Recreation along the Columbia River

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. Located just 40 miles from downtown Portland in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, Bonneville Lock & Dam provides fun, educational opportunities for all visitors.

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.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the largest provider of water-based outdoor recreation in the nation. Around Bonneville Lock & Dam and along the shores of the Columbia River, Portland District's recreation sites allow visitors of all ages to enjoy picnicking, site seeing, wildlife viewing, fishing, windsurfing and more. 

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): 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. Open daily 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., (Closed December 24^th through January 1^st)

Bradford Island Recreation Area (OR): 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. Open daily 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., (Closed December 24^th through January 1^st)

Hamilton Island (WA): 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. Hours are seasonal: March - October, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. / November - February, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Hamilton Island Boat Ramp is open for launching and loading boats 24 hours a day.

Fort Cascades National Historic Site (WA): 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. Directions: Once on Bonneville property, turn right at the first stop sign, then an immediate left into the Fort Cascades Historical Site parking lot. Hours are seasonal: March - October, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. / November - February, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

North Shore Recreation Area (WA): 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. Hours are seasonal: March - October, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. / November - February, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Tanner Creek Fishing Area (OR): 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. Hours are seasonal: 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.

GEOCACHES AT BONNEVILLE LOCK & DAM

Park rangers at Bonneville Lock and Dam maintain eight geocaches. Beginner and advanced geocachers will enjoy the hunt with five traditional caches and three multi-caches.

Five caches are on the Oregon side and three are on the Washington side, and each one helps geocachers learn about Bonneville.

• "Green Power" is about hydropower,
• "More Power to You" is about the Northwestern hydropower system,
• "Take Me to Lunch" is about sea lions,
• "Go with the Flow" is about the Juvenile Fish Bypass System, and
• "Ducks Float" is about water safety.

The last three are about history

• "BIH" is about Bradford Island history
• "Bonneville Landmark Cache" is about the history of Bonneville Dam, and
• "Hamilton or Strawberry Island?" is about Lewis and Clark's travels here.
   

Rangers and volunteers are available to help!

There are also several privately-owned caches at or near Bonneville Dam. While Bonneville Dam doesn't require permits for caches, other Portland District project locations might. In all cases, it's recommended you contact the project or public lands manager before placing any caches. Caches hidden in sensitive areas or pose a security/safety risk will be removed. For more information about hiding or finding geocaches, you can visit www.geocaching.com or www.opencaching.com.

PARTNER-OPERATED, CO-LOCATED SITES

Bonneville Fish Hatchery (OR): 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. Hours are seasonal: 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. Directions: At the flag pole intersection on Bonneville Dam property, bear left. Follow the road around to the large parking lot on the left.  RV parking is available here. 

Columbia River Gorge Historic Highway (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 trial, 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.

The Dalles Lock & Dam Visitor Center

The Dalles Lock & Dam Visitor Center is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through September.  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.

Outdoor recreation around The Dalles Lock & Dam

Seufert Park (The Dalles, OR)
Amenities: covered picnic area, historic rose garden, scenic views of Mt. Hood, access to 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, OR)
Amenities: gazebo, picnic area, 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, OR)
Amenities: life jacket loaner station, boat ramp, restrooms, picnic area, historic site

Rufus Landing (OR)
Amenities: vault toilets, windsurfing, kiteboarding, fishing, geocaching
Directions: From I-84, take exit 109 at Rufus. Go north towards river and left at intersection.

Hess Park (Lyle, WA)
Popular activities: fishing, wildlife viewing
Amenities: vault toilets, picnic area, pond

North Shore (WA)
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 (WA)
Popular activities: fishing, hiking, geocaching
Amenities: boat ramp to Spearfish Lake, vault toilets

The Wall (WA)
Popular activities: windsurfing, kiteboarding, fishing
Amenities: portable bathrooms (seasonal), shore access to river
Directions: From I-84, take exit 104, turn north on Hwy. 97, cross the bridge and turn right. Continue heading east until paved road becomes gravel.

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

There are no reservations for primitive campsites. All primitive campsites are first-come, first-serve. 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

PARTNER OPERATED
Columbia Hills State Park (Horsethief, WA)is operated by Washington State Parks. For information, call 509-767-1159. Life jacket loaner station on-site; first come, first served.

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

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

CAMPGROUNDS

Reserving campsites: Search for and reserve available campsites at Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Campsites can be reserved up to 180 days in advance. Note: not all recreation sites take reservations.

Hunting guidelines: All rules and regulations for the public use of Corps lands are described in Title 36, Chapter III, Part 327. The following document provides more detailed information specific to hunting on Corps lands within the Portland District. Hunters should be aware that some of the lands surrounding Corps reservoirs are managed by other County, State, and Federal agencies and different guidelines may apply. Hunters are responsible for recognizing private land boundaries and should not hunt on private land without permission of the landowner.

Information about hunting at Applegate project should be obtained from local U.S. Forest Service offices. Rifle hunting is allowed in designated areas at Elk Creek and Lost Creek reservoir, with restrictions.

Willamette Valley Hunting Guidelines and Maps

Geocaching policy: In general, geocaching can be a fun and appropriate recreational activity at Corps projects, provided the security or missions of the project are not compromised. It provides an opportunity for positive interactions and partnerships with local groups involved in this activity. Monitoring of web sites, communication and participation with these groups can form healthy relationships with benefits to all involved. Working with these groups can prevent problems and promote the Corps as a willing partner. Regulation should be based on common-sense needs of specific projects or areas, with a minimal permitting burden on the recreating public. Read more about the policy here.

Anchor safely: These five steps will help you to anchor safely:

1. Use anchor lines that are 5-7 times the depth of the water.

   1. Use a float for the anchor line to serve as a buffer and to reduce the risk of getting the anchor line tangled in the propeller.

   2. Lower, do not throw, the anchor to avoid tangles in the line.

   3. Anchor only off the point of the bow. Anchoring off the stern or the side will capsize your boat.

2. Power upstream of anchor before retrieving it. Maintain position in line with the flow of the current while retrieving anchor. Turning cross-wise to the current increases the risk of capsizing.

3. Rivers can become turbulent with little or no warning. You are advised to wear a Coast Guard-approved Personal Flotation Device at all times. Also, take precautions against hypothermia. River temperatures can range from 70 degrees in the summer to near freezing during the winter.

4. River users are reminded that although it is legal to anchor in the channel, it is illegal to block the right-of-way of a vessel that is restricted to using the channel.

5. Five blasts of the horn signify danger, and you must take action to avoid that danger.

For more tips, visit the Corps of Engineers National Water Safety website. Click here for a print version of this information.

Fee collection and comparison: Day-use fees, including boat ramp and dump station fees, will be collected while parks are available for camping. No fees are collected during park closure dates. Some boat ramps outside fee campgrounds will charge a $5 launch fee per day, which is valid at any Corps-managed recreation site for day it was purchased.

All fees have been set to maintain comparable fee schedules with other federal, state, county and private campgrounds. All fees meet the requirements set in Engineering Publication 1130-2-550. Fee comparability within the same state and district is outlined in Paragraph 9 of EP 1130-2-550.

Seaplanes on Corps lakes: Seaplanes may be operated seven days a week between sunrise and sunset at all Portland District lakes with the exception of Big Cliff, Applegate and Willow Creek lakes. Once on the water seaplanes shall be considered powerboats and must be operated in accordance with marine rules of the road. Seaplanes in the water may taxi to any area of the lake subject to the powerboating restrictions for those lakes. For more information, see: Seaplane operations at Corps of Engineers lakes.

Volunteering: If you're enthusiastic about the outdoors, enjoy meeting new people and want to protect parks, then sign up to be a volunteer! Click here for a listing of current volunteer opportunities at Portland District Park and Corps sites across the country.

Drone policy: For both safety and security reasons, the operation of aircraft, including drones (formally known as Unmanned Aircraft Systems) may not be operated within 500 feet of operational areas at Corps projects. This includes land with structures such as dams. Click here for the complete District policy memo.

Weather and water levels: The Corps of Engineers, National Weather Service and other agencies cooperatively gather and analyze data for current and projected future reservoir and river level information. Know before you go!

Reservoir and water levels

Northwest River Forecast Center

National Weather Service

Questions about any guidelines should be directed to:

Bonneville Lock and Dam, 541-374-8344

The Dalles Lock and Dam, 541-506-8475

John Day Lock and Dam, 541-739-1135

Rogue River Basin Project, 541-878-2255

Willamette Valley Projects, 541-942-5631