On the Columbia River, the 1.75-acre Sailboard Park is located in Bingen Point Business Park; culture enthusiasts can also explore the Bingen Theater, the Gorge Heritage Museum and a Lewis and Clark mural. There are also parks with a variety of amenities and the Huckleberry Festival, which celebrates the harvest. This means you can tailor a stay in Bingen to different interests—from the river to local history.
The River and Windsurfing History
Public facilities at the Bingen Boat Ramp for day use include a boat dock with two ramps, restrooms and a parking lot for boat trailers. The Port of Bingen is connected to the Columbia River. Sailboard Park is also located along the river. The park offers access to the Columbia River, parking, picnic tables and a limited number of portable toilets.
In the mid-1990s, Sailboard Park was a windsurfing destination and a venue for the Gorge Games and several speed competitions. This former role gives the park a distinct connection to the region’s sporting history. Those interested in water sports will find both practical information about the park’s facilities and this historical connection.
Theater, Museum and Mural
The historic Bingen Theater opened in 1949 under the name Canyon Theater. During Hollywood’s Golden Age, it screened double features. It is a community-based performing arts center and recording studio. Its production capabilities include theater productions, concerts, community events and film screenings. The venue’s history thus spans its former movie program and a wide range of event formats.
The Gorge Heritage Museum is housed in the former Bingen Congregational Church. It features relics, baskets, photographs, tools and other artifacts from Indigenous tribes of the Klickitat region and the Columbia River Gorge, as well as from early pioneers. Another historical subject is depicted in the Sacajawea–Lewis & Clark mural: Sacajawea gazes toward Mount Hood. The mural also commemorates the journey of Lewis and Clark through the Columbia River Gorge area.
Festival and Parks
The Huckleberry Festival takes place in Bingen every year on the weekend after Labor Day; the exact date varies from year to year. It began in 1962 as a small-town festival celebrating the harvest of wild huckleberries in the region. The festival features a huckleberry pie booth and an ice cream stand. If you plan to time your trip around the festival, check the date for your preferred year.
Daubenspeck Park has a play area for young children and a 6,000-square-foot skate park. NK Studios is another local attraction, offering dance classes. These options appeal to different interests without requiring any single activity to shape your stay.
A Nearby Trail as Another Option
Klickitat Trail is a few miles from Bingen. The trail is 31 miles long and runs one way; it is intended for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. At the Lyle trailhead, the first 1.6-mile section is accessible. There is a restroom and drinking water there. This information applies to the section at the Lyle trailhead.
Choose a hotel based on your own travel plans rather than starting with a single option.
Discover more destinations: White Salmon, Goldendale, Lyle, Trout Lake
Return to the main travel overview: Klickitat County.
