Published hours: seven days a week, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., year-round, closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, and closed when the river reaches about 15 feet. The county publishes hours only, no departure times. A September 2026 county notice put the ferry in dry dock with no reopening date, and no later notice could be read. · Departures shown by frequency — exact times from the operator. · Representative sailings only — check the operator for today's full schedule
Departures 1–10 / 10
Departures 1–10 / 10
Operator
Marion County Public Works
Map – Buena Vista Ferry
Fare type
Price
Pedestrian
Free
Bicycle
$1.00
Motorcycle
$2.00
Vehicle shorter than 22 ft
$3.00
Vehicle greater than 22 ft and less than 42 ft (length includes any trailer)
$6.00
Vehicle or combination greater than 42 ft
$9.00
Single vehicle using the entire ferry, or over 65,000 lbs
$18.00
County fee table headed 'Effective March 15th, 2021'; it was still the table on the hours page in an October 15, 2026 copy. The page does not say whether the amounts are per crossing or per round trip. Fees are paid in cash, personal check or a county ferry toll card; credit cards are not accepted. A toll card earns a 10% credit on each purchase of $50 or more, and the same card works on Marion County's Wheatland Ferry. The page lists a maximum weight of 80,000 lbs (40 tons) and maximum length of 60 feet; a June 22, 2026 notice on the status page had limited loads to under 30,000 lbs because of low water, and that notice has not been seen withdrawn. All fares in US dollars (USD).
The Buena Vista Ferry takes vehicles, bikes and walkers across the Willamette River between the old river town of Buena Vista on the Polk County bank and Buena Vista Road South on the Marion County bank. Marion County Public Works runs it; Polk County's own ferry page says the same. It is one of the county's two ferries, the other being the Wheatland Ferry, and one county toll card works on both.
The hours are simple on paper. The county lists the ferry as open seven days a week, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., all year, closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. It does not publish departure times, so this page does not invent any. It also closes whenever the river climbs to about 15 feet, and the county links a live river-level reading so you can judge for yourself.
The thing to know before a trip is the status. The county's closures page, last updated September 11, 2026, said the Marion County bridge crew would dry-dock the ferry beginning September 9, with the reopening date to be determined. A notice on the same page said the ferry would stay closed through the summer for dredging and a five-year Coast Guard haul-out inspection. In June, the status page had already limited loads to under 30,000 pounds because of low water. No reopening notice was found. Treat the ferry as unconfirmed and call the recorded line at 503-588-7979, which runs around the clock.
The fee table has been the same since March 15, 2021. Pedestrians ride free, a bicycle is $1, a motorcycle $2, and a vehicle under 22 feet $3. A vehicle between 22 and 42 feet, trailer included, is $6, over 42 feet is $9, and a single vehicle using the entire ferry or weighing over 65,000 pounds is $18. Pay with cash, a personal check or a county toll card; credit cards are not accepted at the ferry. Toll cards add a 10% credit on each purchase of $50 or more.
The county's directions: from I-5, take the Talbot Road exit and head west; from Salem, take River Road South over the Independence Bridge and turn left.
Arrive at the terminal several minutes before departure; vehicle lanes close earlier than the foot-passenger gate.
Check the operator's service alerts before you set out — weather, tides and vessel maintenance change sailings.
Confirm accepted payment methods: some crossings are card-only and some take cash only.
Frequently asked questions
Not confirmed. The last county closure notice found, updated September 11, 2026, said the ferry would be dry-docked from September 9 with the reopening date to be determined, and no reopening notice was found. Call the recorded ferry line at 503-588-7979, which runs 24 hours a day.
Marion County lists seven days a week, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., year-round, closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The county does not publish a list of departure times.
Pedestrians are free, bicycles $1, motorcycles $2, vehicles under 22 feet $3, vehicles 22 to 42 feet $6 (trailer length included), over 42 feet $9, and a single vehicle using the whole ferry or over 65,000 lbs $18. The county table is dated March 15, 2021 and does not say whether the amounts are per crossing or round trip.
No. The county accepts cash, personal checks and its ferry toll card at the ferry. Credit cards are accepted only when buying a toll card in the Public Works office (5155 Silverton Road NE, Salem) or by phone at 503-588-5036.
The county says it closes when the Willamette River level reaches approximately 15 feet. It links a river-level reading and has an email list for unscheduled closures from mechanical problems or high or low water.
The hours-and-fees page lists a maximum weight of 80,000 lbs (40 tons) and a maximum length of 60 feet. A June 22, 2026 notice on the status page limited loads to under 30,000 lbs because of low water; ask the county whether that still applies.
From the west side of the river, go south of Independence past the Independence Bridge, turn left on Buena Vista Road and stay on it to the ferry. From Salem, take River Road South over the Independence Bridge and turn left. From I-5, take the Talbot Road exit and head west.
The recorded Ferry Information Line is 503-588-7979, available 24 hours a day. Marion County Public Works dispatch is 503-588-5304, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.