Life jackets and water safety

Cormorants on East Sand Island

 

Life jackets are available during the summer months at certain sites. Visit project sites or contact parks for detailed dates of operation. 

Life jackets are available on a first come, first serve basis.

For a list of life jacket loaner stations, click here.

Visit our water safety page for more safety tips.

Visit our water safety page for more information.
Visit our water safety page for more information.

Life jacket loaner stations

Bonneville Lock & Dam

  • Hamilton Island boat ramp (Wash.)


The Dalles Lock & Dam

  • The Dalles Marina (managed by Port of The Dalles)
  • The Dalles River Front Park (managed by North Wasco County Parks and Recreation)
  • Columbia Hills State Park (managed by Washington State Parks)
  • Heritage Landing (managed by Oregon State Parks)
  • Maryhill State Park (managed by Oregon State Parks)


John Day Lock & Dam

  • Plymouth Park day-use area and boat ramp 
  • LePage Park day-use area and boat ramp

Recreation along the Columbia River

Bonneville Dam from upstream.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the largest provider of water-based outdoor recreation in the nation. Portland District's recreation sites allow visitors of all ages to enjoy biking, hiking, boating, fishing, camping, hunting, windsurfing and more. Whatever your favorite outdoor activity, one thing is certain: recreation can enrich your life. Visit one of our recreation areas to connect with nature and create unforgettable memories. With more than 90 percent of our recreation areas located within 50 miles of a city or town, there is likely to be a Corps site near you. 

 

Visitor centers at Bonneville Lock & Dam

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 24th through January 1st) 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.

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.

Outdoor recreation around Bonneville Lock & Dam

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. 

Locatd just 40 miles from downtown Portland, Bonneville Lock & Dam provides opportunities to connect with nature and create unforgettable memories.

small image of the picnic shelter on Robins Island

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 Thanksgiving Day and December 24th through January 1st)

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 Thanksgiving Day and December 24th through January 1st)

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 trail pavilion

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.

Image of a couple trying their luck fishing at the North Shore Recreation Area.

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 five geocaches. Beginner and advanced geocachers will enjoy the hunt.

A man bends over to discover his geocache find

  • "Green Power" is centered around the benefits of hydropower
  • "More Power to You" is a multicache about the Northwestern hydropower system
  • "Go with the Flow" is a multicache about the Juvenile Fish Bypass System
  • "BIH" highlights the fascinating history of Bradford Island

Rangers and volunteers are available to help!

There are also some privately-managed caches that have been allowed on site that we do not directly manage, but those should follow our Portland District Guidelines. Please contact the Bonneville Ranger staff before placing a cache on lands managed by Bonneville Lock and Dam to ensure that appropriate guidelines are met.  We would like to avoid having caches placed in areas that are sensitive or pose a safety or security risk. Unauthorized caches or those not meeting the guidelines may be removed. Our goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable visitor experience for all that use the site, while helping to protect our entrusted resources. For more information about hiding or finding geocaches, you can visit www.geocaching.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

 

The Dalles Lock & Dam Visitor Center

The Dalles Lock & Dam Visitor Center is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 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

Map of recreation around The Dalles Lock & Dam

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.

Recreation at John Day Lock & Dam

CAMPGROUNDS

 

LePage Park (Sherman County, OR): Open from April 15- October 15.  Amenities include bathrooms with warm showers, docks, electricity and a dump station. Activities include boating, beach access and fishing. Le Page Park is also a good launch point for boat-in access to Philippi Park.  Reservations are available at Recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.  Without reservations, availability is first-come, first-serve. Camping limited to 14 days within a 30-consecutive day period.  For park specific information, call 541-739-2713.     Fees:
  • Full hook up campsite (Riverfront): $35 per night
  • Full hook up campsite (non-Riverfront): $30 per night
  • Tent campsite: $15 per night
  • Gazebo tent campsite (T9 and T19): $20 per night
  • Overflow campsite: $15 per night
  • Day Use fee: $5 per car
  • Day Use fee: $2 per person for walk-ins/bike-ins
  • Boat Ramp fee: $5 per day
  • Dump Station fee: $5 per dump for non-campers

 

Philippi Park (OR): 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. Open from May 15 to Sept. 15. Camping available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Camping limited to 7 days within a 30-consecutive day period.  Amenities include bathrooms with warm showers, beach access and boat docks. Popular activities include camping and fishing.
 

Paradise Park (Plymouth, WA): Paradise Park is located 2.9 miles west of Plymouth Rd. on Christie Rd. Site can accommodate up to 60 people or the local COVID-19 group size limit. Camping limited to 14 days within a 30-consecutive day period. Group site reserved through Plymouth Park on Recreation.gov or call 509-783-1270.  For park specific information, call 509-783-1270.

  Fees:
  • Group camping: $50 per night
 
Plymouth Park (WA): Campground is open April 15 to October 15. Plymouth Day Use Swim Beach open May 15 to September 15.  Reservations are available at Recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.  Without reservations, availability is first-come, first-serve.  Camping limited to 14 days within a 30-consecutive day period.  Amenities include full hookups, electricity, bathrooms, showers, courtesy docks, beach access and a dump station. Popular activities include camping and fishing.   Fees:
  • Full hook up campsite: $35 per night
  • Partial hook up campsite: $30 per night
  • Tent campsite: $15 per night
  • Day Use fee (per vehicle): $5 per car
  • Day Use fee: $2 per person for walk-ins/bike-ins
  • Boat Ramp fee: $5 per day
  • Dump Station fee: $5 per dump
 

PRIMITIVE CAMPING
There are no reservations for primitive campsites. All primitive campsites are first-come, first-serve with a 7-day use limit. Camping permitted April 1 - October 31.

Giles French Park (Rufus, OR): bathrooms, trails

Roosevelt Park (Roosevelt, WA): fishing, picnic shelters, windsurfing

Sundale Park (Klickitat County, WA): picnic area, vault toilet, *boat ramp open to the public outside of commercial treaty fishing seasons. 

Threemile Canyon Park (Boardman, OR): fishing, vault toilet, windsurfing

 

DAY-USE ONLY RECREATION AREAS (overnight camping prohibited)

Cliffs Park (Goldendale, WA): fishing, vault toilet

Paterson Park (Irrigon, OR): boat ramp, vault toilet (on Paterson Ferry Road, Irrigon, Ore.)

Railroad Island Park (Goldendale, WA): boat launch, fishing, vault toilet

Rock Creek (WA): Portable toilets. (35 miles east of The Dalles on Highway 14) 

 

PARTNER-OPERATED SITES

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

Willow Creek (OR) RV campground is operated by Heppner Parks & Recreation. For information, call 541-676-5576.

Additional recreation sites are managed by the City of Arlington (I-84 exit 137, call 541-454-2868), Boardman Parks & Recreation (I-84 exit 165, call 541-481-7217), Irrigon Parks & Recreation (I-84 exit 168), and the Port of Umatilla (I-82 exit 1, call 541-922-3939 or 541-567-6151)

Rules, policies and related information

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 1,000 feet of operational areas at Corps projects. This includes land with structures such as dams.

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