Washougal, Washington - Lewis and Clark Trail Experience

Information

Washougal is always open

360-607-5990

Free to visit the city

lat: 45.5811472 long: -122.3538195

Washougal offer an abundance of small town charm and scenic natural beauty to explore.

The City of Washougal, WA, incorporated in 1908, was home to a robust Native American culture and some of the very earliest American settlers and pioneers in the Washington Territory. Beautifully bordered by the Columbia and Washougal Rivers, it is located at the western entrance to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Visitors enjoy shopping, dining, hiking, art, water sports, parks, breweries, history and more.

On March 31, 1806, Lewis and Clark established a camp at Cottonwood Beach for six days while they secured provisions for the return trip through the Columbia River Gorge. In 2006 the area was renamed Captain William Clark Regional Park and provides excellent access to the Columbia River for swimmers and boaters. The park also includes multi-use trails, restrooms, historic interpretive elements, picnic shelters and parking. It is just one of the many reasons to Visit Washougal.

Washougal – A Place of Discovery

Washougal WA in the fall

Washougal WA in the fall

Cottonwood Beach in Washougal WA

Cottonwood Beach in Washougal WA

Lower Hathaway Park swimming hole

Lower Hathaway Park swimming hole

Sandy Swimming Hole Park

Sandy Swimming Hole Park

Washougal River

Washougal River

Washougal Waterfront Park Trail

Washougal Waterfront Park Trail

Pendleton Woolen Mill Outlet Store

Pendleton Woolen Mill Outlet Store

Two Rivers Heritage Museum

Two Rivers Heritage Museum

Seaman at Reflection Plaza

Seaman at Reflection Plaza

Nearby Attractions

Distance Unit:

Discover Washougal Art Map

Discover Washougal Art Map

Washougal, WA, USA
Distance: 0.00 Away

Galleries and Venues Food and Drinks Festivals and Events

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Seaman Sculpture in Reflection Plaza

Seaman Sculpture in Reflection Plaza

Reflection Plaza, Pendleton Way, Washougal, WA, USA
Distance: 0.17 Away

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Washougal Coffee Company

Washougal Coffee Company

Washougal Coffee Company, Main Street, Washougal, WA, USA
Distance: 0.19 Away

Food and Drinks Coffee Houses

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Two Rivers Heritage Museum

Two Rivers Heritage Museum

Two Rivers Heritage Museum, Durgan St, Washougal, WA, USA
Distance: 0.28 Away

Museums and Interpretive Centers

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Cottonwood Beach at Captain William Clark Park

Cottonwood Beach at Captain William Clark Park

Captain William Clark Park, Index Street, Washougal, WA, USA
Distance: 1.17 Away

Outdoor Experiences General History Viewpoints

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Lewis and Clark Heritage Trail

Lewis and Clark Heritage Trail

Captain William Clark Park Trail, Washougal, WA, USA
Distance: 1.51 Away

Walks and Hikes Outdoor Experiences

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Captain William Clark Bust

Captain William Clark Bust

Captain William Clark Park Trail, Washougal, WA, USA
Distance: 1.51 Away

Galleries and Venues

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Confluence Bird Blind at the Sandy River Delta

Confluence Bird Blind at the Sandy River Delta

Confluence Trail, Troutdale, OR 97060, USA
Distance: 1.59 Away

Galleries and Venues Tribal Experiences

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Sandy River Delta

Sandy River Delta

Sandy River Delta, Thousand Acres Road, Troutdale, OR, USA
Distance: 2.04 Away

Outdoor Experiences

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Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Washington, Lewis and Clark Highway, Washougal, WA, USA
Distance: 2.53 Away

Outdoor Experiences

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Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site

Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site

Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site, Jordan Road, Troutdale, OR, USA
Distance: 2.99 Away

LC Features Walks and Hikes Outdoor Experiences

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Reed Island State Park

Reed Island State Park

Reed Island State Park, Washougal, WA, USA
Distance: 3.02 Away

Outdoor Experiences RV and Camping

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Our bi-weekly newsletter provides news, history, and information for those interested in traveling along along the Lewis & Clark Trail.

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Instagram Feed

Check out our YouTube Channel! We have some great

Check out our YouTube Channel!

We have some great content being posted there every Saturday - you’ll see videos related to personal stories and adventures on the trail, special reports on various trail locations, and much more!

Be sure to subscribe and share with friends as well!

https://www.youtube.com/@lewisandclarktrailalliance

Our new APP is now available! Check it out if you

Our new APP is now available! Check it out if you haven’t yet to bring the adventure and magic of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail on your mobile device. Scan the QR code here or find it on your app store.

Site of the Week: Pompey’s Pillar National Monum

Site of the Week: Pompey’s Pillar National Monument

William Clark christened the rock formation “Pompey’s Tower” on July 25, 1806, as he and his party descended the Yellowstone River. Clark gave the huge monolith the nickname that he himself had fondly bestowed upon Sacagawea’s young son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau. Nicholas Biddle, as he edited the journals upon Lewis and Clark’s return, changed the name to “Pompey’s Pillar.”

Pompey’s Pillar is known for being the only site with visible physical evidence of Lewis and Clark’s journey: Clark carved his name and the date onto the rock’s face. Now covered by a clear panel, the signature is protected from the elements while still being visible to visitors willing to climb up the steps to see it. Visitors can continue up the steps to the top of the rock where they can enjoy a 360-degree view of the landscape surrounding the site. There is also a highly informative and very well-designed visitor’s center at the base of Pompey’s Pillar, along with several outdoor educational structures and hiking trails.

Photos credited to Cait Clark.

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #pompeyspillar #Montana #pompeyspillarnationalmonument

Check out our YouTube Channel! We have some great

Check out our YouTube Channel!

We have some great content being posted there every Saturday - you’ll see videos related to personal stories and adventures on the trail, special reports on various trail locations, and much more!

Be sure to subscribe and share with friends as well!

https://www.youtube.com/@lewisandclarktrailalliance

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Here’s a summary of a recent video you can find there:

“The phrase "Point of Departure" originates from Captain Meriwether Lewis himself. On May 14, 1804, he wrote in his journal: "The mouth of the River Dubois is to be considered as the point of departure." That spring day, as the Lewis and Clark Expedition set out from what is now Wood River Creek, they embarked on a journey that would reshape the future of the United States.

After more than a year of preparation, the Expedition launched from Camp River Dubois on May 14, 1804. The crew included Captain William Clark, Clark’s enslaved servant York, interpreter George Drouillard, Seaman the dog, 34 enlisted men, and several French engagés—all traveling in a barge and two large pirogues. Their destination: uncharted territory up the Missouri River, starting with a stop in St. Charles where Captain Meriwether Lewis joined them after traveling overland.

Preparation began in December 1803, with winter quarters built at Camp River Dubois, across from the Missouri River’s mouth. Lewis gathered intelligence from St. Louis traders and secured supplies and gifts for diplomacy with Native nations. Meanwhile, the soldiers trained under strict military discipline, preparing for the immense challenges ahead.

A pivotal moment came in March 1804, when Lewis and Clark witnessed the transfer of Upper Louisiana from Spain to France—and then, just one day later, to the United States. This marked the dawn of a new American frontier, and the Expedition was ready to set forth into the unknown.”

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvhg1Gs3cvs)

Site of the Week: Knife River Indian Villages Nati

Site of the Week: Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

The Knife River area, according to archaeological studies, has been inhabited by people for over 11,000 years. For hundreds of years it was a significant place of trade for the local tribes, a characteristic that would eventually be used to the advantage of fur traders starting in 1750. It remained a place of trade and mixing cultures until a smallpox epidemic decimated the population in 1837. Following this, the local Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara moved north and established another village.

During the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Knife River villages were flourishing, providing a booming trading economy in what is modern-day North Dakota. It was from one of these villages that a young woman by the name of Sacagawea would emerge and take her place in the history of the expedition. She was Shoshone and had been taken captive by the Hidatsa during a raid against her tribe before she was won or otherwise purchased by French Canadian fur trader Toussaint Charbonneau.

Today, Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Park has a visitors center as well as a rebuilt earthlodge which holds replica artifacts in the summer months. Knowledgeable park rangers are available for tours, and there are multiple trails of varying lengths that are available to hike. There are birding checklists available in the visitors center, so make sure to pick one up so you can keep an eye out for the various bird varieties that are present at the site.

https://www.nps.gov/knri/index.htm

Photos credited to Cait Clark

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #kniferiver #kniferiverindianvillagesnationhistoricsite #nationalparkservice #northdakota