Sauvie Island

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.

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 accomidates 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 adjacant rivers.

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.

Do

 * Sauvie Island Wildlife Area - DPLA - 8430d6e45f7551adb928c511f8eb45b5.jpg

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.