Doug's Beach State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Doug's Beach State Park |
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 Doug's Beach State Park
Location in Washington (state)
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| Location | Klickitat, Washington, United States |
| Area | 379 acres (153 ha) |
| Established | Unspecified |
| Operator | Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission |
| Website | Doug's Beach State Park |
Doug's Beach State Park is a super cool place to visit in Washington. It's a public park located in the amazing Columbia River Gorge. You can find it about 3 miles (4.8 km) east of a town called Lyle in Klickitat County.
This park covers about 379 acres (153 hectares) right along Washington State Route 14. It's famous for being one of the best spots for windsurfing on the mighty Columbia River. Besides windsurfing, the park is also a great place for picnics, fishing, and swimming!
A Bit of History
Doug's Beach State Park wasn't always a park. The land was originally owned by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Later, the Washington State Parks department got the land through a special trade.
The park is named after a windsurfer named Doug Campbell. He was a big reason why windsurfing became so popular at this exact spot. People loved coming here because of him!
Where is Doug's Beach?
Doug's Beach State Park is located in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. This is a huge canyon carved by the Columbia River, forming a natural border between Washington and Oregon. The park sits right on the Washington side, offering fantastic views of the river and the surrounding cliffs.
Fun Things to Do!
Doug's Beach State Park offers lots of ways to have fun outdoors. It's a perfect spot for a day trip with friends or family.
Windsurfing Fun
If you love water sports, or just watching them, this is the place to be! Doug's Beach is known as one of the best places in the world for windsurfing.
- What is windsurfing? It's a sport where you stand on a board like a surfboard, but you have a sail attached to it. You use the wind to glide across the water.
- Why is it good here? The Columbia River Gorge has strong, steady winds that are perfect for windsurfing. The wide river also gives windsurfers plenty of space to zoom around. You'll often see many colorful sails on the water!
Other Activities
Even if you're not into windsurfing, there's still plenty to enjoy at Doug's Beach:
- Picnicking: The park has nice areas where you can set up a picnic. Bring your favorite snacks and enjoy a meal with a view of the river.
- Fishing: If you like to fish, you can try your luck in the Columbia River. Just make sure you have the right fishing license!
- Swimming: On a warm day, you can cool off with a swim in the river. Always be careful and swim in designated areas.
Doug's Beach State Park is managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. They work hard to keep the park a great place for everyone to enjoy nature and outdoor activities.
