Posted in Portland January 16, 2018 by

The One Portland Island Where Adventure Waits For You Year Round

It’s hard not to love Portland’s Sauvie Island. Sitting 10 miles NW of downtown, this notable island is one of the largest river islands in the country, and is bustling with fun year round. Connected to the mainland by bridge, this picturesque island has been a part of Portland history since long before its first bridge opened in 1950.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Most notable for its farms, Sauvie Island is the u-pick headquarters of summer.
Katrina Br*?#*[email protected] / Flickr
Sauvie Island Farms, the Pumpkin Patch, Kruger's, Bella Organic Farms, and Blue Bee Farms are just a few of the farms on the island.
With crops ranging from strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, peaches, tomatoes and pumpkins, there is something to find waiting for you throughout the growing season.
Katrina Br*?#*[email protected] / Flickr
The u-pick season starts with strawberries in late spring and goes up until fall with pumpkins.
Numerous farms have fruit and vegetable stands, and this is the perfect place to stock up on all your favorite produce.
Jim Choate / Flickr
Even if you don't want to pick fruit yourself, it is fun to be on working farms and see the source of the produce you purchase.
In the warmer months, the fun at Sauvie Island is all around.
Abi Porter / Flickr
With few businesses on the island, the fun here is all in the outdoors and beauty around you.
The proximity to water makes the island a great place to spend a hot day cooling off.
Manda B / Flickr
You can't beat the mountain views from the island either with all the surrounding mountains visible on a clear day.
The three beaches - Walton Beach, North Unit Beach, and Collins Beach - all provide a nice sandy beach from which to explore.
Abi Porter / Flickr
Collins Beach is clothing optional, so be forewarned if you wander that far down the road.
All these beaches fill up on hot days, so be ready for a crowd and be sure to pack all your food and drinks for the day, as services near the beach are limited.
Chad / Flickr
Because the island has flat, scarcely populated roads, cycling is a big sport here throughout the seasons.
Ryan Harvey / Flickr
Loaded with nature trails, such as the Oak Island Nature Trail where this shot was taken, hiking at Sauvie Island is great, especially throughout fall and winter months when temperatures are cooler.
Sonny Cohen / Flickr
The Wapato Access Greenway State Park offers great trails, and the Warrior Point Lighthouse Trail are other standouts on the island.
The area is an important stop on bird migration routes, and is home to numerous species.
Carol Munro / Flickr
Birders will love the diversity here, and winter and fall months bring up to 250 species to the island.
George / Flickr
Whether you want to hike, bike, swim, fish or just spend a day in the sun, Sauvie Island is an excellent place to do it.
roamingwab / Flickr

What is your favorite season to visit Sauvie Island? Let us know in the comments below.