Boating
Located at the Ridgefield Waterfront where the banks of Lake River meet the Columbia River at the North tip of Bachelor Island, our boat launch is an incredible local resource.
This idyllic location offers you the chance to row casually along the Lake River or speed into the Columbia and experience incredible river vistas.
Our boat launch includes two ramps with a center launch float, a single day-use dock, paved parking lot, restroom facilities, ADA-accessible facilities and a grassy picnic area where you can rest and enjoy the views before or after your journey.
Our dock and river access is a delight to boaters year-round! Come see what all the talk is about!
Boat Launch Use Fees
A fee is required to use the Port’s boat launch. Starting 2025, the payment system is going fully digital, offering a faster and more convenient experience for boat launch users.
Daily Permits
Daily permits are $13 and can be purchased with your smartphone by scanning a QR code or sending a text. Payments are linked directly to your vehicle’s license plate. Signs with instructions are posted around the parking lot.
Annual Permits
Annual permits are $75 and available only to Ridgefield residents with a 98642 home ZIP code. These permits must be purchased online through the Port’s website and will also be tied to your license plate.
*Please note we only allow two boat passes per home address.
For more details, read our FAQs below.
2025 Annual Boat Launch Use Passes Now Available
Resident (98642) Use Pass
Ridgefield residents can enjoy an annual use pass for $75. Start by clicking on the annual use pass link below. Complete the application form, attach proof of residence (e.g., a utility bill, photo of your drivers license), and submit. After approval, you will receive an email to finalize payment and create your HONK account.
Please note that your permit purchase confirmation will not come from the Port of Ridgefield’s email address. Instead, you will receive an email directly from HonkMobile, the official permit provider. Be sure to check your inbox (and spam folder) for your confirmation.
Commercial Use Pass
Commercial use passes are available for $100. To apply, select the link below for the annual use pass. Fill out the application, upload a copy of your commercial license or recent receipts, and submit your request. Once approved, you will receive an email with instructions to pay and set up your HONK account.
Daily Use Passes
You can pre-purchase a daily use pass at the link below. If you don’t have a smartphone or simply prefer to plan in advance, this is a great way to secure your access with ease.
Kayaking and Paddle Boarding
At the Ridgefield Waterfront Kayak Launch, located at the end of Division Street, kayakers and paddle boarders enjoy easy access with free city right-of-way parking.
While the boat launch is discouraged for kayakers and paddle boarders, the rocky shoreline is available for use. However, the port aims to promote inclusivity for all kayakers and paddle boarders by ensuring that those with disabilities have access to the boat launch if needed. No boat launch fee is required. Please contact the port office for assistance, as we will need to set up a pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at boating@portridgefield.org if you cannot find an answer to your question.
If you don’t have a mobile phone, you can pay the ticket fee later when you have access to a computer. The fee will be equivalent to the cost of a daily pass.
An app is not required, as web browsers can also be used. However, using the HONK app (annual use passes) and the Flash app (for daily passes) will simplify the process.
No, there will not be a physical permit. The permit will be tied directly to your vehicle’s license plate.
The primary reason for these changes is to modernize the permit systems while reducing the time and resources required from Port staff to manage these processes. By using digital tools, we can streamline operations, improve efficiency, and enhance the user experience.
The updated system is designed to enhance convenience, sustainability, and overall user experience while ensuring better management of the boat launch and parking areas. Key benefits include:
- Convenience and Flexibility: Users can purchase daily parking and annual permits online or via their smartphones, eliminating the need to visit the Port office or mail in a check.
- Paperless System: Payments and permits are linked directly to license plates, reducing the need for physical tickets or hangers. This makes the process more sustainable and eliminates the risk of lost or damaged permits.
- Improved User Experience: The ability to pay for parking using QR codes or text messages simplifies the process, especially for those accustomed to smartphone-based payments.
- Streamlined Enforcement: A contracted enforcement firm will ensure compliance and fairness, keeping parking areas and the boat launch well-managed.
Unfortunately, we can only register one license plate per use pass. Alternatively, you can purchase additional passes to register each of your vehicles separately. Please note that this will require completing multiple forms and payments. Please note we only allow two boat passes per home address.
No, annual use passes are exclusively available for Ridgefield residents. Non-residents can purchase daily parking permits at the boat launch. However, if you are a commercial fisher, you may purchase a commercial pass, which is available to both residents and non-98642 residents.
Yes, if you sell Pikeminnow fish to the Pikeminnow Program, you are eligible for a commercial permit. Please upload receipts from the program when registering.
If you don’t have access to a computer, please contact the Port office at 360-887-3873 for alternative methods to obtain your pass.
Each household may purchase up to two boat passes. We kindly ask that Ridgefield residents not purchase boat passes on behalf of non-residents. This helps ensure passes remain available for those in our community.
We encourage non-motorized watercraft users to utilize the designated kayak launch at the end of Division Street. However, if you need to use the main boat launch with a trailer, you are required to purchase a launch pass. If you require ADA accommodations, please contact the Port office at (360-887-3873), and we will provide you with a complimentary daily pass.
If you replace your vehicle or update your license plates, the Port staff can update your permit information accordingly. Please contact the Port office for assistance.
The port does not retain or download your proof of residence. The system we use is PCI & SOC2 compliant, ensuring secure handling of your information. Once we have approved (or denied) your permit, we archive the information.Your proof of residence is not stored, and we do not keep any personal documents on file.
To enhance security, port staff actively monitor the boat launch and verify QR codes. However, like any payment method, no system is entirely risk-free. If you prefer not to use the QR code, there is also a text-to-pay option available.
Please note that your permit purchase confirmation will not come from the Port of Ridgefield’s email address. Instead, you will receive an email directly from HonkMobile, the official permit provider. Be sure to check your inbox (and spam folder) for your confirmation.
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