Columbia River Mouth and Long Beach Peninsula

This scenic drive travels from Kelso along beautiful country roads to mouth of the Columbia River and Leadbetter Point State Park. To reach Kelso, take exit 39 off I-5 and head turn west onto WA-4.

Cape Disappointment Lighthouse at sunset.

Shortly after Longview, you will see snippets of Mount Solo and the highway will start to hug the Columbia River coast as its name becomes Ocean Beach Highway. In Stella, County Line Park (W1) is a sandy beach which makes a great picnic spot.

Just north of Cathlamet is Julia Butler Hansen National Wildlife Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer (A1). Here cattle and deer co-exist in a symbiotic relationship. In addition, discover elk and more than sixty bird species. There is a three-mile trail here, but the best viewing area is from the road as wildlife tends to scatter when they hear people approach.

In fourteen miles, you will arrive in Grays River, home of Washington’s only covered bridge that can still be crossed. To reach Grays River Covered Bridge (B1), turn left onto Loop Road and follow the signs for the Bridge onto Barr Road.

In Rosburg, the Hudson Bay Company used the Altoona site for trading. From here, a 10-mile side trip can bring you to the site that Lewis and Clark first reported seeing the Pacific Ocean in 1805. For this side trip, turn left onto Altoona Pillar Rock Road (T1) and travel this road with all its twists and turns for about ten miles to the very end, where Pillar Rock lies to the south.

Continuing westward for about 8 miles, you will reach Megler Rest Area and Information Center (I1). This is not only a good place to stretch your legs and get some area information, but you can also see the beautiful Astoria-Megler Bridge (B2), the longest continuous truss bridge in North America. If you decide to cross it to Oregon, you may see Mount Saint Helens on the east side of the bridge.

After the bridge, the drive continues as US-101 and the road follows the Columbia River until Ilwaco on the Long Beach Peninsula. On the way, visit the Fort Columbia State Park (H2) to see the most intact coastal defense sites in the U.S. originally built between 1896 and 1903. Learn more at the Fort Columbia Interpretive Center, and walk the trails to views of the Columbia River.

As you approach Ilwaco, the mouth of the Columbia River is the widest and the wildest, and part of the Graveyard of the Pacific. The sand dunes under the Columbia Bar cause rough waters, which resulted in the sinking of more than 2,000 large ships since the late 1700s and making the Columbia Bar one of the roughest in the world.

Two and a half miles south of Ilwaco is Cape Disappointment State Park (H3). Located at the confluence of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean you'll find diverse landscape, birds, and wildlife. The park boasts interesting old-growth coastal forest, sweeping ocean views, and two of the oldest lighthouses on the Pacific Northwest Coast, Cape Disappointment Lighthouse (A6), constructed in 1856 and North Head Lighthouse (A7), completed in 1898. The park has significant points of interest that are quite a distance from each other, and you can drive to, and park at each of them. Short trails lead to both lighthouses, but only the North Head Lighthouse is open for tours. This park was formerly known as Fort Canby State Park, and you can still explore remnants of the fort and artillery batteries. The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center (A3) examines the arduous journey of Lewis and Clark through exhibits and films, as well as regional history. At Waikiki Beach you'll find camping and calm waters to play in. Enjoy opportunities for salt-water and fresh-water fishing, build sand castles, and watch the waves. In winter, keep your eyes open for migrating whales. Five installments by artist Maya Lin that are part of the Confluence Project are also located within the park near Waikiki Beach and Baker Bay. There is a day use fee to enter or get a Discovery Pass to visit all Washington State Parks for one year.

Returning to Ilwaco, continue North on US 101 towards Seaview. The US-103 travels the length of the Long Beach Peninsula. In all the small communities along the way you'll find accommodations, fresh seafood and other restaurants, beach vibe shops and everyday necessities. Each month is host to multiple festivals, concerts, and special events. Stretching along the ocean for 28-miles is the World's Longest Continuous Peninsula Beach, and there are 7 main entrance points. Cars are allowed on the upper section of the hard-packed sand. The water is cold and waves are rough. It's spectacularly beautiful, but not for swimming. Do not turn your back on this ocean.

Walk or bike the 8.5-mile Discovery Trail which spans from the port of Ilwaco, Cape Disappointment State Park, to 26th St N in Long Beach - where you'll literally be traveling in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark.

Long Beach is the hub of the peninsula and restaurants and services are within walking distance of the beach. And for a bit of quirky, don't miss a photo op in front of the giant Frying Pan. It's also a prime destination for kite flying. The 3rd full weekend in August is the Washington State International Kite Festival. The Long Beach Boardwalk (W2) has ramp access and runs amid the dunes and grasses making it a nice respite from the windy beach.

Just after Long Beach, the Pacific Coast Cranberry Research Foundation Museum (M2) is on Pioneer Road. More than half of the Washington cranberries are grown on this peninsula.

Oysters were very popular in this area during the 1800s, but due to over harvesting, native oysters disappeared by 1900. After a few unsuccessful attempts to reintroduce oysters into this region, Pacific oysters from Japan were successfully introduced in the 1930s. Today, this region is responsible for about twenty percent of American oysters. The Willapa Bay Interpretive Center (A2) is a great place to learn more about oysters and the history of the area.

The road continues to Oysterville. Take an historic walking tour of the quaint buildings and homes. Oysters are still farmed here and are available for sale - note that open hours vary.

The drive ends in Leadbetter Point State Park (H1), where there are plenty of trails to explore the woods, sand dunes, saltmarsh, and beach. Rubber boots or waterproof shoes will come in handy. The 1,732-acre natural area is a haven for resident and migrating birds including eagles, brown pelicans, warblers, snowy plovers, and kinglets. Relax and enjoy beachcombing, clamming, fishing or do some kayaking, canoeing or paddle-boarding in Willapa Bay.

To head back follow the same road again. If you wish to explore the Columbia River further, you may follow it by driving on the parallel Lewis and Clark Memorial Highway and the Columbia Gorge. Or if you would like to drive adjacent to the Pacific Ocean, head south on US-101 for the Oregon Coast.