There will be single-lane closures on the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate bridge 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8 and Thursday, July 9 for ODOT required biennial fracture critical inspections. Flaggers will direct traffic around the moving work zone. Bridge users should expect delays of 20 minutes or more depending on traffic volume.
For more information contact the Port of Hood River via email to porthr@gorge.net.
Read MoreThe 4th of July fireworks display in Hood River has been cancelled for this year and there will be several other major differences to the holiday weekend experience on the Hood River Waterfront.
The large gravel lot known locally as “Lot 1” will be closed. No parking or access to the lot will be allowed throughout the weekend. The Event Site parking lot will be open to season pass holders only on Saturday, July 4. Season passes can be purchased that day at the parking booth, but no single-day use passes will be sold. The parking lot will close at 10:00 p.m.On-street parking is free on Saturday, July 4. Off-street parking at the West Jensen Beach lot will still be pay-to-park. The Marina picnic shelter will be closed, but the Marina Park itself will be open with picnic tables placed around the lawn at proper distances from each other.
As always, there is no overnight parking or camping allowed anywhere on the Hood River waterfront. No fireworks of any kind are allowed anytime on any Port-controlled property.
For more information, please contact the Port of Hood River via email to porthr@gorge.net.
Read MoreHood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge Traffic Alert for Friday, June 26:One-hour bridge closure 5AM-6AM for full-height maintenance lift. There will be a one-hour full closure of the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge for a scheduled full height maintenance lift of the bridge’s lift span from 5:00 a.m. until 6:00 a.m. on Friday, June 26. Early morning commuters are advised to avoid the bridge during the closure.For more information, email the Port of Hood River at porthr@gorge.net.
Read MoreConflicting uses and overcrowding prompt restrictions
Last updated September 16, 2020
HOOD RIVER, OR – Crowded beaches and conflicting uses of limited space have raised safety concerns for recreational sites on the Hood River waterfront. The Port of Hood River owns and operates most of the recreational facilities and announced new use restrictions and closures on July 25. Originally, the restrictions affecting parking at the Event Site and nearby N. 1st Street applied to Saturdays and Sundays only, but due to continued excessive crowding, the Port will now implement those restrictions on Fridays as well.
The Port will continue to monitor crowding and other safety conditions and may take further measures to close or restrict access to recreational sites if necessary.
EVENT SITE – The Event Site ticket booth has closed for the season. Payment for Day Use must be made at one of the two kiosks located in the parking area. Annual passes must be displayed adhered to the inside glass of the front windshield and easily visible to be valid. Failure to display your annual pass will result in a parking citation. Annual passes can be purchased online here: https://portofhoodriver.com/waterfront-recreation/purchase-event-site-parking-passes/Kiteboard launching and landing is allowed from the Sandbar only until further notice. SANDBAR – The Sandbar is an area of intense kiteboarding use and can be dangerous for spectators unaware of the sport’s space requirements. This area is accessed via the Spit parking lot and is not recommended for picnickers.LOT 1 – Closed to all vehicle parking.NICHOLS BASIN DOCK – Nichols Dock is now open to the public, but users are urged to avoid crowding on the dock, wear masks when 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained. NO JUMPING OR DIVING FROM THE SEA WALL AND STAY OFF THE FENCE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.FROG BEACH – Frog Beach is open, but users are urged to spread out or use the Marina Beach instead when the small beach area becomes too crowded. This beach has been very crowded with children and groups the past couple of weekends, raising alarm in the local community. Beach users are reminded to wear masks when 6 feet of social distance with people not from your own household cannot be maintained. MARINA BEACH – The Marina Beach is now open to all users. Beach users are reminded to wear masks when 6 feet of social distance cannot be maintained. Beach users should also be aware of drowning danger along the edge of the spit/sandbar area – there is a long area of shallow water that ends very abruptly with a steep drop off and strong currents. Life jackets and close adult supervision is strongly recommended for all minors. WATERFRONT PARK BEACH (City-owned facility) – The Waterfront Park beach is open, but users are reminded to spread out and wear masks when 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained.WATERFRONT PARK PLAYGROUND (City-owned facility) – The playground area is closed until further notice.Marina Park Picnic Shelter – closed. The Marina Park and Marina Green are open for use.Marina Boat Ramp – open.Marina – open for moorage tenants.Cruise Ships – all visits have been suspended.All public restrooms closed due to Covid-19 concerns. There are limited porta-potties located on the waterfront.Garbage service limited or suspended. It is important that you recreate close to home and come prepared to pack out your garbage – including dog waste.PARKING – No parking allowed after 11:00 p.m. on any Port of Hood River operated area, except for West Portway commercial truck/trailer parking by permit. Parking lots close at 9:00 p.m. – Gates to the Hook, the Event Site parking lot, the Marina Beach/Moorage lot, and the Spit will be closed at 9:00 p.m.DOGS – All dogs MUST BE ON LEASH at all Port-owned and operated facilities listed above.
The Port received a notable number of calls, emails, and messages from residents and businesses alike after the weekend of July 18-19 urging closure of the recreational sites in response to overcrowding and non-compliance with mask mandates.
The Port encourages weekend visitors to stay closer to home and urges all users of Port recreational facilities to comply with all COVID-related safety mandates as well as use and parking restrictions, or further use limitations or closures may be imposed.
City and Port officials also urge visitors to all waterfront areas to come prepared to pack out their garbage and remind dog owners to keep dogs on leash and ensure proper disposal of dog waste.
For more information, contact the Port of Hood River via email to porthr@gorge.net.
Please recreate close to home, avoid traveling far from home, and if you don’t live in Hood River, please do not recreate here.
CROWDED PARKS LEAD TO CLOSED PARKS
As always, there is no overnight parking or camping allowed anywhere on the Hood River waterfront. No fireworks of any kind are allowed anytime on any Port-controlled property.
For more information, please contact the Port of Hood River via email to porthr@gorge.net.
Read MoreTolling will resume on May 1st with an all-electronic tolling system temporarily taking the place of the manned toll booth. The BreezeBy system will be turned back on, with no changes to normal functions. Motorists that do not have a BreezeBy transponder in their vehicle will have seven days to pay the normal toll rate either online at portofhoodriver.com or at the Port offices located at 1000 E. Port Marina Drive in Hood River (building is just west of the toll plaza). After seven days, an invoice for unpaid tolls will be sent to the vehicle’s registered owner for the amount of the toll plus a $3 administrative fee per crossing. If a person receives an invoice, they can avoid paying the administrative fees by opening a BreezeBy account within 30 days of the date of the invoice. There are no fees to open a BreezeBy account, funds placed in the account never expire, and the first transponder per household is provided at no cost. Most Breezeby customers opt to fund their accounts with a debit or credit card, but this is not required.
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