Wheatland ferry hours and guide
Marion County Public Works (Marion County) runs the Wheatland ferry, a car and passenger ferry across the Willamette River north of Salem, Oregon. The Wheatland ferry runs all year during posted hours. Pedestrians ride free, and the ferry takes no credit cards.
Schedule up to date as of October 26, 2026
Contents
Wheatland ferry hours
| Days | Posted hours |
|---|---|
| Daily, all year | 5:30 AM to 9:45 PM1 |
- The ferry closes when the Willamette River reaches 15 feet.
Changes to the posted hours
| Dates | Change | Posted hours |
|---|---|---|
| November 26, 2026; November 25, 2027 | Closed for Thanksgiving | Closed |
| December 25, 2026; December 25, 2027 | Closed for Christmas | Closed |
The Wheatland ferry closes on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Wheatland ferry fares
| Fare type | Fare |
|---|---|
| Passengers | |
| Pedestrian | Free |
| Bicycles | |
| Bicycle | $1.00 |
| Vehicles | |
| Motorcycle | $2.00 |
| Vehicle under 22 feet | $3.00 |
| Vehicle under 42 feet | $6.00 |
| Vehicle over 42 feet | $9.00 |
| Single vehicle using the whole ferry, or over 65,000 pounds | $18.00 |
- Marion County takes cash, checks and Marion County ferry toll cards on the Wheatland ferry, and no credit cards. Vehicle fares include a trailer and go by overall length.
Riders buy Marion County ferry toll cards on either Marion County ferry with cash or check. Marion County Public Works, at 5155 Silverton Road NE in Salem, also sells them by credit card. The cards work on the Wheatland and Buena Vista ferries.
Wheatland ferry details
| Operator | Marion County Public Works |
|---|---|
| Vehicles | Up to 80,000 pounds and 60 feet long, priced by overall length with any trailer |
| Payment | Cash, check or Marion County ferry toll card. No credit cards. |
| Pedestrians | Free |
| Bicycles | Carried at the bicycle fare |
Wheatland ferry directions from Salem and I-5
From Salem, drivers take River Road North to Wheatland Road. From Interstate 5, drivers take the Brooks exit and head west to Wheatland Road, which leads to the Wheatland ferry.
Wheatland ferry closures and river levels
The Wheatland ferry closes when the Willamette River reaches 15 feet. Marion County posts unscheduled closures on its Wheatland ferry operating status page, and the box at the top of this page shows that status. Recorded ferry information is at 503-588-7979.
Wheatland ferry FAQs
Is the Wheatland ferry running today?
The Wheatland ferry box at the top of this page shows whether the ferry is open now, from Marion County's posted hours and its operating status page. Recorded ferry information is at 503-588-7979.
How much is the Wheatland ferry?
The Wheatland ferry is free for pedestrians. The fares table above gives the price for bicycles, motorcycles and vehicles by length.
Does the Wheatland ferry take credit cards?
The Wheatland ferry takes cash, checks and Marion County ferry toll cards, and no credit cards.
When does the Wheatland ferry close for high water?
The Wheatland ferry closes when the Willamette River reaches 15 feet.