S. Index Street at S. 32nd Street
Port of Camas-Washougal
Washougal, WA 98671
Map
On March 31, 1806, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark established a camp at Cottonwood Beach while they secured provisions for the return trip through the Columbia River Gorge and points east. They remained at Cottonwood Beach for six days, which is the longest period of time the Corps of Discovery camped at any site in Clark County.
Almost 200 years later, a multi-jurisdictional effort celebrated the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial in 2006 by opening Captain William Clark Park at Cottonwood Beach. Now, in addition to the existing water access at Cottonwood Beach, the park also features multi-use trails, restrooms, historic interpretive elements, picnic shelters and parking lots.
Improvement Project Funding Partners: Clark County, Port of Camas-Washougal, City of Camas, City of Washougal, National Parks Service, the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board, and Arts Learning for All.
- Capt. William Clark Park Master Plan
- Trail Map (PDF 500KB)
- Picnic shelters fact sheet (PDF 686KB)
This park features:
Hours
7 a.m. to dusk
Day use only. Overnight camping not currently allowed.
Park rules (as posted):
- No alcoholic beverages allowed.
- No open flames or campfires allowed.
- Please keep all animals on leash and clean up after them.
- Swim at your own risk. No lifeguard on duty.
- Motorized vehicles are prohibited.
- NO littering. Pack out what you pack in.
- Horses allowed. Load and unload at West end of Index Street. Remove manure off of trails.
- Use of drugs, firearms and the posting of signs, posters and notices are prohibited. Violators will be dealt with in accordance with existing State and local ordinances.
- The Port of Camas-Washougal is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged articles or vehicles. Park at your own risk.
Park fees
Picnic shelter reservation fees and special use fees for events will be charged starting February 2010. More information.
There are no parking fees.
Contact information
To get information about holding a special event at this park (wedding, sporting event, etc.), please call Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation at (360) 619-1137.
To report maintenance issues at this park, please contact Clark County Public Works Maintenance and Operations at (360) 397-2446.
