW's goal is to manage summer congestion while keeping the island accessible for beach goers, wildlife watchers, and all other users.

What if I already purchased an annual Wildlife Area Parking Permit with the intention of visiting Sauvie Island Beaches?

For customers that already purchased the Annual Wildlife Parking Permit for 2026 with the primary intent of visiting Sauvie Island Beaches; ODFW will be reaching out directly to these customers to explain the new system. A warning was added to ELS so people would know that changes might be coming and could make an informed decision before purchase. Requests for refunds will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

ODFW welcomes feedback on how to improve the Sauvie Island beaches parking program, please leave your feedback below.

To learn more about Sauvie Island Wildlife Area, see our Visitor Guide.