Sauvie Island Wildlife Area Visitors' Guide
Sauvie Island Wildlife Area was established in 1947 with primary objectives of protecting and improving waterfowl habitat and providing a public hunting area. The initial purchase of five acres in 1940 and subsequent purchases through 2012 has brought the wildlife area to its present size of 11,643 acres, of which 8,153 acres are under fee title to the department and 3,490 acres are managed through a cooperative agreement with the Oregon Department of State Lands. Currently, the wildlife area supports a biologically diverse association of wildlife which includes at least 275 species of birds, 37 species of mammals, 12 species of reptiles and amphibians, and numerous species of fish and plants.
NEW LIMITED ENTRY PARKING SUMMER 2025: From July 4-Sept. 1, 2025, a new limited entry pilot parking program will be in effect on weekends and holidays at Sauvie Island Wildlife Area beaches. This is to manage ongoing traffic and parking problems. Starting July 4, vehicles will need a free Sauvie Island Beaches Pass in addition to the Wildlife Area Parking Permit ($10 daily) to park on weekends and holidays at the beaches' parking lots—Walton Beach, Collins Beach, Willow Bar and North Unit. A check station will be in effect on some weekends and holidays to check vehicles for the Pass and Permit. Visitors are urged to get a Beaches Pass and Parking Permit BEFORE coming to Sauvie Island. Purchase online or by visiting a license sale agent.
A parking permit is required to park at this wildlife area at all times. Find out how to buy a parking permit. No person shall possess or use alcoholic beverages or consumable products containing alcohol from May 1 through September 30 on the Wildlife Area.
Best time to visit: September - March for viewing waterfowl and sandhill cranes. January - March for viewing bald eagles. May - August for warm water fishing. Spring and summer are best for songbird viewing. Portions of the wildlife area are closed to public access October - April for the protection of waterfowl. Wildlife Area hours are 4 am to 10 pm daily.
Closure Information: The following units are closed Oct. 1 - April 15*
- Westside
- *Eastside (open may 1)
- Oak Island
- The North unit.
Areas open for public use are: Raccoon Point Overlook, Eastside Wildlife Viewing Platform, Rentenaar Road, Columbia River Beaches, and the trail to Warrior Rock. All open areas are on Reeder Road.
Visiting hours: Wildlife Area hours are 4 am to 10 pm daily.
Sauvie Island Wildlife Area Map (pdf)
What to see and do: Hunting, fishing, birdwatching, hiking, trapshooting, photography, dog training and canoeing are among the activities available. A map of the wildlife area can be found at the wildlife area headquarters.
- Wildlife: ducks, swans, geese, sandhill cranes, black-tailed deer, and coyote
- Facilities: boat ramp, camp host, fishing, ADA accessible, hunting, picnic area, restrooms, small boats, trails
- Nearby: Howell Territorial Park is located one mile north of the Sauvie Island bridge and has picnic areas. The island is 20 minutes east of downtown Portland and one hour from the coast.
Sauvie Island Beach Areas Map (pdf
Directions: Take Hwy. 30 to the Sauvie Island Bridge. After crossing the bridge, stay on NW Sauvie Island Road for about two miles. Stay left at the “Y” intersection. The wildlife area headquarters is on the right about 1/4 mile past the “Y” intersection.
Address and Phone:
Sauvie Island Wildlife Area
18330 NW Sauvie Island Road
Portland, OR 97231
(503) 621-3488
Additional resources:
Find a Rec Report
Current conditions and opportunities to fish, hunt and see wildlife. Updated weekly by fish and wildlife biologists throughout the state.