Lower Columbia River Destinations

The Lower Columbia River Destinations Guide is a non-commercial project of Ralph E. Ahseln and as such is not meant to be substituted for proper navigation charts or the practice of prudent seamanlike skills .

Using this guide is to be at the reader’s risk.
It is understood that there is NO responsibility for the accuracy of the guide implied. Nor is the author to be held liable for any injury to person or persons or damage to property while using this guide.

Always practice SAFE Boating procedures.

Questions or Comments should be directed to:

Ralph E. Ahseln
635   S.E. 212th Avenue
Gresham OR 97030

rahseln@comcast.net

(Please contact the author if you wish extra copies.
OR… if you wish to Reprint the guide. )

The Lower Columbia River Destination Guide conceived by Ralph E. Ahseln May 2007.

Lower Columbia River Destinations… From Portland OR

Note !

There are NO marinas between the Vancouver RR bridge and St Helens Oregon..

You can anchor in UNPROTECTED waters .. subject to high wind and wave action..
From:

1. Washington side downriver from tug basin, Buoy GREEN "47" (river mile 104) to approx Day Mark RED "26" (river mile 97).
2. Oregon side downriver from Dolphin Mark GREEN "19" (river mile 95) to St Helens.

Caution!!: Avoid Shallows: Oregon side river mile 92 ("Nude Beach") ..And Bachelor Shoals….Washington side river mile 90 to Lewis River mouth.

Further Note: Downriver from St Helens OR to Skamakawa WA.. One MAY anchor in many locations BUT, nearly ALL will be subject to High winds and Wave action. Use EXTREME caution and observe weather and traffic conditions.

From below Skamakawa WA (river mile, 33) to the Columbia River Bar…, It is NOT PRUDENT TO ANCHOR along the LOWER river channel !! Exception MAY be Three Tree and Jim Crow areas.. BUT, use extreme caution in these locations as well !

Legend Moorage Restaurant Groceries Anchoring Pier Fuel Gasoline Diesel

Fuel available in the Portland area.

DONALDSON Fuel dock (Yellow Front Bld.) Oregon Gasoline and Diesel, Pump-out station, limited supplies. 1 mile Up river of I-5 Bridge. Gasoline (Bio-Diesel by can)

CROSSINGS Fuel Dock (Off River). Inside slough. North Portland Channel, Near I-5 Overpass.

All Mileages Approximate.

Nautical Mile distances from I-5 Bridge... in Green.
River Miles from NOAA Charts... in Blue

1

1. Vancouver WA Amphitheater ... 0.0 NM - River Mile 107

Tie-up Bull Rails, NO Facilities
Down river from the Quay restaurant and I-5 freeway.   Small dock area.  Short walk to Quay restaurant.  Long walk to downtown.  Outside subject to wave action. Inside may have sunken hazards. Airport and Freeway noise.  Occasional activities in amphitheater nearby.

2. Grandma’s Cove, OR ... 1.0 NM - River Mile 106

Anchorage Only, No Facilities, No Access to land.
Schooner Creek Boatworks shares waterway....
In past was a quiet anchoring. Now boatworks makes it less so. No facilities.2.

3. St Helens City Dock… OR 19.0 NM - River Mile 86
(Floating Fuel Dock ¼ Mile downstream)

Tie-Up Bull Rails. Public restrooms and free showers nearby.
2002 new concrete floats. Large amount of lineal space.
Subject to robust wind and wave action. Recommend close inside tie-ups
Short walk to Historic section of town with several restaurants and Movie.
Grocery store approx 3 miles . Liquor store moderate walk. Fuel dock has limited supplies.

4. Sand Island (St Helens)....OR...Two locations 19.5 NM - River Mile 85.5

Tie-Up Bull Rails. Pit toilets, NO showers. Picnic tables and BarBQ grills nearby. Modern concretefloats. All spots subject to agressive Wind and Wave action. Short walk to primitive sandy island. Trails and woods.

5. Goerig slough WA... (opposite Columbia City OR)... 22.0 NM - River Mile 84

Anchorage ONLY, No Access to land. No facilities.
Little known or used "Backwater".
Must be entered a distance downriver. Use CAUTION when entering....Watch depth.
Subject to NW winds and waves. No facilities.

6. Martin’s Slough WA ... 23.5 NM - River Mile 79

Off channel , Basin. Long time Boater’s favorite "hangout".
Enter Downriver of Wing Dam , Abeam of Buoy RED "60",
Proceed Left center of waterway. Anchoring, muddy bottom with Chance of
fouling. Limited space on a floating pier Close to I-5 freeway and railroad.
Can be noisy. No facilites available.

2

7.
Hunter Bar (Sandy Island , Kalama) ... OR. ... 26.0 NM - River Mile 76

Up river end of Sandy Island. Local’s favorite anchorage. Large Sand island
with open sandy beaches. Somewhat open to NW winds. No facilities on island.

8. Kalama Marina …WA ... 27.0 NM - River Mile 75
(Fuel dock at Boat launch. Unmanned, use credit card at pump.)

Total protection from winds and waves. Inside at end of local moorages.
Enter at Day Mark GREEN "47A".STAY close to moorage (right) all the way,
going in. Shallow/rocky left side turning into "Visitor’s docks". Moderate
walk to restroom in Office building. Showers a long walk to campground
facility. Long walk to town around marina, over bridge and under freeway.
Approx 1 mile. Antique stores and few restaurant/bars. Fuel dock at
entrance. Use a Credit Card to pay.
Note! The moorage is VERY close to Railroad and I-5. NOISE is awful. Bring earplugs!!

9. Goble OR ... 29.0 NM - River Mile 74

"Funky" marina. Trashy, Limited space. Nothing to recommend it.. Small store across the road.

10. Cottonwood Island... WA (Carroll’s Channel) ... 31.0 NM - River Mile 71

Up river entrance. Good "bailout" anchorage. Muddy sand bottom. Not very pretty and somewhat close to freeway.

11. Rainier... OR ... 34.0 NM - River Mile 68

New dockage. Inside tie-up Highly recommended. Outside VERY bumpy.
Short walk to restaurants and bars. Moderate walk uphill to town center.
Restrooms on land.
City doesn’t have much to recommend it. But it is an Historical area.

12. Walker Island... OR...(entrance) ... 39.0 NM - River Mile 60
To Dock approx. 3 NM.

The “JEWEL” of the river. Parklike, Quiet, Protected. Mid-Point on river Portland to Astoria. Turn at river buoy and motor back into area behind (West) of island. Difficult to see, but keep going. A floating dock is maintained by Col. River Yacht Club who allows any boater to use it as long as club is not using. Anchorage is easy, but Current is very strong here.
HIGHLY recommended stopover. Enter by going Downriver of Buoy RED "10".

DO NOT CUT between land and buoy! Proceed Center channel to dock.

3

13. Fisher Island (Hump Island)... WA ... 40.0 NM - River Mile 59

Enter ONLY downriver of Hump Island, Give the North end (downriver) land a WIDE berth. Stay LEFT center all the way. Anchoring behind Hump is open to NW weather. Inside Fisher Island is the Longview Yacht club. Possible tie-up, Limited anchoring. NO facilities. Very long way to town (car).
Not recommended.

14. Bradbury Slough OR ... 40.0 NM - River Mile 59

The “other” side of the river. Not recommended except for a short visit . Enter upriver of the Wing Dam with day mark RED “ 6 “ Watch your depth ! Open to all weather. Shallow areas. View is wonderful.. Mt St Helens and surrounding lands. Dinghy access to many long clean beaches. Great place for a picnic on the beach.

15. Gull Island… OR ... 45.0 NM - River Mile 54

Do Not try this one unless you have a very accurate Depth Sounder. EXTREMELY difficult to get into. Some people like it.. Personally, It’s NOT worth the effort.. Nothing to recommend it except it’s isolation.

16. “Unnamed” Island (Eagle’s Cliff)... OR/WA ... 48.0 NM - River Mile 51

Charming little Island with some beaches and mossy flatland.
Excellent anchoring ground. Occasionally windy from the NW. Strong Tidal currents Ebb and Flood. Stern or Bahamian anchoring recommended. Subject to moderate tidal ranges.
No facilities.

17. Westport Slough… OR ... 54.0 NM - River Mile 44

New dockage. Inside tie-up Highly recommended. Outside VERY bumpy.
Short walk to restaurants and bars. Moderate walk uphill to town center.
Restrooms on land.
City doesn’t have much to recommend it. But it is an Historical area.

4

Cathlamet Channel “Zig Zag” course ( This is the ONLY way to make passage through

Traveling the Island side, Stay midway between Green buoys and Shoreline ! It’s safe . 20/30 feet deep. The entrance to Elochoman Marina (Cathlamet) is very shallow at low tide. Going in, favor the Right Center course. Turn WIDE at Red mark inside (rock underwater close to mark). If at the Downriver end of Puget Island .. Extreme caution ! Do Not attempt to Cut the corner.

5

18. Elochoman Slough (Cathlamet)... WA ... 56.0 NM
Marina and city is off Main River Channel At approximately River Mile 40

If approaching from Upstream, May travel through Cathlamet Channel. Follow Nav marks CAREFULLY!     See attached chart !
If approaching from Downstream, Use Center Left channel until Marina bouy. Watch depths closely!
Quiet marina. Very modern restroom and showers (pay / Quarters). Moderate walk to old historic town. Groceries, Mom and Pop restaurant, few shops, Museum. Moderate moorage fee by vessel size. Elochoman marina is the favorite marina of most river travelers. Also allows an early Jump Off to Astoria. Note: If traveling to Astoria, try to arrive BEFORE NOON to avoid the afternoon On-Shore winds and steep wave chop making the approach to Astoria very uncomfortable ! Astoria is 25 miles from Cathlamet. Figure your travel time accordingly.

19. Cliffton Channel... OR ... 59.0 NM - River Mile 38

Pretty area and entrance to the Pairie Channel . Somewhat protected from the NW winds. Enter at Day Mark RED "44". Watch depth, Muddy sand bottom. Dinghy access to many clean beaches. Isolated, quiet. NO facilities.

20. Steamboat Slough... WA ... 59.0 NM - River Mile 35

Lovely tidal “meander” river. Off river weather protected, Isolated, quiet, some wildlife.
Narrow channel, All mud bottom with possible deadheads submerged. Large tidal ebb and flood so make sure anchor is firmly set.
Enter ONLY at the Up-river (South) end.. Very shallow entrance! Navigate at High tide!
Do NOT try to exit Downriver.. Shallow and full of Log piles!
Highly recommended.. But.. Use Caution and watch depths and tide tables. No facilities

21. !! ? Three Trees Point... WA... ? Jim Crow Point... WA ... 63.0 NM - River Mile 29

CAUTION ! These areas Untested ! Subject to large Tidal Ranges.. Use extreme caution!
Three Trees, Not recommended for overnight. Listed and suggested as “BailOut” anchorages ONLY.
Jim Crow Point Some protection from NW winds. Open to river wave action. Suggested by boater as attractive location with anchorage possible.

22. Mott Basin ( Tongue Point ) OR ... 74.0 NM - River Mile 19

A"man-made" basin OFF of the main river channel. Good anchorage. Protected from the On-Shore winds and waves. Liked by many because of it’s Isolation and quiet. Enter at East end of Tongue Point Buoy RED "44" Can experience large Tidal ranges. Use correct anchoring SCOPE for tidal range…No facilities.

6

NOTE ! The “ PROPOSED” Office building is now in operation. The Fuel Dock is below the office ramp ROW E. The Showers and Restrooms at the ramp ends of Rows A and B are being closed. New Restrooms and Showers at building above Row E. There is NO restaurant in the Red Lion building. Guest moorage is at outer end of Rows B and C. Payments are made at the office above Row E.

7

23. Astoria EAST Basin OR ... 76.0 NM - River Mile 16

Protected Moorage part of the Astoria Port Authority. Primarily for Commercial Vessels. A possible ONLY if you clear it with Astoria Port. No facilities. Long walk to town.
Not recommended for Pleasure Craft.

24. Astoria WEST Basin OR ... 79.0 NM - River Mile 13

The Destination Moorage for pleasure vessels. Incoming from the Columbia River bar and downriver cruisers . Visitors moor on the outer end of “B” and “C” rows . Marina office is at the top of the “E” ramp. Moderate cost by vessel length. New Showers and Restrooms.

Center of town is 3 or 4 miles away. Sometime serviced by a Free (donation) Trolley car/train, weather permitting. Trolley Terminal is in front of Red Lion Motor Inn. Astoria is a charming city with many Victorian homes and several museums. Excellent restaurants and lounges. A large Marine supply store and repair facilities. Taxi service is available.

Marina does NOT take reservations unless it’s a large group.
If you have questions before arriving Call them by phone. (Note phone numbers on opposite Map page.) They are often busy and seldom answer VHF radio calls.

The Marina is very near to, almost under the Astoria Bridge. Enter at High Steel Wall. A Blind entry. The Entrance is a bit frightening. However, it is easy to navigate.

Watch for outgoing vessel’s rigging above the high metal wall. Large fishing vessels also use marina. Enter at moderate speed from the UP-RIVER side. Power through the opening. Entrance subject to very fast current flow during both Ebb and Flood. Standing waves at entrance can be intimidating. Passage Best made at slack tides. Afternoon winds can get high and waves will build. If possible be there before Noon.
On passing through entry, Quickly. Reduce speed, start LEFT turn to B and C rows.. IF Strong NW wind, try to head into wind going into East side of Row C. If no room.. Row B will be downwind. Have fenders and Helpers standing by. Slips are close and the wind will DRIVE you into a downwind moorage on the West side of B or C rows.. Take your time and be ready. Any slip empty is available.

ON leaving, proceed slowly, check for Incoming traffic, Then POWER out of the entry and make a rapid Angled LEFT transit. Be prepared for a fast flowing current. If on EBB, Move away from the shoreline as quickly as you can. Current can SET you rapidly… Proceed at best speed.

NOTE !!     BE VERY aware of tidal currents below Astoria, in the lower section of the river ! Tidal current speeds can often EXCEED 4 knots. And with the added water from Dam release upriver can exceed 6 Knots.. Use EXTREME care when navigating in these locations. Anchoring in the area is NOT recommended.

8

25. Warrenton OR ( Skipanon Waterway) ... 81.0 NM - River Mile 11

A somewhat trashy marina. A few restaurants and taverns are a moderate distant away. Nothing to recommend this location. Pay shower often dirty. Restrooms are OK.
Enter at Buoy GREEN "29" proceed down narrow channel (approx 1 mile) to end. Watch for commercial fishing vessel traffic.

26. Hammond OR ... 83.0 NM - River Mile 8

Funky little marina. Favorite of some. Very little to recommend it . Close to the Columbia River bar used for quick transit. Some facilities but veryprimitive.
Enter through a very small opening between rock walls. During High current flow.. Can be veryTRICKY. Watch for entrance after passing River Buoy GREEN "27" at river mile 10.
Power through. Watch for traffic.

27. Ilwaco WA... (Entrance) ... 87.0 NM - River Mile 3
Marina 3 or 4 miles farther.

Ilwaco is the last Marina/city before crossing the Columbia river Bar.
Used primarily by commercial and Charter vessels, It is a busy marina.
It’s also the Base for the US Coast Guard Rescue units and the Training Center for the US Coast Guard Rescue services.
You may see (be cautious of traffic) the Rescue boat rushing out the channel to help a distressed boater. Ilwaco has many Motels, Restaurants, Bars and some shops. A historic town that is showing it’s age. To get to the marina and city, one must travel the Ilwaco channel.
A narrow and busy waterway. Enter at Channel Entrance Marks GREEN "1" and RED "2".. AFTER passing River Buoys RED "20" and GREEN "21".

9

Notes

Lower Columbia River Destination Guide is for Recreation use only. It is NOT intended to be used for Navigation. The information is to be used ONLY with proper navigation tools and a knowledge of the Columbia river. Tide and Current charts should be consulted as well. Many areas are subject to extreme tidal action. The author assumes NO responsibility for the accuracy of the information herein. The author is NOT responsible for any injury or damages claimed because of use of the information herein. This guide should be used for reference purposes only. The author claims no connection to any governmental or official agency.
Please Boat Safely.

Ralph E. Ahseln         (May 2007)
rahseln@comcast.net                    

10