If you’re new to the Pacific Northwest or just passing through the scenic Columbia River Gorge, you may find yourself in the small riverside town of White Salmon, Washington With its picturesque views of Mt. Hood across the river and abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities, White Salmon is a popular weekend getaway destination and residential community But what county is this charming town actually located in?
The answer is that White Salmon, WA is located in Klickitat County. Klickitat County is one of 39 counties in the U. S. The city is in the south-central part of Washington state, on the north shore of the Columbia River.
In this article we’ll explore some key facts about Klickitat County as well as what makes it a great place to live work, and play
Overview of Klickitat County, WA
Here are some quick facts to get to know Klickitat County:
- Rural county located in south-central Washington
- Bordered by Yakima, Skamania, and Hood River County (OR)
- Created in 1859 – one of the state’s original counties
- County seat is Goldendale, WA
- Land area of 1,904 square miles
- Population around 22,000 residents
- Main industries are agriculture, lumber, tourism
Klickitat County has a small population spread out over a large area of valleys, forests, rivers, and mountains. It’s predominantly an agricultural region, with wheat and timber harvesting being major contributors to the local economy. The county also benefits from outdoor recreation tourism.
The largest city and county seat is Goldendale, with around 3,500 residents. White Salmon, Bingen, Roosevelt, and Bickleton are some of the other towns in Klickitat County. Nearly half of the county’s residents live in unincorporated rural areas.
Overall, Klickitat County offers a quiet, rural way of life surrounded by the natural beauty of south-central Washington. Next, let’s look specifically at the town of White Salmon.
About White Salmon, WA
White Salmon is a small riverside town located in the western part of Klickitat County. Here are some key facts about White Salmon:
- Population around 2,500 residents
- Located along the Columbia River across from Hood River, OR
- Part of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
- Surrounded by Gifford Pinchot National Forest
- Popular for outdoor recreation like windsurfing, hiking, mountain biking
- Home to breweries, restaurants, shops, and art galleries
- Has an Amtrak station providing passenger rail service
As you can see, White Salmon is one of the more populated towns in rural Klickitat County, given its scenic location along the Columbia River. It serves as a hub for visitors looking to enjoy the natural wonders of the Columbia River Gorge.
But White Salmon also has a close-knit residential community, with families attracted to the small-town atmosphere, affordable cost of living, and abundance of outdoor activities. So White Salmon really offers the best of both worlds!
Benefits and Drawbacks of Living in Klickitat County
What are some of the pros and cons of living in Klickitat County, for those considering White Salmon or elsewhere in the region? Here are a few of the key benefits and drawbacks:
Benefits
- Abundant natural scenery and outdoor recreation
- Low cost of living compared to urban areas
- Tight-knit small communities
- Quality local produce and agricultural products
- Proximity to Portland metro area and the Gorge
- Low traffic and congestion
Drawbacks
- Limited job opportunities and economic growth
- Distance from major cities and airports
- Minimal public transportation options
- Access to fewer amenities than urban areas
- Limited health care facilities and options
As you can see, the trade-off for living in a peaceful, natural setting is being further away from large cities and some services. But many residents feel it’s worth it! The county tries to continually improve infrastructure and opportunities.
Things to See and Do in Klickitat County
Klickitat County’s outdoor recreation opportunities and natural scenery make it a great place to explore. Here are just a few of the attractions and activities you can enjoy:
- Hiking – Miles of trails through forests and gorge landscapes
- Windsurfing – World-class windsurfing at Swell City near White Salmon
- Fishing – Plentiful trout, steelhead and salmon fishing along the Klickitat River
- Kayaking and Whitewater Rafting – White Salmon is a hub for Class II to IV rapids
- Mountain Biking – Extensive single-track trails appeal to all skill levels
- Local Farm Tours – Visit orchards, wineries and lavender farms blooming in summer
- Goldendale Observatory – Massive public astronomy observatory with a 24.5” telescope
- Maryhill Museum of Art – Eclectic art museum near Goldendale with outdoor sculptures
Whether you want to get out on the rivers and trails or take in some history and culture, there’s something for everyone to experience in Klickitat County!
final Thoughts on White Salmon and Klickitat County
Hopefully this overview has helped explain that picturesque White Salmon is located in rural Klickitat County, Washington. Just across the river from lively Hood River, OR, White Salmon serves as a recreation hub and small town community surrounded by natural splendor.
Klickitat County offers a peaceful way of life in the Pacific Northwest region for those who enjoy small-town living, affordable cost of living, and proximity to the natural wonders of the Columbia River Gorge. While economic opportunities are limited, the county is continually growing and improving over time.
So for an escape from city life in a beautiful natural setting, Klickitat County and White Salmon, WA just might be the perfect destination. Consider a getaway or permanent relocation to enjoy all this scenic region has to offer.
White Salmon WA History
White Salmon was home to the Klickitat Tribe (now part of the Yakama Nation) before non-natives arrived. Lewis and Clark named the White Salmon River, as they observed the white-fleshed salmon being caught and dried by the natives at the mouth of the river. The town of White Salmon was named after these salmon as well.
The first non-natives to settle in White Salmon were Erastus and Mary Joslyn in 1853. Erastus and Mary purchased land from the Klickitat Tribe. During the Yakama Indian War, the Klickitats helped them build their farm just east of the White Salmon River and kept them safe.
White Salmon was officially incorporated on June 3, 1907. Within the same year, non-natives (white immigrants) quickly settled the region by making land claims. Today, White Salmon’s population is around 2500.
Learn more about White Salmon’s History and Historic Places.
You will enjoy the winds in the summer, cooling you off on a hot summer day. And you can always count on those beautiful warm summer nights. If it gets too warm for you in White Salmon during the summer, drive up to Gifford Pinchot National Forest and cool-off in a mountain lake, creek, or waterfall. And, of course, you can always head to the Columbia River for a dip.
Enjoy all of the beautiful trails for hiking and biking in the fall. You can also get great apples and pears at a farm stand or winery in the fall. During the winter, you have snow parks in the national forests and skiing at Mount Hood.
Most of what you need is close enough that you don’t need a car if you live in one of the neighborhoods around our “downtown.” One can walk to the library, grocery store, hardware store, and pharmacy. That’s just the basics! The best part is that you can walk to a great bakery, coffee shop, brewery, and a few restaurants that serve food made with ingredients from the area.
Mountains, Rivers and Roads
White Salmon, WA is east of Portland, Oregon, 550 feet above the Columbia River on a bluff. It is in the Columbia River Gorge, which is the largest national scenic area in the United States and is where the White Salmon Wildflower Festival takes place. You’ll be amazed at how you haven’t heard of the Columbia River Gorge before after the hour-long drive from Portland, OR (or Vancouver, WA) to White Salmon, WA. White Salmon is at the center of the Pacific Northwest kiteboarding and whitewater scene. Every day, our main street is full of cars, pickup trucks, and sprinter vans with kayaks, SUPs, and mountain and road bikes on top of them. The median age of folks living here is 41, and you can feel the vibrancy!.
White Salmon is a chill mountain town with a lively art scene. It’s full of people who love the outdoors, craft beer, tasty wine, and good food. Kayakers from all over the world come to our rivers and waterfalls all year long. In the summer, kiteboarders and windsurfers gather here. In the spring, mountain bikers start hitting the trails hard. Paragliders love the bluffs. Skiers and snowboarders thrash the Hood. Snowmobilers ride through the national forest. And hikers love the variety of hikes all year long. You’ll feel like you belong in White Salmon, and the Columbia River Gorge, the White Salmon River, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, and the Mt. Adams Wilderness are all close by. You also get a fantastic view of Mt Hood from almost any location in White Salmon.
White Salmon, Washington, is a special place. It feels like a small mountain town, and it has three wine tasting rooms, restaurants, and a brewery that are on par with the best in Portland. It is also surrounded by world-class wineries. Plus, there’s a lively downtown area that’s close enough to most of the neighborhoods and Airbnbs that surround the one-street downtown to be reached on foot.
We are a group of locals who love our community. We are here to share with you everything we love about White Salmon, Washington.
Here are some recent comments from White Salmon Studio guests:
“White Salmon is my new favorite little town.”
“It was great to be here! We had a great time checking out the White Salmon coffee shops, breweries, and wineries!”
“The location is ideal for exploring both the WA & OR side of the Gorge. Some great places, like the White Salmon Baking Co., are just a short walk up the street. ”.
“Came for kiteboarding lessons and this was a perfect location. Quick drive to the beach and steps away from restaurants. Will return for sure. ”.
“Great space with excellent amenities and homey touches. There is a pharmacy, a hardware store, a grocery store, and some good restaurants nearby. Our favorite was Everyone’s. It was nice that White Salmon was less crowded and smaller, but it was still close to lots of great place to hike and bike. We’re already talking about when we can go back because we felt so comfortable!”.
“The studio is close to some of the best hiking in the gorge. There are a lot of great hikes on both the Washington and Oregon sides of the river. We went to Coyote Wall, but there are so many to choose from. Following a nice hike, this is a great spot to drink my favorite electrolyte replacement drink: beer! Overall, this is a great place to stay. There is no doubt that we will stay here again the next time we come to the Columbia River Gorge area. ”.
“Perfect spot for a Gorge getaway weekend!”
It was hard to decide whether to stay on the White Salmon or Hood River side when we were planning our trip. We’re glad we chose White Salmon because it has a great view of Mt. Hood. ”.
“Location is great for bouncing around some neat places along the Columbia. We really enjoyed the little town of White Salmon. It snowed while we were there which added to the charm. ”.
Touring White Salmon, Washington
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