Overview
Washougal is a charming river community of 17,000 people at the junction of the Washougal and Columbia Rivers in southwest Washington State. Visitors will find the cozy downtown a convenient launch for ample outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, kayaking, inner-tubing, mountain biking, motorsports, shooting-sports and more.
5 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to eat · 6 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Washougal
Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Captain William Clark Regional Park at Cottonwood Beach
Pendleton Woolen Mill's Tours
Dougan Falls
At the end of the curvy road along the river, Dougan Falls invites visitors to enjoy the pure and clear water by wading and swimming, relaxing in the gentle waters above the falls, or basking in the sun on the sandy shor…
Two Rivers Heritage Museum
Washougal MX Park
Home to motocross events throughout the summer season, including Pro & Amateur national competitions. Amateur riders can participate in a breadth of motorcycle disciplines including motocross, enduro riding, street a…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 36°F. Wettest: Dec and Nov. (climate data from nearby Portland)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PDX Portland International Airport, Portland — 12 mi away (major hub). Directions
- SLE Salem-Willamette Valley Airport/McNary Field, Salem — 56 mi away. Directions
Portland International Airport (PDX) is a major international airport a 20 minute drive from Washougal via Highways I-205 & SR-14.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $10–$10 a night (typical $20), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$50, mid-range ~$100, comfortable ~$180.
Options are grouped as Camping in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Pendleton Woolen Mill's Tours
- Lunch Washougal Times Restaurant & Lounge
- Afternoon Washougal MX Park, Captain William Clark Regional Park at Cottonwood Beach
- Evening 5440 Brewing Co
Day 2
- Morning Dougan Falls
- Afternoon Two Rivers Heritage Museum
- Evening Recluse Brew Works
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The summer heat attracts locals from throughout Washington and Oregon looking to cool off at the serene riverbanks, swimming holes and beaches while inner tubing, swimming and kayaking along the Washougal River.
Autumn colors provide a vibrant spectacle along Lewis & Clark Highway with auburn-ribboned vistas of the Columbia Gorge at Cape Horn Overlook.
Winter Holiday Season brings locals from far & wide to the famous self-cut Christmas Tree farms found along Washougal River Road, where families can experience felling their own yuletide Christmas tree while sipping hot chocolate.
Springtime bloom signals the start of the outdoor season for hikers to enjoy hundreds of miles of hiking trails and campgrounds nearby.
Get in
By plane
Portland International Airport (PDX) is a major international airport a 20 minute drive from Washougal via Highways I-205 & SR-14.
By car
State Route 14 (SR-14), The Lewis & Clark Highway, passes through Washougal. Motorists who approach from the west can see Mount Hood rising above the Cascade Mountains framed by the columnar cliffs that signal the gateway of the Gorge.
SR-14 may be reached by I-205 and I-5 in Vancouver.
By train
Amtrak Cascades operates between Vancouver, BC and Eugene via Bellingham, Mount Vernon, Everett, Edmonds, Seattle, Tukwila, Tacoma, Lacey (Olympia), Centralia, Kelso (Longview), Vancouver, WA, Portland, Oregon City, Salem, and Albany. The nearest station to Washougal is Amtrak Vancouver Train Station (VAN) , accessible by CTRAN bus line or car.
By bus
Washougal is accessible from Vancouver's Turtle Place Station via bus routes The Vine on Mill Plain and Line 92 Camas/Washougal.
See
- Downtown Washougal
See Dougan Falls
At the end of the curvy road along the river, Dougan Falls invites visitors to enjoy the pure and clear water by wading and swimming, relaxing in the gentle waters above the falls, or basking in the sun on the sandy shore under the bridge.
Do
Washougal is renowned for motorcycling each summer, hosting thousands of spectators at the Motocross Nationals at Washougal MX Park.
Do Washougal MX Park
Home to motocross events throughout the summer season, including Pro & Amateur national competitions. Amateur riders can participate in a breadth of motorcycle disciplines including motocross, enduro riding, street and offroad motorcycle touring as well as 4x4 off road activities within the ample State and Federal public lands adjacent to the city.
Eat
Drink
Drink Doomsday Brewing Company
Drink Recluse Brew Works
Brewery.
Sleep
Camping
Nearby
Camas
City / town · 4 listings · 3 mi away
Troutdale
City / town · 14 listings · 4 mi away
Gresham
City / town · 13 listings · 7 mi away
Boring
City / town · 11 listings · 11 mi away
Vancouver
City / town · 39 listings · 13 mi away
Portland
City / town · 66 listings · 15 mi away
Milwaukie
City / town · 9 listings · 17 mi away
Gladstone
City / town · 9 listings · 18 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.