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Captain William Clark Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 860 Google reviews · Running trail in Washougal, Washington · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Captain William Clark Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Relaxed sandy beach and picnic area offering views of the Columbia River and an outdoor shower.
What runners say about Captain William Clark Park
“The area was beautiful, well-kept, and in great proximity to Cottonwood Beach.”
“Has a path to run, the park is big and beautiful, have restrooms, I saw kids in the water and felt super safe.”
This park and beach are a great spot to take a walk and enjoy the river. There are bathrooms and a easy path down to the beach. We saw sea lions, dogs, and horses. Careful if barefoot, there’s horse poop around.
Not sure I want to share this review as it's a coveted spot. 😀 An enjoyable, adventure walk on the beach, low or high tide, without driving to the coast. Forget it in the summer as it's packed wall to wall bodies. But when school is back in, it's a haven.
Great morning walk! Flat, dirt trail with a little gravel. Not busy mid-week. Beautiful views of the river and some wildlife. You can start at Steamboat Landing and walk here and beyond. You can also walk to the nature preserve. Beautiful park on the river and a great walk!
Great walking spot. Public restroom. Access to the Columbia River for swimmers and picnics. Bird watching. And connects to the Steigerwald Wildlife Refuge. Walks here leave me joyful.
Trail conditions & character
“Has a path to run, the park is big and beautiful, have restrooms, I saw kids in the water and felt super safe.”
“There are public restrooms here and lots of free parking.”
“Has a path to run, the park is big and beautiful, have restrooms, I saw kids in the water and felt super safe.”
“Pets are allowed and I see lots of dog walkers coming over from the causeway to the beach.”
“Flat, dirt trail with a little gravel.”
“Depending on the river level, the beach may be underwater.”
Plan your run at Captain William Clark Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websiteclark.wa.gov
- Phone+1 564-397-2285
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–10 pm |
Running trails near Washougal
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge (Kiosk)
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Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge
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This large refuge on the Columbia River offers a trail & wildlife observation plus guided hikes.
Hathaway Park
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Schmid Family Park
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Sandy River Delta
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