Boat Ramps Open On Willamette River: Where To Launch?

If you're looking to get out on the water, there are several boat ramps open on the Willamette River. Willamette Park Boat Ramp and Dock is a convenient option, with nice facilities and a usage fee. It's located just off SW Macadam Avenue and Nebraska Street and is open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Another option is the Cathedral Park Boat Ramp, located in the shadow of the St. Johns Bridge. This is one of Portland's larger boat ramps and is excellent for those wishing to tour through the city's inner harbor. If you're looking for a quieter spot, the Whitely Boat Ramp is situated on a small Willamette River backchannel, offering a tranquil experience with the possibility of spotting deer and other wildlife.

Willamette Park Boat Ramp and Dock

The Willamette Park Boat Ramp and Dock is located at S Macadam Avenue and Nebraska Street in Portland, Oregon. It is a regional waterfront park along the Willamette River that offers a variety of recreational functions. The park is open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and has pay-to-park options, although no overnight parking is allowed. The boat ramp and dock provide access to the river for boats and other watercraft, with a 1-hour maximum for active boat loading and unloading.

Willamette Park itself spans 26.85 acres and is an important regional destination for cyclists and nature enthusiasts. The park features an unprogrammed open lawn area for informal passive recreation and is known for its diverse bird population, including purple martins, gulls, sandpipers, cormorants, kingfishers, and swallows. Birdwatchers can also spot great blue herons, bald eagles, ospreys, and Canada geese in the vicinity of the park.

The Willamette Park Boat Ramp and Dock is part of the Portland Parks & Recreation system, which manages several public docks and two boat ramps within the city. The facility is conveniently located just minutes from downtown Portland, providing easy access to the water for locals and visitors alike.

In addition to the boat ramp and dock, Willamette Park offers a range of amenities, including a fenced dog off-leash area and a lighted tennis court. The park is accessible via S Nebraska Street, SW Nevada Street, S Miles Place, S Beaver Avenue, and the Willamette Greenway Trail.

The Willamette Park Redevelopment Project, completed in 2012, aimed to enhance the park's amenities and improve internal circulation, with a focus on accommodating increased bike and pedestrian traffic. Seasonal boater parking permits are available for purchase during the months of February through May, specifically for vehicles with trailers in marked "Trailers Only" spaces.

Cathedral Park Boat Ramp and Dock

The boat ramp and dock are open from 5:00 a.m. to midnight, with no overnight parking. Boat loading and unloading is restricted to one hour on the wings, and there is no overnight moorage.

Cathedral Park is situated beneath the historic St. Johns Bridge, Portland's only steel suspension bridge. The towers of the bridge reach a height of 400 feet, and the bridge spans 1,207 feet across the river. The park is thought to be the camping site of the Lewis and Clark expedition on 2nd April 1806. Despite its historical relevance, the park wasn't dedicated until 1980. The park received its name from the "Cathedral-like arches" of the St. Johns Bridge, as described in a 1968 Oregon Journal article.

The park includes a boat dock, boat ramp, canoe launch, restrooms, an off-leash dog area, an amphitheater, numerous picnic tables, and swimming and fishing areas.

Kelly Point Park Boat Ramp

The Willamette River has several other launch points, including the Willamette Park Boat Ramp and Dock, which is open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and requires payment for parking. Active boat loading and unloading are allowed for a maximum of one hour, and no overnight parking or moorage is permitted.

Another launch point is the Cathedral Park Boat Ramp, located in the shadow of the St. Johns Bridge. This is one of Portland's larger boat ramps and is an excellent take-out option for those wishing to tour through Portland's working inner harbour.

The Swan Island Boat Ramp is located in the NE corner of The Swan Island Lagoon and is one of Portland's hidden boat ramps.

For paddlers, SW Portland's River Place Marina allows the launch of boats from one of their docks, although free parking is not available.

Additionally, Alder Creek's Portland Boathouse Dock offers abundant free parking and a large dock for launching paddle craft.

Swan Island Boat Ramp

The Swan Island Boat Ramp has been a source of concern for anglers and boaters due to safety issues and the presence of a growing homeless camp in the area. There have been reports of gang activity and theft, with some people expressing worry about leaving their vehicles and boats unattended. The Bureau of Environmental Services has acknowledged these challenges and has worked with partners to aid people without stable housing, conduct camp cleanups, and maintain safe access. However, they have stated that they lack the resources to continue these efforts. As a result, they are considering measures such as gates to restrict public access due to security concerns.

The boat ramp is protected from the main river, located at the end of an alcove on the inland side of Swan Island Peninsula. This location provides some shelter for boaters. However, with the safety concerns and the potential for restricted access in the future, it is unclear how long the Swan Island Boat Ramp will remain open and easily accessible to the public.

Despite the issues, the Swan Island Boat Ramp has been a convenient option for many boaters and anglers in the past. It will be a shame if it is closed off, as some have suggested, due to the lack of similar facilities in the area. The sale of the property and the growing safety concerns have left the future of the Swan Island Boat Ramp uncertain.

Jefferson Street Boat Ramp

For those looking for other boat ramps on the Willamette River, there are several options available. The Willamette Park Boat Ramp and Dock is open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and offers pay-to-park options, although there is no overnight parking. The Cathedral Park Boat Ramp and Dock is another option, with similar hours and parking restrictions as the Willamette Park location.

If you are specifically interested in launching non-motorized watercraft, the Sellwood Riverfront Dock & Hand Watercraft Launch is open from 5:00 a.m. to midnight and offers a 2-hour maximum moorage. For those seeking a more scenic option, the Gov Tom McCall Waterfront Park North and South Breakwater Docks provide beautiful views of the Willamette River, although there is no on-site parking available, and payment is required to use the dock.

Additionally, the M. James Gleason Memorial Boat Ramp on the Columbia River is just minutes from downtown Portland and provides a convenient public launch option. For those seeking a larger facility, Chinook Landing Marine Park, also on the Columbia River, boasts six launching lanes and is one of Oregon's largest public boating facilities.

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