Bonneville Dam is located 145 miles upriver from the mouth of the Columbia River near the town of Cascade Locks, Oregon. A Public Works Administration project of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, portions of Bonneville Lock and Dam Project were declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987. Located just 40 miles from downtown Portland, Bonneville Lock & Dam provides opportunities to connect with nature and create unforgettable memories. 

Robins Island Recreation Area (OR): Open daily 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., (Closed Thanksgiving Day and December 24^th through January 1^st). This area's large picnic shelter accommodates up to 100 people, and has horseshoe pits, a playground and open grassy areas for outdoor recreation such as ball and disc games. Visitors also enjoy this area's bird-watching and scenic views of the Columbia Gorge. Directions: Once on the Oregon side of the Bonneville property, travel to the flag pole intersection and bear right. Cross the navigation lock and then turn left at the sign for Robins Island.

Bradford Island Recreation Area (OR): Open daily 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., (Closed Thanksgiving Day and December 24^th through January 1^st). Located just below the fish ladders, this site affords spectacular spillway views of the surrounding Columbia River Gorge. Wildlife viewing includes views of osprey in the summer and bald eagles in the winter. Fishing for sturgeon, salmon, steelhead and shad are popular activities on the shoreline of this island recreation area however it should be noted that much of the bank is steep. Directions: Once on Bonneville property, go to the flag pole intersection and bear right.  After stopping at the guard station, cross the navigation lock and the first powerhouse, then turn left at the sign for Bradford Island Recreation Area.

Tanner Creek Fishing Area (OR): Seasonal Hours: March-September, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. / October, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. / November-February, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to fishing, this site provides great wildlife viewing of salmon spawning in the fall and several species of birds throughout the year. Two trails lead down from the parking lot for access to the fishing area. There are flush toilets available near the parking area. 

Hamilton Island (WA): Seasonal Hours: March - October, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and November - February, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Hamilton Island offers boat ramp water access, more than a mile of shoreline for fishing, and five miles of trail that offer scenic views of the gorge and wildlife viewing opportunities. The access road ends at a gravel parking lot with vault restrooms and the trailhead for the Hamilton Island trail. The Hamilton Island Boat Ramp is open for launching and loading boats 24 hours a day.

Fort Cascades National Historic Site (WA): Seasonal Hours: March - October, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and November - February, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fort Cascades, built in 1855, is one of several forts built to protect the portage around the Cascade Rapids. The site has a 1.5 mile interpretive trail where visitors may learn about the history of the site which was used by Native American Tribes, the Army in the 1850s, travelers on the Oregon Trail and the early fishing industry. Visitors also enjoy the trail for exercise, wildlife watching, and scenic views. There is little elevation change and most of the trail is shady, lush and green. Help preserve this unique area and also protect yourself, children, and pets from poison oak by staying on the established trail and keeping your pet on a leash. Spectacular views of the Columbia River and Bonneville Dam can be seen from here. 

North Shore Recreation Area (WA): Seasonal Hours: March - October, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and November - February, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. This site provides spectacular views of the river, surrounding gorge and wildlife viewing. The open shoreline between the Fort Cascades Historic Site and the Washington Shore Visitor Complex is available for fishing with access to vault restrooms. Intermittent sections of gravel trail stretch along the shoreline for approximately one mile. 

The Fort Cascades National Historic site is one of the first featured Gorge Audio Trails.  The Columbia Gorge Tourism Alliance, with funds from State of Washington Tourism, created recordings of diverse voices covering a variety of topics, such as ecological, cultural, and historical information, to listen to along the path.  QR codes along the way provide access to the audio stories, and the recordings are in English and Spanish.  In addition, guided slow hiking experiences, trailhead accessibility information and trail safety messages have also been provided with the overall goal of creating interesting visitor experiences in the Columbia River Gorge that give a deeper sense of this amazing region.

Bonneville Fish Hatchery (OR): Seasonal Hours: March-October, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. / October, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. / November-February, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.This chinook and coho salmon hatchery is operated by Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. Display ponds also offer a relaxing place to feed large rainbow trout and view adult white sturgeon measuring more than six feet long. A gift shop is open during summer months. Interpretive displays are inside buildings and outdoors, including a viewing area to watch fall spawning activities.  
 

Columbia River Gorge Historic Highways section (OR): Operated jointly by the U.S. Forest Service and the State of Oregon, the nation’s first scenic highway was constructed between 1913 and 1922. This trail has reserved areas for pedestrian and bicycle use only, such as the section between Tanner Creek, Eagle Creek and Cascade Locks.  Please note that if you are biking the trail, there is no bike/pedestrian access to the Bradford Island Visitor Center at Bonneville Dam (on the Oregon side of the river) due to restrictions across the powerhouse.

Two visitor centers, one on Bradford Island in Oregon and one on the Washington shore, are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Visitors centers are closed on Thanksgiving Day and December 24^th through January 1^st) A third visitor center is open seasonally for limited hours at the navigation lock. 

A team of rangers and volunteers staff are available to answer questions and share information about the significance of this icon of the Pacific Northwest.

A word of caution: Bonneville Dam is an active hydro-electric power plant. There may be times when portions of the visitor areas will be inaccessible by the public. These closures may come with little or no warning. We appreciate your patience during these temporary closures and will provide advance warning as early as possible.

Wheelchairs are available to checkout upon request with a driver's license. 

Bradford Island Visitor Center
At the Bradford Island Visitor Center, visitors can see how nature, technology, and humans intersect. Visitors learn about the cultural history of the region, dam construction, the development of navigation along the Columbia River, and the life-cycles of salmon and Pacific lamprey. Come enjoy seasonal views of migrating fish through underwater windows that allow you to peer into the fish ladder. A rooftop observation deck provides a panoramic view of the Columbia River Gorge.

Directions: Take exit 40, I-84, four miles west of Cascade Locks, Oregon. At the flag pole intersection, bear right. After stopping at the guard station, cross the navigation lock and past Powerhouse One. Follow the signs for about one mile to the visitor center. The large parking lot accommodates buses and recreational vehicles.

Washington Shore Visitor Complex
Inside the Visitor Orientation Building and the adjacent Fish Viewing Building are exhibits that focus on the fundamentals of electricity and the importance of hydroelectric dams to the region. Visitors can also learn about the natural and cultural history of the surrounding areas and the importance of salmon. This visitor complex offers an easily accessible view of the powerhouse. Generators can be viewed from an area 85 feet above the powerhouse floor.

Self-Guided Tours: A self-guided tour booklet is available at the front desk of the Visitor Orientation Building. This self-guided experience guides visitors through the Washington Shore Visitor Complex while explaining its role in power generation for the Pacific Northwest, fish passage and geology. Formal ranger lead tours are not being offered at this time.   

Directions: Take Washington State Highway 14 to milepost 38.5. Turn south (toward the river) onto the Dam Access Road, about a half mile east of the town of North Bonneville. Turn left at the first stop sign, following the signs to the visitor complex.

Navigation Lock
The visitor center at the Navigation Lock is open seasonally, from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only.  This visitor center offers exhibits and videos demonstrating the value of river commerce to the economy of Oregon and Washington.  Visitors can see the navigation lock in operation when commercial or recreational boats are using the lock. There is no set schedule of when boats pass through the lock.

Directions: Take I-84 to exit 40, approximately four miles west of Cascade Locks, Oregon. At the flag pole intersection, bear right.  Enter the Navigation Lock Visitor Area parking lot just past the guard station as the road veers to the left.  

Contact Bonneville Lock & Dam

Visitor Center and tours:
541-374-8820

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Nestled between Mt. Hood in Oregon and Mt. Adams and Mt. St. Helens in Washington, The Dalles Dam is located 191 miles upriver from the mouth of the Columbia River in the town of Dalles, Oregon. Renowned for its breadth of outdoor activities, Lake Celilo offers year-round recreation. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy rock climbing, biking, hiking, wind sports, kayaking, and fishing. 

Seufert Park (The Dalles, Ore.)
Amenities: covered picnic area, historic rose garden, scenic views of Mt. Hood, access to a portion of The Dalles Riverfront Trail
Notice: Park is open dawn to dusk, year round. No bathrooms or water are available if the Visitors Center is closed.

Patterson Park (The Dalles, Ore.)
Amenities:  picnic area and bathrooms
Notice: Patterson park is only accessible via special event permit. Call the Ranger Station at 541-506-8475 for more information.

Celilo Park (The Dalles, Ore.)
Amenities: life jacket loaner station, boat ramp, restrooms, picnic area, historic site

Rufus Landing (Rufus, Ore.)
Amenities: vault toilets, wind sports, fishing, geocaching
 

Hess Park (Dallesport, Wash.)
Popular activities: wildlife viewing, hiking, picnicking
Amenities: vault toilets, picnic area, pond

North Shore (Dallesport, Wash.)
Popular activities: fishing, geocaching
Amenities: boat launch, vault toilets, picnic area, scenic overlook
Directions: From Hwy. 197 north, cross the Columbia River bridge and turn right

Spearfish (Dallesport, Wash.)
Popular activities: fishing, hiking, geocaching
Amenities: boat ramp to Spearfish Lake, vault toilets

The Wall (Maryhill, Wash.)
Popular activities: wind sports, fishing
Amenities: portable bathrooms (seasonal), shore access to river
 

Avery Park (Dallesport, Wash.)
Amenities: boat ramp (open to the public outside of commercial treaty fishing season), picnic area, vault toilets
Popular activities: wind sports, fishing
Notice: The west portion of Avery Park is temporarily closed to vehicles and limited to day use only.

Primitive Camping
All primitive campsites are first-come, first-serve; there are no reservations for primitive campsites. Camping limited to 7 days within a 30-consecutive day period. Camping permitted April 1 - October 31 at the following locations only:

• Avery Park (no public use during Commercial Treaty Fishing Season)
• Celilo Park
• Rufus Landing

Columbia Hills State Park - Horsethief Lake (Dallesport, Wash.) is operated by Washington State Parks. Camping is available. For information, call 509-767-1159. Life jacket loaner station on-site; first come, first served.

Heritage Landing State Park (Deschutes River, Ore.) is operated by Oregon Parks and Recreation. For information, call 541-739-2322.

Maryhill State Park (Maryhill, Wash.) is operated by Washington State Parks. Camping is available. For information, call 509-773-5007. Life jacket loaner station on-site; first come, first served.

The Dalles Dam Visitor Center: Reduced schedule
Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend
Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only

The Dalles Lock & Dam Visitor Center is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. At the visitor center, you can explore a variety of interactive displays, watch a short film on the benefits and impacts of the dam, get a sneak peak of fish migrating up the fish ladder, and browse the Discover Your Northwest bookstore.

The Dalles Lock & Dam Visitor Center
3545 Bret Clodfelter Way
The Dalles, OR 97058

Nearby Seufert parks offer a great location to picnic and enjoy the scenic views of Mount Hood. Or walk the eastern end of The Dalles Riverfront trail and wander through the historic Seufert Rose Garden, where there are more than 90 varieties of roses.

Break out the binoculars!  Join the Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) park rangers and our partners for the 16^th Annual Eagle Watch event, Jan. 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., to see bald eagles that congregate near the dam every winter.

The event will be held in two locations. Outdoor viewing of bald eagles will be held at the Dalles Dam Visitor Center and the indoor activities will be held at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum.

The Columbia River Gorge is a prime winter location for migrating eagles due to the abundance of food found along the Columbia River. It's typical to see dozens of eagles from the visitor center parking lot and adjacent Seufert Park, which are both open to the public every day from dusk until dawn.

The Dalles Dam Visitor Center is currently closed through January but will be open the day of the event for eagle viewing. Rangers will be available to answer questions, help people use spotting scopes (provided by the Corps), and teach basic bird identification tips.

This all-ages event is free and accessible to visitors with disabilities. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own scopes, binoculars, and cameras. Please note that inclement weather may cause the event to be rescheduled.

The Dalles Dam Visitor Center is located just north of Interstate 84 at exit 87, then east on Bret Clodfelter Way. For more information, contact The Dalles Lock and Dam ranger office at 541-506-8475 or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PortlandCorps/.

The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum is located at 5000 Discovery Dr., The Dalles, OR. To learn more about raptor viewing and educational opportunities in the Columbia Gorge area, check out the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum at www.gorgediscovery.org.

Contact The Dalles Lock and Dam:

Ranger station: 541-506-8475

Visitor Center: 541-296-9778

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John Day Lock & Dam is located 216 miles upriver from the mouth of the Columbia River near the city of Rufus, Oregon. The John Day River provides a variety of recreation opportunities throughout the year, from white-water rafting in late spring through mid-summer, to fishing in the fall. Other recreation opportunities include hunting, sightseeing, horseback riding, hiking and camping. Various recreational facilities are provided along Lake Umatilla and the John Day River.

Reservations for all campgrounds are available at Recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Without reservations, there is limited first-come, first-serve availability. 

LePage Park (Sherman County, Ore.): Open from May 9- October 15.  Amenities include bathrooms with warm showers, docks, electricity and a dump station. Activities include boating, beach access and fishing. LePage Park is also a good launch point for boat-in access to Philippi Park. Camping is limited to 14 days within a 30-consecutive day period. For park specific information, call 541-739-2713.  

Philippi Park (Ore.): Open from May 15 to Sept. 15. Amenities include bathrooms with warm showers, beach access and boat docks.  Philippi Park is accessible by boat only and is located approximately three miles up the John Day River from its confluence with the Columbia.  Parking and boat launch facilities are available at LePage Park. Popular activities include camping and fishing. Camping limited to 7 days within a 30-consecutive day period.

Primitive Camping
All primitive campsites are first-come, first-serve; there are no reservations for primitive campsites. Camping limited to 7 days within a 30-consecutive day period.  Camping permitted April 1 - October 31 at the following locations only:

• Giles French Park (Rufus, Ore.): bathrooms, trails
• Threemile Canyon Park (Boardman, Ore.): fishing, vault toilet, windsurfing

Reservations for all campgrounds are available at Recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Without reservations, there is limited first-come, first-serve availability. 

Plymouth Park (Wash.): Campground is open May 9 to October 15. Plymouth Day Use Swim Beach open May 15 to September 15.  Amenities include full hookups, electricity, bathrooms, showers, courtesy docks, beach access and a dump station. Popular activities include camping and fishing. Camping limited to 14 days within a 30-consecutive day period. 

Paradise Park (Plymouth, Wash.): Paradise Park is a group site located 2.9 miles west of Plymouth Rd. on Christie Rd. Site can accommodate up to 60 people. Camping limited to 14 days within a 30-consecutive day period. For park specific information, call 509-783-1270.

Primitive Camping
All primitive campsites are first-come, first-serve; there are no reservations for primitive campsites. Camping limited to 7 days within a 30-consecutive day period. Camping permitted April 1 - October 31 at the following locations only:

• Roosevelt Park (Roosevelt, Wash.): fishing, picnic shelters, wind sports
• Sundale Park (Klickitat County, Wash.): picnic area, vault toilet, *boat ramp open to the public outside of commercial treaty fishing seasons. 

Overnight camping at these recreation areas is strictly prohibited. 

• Biglow Canyon (Rufus, Ore.): fishing, vault toilet
• Blalock RIver Access Site (Arlington, Ore.): primitive boat ramp, launch, no other facilities. 
• Paterson Park (Irrigon, Ore.): primitive boat ramp, vault toilet (on Paterson Ferry Road, Irrigon, Ore.)
• Cliffs Park (Goldendale, Wash.): fishing, vault toilet
• Railroad Island Park (Goldendale, Wash.): boat launch, fishing, vault toilet
• Rock Creek (Roosevelt, Wash.): Portable toilets. (35 miles east of The Dalles on Highway 14) 
• Plymouth (Plymouth, Wash.): Open May 15 to September 15. Camping in campground only, not in the day use park. Boat launch, Swim Beach, bathrooms.

*  $5.00 will be charged per private non-commercial vehicle.

*  $2.00 per adult for walk-in or bike-in.

* Children under the age of 16 are not charged a day use fee (when they are a walk-in or bike-in). 

Payment of the day use fee entitles the user to launch a boat or use any developed swimming beach at a USACE operated-recreation area that day.

A USACE annual day use pass may be purchased for $40, which permits the holder & accompanying passengers the daily use of facilities managed by USACE for one calendar year. No duplicate passes will be sold but a person may purchase more than one Annual Pass at full price if desired.

Crow Butte (Wash.) located at milepost 155 on Highway 14, is operated by the Port of Benton County. For information, call 509-948-6069.

*Both Arlington Marina and Umatilla Marina have fuel stations.

Contact John Day Lock & Dam:

General: 541-739-1135

From April 15-October 15 contact:

Plymouth Campground Gate House: (509) 783-1270

LePage Campground Gate House: (541) 739-2713

John Day Dam Ranger Office: (541) 739-1135

To make campground reservations & changes, contact Recreation.gov or call them at (877) 444-6777.

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Willow Creek Dam is located in Morrow County, Oregon, directly upstream from the town of Heppner, and about 45 miles south of Hermiston.

Willow Creek Dam was completed in 1983. It is the first major dam in the United States constructed using the roller-compacted concrete technique. The dam is 169 feet high and 1,780 feet long and was constructed with 403,000 cubic yards of concrete. The reservoir is able to store 9,765 acre-feet of water.

The Portland District operates the project for flood control and irrigation with incidental benefits for recreation, sportfishing, and wildlife.

The Willow Creek RV Campground is operated by Heppner Parks and Recreation. A boat launch is available for public use. For information, call 541-676-5576.

For the RV park: 541-676-9009
For the dam: 541-506-7819
For general info: 503-808-4510

Email us about Willow Creek