"LACAMAS LAKE - Water and Forests" Top 5 Page for this destination Portland Off The Beaten Path Tip by mtncorg

The neighboring town of Camas, Washington is not one of the most attractive towns in the area. The town is dominated by the large paperworks mill along a slough on the north banks of the Columbia River. The smell of hydrogen sulfide is everpresent in the air. Downtown Camas leads directly to the mill's entrance. Early in the 20th Century, a small dam was built on the nearby Lacamas Creek, to provide power for the mill. It is here that you can find - in one of the more unlikely of settings - one of the more interesting pockets of urban wilderness in the Portland Metropolitan area. Above the dam, there are two lakes: Round Lake, so named for its circular shape - not a particularly attractive lake; and Lacamas Lake, a long cigar shaped lake that offers a long stretch for waterskiers and jetskiers alike the chance to test their craft and skills - kayakers can explore the interesting riparian environment offered at both ends of the lake.

To get here, you take WA route 14 east from Vancouver or the I-205 bridge - another connection to Portland - to Camas. Take business WA 14 into Camas - the first Camas exit and watch for signs to WA 500 - Garfield Street. Wa 500 goes left up a tall hill and then after a few turns past the Camas High School and a park, heads north to the small parking lot for Lacamas Park. The park gets very busy in the summertime but there is a larger overflow parking area just to the north of the first parking lot. When you get out from your car on the west side of Round Lake, make your way through the small playground and follow trails south to the 50 foot high dam. Cross the dam to the east and you have several options. You can head south, down the creek's canyon to visit a couple of waterfalls. You can simply loop around Round Lake - 1.6 miles; or you can head up the east side to the camas lily fields which bloom in April.

You can find more details in William Sullivan's '100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon' trailbook.

Phone: 360-834-5307
Website: http://www.ci.camas.wa.us/parks/parktrail.htm