Washougal
Visitors Info & Recreation
Washougal is in east Clark County and is home to approximately 12,000 residents. Washougal has a brand new state-of-the-art downtown and is home to the Pendleton Woolen Mill and the areas only museum.
Downtown Washougal @ Reflection Plaza
Reflection Plaza is located at the center of Washougal’s downtown revitalization. It was completed in the summer of 2007, resulting in a refreshing design that compliments the trendy new downtown core. Already the stage for community activities, the continuance of surrounding buildings to develop and fill with tenants will fill the plaza with visitors year round. Reflection Plaza is located at 17th and B Street.
Major Events in Washougal
The City of Washougal hosts a variety of events each year. The Port of Camas/Washougal hosts the Riverside Concert Series. The City of Washougal hosts the Fourth of July Celebration and will be from 4-9:30 pm at William Clark Park. The American Motorcycling Association - Motocross Championship will make a stop at the Washougal MX Park in late July.
Washougal's International Film Festival will take place again in August. . In October Washougal normally hosts a Pumpkin Party in Reflection Plaza. Their Holiday Celebration takes place on the first Saturday of December.
The Pendleton Woolen Mills
Pendleton Woolen Mills has a factory in Washougal that weaves wool for Pendleton clothing. Pendleton has operated the mill since 1911 at this location. Tours of the plant are available. Pendleton also operates a factory outlet store at the site. The store is open Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pendleton Woolen Mills is located off State Highway 14 at the 15th Street exit in Washougal.
The Two Rivers Heritage Museum
This museum features over 6000 photographs and 200 oral histories, including pioneering families of East Clark County. There are extensive land records and local family histories including D.L.C. and homesteading information, area maps, genealogy, and old home histories. There are Native American artifacts and antique baskets, art, antiques and memorabilia, plus so much more.
Steamboat Landing
Steamboat Landing at the intersection of SR 14 and 15th Street, provides pedestrian access to several points of interest. Visitors can stroll a boardwalk floating on the Columbia River that leads to an elevated observation deck with vast views of the River, Mt. Hood and Oregon. A peaceful wooded trail provides an alternate short cut to the deck. Visitors can also access the dike trail (used for walkers, bicycles and horses), which leads to Captain William Clark Park at Cotton Wood Beach, and views of the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
The Sandy Swimming Hole
The Sandy Swimming Hole, located in the 300 block of Shepherd Rd, has been a popular warm weather spot for both swimmers and kayakers for several years. The large sunny deck accommodates picnics with views of the Washougal River. Restrooms are available for visitor convenience. 300 Black of Shepherd Road.
Captain William Clark Park
Captain William Clark Park at Cottonwood Beach is located on property owned by the Port of Camas/Washougal. Clark Park, once known simply as "Cottonwood Beach," commemorates the historical site where the Corps of Discovery camped for six days while on their journey through this area in 1806. The 85-acre park includes walk paths, paved parking, picnic tables, covered cooking areas, a recognition plaza, three restroom buildings, and replicas of Chinookan canoes and Lewis and Clark's dugout canoes. A two-mile long dike trail at the north side of the Park and just above the Beach offers a scenic stretch for hiking, jogging, biking, and horseback riding.
Marina Park
Marina Park is located on the beautiful Columbia River, 5 miles east of Portland (river mile 121.7), the Port's Marina Park provides a wonderful view of Mt. Hood and the Marina. There is also a walking path, public restrooms, picnic tables, shade trees, and a deck overlooking the Marina. The facilities include picnic tables, handicap-accessible restrooms, a walking path, BBQ pits, groomed grass, and scenic views. There is also an RV waste station nearby for your convenience.
Parker's Landing Historical
Parker's Landing Historical Park may very well be sitting atop the birthplace of Washougal. It all began in 1845 when the first permanent white settler, David C. Parker, staked his claim amidst Chinook-speaking Native Americans and later called it Parkersville. Five years later (1850-1856) 50 settlers claimed land under the Donation Land Claim Act and that same year the Indian War resulted in a mass relocation of Native Americans to the Warm Springs Reservation. Over the next 20 years, several merchants would arrive in Parkersville and purchase over 20 acres of neighboring land, which would later be called Washougal. You can still visit the oldest incorporated community, now known as The Port of Camas/Washougal and Parker's Landing Historical Park. Launch your boat or go have a picnic under the harbor in the park. Enjoy the historical narratives in the kiosks or head off to a nearby trail.
Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located adjacent to Washougal, on 1,049 acres of former Columbia River floodplain, this diked area consists of shallow ponds, marshes, open fields, and riparian woodlands. While providing an important nesting and wintering area for raptors and waterfowl, it is also at a crossroads of migration routes. Birds that move east and west, through the nearly sea level break in the Cascade Mountains created by the Columbia Gorge, mingle with north/south migrant species. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded from this small area including such west-of-the-Cascades rarities as Prairie Falcon, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Burrowing Owl, Loggerhead Shrike, and Sage Thrasher. Click on the link for park hours.
Reed Island
Take a short boat trip down the Columbia River to Reed Island, an all-access state park, located 1 mile east of Washougal. Accessible only by boat, Reed Island features picnicking, camping, fishing, hiking, swimming, boating, water skiing, and bird watching. The island also features 10 primitive campsites. Launch your boat at the Port of Camas/Washougal -and take the family for a picnic, join your buddies for some water sports, or grab your fishing pole and binoculars for a little quality time with nature.