Cottonwood Beach stretches along the Columbia River's southern shore just west of downtown Rainier, approximately 50 miles northwest of Portland and seven miles south of Longview, Washington. This lengthy expanse of windswept sand occupies the historic campsite where the Lewis and Clark Expedition stopped on March 31, 1806, during their return journey from the Pacific Ocean to St. Louis. The Corps of Discovery remained here for six days, the longest period they camped at any single Columbia River location during their expedition. William Clark documented the camp in his journal, noting the abundance of cottonwood trees lining the riverbanks and the Chinook and Cathlamet tribal villages trading salmon and wapato roots. Interpretive signs throughout the beach area detail the expedition's activities and the Indigenous peoples who inhabited these Columbia River shores for thousands of years before European contact. Several historical watercraft displays include replicas of Chinookan canoes demonstrating the sophisticated maritime culture of Lower Columbia River tribes.
Swimming at Cottonwood Beach requires extreme caution due to the Columbia River's swift current exceeding four knots during high water, cold temperatures averaging 60-65 degrees in summer and dropping to 45 degrees in winter, commercial shipping traffic including barges and container ships, and complete absence of lifeguard services. The Columbia River remains Oregon's most dangerous waterway, claiming multiple drowning victims annually. Strong currents sweep swimmers downstream rapidly toward the shipping channel. Wading in shallow areas during low water periods provides safer access for cooling off. Fishing dominates recreational activities, with anglers targeting spring and fall Chinook salmon runs, white sturgeon reaching lengths exceeding 10 feet, and walleye in backwater areas. Sandy sections accommodate sunbathing and picnicking, with nicely distanced picnic tables positioned on the hillside above private patches of sand claimed by early-arriving visitors during summer weekends. Beachcombing rewards walkers with driftwood, river-smoothed stones, and occasional glass fishing floats. Birdwatching proves excellent with osprey, bald eagles, and great blue herons hunting the river.
Access Cottonwood Beach via Highway 30 west of downtown Rainier in Columbia County. Parking accommodates approximately 20 vehicles with no posted fees as of late 2024, though nearby Columbia County beach parks charge five dollars per vehicle. The beach sits adjacent to the highway with minimal walking distance from parking to sand. No restrooms exist at Cottonwood Beach, with the nearest facilities located at Rainier Riverfront Park one mile east on Veterans Way off Highway 30. Beach access operates dawn to dusk year-round. Cell phone service proves reliable with Verizon and AT&T coverage. Rainier Marina boat ramp operates at Riverfront Park for watercraft launching. The nearest hospital, PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center, provides emergency services 10 miles north in Longview, Washington at 1615 Delaware Street.
Dining concentrates in downtown Rainier one mile east along Highway 30. Cornerstone Cafe on Highway 30 serves breakfast all day on Sundays, preparing biscuits and gravy, chicken fried steak, and berry pancakes alongside lunch and dinner menus featuring burgers, fish and chips, and meatloaf. Outpost 30 at 73684 Columbia River Highway operates a burger barn cooking Western burgers with crispy onion rings and BBQ sauce, bacon cheeseburgers, and hand-cut fries. Interstate Tavern specializes in fresh seafood flown in twice weekly, serving Dungeness crab cocktails with over 10 ounces of crab, fish and chips using Pacific cod, and clam chowder. Goble Tavern at 70255 Highway 30 prepares classic American fare including burgers, sandwiches, and fried appetizers in a rural roadhouse atmosphere. Columbia Bakehouse bakes fresh breads, pastries, cinnamon rolls, and cookies daily while serving espresso drinks and breakfast sandwiches. Cottonwood Beach's Lewis and Clark heritage combined with excellent Columbia River fishing and interpretive historical displays creates a significant educational and recreational destination along Oregon's northern waterway.
