Search

Unimproved non-motorized launch near the mouth of the Columbia Slough and the Willamette/Columbia confluence at Kelley Point Park. The parking lot is small, and it can be a tangled portage down to the water from your car, not to mention potentially difficult parking when the site is busy. The 104-acre park offers paved and unpaved trails, picnic tables, restrooms, a reservable picnic area, and grassy areas for frisbee or the like. Launching from Kelly Point Park into the Willamette or Columbia is not allowed. For paddlers, the ideal launch point is on the Lower Columbia Slough, next to the

A sandy, often windy, mostly unimproved park along the Columbia River shoreline. Launching and landing generally requires a 1/4 mile haul from the parking area to the river and navigation of a steep, sandy cutbank near the river's edge. The site has been an active dredge materials disposal site, which accounts for the lack of vegetation and wide expanses of sand. Because the site is often very windy, the site is popular with kite boarders. The park is closed for all activities from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am and no overnight camping is allowed. The Oregon Department of State Lands has also banned all

A non-motorized access point just downstream of the motorized boat launch at the St. Helens Marina. The site has restrooms, a water bottle filling station, and picnic tables. The City has also improved the small craft launch with a loading zone for parking and by making the path to the water's edge smoother and less steep. The site has 9 parking spaces and one ADA space with a loading zone. The restrooms are open from dawn to dusk (on an auto-lock system).

The Hamilton Island boat ramp is located just downstream of Bonneville Lock and Dam on the Washington shore of the Columbia River in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The Hamilton Island Boat Ramp is near the former location of the lower end of the Cascade Rapids on the Columbia River. The area has been a hub of activity of thousands of years. Referred to as Strawberry Island by Lewis and Clark, the island marked the lower end of the Cascade Rapids which were a 4-6 mile stretch of rapids requiring a portage. The nearby Fort Cascades National Historic Site provides a walking trail

At the end of Mayger Fill Road, a large sandy beach stretches to the left. Some areas have deep sand, so caution is advised. Parking is limited in the winter months, with additional beach parking available during the summer. The site offers a shallow beach launch. Although tidal changes are typically less than 4 feet, the shallow grade results in broad mudflat exposure during low tide—particularly in summer—making launching and landing more challenging. Be aware of exposed pilings and remnants of an old fish station in the area. These can pose hazards, especially during high water or windy

An 88-acre camping park with 6,180 feet of freshwater shoreline immediately east of the interstate. Named for its original peacefulness, the park has lost some of its reputation for quiet since the freeway went in. Still, the area possess great natural beauty and the noise of I-5 can be avoided by using the woodland campsites. The park provides access to the Lewis River approximately 2.5 miles upstream from the lower Columbia. The boat ramp is dirt and very primitive, and depending on water level may be difficult to use. Paradise Point State Park was acquired in six parcels between 1958 and

Located at the western gateway of the Columbia River Gorge, Lewis & Clark State Recreation Site appropriately honors its legendary namesakes who camped and explored here in November, 1805. The park is situated near the mouth of the Sandy River where it spills into the mighty Columbia River and at one of the entrances to the Historic Columbia River Highway. A flat, grassy, tree-dotted park invites blankets and sun-lovers to come spend a leisurely day. One of the most popular swimming spots on the Sandy River is adjacent to the park, as well as a public boat launch. A trail climbs the cliffs to

Concrete ramp and dock provide day-use access to Deep River from Oneida Road. It's a short paddle to Brix Bay, Gray’s Bay, and the Columbia River. A Discover Pass is required. The site includes a small parking lot with space for approximately 15 vehicles and boat trailers, with limited overflow parking available across the street. Seasonal restrooms are also located across the street. Please note: the area can be busy during peak salmon fishing seasons.

Langsdorf Landing is located on a Columbia River mainstem slough located between the Washington mainland and Caterpillar Island across from Sauvie Island. The site is fairly remote but the WDFW ramp has been reconstructed and improved with a new ramp and paved parking area. The site is adjacent to Kadow's Caterpillar Island Marina, a small marina with boat slip rentals, moorage and what appears to be some very light industry. Pit toilets are located across the street.

Use the small beach upstream of the dock, which can be difficult to launch from at high tide because most of the beach is under water. The site provides excellent access to the Lewis and Clark Wildlife Refuge.