Birdwatch and Bicycle on Sauvie Island

Farm Produce and Wildlife Star on the River's Biggest Island

May 29, 2009

Just 10 miles from Portland, 26,000-acre Sauvie Island has a wildlife refuge, lakes, woodsy hiking paths, U-pick fields and sandy beaches. Something for everyone.

To reach Sauvie, the biggest island on the Columbia River, you can drive, bike or take TriMet Bus #17, going northwest from Portland on U.S. Route 30. Cross Multnomah Channel on the recently built, handsome bridge (it replaces one that could not take modern trucks), and you are in bucolic farmland.

In summer, visitors flock to U-pick farms for blueberries and to the markets for fresh produce, fruits and flowers. Bicycllists come for leisurely afternoon rides in the country.

Spot Bald Eagles at Oak Island RefugeWater and wildlife areas cover much of the island. More than 150,000 ducks and geese migrate through, along with blad eagles, swans and sandhill cranes. You're likely to see great blue herons, wood ducks, raccoons and black tailed-deer, and if the timing is right, beavers and red foxes. Birdhouses hang in the oak trees in Oak Island Refuge, which has hiking paths and blinds where you can watch for animals and some 250 species of birds. Be sure to bring binoculars.

Bicyclists love the flat roads and comparative lack of traffic, though it's busy on summer weekends.The most popular ride is a 12-mile loop around the lower end of the island, starting at the parking lot near the bridge. A map is posted here. Nine miles from the bridge are long beaches where you can lie on the sand and watch the ships go by.

Wander a Corn Maze at Pumpkin Patch Farm

On the island are nurseries, horse farms and dog kennels. Minoggie Kennels has produced more than 25 field champions, many Master Hunters and hundreds of hunting retrievers. The kennels provide boarding and obedience training. Kids love the Pumpkin Patch, a farm with an elaborate corn maze, open Aug. 30 through Oct. 31, and an animal barn. The farm sells fresh produce, strawberries and flowers in season and has a patio cafe and gift shop. Kreuger's Farm Market also has a corn maze and offers concerts on Thursday evenings in summer.

At Sauvie Island Lavender Farm, find fragrant, purple-flowered lavender in every form. The air at Blue Heron Herbary is redolent with 300 varieties of herbs, while birds, bees and butterflies flit around the knot garden.

Parking Permits, Rules and Regulations

There are no gas stations or public drinking water sites on the island,. There are portable restrooms at the most-used public places. No camping is allowed, but there are two RV parks. Parking permits are required and can be purchased at:

Wildlife areas are open April 16 through Sept. 30, when bird-hunting season begins. A hunting permit is required. Regulations change every year, so hunters should check with the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife. Fishing is another popular activity, especially in the spring, for catfish, perch and crappie.

The copyright of the article Birdwatch and Bicycle on Sauvie Island in Oregon Travel is owned by Marilyn McFarlane. Permission to republish Birdwatch and Bicycle on Sauvie Island in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.