Camas-Washougal WA Washington

572 Cruises availables At departure or passage at this port

American Cruise Lines (572 Cruises)

American Harmony

240 Passengers
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American Pride

2700 tons
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American Song

241 Passengers
2700 tons
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Camas-Washougal, USA | Cruise Port Guide

In 1883, businessmen from Portland were searching for an abundant water supply to power the machinery of a paper mill. They found it here, between the lakes and the Columbia River, and the town of Camas grew up around its mill. Today, river cruise ships dock at the breakwater of the Port of Camas-Washougal, in Washington State, about fifty kilometres east of Portland, just before the Columbia enters its famous gorge.

A Stop at the Threshold of the Columbia Gorge

The vessels that call here are small ships carrying roughly 125 to 200 passengers, sailing week-long itineraries between Astoria and Clarkston. The port often serves as a starting or ending point for a cruise, giving travellers a special opportunity to get to know the two sister towns sitting side by side on the river's north bank.

No sooner have you crossed the gangway than the Washougal Waterfront Park unfolds its roughly one-and-a-half-kilometre paved trail around a green point of land. Benches face the current, an orientation table helps identify the surrounding hills, and interpretive panels tell the story of the river. On a clear day, the silhouette of Oregon's hills stands out on the opposite bank, and anglers stationed on the floating dock complete the scene.

The Mill Town

Downtown Camas stretches about two kilometres from the waterfront. Its tree-lined streets line up independent shops, galleries, and cafés in carefully maintained brick façades. The Liberty Theatre, a period movie house still in operation, watches over the main street. The atmosphere recalls those American small towns where people greet passersby, where storefronts change with the seasons, and where industrial history shows through at every corner.

Walkers will happily extend their stroll toward Lake Lacamas, whose wooded shores hold a network of trails. It was this freshwater reserve that gave the city its destiny as a paper-mill town; today it's home to herons, ducks, and kayakers rather than log trains.

Washougal, Art and Wool

Its immediate neighbour cultivates a different personality. The small town has created a public art walk of about fifty works, sculptures and murals discovered along a free-form stroll. Weaving enthusiasts know it especially for its Pendleton factory outlet, where the wool company sells blankets and clothing at reduced prices. Between showers, Reflection Plaza hosts markets and concerts depending on the season.

The River as the Common Thread

The location of these two towns explains why ships stop here: they guard the western entrance to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, that long corridor of cliffs, waterfalls, and forests that river itineraries then travel eastward through. Several excursions depart from here toward its viewpoints, while Portland and its gardens remain less than an hour's drive away for those embarking or disembarking.

LandmarkApproximate DistanceAccess
Washougal Waterfront ParkAdjacent to the dockOn foot
Downtown CamasAbout 2 kmOn foot or by taxi
Lake LacamasShort distanceBy taxi or shuttle
Portland (Oregon)About 50 kmBy coach

A Few Hours Well Spent

Half a day is enough to take in the essentials: a loop through the waterfront park at sunrise, a coffee on the main street, a few stops along the public art walk, then back aboard via the path running alongside the water. Nothing dramatic in the way of a great capital city, but an America of everyday life, the kind of mill towns turned walkable towns.

As the ship casts off, it glides toward the first cliff walls of the gorge, and it suddenly becomes clear why this unassuming stop exists: it marks the boundary between the urban plain and one of the continent's most beautiful river corridors. The next leg of the journey begins right here.

Frequently Asked Questions

At the breakwater of the Port of Camas-Washougal, on the north bank of the Columbia River, about fifty kilometres east of Portland, just before the entrance to the Columbia River Gorge.
Small river cruise vessels of roughly 125 to 200 passengers, on week-long itineraries between Astoria and Clarkston. The port often serves as a start or end point for the cruise.
Partly. The Washougal waterfront park starts at the gangway, with its paved trail of about 1.5 km. Downtown Camas is roughly two kilometres from the water: walkable for the fit, otherwise a short taxi.
The waterfront park loop at daybreak, a coffee on Camas's main street, a few pieces from Washougal's public art trail, then back aboard along the shoreline path.
For the water. In 1883 Portland businessmen were looking for an abundant water supply to run a paper mill and found it between the lakes and the Columbia. The town grew around its mill.
Tree-lined streets with independent shops, galleries and cafés in well-kept brick storefronts. The Liberty Theatre, a period cinema still in operation, watches over the main street.
A public art trail of some fifty works, sculptures and murals, followed at your own pace. Wool enthusiasts also know its Pendleton outlet store, where the mill sells blankets and clothing at reduced prices.
Yes, in under an hour by road. It is mainly worthwhile for passengers embarking or disembarking here, since the port often serves as a turnaround.
US dollars and English. Cards are accepted everywhere; carry a little cash for small shops and tipping.
Late spring through early fall, the Columbia River cruise season. The Pacific Northwest is rainy much of the year: a light rain shell is useful even in summer.