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Best Camping On Sauvie Island - Tent and RV Camping Options for YOU

Sauvie Island, also known as Wapato Island, is 10 miles north of Portland and popular with campers hoping to enjoy the Columbia River.


The island is loved for its wildlife refuges and isolated feeling, despite being close to several major metropolises. There are only a few camping options on Sauvie Island, and they are geared towards RV owners.




What is Sauvie Island?

Sauvie Island is the largest island along the Columbia River, at more than 12,000 acres. It's popular for hiking, fishing, kayaking, birdwatching, beach combing, and more! It is in between Multnomah and Columbia counties.


Views from Sauvie Island are one of its biggest draws. from the island and the camping areas, visitors can see Mt. St. Helens and the broad Columbia River.



Sauvie Island Wildlife Area

The Sauvie Island Wildlife Area, which was established in 1947, is a large portion of the island home to bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, kestrels, and many more important bird species. The island also has wetlands that are popular with paddlers and allow access to Oak Island.

Mt. St. Helens from Sauvie Island
The views of Mt. St. Helens from Sauvie Island are beautiful


What to Do on Sauvie Island?

So you're going to Sauvie Island? What are you going to spend your time doing?


Maybe you're planning on spending a day, a week, or even a month at one of the RV campgrounds, you'll need to fill your time! Some of the many activities that you can engage in while visiting the island are:

  • Paddleboarding

  • Kayaking

  • Floating

  • Fishing

  • Swimming

  • Hiking

The island is also popular with artists, particularly painters!



Kayaking is popular around Sauvie Island
Kayaking is popular around Sauvie Island

Camping on Sauvie Island

Island Cove RV Park

Island Cove RV Park is one of your best options for camping on Sauvie Island. The campground is open year-round and is a popular place for those looking to kite board, beach comb, boat, cycle, fish, swim, and more!


The RV park is located on a wildlife refuge and includes 8 acres of grassy meadows. From the park, you'll have views of Mt. St. Helens and the expansive Columbia River.



Amenities

Some of the amenities at Island Cove RV Park include:

  • Clean restrooms

  • Laundry

  • Seasonal convenience store

  • Some fire pits

  • Full hook-ups on all sites

Visitors love its untouched feeling and lack of crowds. You can book a site daily, weekly, or monthly. The prices in the meadow from:

  • Daily: $45

  • Weekly: $225

  • Monthly: $468

If you want to camp along the river, the prices are:

  • Regular size monthly site: $418

  • Premium Size Monthly site: $468

Book a spot at Island Cover RV Park.




Reeder Beach RV Park and Country Store

Reeder Beach RV Park is another great option if you're hoping to camp on Sauvie Island. The camping area boasts both river and mountain views. The RV park is popular with those who want to spend time along the water, whether that means boating, swimming, fishing, or beach combing.



Amenities

Here are the amenities on offer at the campground:

  • Clean restrooms and showers

  • Store with seasonal produce

  • Dump station

  • Private beach access

  • picnic tables

  • Firewood

  • ATM

  • Full hook-up sites

The rates are only calculated daily and are based on which row you're in.


River view and Middle Row: $40 a night

Back Row: $35 a night


Reserve a site at Reeder Beach RV Park.



Sauvie Island Shoreline
The shoreline along Sauvie Island

Camping Near Sauvie Island

Unfortuantly there aren't too many camping options on Sauvie Island, so here are a few options nearby that may work well if you want to spend your days on the island.



Bayport RV Park and Campground

The nearby Bayport RV Park and Campground is another great option if the campgrounds on Sauvie Island are booked. It offers batting, fishing, and kayaking opportunities along the Columbia River. Plus, tents are allowed!


The campground is also located alongside the Next Adventure Scappoose Bay Paddling Center, which has paddle boards and kayaks for rent.


Amenities

  • Boat launch

  • All sites have water

  • Fire rings

  • Paved and gravel

Scappoose RV Park

Scappoose RV Park is a small park around 2 miles from Scappoose. It is near the municipal airport, pet friendly, and has RV, tent, and bike campsites available.


Amenities

  • Showers

  • Drinking water

  • Restrooms

  • Parking Dump stations

Sauvie Island wetlands
Much of Sauvie Island is wetlands


Jantzen Beach RV Resort

Jantzen Beach RV Park is on Hayden Island, very close to Sauvie Island, and another popular destination for swimming, walking on the beach, boating, fishing, and kayaking. The campground is open year-round, and you can book a stay by the day, week, or month.



Amenities

  • Clubhouse

  • Gaming area

  • Heat pool

  • Playgrounds

  • Basketball court

  • Fitness center

  • Pull thru sites

  • Laundry

  • Free showers



In Conclusion

Sauvie Island is a beautiful vacation spot close to the major attractions of Portland, Oregon as well as the Columbia River, Vancouver, Washington, and more adventures than you could ever take advantage of! No matter where you choose to stay, you're sure to have a fantastic time on Sauvie Island.


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