Reed Island

Reed Island State Park is a 510-acre undeveloped marine camping park located on the Columbia River near Camas, Washington, accessible only by boat. The island sits in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, offering primitive camping and wildlife viewing opportunities in a relatively pristine riparian environment. The park provides a remote camping experience unique in the state park system, with no road access or developed facilities. It serves as an important stopover for boaters traveling the Columbia River and as habitat for various bird species and other wildlife dependent on the river ecosystem.

The island's wildlife is dominated by waterfowl and shorebirds, with Canada geese, mallards, and great blue herons commonly observed along the shoreline and in wetland areas. Bald eagles and osprey nest in the island's cottonwood trees and hunt for fish in the surrounding Columbia River waters. River otters and beavers utilize the aquatic habitats, while muskrats inhabit the island's marshy areas. During migration periods, the island serves as a stopover for various songbirds and raptors, including sandhill cranes and various hawk species that follow the Columbia River flyway.

The island's vegetation is characteristic of Columbia River riparian zones, with black cottonwood and willow dominating the canopy and providing important habitat structure. The understory includes native shrubs such as red-osier dogwood, snowberry, and wild rose, along with invasive species including reed canarygrass and Himalayan blackberry in disturbed areas. Seasonal wildflowers bloom in open areas during spring and early summer, while aquatic vegetation along the shoreline provides habitat for fish and waterfowl. The island's plant communities are influenced by the river's seasonal water level fluctuations and occasional flooding.

Reed Island is a floodplain island formed by sediment deposition from the Columbia River over thousands of years. The island sits downstream from the Cascade Range and consists primarily of alluvial deposits including sand, silt, and gravel carried by the river from upstream erosion. The Columbia River Gorge was carved by massive glacial outburst floods during the last ice age, known as the Missoula Floods, which scoured the landscape and deposited enormous quantities of sediment. The island's low elevation makes it subject to seasonal flooding, and its shape and size have changed over time as the river continues its natural processes of erosion and deposition.

The park experiences a transition climate between the wet western Cascades and the drier interior Columbia Basin, with moderate precipitation of approximately 40-50 inches annually. Summers are warm and relatively dry with temperatures typically in the 75-85°F range, while winters are cool and wet with temperatures usually between 35-45°F. The Columbia River Gorge is famous for strong winds, particularly during summer months when thermal gradients create consistent easterly or westerly flows that make the area popular for windsurfing. Spring and fall bring variable weather with occasional storms, while fog can occur during cooler months when temperature inversions trap moisture in the river valley.

The Columbia River has been a vital transportation and subsistence corridor for indigenous peoples for over 10,000 years, with several tribal groups including the Chinook and Cascade peoples utilizing the river for fishing, trade, and travel. The Lewis and Clark Expedition passed through this area in 1805-1806, documenting the river and its resources. European-American settlement brought logging, fishing, and agricultural development to the Columbia River valley in the 1800s, with steamboat transportation making the river a commercial highway. The construction of Bonneville Dam downstream in the 1930s fundamentally altered the river's ecology and flow patterns, impacting fish runs and changing the character of islands and shoreline areas.

Reed Island became part of the Washington State Parks system to preserve undeveloped Columbia River island habitat and provide primitive recreation opportunities for boaters. Unlike most state parks, Reed Island has deliberately been left undeveloped to maintain its natural character and minimize environmental impact on the sensitive riparian ecosystem. The park serves primarily as a boat-in camping destination, offering an alternative to more developed river recreation sites. Management focuses on minimal-impact recreation and habitat protection, with visitors expected to follow Leave No Trace principles and pack out all waste.

The island has no formal trail system, but visitors can explore the shoreline and interior on informal paths through the cottonwood forest. Beachcombing along the rocky and sandy shores offers opportunities to observe river ecology and find interesting rocks and driftwood. The primitive campsites are scattered throughout the island, each offering relative privacy and direct access to the Columbia River. Wildlife observation, particularly bird watching, is a major draw for visitors willing to make the boat journey. The island's remote character and lack of development create a wilderness-like experience rare in the developed Columbia River Gorge.

Access to Reed Island is exclusively by personal watercraft, with the nearest boat launches located at Marine Park in Camas or other Columbia River access points. The park offers primitive boat-in campsites with no developed facilities, restrooms, or drinking water - visitors must be completely self-sufficient. Campers should bring all necessary supplies including water, food, cooking equipment, and portable sanitation systems. The island is managed under primitive recreation standards, meaning visitors must pack out all waste and practice Leave No Trace camping ethics. Camping is free but limited to designated sites to minimize environmental impact.

Reed Island plays an important role in Columbia River riparian habitat conservation, providing nesting and resting areas for migratory birds and resident wildlife species. The park's undeveloped status helps protect sensitive shoreline and wetland ecosystems from recreational development impacts common along much of the Columbia River. Invasive plant management is an ongoing challenge, with species like reed canarygrass and Himalayan blackberry competing with native vegetation. The island contributes to the broader Columbia River Gorge ecosystem, which is protected under the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area designation. State Parks works to balance minimal-impact recreation with habitat protection, educating boaters about responsible use and the importance of preserving the island's natural character for future generations.