Honestly, if you’re driving down State Route 14 near Washougal, it’s incredibly easy to blink and miss the turn-off for Captain William Clark Park. Most people just see a stretch of trees and a levee. They figure it’s just another patch of grass for local dogs to run around.
They’re wrong.
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This isn't just a park. It’s basically a time capsule with better parking. Located right on the banks of the Columbia River at what locals call Cottonwood Beach, this 93-acre site is where the Lewis and Clark expedition basically took a "breather" before the final push home. You’ve got history, massive river views, and a beach that feels a world away from the Vancouver-Portland traffic.
Why Captain William Clark Park Is More Than Just a Beach
Most folks show up with a cooler and a towel, which is fine. But you're standing on what was once "Provision Camp." Back in 1806, from March 31 to April 6, the Corps of Discovery hunkered down right here. It was their longest stay in Clark County.
Why? They were starving.
Well, "starving" might be a bit dramatic, but they were definitely low on supplies. They needed meat—lots of it—to get back through the Columbia River Gorge. While the hunters were out chasing elk and deer, William Clark was busy being a bit of a detective. Local Chinookan-speaking tribes told him he’d missed a massive river on the way west. Imagine missing the Willamette River. Twice.
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Clark took a few guys, paddled back downstream, and finally "discovered" the Multnomah (now the Willamette). If they hadn't camped at what is now Captain William Clark Park, the maps of the Pacific Northwest would have looked a whole lot different.
The Dike Trail and Those Incredible Views
The heartbeat of the park is the dike trail. It’s a 1.5-mile stretch of elevated path that gives you a panoramic view of the Columbia River.
On a clear day, you can see the peaks of the Gorge rising up to the east. It's wide. It’s paved in some spots and gravel in others. It's perfect for bikes, strollers, or just a slow walk while you pretend you're an explorer.
The trail actually connects to the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. If you keep heading east, you’ll end up in a birdwatcher’s paradise. I’ve seen everything from Great Blue Herons to bald eagles just hanging out on the logs near the shore.
What You’ll Actually Find There
You aren't just getting a path. The park is actually pretty well-equipped for a weekend hangout.
- The Log Pavilion: It’s this massive, rough-hewn cedar structure near the entrance. It feels like something out of a 19th-century fort. Inside, there are suspended exhibits that explain the history without being boring.
- Concrete Canoes: There are these "ghost" sculptures—concrete replicas of Chinookan canoes. Kids love climbing on them, but they’re actually meant to remind you of the people who lived here thousands of years before Lewis and Clark showed up.
- The Beach: Cottonwood Beach is the big draw in the summer. It’s a sandy stretch along the Columbia. Word of advice: the current is no joke. There are no lifeguards. Swim at your own risk and maybe keep the kids in life jackets if they're going past their knees.
- Picnic Shelters: There are two big ones. You can reserve them for about $85, but if nobody’s booked them, they’re fair game. They have electricity, water, and big charcoal grills. Perfect for a family reunion or a birthday where you don't want your house trashed.
The History That Nobody Talks About
We talk a lot about the "Discovery" part of the park's name, but the Indigenous history here is way deeper. The Washougal area was a massive trade hub. The Chinookan people were the master carvers and merchants of the river.
When Clark was here, he noted the different types of houses. To the east, people built circular pit houses. To the west, they had these huge multi-family longhouses. At Cottonwood Beach, you could see both. It was basically the cultural crossroads of the region.
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The interpretive signs along the trail actually do a decent job of explaining this. They don't just focus on the white guys in buckskins; they talk about the "starving families" the Corps saw in canoes and the complex social structures that existed long before 1806.
A Few Practical Tips for Your Visit
Parking is usually easy, with over 100 spots, but it fills up fast on July weekends. The address is technically 3333 Index Street in Washougal.
If you're bringing a dog, keep it on a leash. They’re allowed in the park and on the dike trail, but the moment you cross the boundary into the Steigerwald Wildlife Refuge, dogs are a big no-go. The rangers there are pretty strict about it to protect the nesting birds.
Also, the bathrooms are seasonal. If you go in the dead of winter, you might be looking at a portable toilet situation. Just a heads up.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
- Check the Wind: The Columbia River Gorge is a wind tunnel. If the forecast says it’s breezy in Portland, it’s going to be howling at Captain William Clark Park. Bring a windbreaker even in the summer.
- Pack for the Walk: The picnic shelters are a bit of a hike from the parking lot. If you're bringing a massive cooler and three bags of charcoal, bring a wagon. Your back will thank you.
- Visit the Two Rivers Heritage Museum: It’s just a few miles away in Washougal. If the park piques your interest in local history, the museum has even more artifacts and stories about the "Cascade Peoples" and early settlers.
- Golden Hour Photography: If you want the best photos of the river and the logs, get there about an hour before sunset. The light hits the water and the cottonwood trees in a way that makes everything look like a painting.
- Respect the Refuge: If you decide to hike further into the Steigerwald section, stay on the trails. It's a fragile ecosystem, and those mileage markers on the white posts are there to help you track your distance.
Captain William Clark Park isn't just a place to sunbathe. It’s a spot where you can stand exactly where a group of exhausted explorers once stood, looking out at the same river, wondering what was around the next bend. Whether you're there for the history or just a quiet place to walk, it’s one of the best ways to spend a Saturday in the Pacific Northwest.