Always dreamed of owning riverfront property? Imagine waking up every morning with the beautiful Columbia River flowing by right outside your door. It’s a dream for a lot of people, but the reality is, knowing where to look can be a challenge.
To make your job easier, we did an extensive search to find Columbia River riverfront property in Oregon and Washington along the Willamette Valley. From single-family homes to condos to floating homes, there are a multitude of possibilities for all price ranges. You’ll be amazed by what’s out there!
Columbia Riverfront Single-Family Homes
When you own a single-family home right on the water, it’s like having your own personal oasis. The water’s calming effect, along with the wildlife it attracts means a peaceful, serene quality of life and oftentimes, direct access to the water via a private beach or boat ramp. See all riverfront homes for sale here.
Columbia Riverfront Condos
If you don’t want the responsibility that comes from owning a detached home, like landscaping and lawn work, or you desire a lower price range, a condo is a great way to go. They’re ideal for first-time home buyers and downsizing empty nesters alike. The low impact on your wallet doesn’t stop with the price, either. Condos are typically overseen by an HOA, which is responsible for maintaining community rules and regulations. Many offer extras like pools, rooftop terraces, fitness centers, and even spas. HOA fees range widely, so be sure you check those out before you get your heart set on a property. See all riverfront condos for sale here.
On the River, Columbia River Floating Homes
The unique lifestyle that comes with owning a floating home is not for everyone. But for those who love the water and want to be in or near the city yet don’t resonate with the urban lifestyle—and don’t mind being in close proximity to their neighbors—will be happy to know the Portland Metro area abounds with floating home possibilities.
Click the image for all homes for sale in along the Columbia River.
Take Our Columbia River Riverfront Real Estate Tour
This guide is long, so carve out some time and settle in! To help you orient, here’s how we’ve organized our findings.
First we cover the Oregon Columbia Real Estate Riverfront, starting in Portland, as well as Hayden and Sauvie Islands, and work our way north to Rainier.
Next, we cover Washington Columbia Real Estate Riverfront, starting in Vancouver and heading north to Kalama, then doubling back to Camas and Washougal.
Oregon Columbia Real Estate Riverfront Guide
Portland, Oregon Real Estate Riverfront
Wilkes Neighborhood
Our first stop on the Columbia is on the far northeast border of Portland along NE Marine Dr. just west of Chinook Landing Marine Park. Here, you’ll find several groups of floating homes in the Wilkes neighborhood, home to several marinas and moorages. This neighborhood has an Old Portland vibe—quiet and not concerned with keeping up with trends—which makes it ideal for those who want to enjoy the serenity of the riverfront lifestyle yet be close enough to the city when they want to partake. See all Wilkes neighborhood homes for sale.
Further north, right about where NE Marine Dr. merges with NE Bridgeton Rd. another group of floating homes is located in the Bridgeton neighborhood. This charming community has a small-town feel, and its active, outdoorsy residents have a genuine appreciation for their natural surroundings. Several moorage companies and marinas service this area as well. See all Bridgeton neighborhood homes for sale.
Hayden Island neighborhood is half undeveloped nature preserve and half developed with retail stores and some residential sections consisting of condos, floating homes, and single-family homes. The neighborhood includes all homes on both Hayden Island and Tomahawk Island. This marine community is an eclectic mix of all ages who live the outdoorsy, active lifestyle. See all Hayden Island neighborhood homes for sale.
Tomahawk Island
Directly across the water from Bridgeton, we come to Tomahawk Island, the southeasternmost section of Hayden Island, which offers floating homes, single-family homes, and condos.
Floating Homes
Parallel to the N. Lotus Isle Dr. on Tomahawk Island, you’ll find a group of floating homes at Tomahawk Island Moorage.
Tomahawk Destiny – Tomahawk Island
Right at the cove of by Lotus Isle Park, you’ll find Island Cove, yet another floating home community.
Island Cove – Tomahawk Island
Single-Family Homes
The southern shore of Tomahawk Island on N. Lotus Isle Dr., has a row of single-family homes, complete with boat ramps.
N. Lotus Isle Dr. – Tomahawk Island
About .1 miles north, another grouping of single-family homes are situated on either side of N. Tomahawk Island Dr., the neck that connects Tomahawk Island with Hayden Island.
Click the image to see all Hayden Island homes for sale.
Hayden Island
Condos
Just as you enter Hayden Island from Tomahawk Island, a few condo communities are located on the right.
Continuing north just past I-5 on N. Jantzen St., you’ll come to another strip of floating homes, served by Jantzen Beach Moorage and West Hayden Island Moorage.
Single-family homes flank the north and south edges of the Hayden Island. There is a small section that runs parallel to the floating homes on N. Southshore Ave. and N. Westshore Dr. (south side).
You’ll also find single-family homes on the north side of the island, running along N. Columbia River Dr. and N. Menzies Dr., bending around onto N. Menzies Ct. and N. Image Canoe Ave.
N. Image Canoe Ave. – Hayden Island
Sauvie Island
Next, we come to Sauvie Island north of Portland, known as farmland and wildlife refuge. There are, however, a few choice spots on the Columbia River side.
Single-Family Homes
There’s a point where NW Reeder Rd. crosses over Gee Creek, near the Reeder Beach RV Park and Country Store, and leads to a short stretch of homes situated right on the Columbia River, some with a sandy beach right off the back yard.
NW Reeder Rd. – Sauvie Island
St. Helens, Oregon Real Estate Riverfront
Further north of Sauvie Island, off Highway 30, we come to St Helens, a small town located on the confluence of four rivers. Residents here enjoy the a serene lifestyle, thanks to surrounding parks, trails, and expansive views of the Columbia River and Mt. Saint Helens. Columbia Botanical Gardens is also located here. See all St. Helens homes for sale.
In this quaint little town, film location for the famed Halloweentown and Twilight movies, you’ll find single-family and floating home real estate.
Floating Homes
On the shore of St Helens, directly across from Sand Island Marine Park, there’s Max’s Moorage, Dillard’s Moorage, and Rocky Pointe Marina on S. River St.
Continuing north, passing Grey Cliffs Waterfront Park, make your way to Riverside Dr., River Cliff Dr., and Grey Cliff Dr. Here, you’ll find several single-family homes right on the water.
Riverside Dr. – St. Helens
Columbia City, Oregon Real Estate Riverfront
Hop back on Highway 30, and continue north. Just as you pass Dalton Lake Nature Preserve, you’ll enter the town of Columbia City, a prime river-front community that prides itself on its focus on livability and sustainability and maintaining its unique identity and independence. Here, you’ll find riverfront living in single-family homes. See all Columbia City homes for sale.
Single-Family Homes
The Strand, a street that runs parallel to the river and Front Pl. between I St. and E Sts. and has several riverfront homes.
The Strand – Columbia City
Prescott, Oregon Real Estate Riverfront
Twelve miles north of Columbia City is Prescott, right off the Columbia River Highway. This quiet little community has 50 residents and boasts a one-mile long beach—Prescott beach, a 71-acre day-use county park, one of the Columbia River’s most coveted fishing and windsurfing sites. See all Prescott, OR homes for sale.
Single-Family Homes
You’ll find two small sections of single-family homes on the river in Prescott. Look for the spots where School St. and Ivy Lane meet and then again where Riverview Rd and Hout St. meet, the last of which is just before Prescott Beach Park.
School St. – Prescott, OR
Rainier, Oregon Real Estate Riverfront
Rainier is the last stop in our Columbia River Riverfront Homes trip north of Portland. This small town has a lot to offer: local entertainment, historical landmarks, fishing, camping, and scenic views. All of this only 10 miles from Longview, WA and under an hour from Portland. Here, you’ll find single-family homes along the river. See all Ranier, OR homes for sale.
Single-Family Homes
Before you get to Rainier proper, there’s a section parallel to Columbia River Highway between Oasis Creek and Piedmont Creek with single-family homes right on the river.
Further north, a couple of blocks past Rainier City Park, you’ll find a small group of riverfront homes on King Dr.
Laurel Beach Rd. – Rainier, OR
Washington Columbia Real Estate Riverfront
Vancouver, Washington Real Estate Riverfront
Vancouver is loaded with Columbia River riverfront possibilities. Washington’s fourth largest city is a blend of historic architecture and new construction, and even after its transforming revitalization, which brought big-city amenities, it has maintained its small-town charm. Here, we cover all that Vancouver has to offer before turning north to explore further. See all Vancouver homes for sale.
Click the image to access the map of all Vancouver homes for sale.
Single-Family Homes
There’s a 7.5-mile stretch in Vancouver, just south Winter Community Park, full of single-family homes right on the water. We started at the southernmost point, just north of Columbia Vista Corporationand found a long stretch of riverfront homes to catch at we head back north.
Old Evergreen / Columbia River Neighborhood
The lion’s share of these homes are within the Old Evergreen Neighborhood (aka Columbia River Neighborhood). History abounds here. Fisher’s Cemetery is thought to be the oldest settlers’ burial ground in Clark County. One of the Northwest’s earliest sawmills sits at the east end of the cemetery. Old Evergreen Highway itself goes back to the days of the first automobiles and is now traversed by motorists and cyclists alike.
Despite the residential development this area has seen, it remains largely rural, nestled in towering evergreens with lovely river and mountain vistas.
Rivershore Landing—Homes in Rivershore Landing were built beginning in 1998 and are located south of SR-14 on the north bank of the Columbia River in the Columbia River neighborhood. This notable neighborhood boasts excellent river and city views.
Rivershore Narrows—Rivershore Narrows consists of fourteen executive narrows homes, located on SE Rivershore Dr. Residents in these homes enjoy expansive views of the beautiful Columbia River, along with remarkable sunsets, sailboats and salmon fishing in action, and the graceful flight of osprey, all from 50 feet above a private beach. These homes are located just east of the I-205 Bridge, minutes from the Portland International Airport and downtown Portland.
Steamboat Landing HOA—Moving to the southeast, right off SE Evergreen Highway, we come to Steamboat Landing HOA, a planned, gated community that utilizes its surrounding natural beauty for recreation and quality of life. The neighborhood has a park, marina, and walking trails, with easy access to Vancouver and Portland.
Rivercrest Estates—Located on on SE Burlington, Rivercrest Estates is an upscale neighborhood with breathtaking views of the Mt. Hood, city lights, and of course the beautiful Columbia River.
Image Ln.—SE Image Rd. crosses the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad tracks and end at Image Ln. where you’ll find a handful of homes on the water.
Leiser Point—Leiser Point, located on SE Leiser Point Dr. is a subdivision with a wide variety of home styles built between 1925 and 2003. Residents here live in bungalows, contemporary, ranch, daylight ranch, Dutch colonial, Craftsman, and custom homes, some of which back right up to the water.
Columbia Harbor Estates—Columbia Harbor is located on SE 17th St. just north of Leiser Point. This area is a gated community with ranch, daylight ranch, and contemporary style homes built between 1980 and 1992.
Riverview Neighborhood
Topper Landing—Topper Landing is a gated community on SE Topper Drive with superb views of the Columbia River.
View from Topper Landing – Vancouver
Condos
One mile north of Topper Landing, passing Winter Community Park, we come to our first set of condos.
Tidewater Cove Condos—Tidewater Cove Condos are located at 1000 SE Tidewater Pl., right on Tidewater Cove Marina. This condo community is comprised of seven residential buildings with 94 units centered around three small lagoons. A Clubhouse with meeting spaces and a workout room, along with a seasonal out-door pool and tennis court, are available to residents. The real bonus at Tidewater Cove is the unobstructed Columbia River views.
Sahalie at Tidewater Cove—Directly beyond Tidewater Cove Marina lies another small group of riverfront condos in the Columbia Way neighborhood of Vancouver. Sahalie at Tidewater Cove consists of three 3-story buildings housing 32 condo units. Living areas range from 1620 to 4357 sq. ft.
The Meriwhether—Located at 2015 SE Columbia River Dr. is The Meriwether, a single 4-story, low-rise building with 17 units in the Columbia Way neighborhood of Vancouver, built in 1998.
Columbia Way—Right on Surprise Beach, you’ll find Columbia Way, a group of condos and townhomes, built between 1994 and 2006.
Kirkland TowerPenthouses—For upscale, luxury living, this group of high rises won’t disappoint. Located at 590 Waterfront Way, these desirable 1- to 3-bedroom units offer residents all services attached to the Hotel Indigo and gorgeous views of not just the Columbia River, but Mt. Saint Helens, Mt. Hood, and the city, as well.
Kirkland Tower Penthouses – 590 Waterfront Way, Vancouver
Kalama, Washington Real Estate Riverfront
Proceeding north again on I-5 on the river’s east side now, we come to Kalama. With virtually no room for expansion, largely due to its location on a narrow swath of land between the Columbia River and a bluff, Kalama is infused with a community-focused, small-town vibe. See all Kalama homes for sale.
Single-Family Homes
There’s a small section of Kalama with homes right on the water in Kalama. You’ll find them on Tidewater Drive. Schoolhouse Creek runs down the center of this area.
Tidewater Dr. – Kalama
Camas, Washington Real Estate Riverfront
Now, we’ll make our turn back and head southeast, past Vancouver to Camas, a sparse suburban area with lots of parks and tree-lined streets. See all Camas homes for sale.
Single-Family Homes
There’s a four-block section in Camas on SE 11th & 12th Sts., just before you get to Parker’s Landing Historical Park, with single-family homes. Some have boat ramps. All have direct access to the river just off their expansive back yards.
SE 12th Ave – Camas
Washougal, Washington Real Estate Riverfront
Our last stop on the Columbia Riverfront River Real Estate Guide Tour is Washougal, known for its lowlands and famous prairie at the west entrance to Columbia River Gorge with Mt. Hood rising in the distance. See all Washougal homes for sale.
Single Family Homes
Just south of Waterfront Natural Play Area on A Street, which runs parallel to Lewis and Clark Highway, we find our last section of single-family homes. The lots are narrow but deep and have direct access to the river.
A St. – Washougal
Looking for Columbia River Riverfront Property?
We have all the latest Columbia River riverfront listings in Oregon and Washington. Our top 1% real estate team serves both the Washington and Oregon riverfront along the Willamette Valley and beyond. Give our main line a call today at 503-773-0000 or chat with our bot on this site. We’d love to help you find the perfect home, on or off the water!
Stephen FitzMaurice, Realtor is a top 5% real estate agent in the U.S. A Principal Broker in Oregon, Managing Broker in Washington, he has been licensed since 2003 for residential real estate sales. Call his team in Oregon at 503-714-1111 or in Washington at 360-345-3833.
