Reed Island State Park

Reed Island State Park: Boat-Access Wilderness Island on the Columbia River

Reed Island State Park offers an unparalleled wilderness island experience on the Columbia River east of Vancouver. This 510-acre marine park provides a true escape from civilization, accessible only by boat and featuring pristine beaches, active wildlife colonies, and primitive camping opportunities. As part of the Columbia River Water Trail, the island serves adventurous boaters and paddlers seeking solitude alongside some of the region’s finest birdwatching, including an active heron colony that has called the island home for generations.

Reed Island State Park Fast Facts

Park Overview

Reed Island State Park preserves a remarkable wilderness island experience where visitors can disconnect from modern conveniences and reconnect with the natural rhythms of the Columbia River. The island’s sandy beaches and grassy meadows provide habitat for diverse wildlife populations, most notably the active heron colony established on the southwest side of the island. This pristine environment remains largely undeveloped, offering visitors the rare opportunity to experience a true island wilderness within reach of the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area.

The park’s location along the Columbia River Water Trail makes it a favored destination for multi-day paddling and boating expeditions. Its proximity to Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge to the north creates an extended wildlife corridor that supports exceptional biodiversity. Reed Island State Park represents one of the few remaining opportunities to experience the Columbia River as Lewis and Clark might have encountered it, complete with undisturbed shorelines and abundant wildlife.

Activities & Recreation

The island’s birdwatching opportunities center around the established heron colony on the southwest side, where visitors can observe nesting and feeding behaviors during appropriate seasons. The surrounding waters and nearby Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge extend viewing opportunities to include egrets, osprey, ibis, and tufted ducks. Beach walking along the sandy shores provides both recreation and additional wildlife viewing as birds forage along the water’s edge.

Facilities & Amenities

Reed Island State Park maintains its wilderness character through minimal development. Two picnic sites provide basic gathering areas for visitors, but the island offers no potable water, garbage service, or restroom facilities. This primitive approach requires visitors to bring all necessary supplies and pack out everything they bring to the island. The absence of docks or buoys means boaters must beach their craft on the sandy shores, adding to the adventure of accessing this remote destination.

Camping & Accommodations

The park offers primitive camping opportunities for visitors seeking an authentic wilderness island experience. All camping is undeveloped with no facilities, water, or services available. Campers must be completely self-sufficient, bringing all water, food, camping equipment, and waste disposal materials. The pack-in, pack-out philosophy ensures the island remains pristine for future visitors while providing those willing to make the effort with an unmatched wilderness camping experience on the Columbia River.

Planning Your Visit

Reed Island State Park operates seasonally with hours from 6:30 AM to dusk April through September and 8 AM to dusk October through March. Access requires boat transportation as no bridge or ferry service connects to the island. Visitors should plan for complete self-sufficiency, bringing all water, food, waste disposal materials, and safety equipment. The park requires a Discover Pass for day visits. Weather conditions on the Columbia River can change rapidly, so boaters should check conditions and maintain appropriate safety equipment before launching.

What to Bring & Know

• All water, food, and supplies must be brought to the island as no services exist
• Pack-in, pack-out policy requires removing all trash and waste materials
• Boat landing is on sandy beaches with no docks or mooring facilities
• Binoculars essential for wildlife viewing, especially the heron colony
• Weather protection and safety equipment critical for river conditions
• Best birdwatching occurs during morning and evening hours when wildlife is most active

Final Word

Reed Island State Park provides an extraordinary wilderness island experience where adventurous visitors can enjoy pristine Columbia River habitat, exceptional birdwatching, and the rare opportunity to camp on a true wilderness island accessible only by boat.