Sauvie Island - Definition and Overview

Sauvie Island is an island in the Columbia River approximately ten miles West-Northwest of downtown Portland, Oregon across the Multnomah Channel from U.S. Highway 30. The island is home to agricultural zones and a small number of year-round residents. There is one industrial factory in the southeast corner of the island. The Sauvie Island bridge is located near the industrial zone and a small grocery store. Bicyclists flock to the island because of its flat topography and lengthy amount of low-volume roads that are ideal for cycling.

Recreational beaches

The island is also the location of several riverside beaches, including Reeder Beach and the clothing optional North Star Beach on the island's east coast along NW Reeder Road's last few miles. These beaches have largely taken in the beachgoing crowd in Portland since the pave-over of Jantzen Beach and the closure of the Jantzen Beach Boardwalk on nearby Hayden Island in North Portland. The beaches are open from dawn to 10 PM and are closed to overnight camping, all dogs and open fires as the beach is in a wildlife refuge. Beach parking is subject to Sauvie Island Wildlife Area parking permits, which are $3/day or $13/year and are available at all stores on the island and many near the island. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, which maintains the Sauvie Island beaches, will have your vehicle towed and impounded at your risk and expense (usually totals around $700) if your vehicle does not have a permit, year round.

Example Usage of Sauvie