Event Parking and Shuttles
REVISED FOR 2023
Event parking and shuttle stops are different this year!
Event parking on the Oregon side has changed. In recent years, our traditional parking area has been at the Port of Astoria near the finish line area. This year, there is NO PARKING at the Port area due to the security needs of visiting vessels.
As before, there is no parking or drop-off allowed at the starting line area. Participants must arrive by shuttle bus.
We have four locations for participants to catch a shuttle to the starting area. See descriptions and a coordinating map below, to choose the option best suited to you.
Shuttles will service these four locations starting at 6:30 a.m. Be in line for a shuttle no later than 7:00 a.m. to ensure you get to the starting area on time.
Return shuttles will start at 9:30 a.m. and stop at 11:30 a.m.
Tips for Race Morning
Shuttles will pick up on race morning from the locations listed below.
Every participant must take a shuttle to the starting line.
Please carpool, plan ahead, and arrive early. Traffic control personnel may direct you to another location to park if their lot is full, or cars are backing up and causing a traffic hazard. We appreciate your assistance in reducing traffic impacts.
Be in line for a shuttle no later than 7:00 a.m. to ensure that we can get everyone to the starting line on time. The starting line area is fun! Expect entertainment, portable restrooms/sinks, and the camaraderie of your fellow race participants.
Drop-offs are allowed. If a non-participant is dropping you off on the Oregon side, please use Columbia Ave (east of Holiday Inn Express) to drop off and walk along the Astoria Riverwalk to the Basin Street Shuttle Stop. If a non-participant is dropping you off on the Washington side, please have them drop you off at Port of Chinook Shuttle Stop.
Reminder: There is no access at the starting line (Dismal Nitch Rest Area) to drop off participants.
After the event, shuttles will operate until 11:30 a.m. to return you to the location you boarded from.
Handicap accessible (ADA lift) shuttles will operate from the Basin Street Shuttle Stop only at two specific times: 7:10 and 7:40 a.m. Additional details below.
Strollers will be accommodated on all shuttles, but you must be able to collapse it to fit in the seat next to you. If you have an oversized stroller, please make your way to the Basin Street Shuttle Stop to use the cargo hauler shuttle. This shuttle will leave at 7:00 and 7:30 a.m.
Race Day Packet Pick-Up is located at the Basin Street Shuttle Stop only. Participants picking up their packet on race day morning (for a fee of $20) must park separately and walk to packet pickup at Basin Street.
Spectators wishing to view the race finish can walk-in to the event site. Please plan to arrive after 8:30 a.m. to allow our crew and volunteers to prepare the finish line area. Early finishers will cross the finish line around 9:15 a.m.
Road Closures: The Astoria-Megler Bridge and Hwy. 401 (from Dismal Nitch Rest Area to Bridge) are closed to vehicles from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for the event. Hwy 401 reopens once all participants are on the bridge, usually by 9:30 a.m. Exceptions will be made for emergency responders and event staff vehicles on the bridge, so please be aware of their presence.
Before you go, keep this in mind to ensure a safe and fun event for all.
Plan ahead and decide which shuttle stop is most convenient for you on race morning. Give yourself plenty of time to get there. Be prepared to move to another location if traffic control directs you to do so.
Travel light and leave the following at home:
- No bags of any size or type.
- No drones or UAS.
- No dogs or pets.
Have your race bib (numbered tag) visible when boarding the shuttle. It should be on your outermost layer of clothing on the race course to assist course security, event photographers, and timers at the finish line.
Basin Street Shuttle Stop
Address: 55 Basin Street, Astoria, OR 97103 (in the lot near Journey's End Espresso)
Walk in location. No event parking on-site.
Suggested for those staying in nearby lodgings (such as the Cannery Pier Hotel, Astoria Riverwalk Inn, The Lloyd Hotel Astoria Bayfront) and walkable Uniontown/west-end residences.
If you have an oversized stroller, please make your way to the Basin Street Shuttle Stop to use the cargo hauler shuttle. Collapsible shuttles that can fit in the seat next to you on the school bus can be taken on any shuttle. This stroller shuttle will leave Basin at 7:00 and 7:30 a.m.
Race Day Packet Pick-Up is located at the Basin Street Shuttle Stop only. Participants picking up their packet on race day morning (for a fee of $20) must park separately and walk to packet pickup at Basin Street.
ADA lift shuttles will operate from the Basin Street Shuttle Stop only. Please show your handicap placard to traffic control personnel to access the handicap parking area. These accessible buses leave at two specific times: 7:10 and 7:40 a.m. This allows us to accommodate participants who need extra help due to a disability, wheelchair, etc.
If you or a loved one needs special accommodations on the shuttle due to disability, wheelchair, etc., please contact us at events@oldoregon.com to let us know. We want to ensure you have the best possible Great Columbia Crossing experience, but we need your help to do so.
Astoria High School Shuttle Stop
Address: 1001 W. Marine Drive, Astoria, OR 97103
Park at the Astoria High School or nearby lots including Tapiola Park.
Suggested for those arriving from the south on Hwy 101 from Warrenton/Seaside and beyond, or residents of Astoria’s south slope. We encourage those residing within walking distance to walk to this shuttle stop.
CMH Field Shuttle Stop
Address: 1800 Williamsport Rd, Astoria, OR 97103
Park at CMH Field or walk-in from nearby residences.
Suggested for those arriving from the south on Hwy 101 from Warrenton/Seaside and beyond, or residents of Astoria’s south slope. We encourage those residing within walking distance to walk to this shuttle stop.
This lot will be serviced regularly as well as act as overflow from the AHS lot if it fills.
East Mooring Basin Shuttle Stop
Address: 3420 Leif Erikson Dr, Astoria, OR 97103 (on Hwy 30 east of Comfort Suites Columbia River)
Park at the East Mooring Basin.
Suggested for those arriving from the east on Hwy 30 from Knappa/Svensen and beyond, or residents of Astoria’s uppertown/east-end. We encourage those residing within walking distance or staying at nearby lodgings (Comfort Suites Columbia River, Hampton Inn & Suites) to walk to this shuttle stop.
Port of Chinook, WA Shuttle Stop
Address: 743 Water Street, Chinook, WA 98614
Park at the Port of Chinook.
Suggested for those coming from lodgings or residences in Washington.
Reminder: There is no access at the starting line (Dismal Nitch Rest Area) to drop off participants.
The shuttle loading cut-off time at this location is 7:30 a.m.
Please note that the first return shuttle to Port of Chinook will depart at 11:00 a.m. or briefly thereafter, once the Astoria-Megler Bridge has reopened to vehicles.