Map of Long Beach Peninsula

Description: This map shows towns, villages, main roads, secondary roads, rivers, trails, and parks on Long Beach Peninsula.

Description: This map shows towns, beaches, highways, main roads, secondary roads, visitor centers, trails, public boat launches, public kayak launches, discovery pass required, information centers, parks, and points of interest on Long Beach Peninsula.

Description: This map shows towns, highways, main roads, secondary roads, parks, and points of interest in Long Beach Peninsula Area.

The Long Beach Peninsula is a narrow strip of land in southwest Washington State, extending approximately 28 miles north from the mouth of the Columbia River to Leadbetter Point. The peninsula separates Willapa Bay from the Pacific Ocean and is renowned for its continuous sandy beach, which claims to be the longest beach in the United States.

Geography and Natural Features

The peninsula is characterized by its unique geography, measuring roughly 1 to 2 miles in width. The western side features an uninterrupted beach stretching along the Pacific Ocean, while the eastern side borders the calmer waters of Willapa Bay. Sand dunes, shore pine forests, and cranberry bogs characterize the peninsula's landscape.

Leadbetter Point State Park occupies the northern tip of the peninsula and provides critical habitat for migratory birds and wildlife. The area is designated as part of the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge. Cape Disappointment State Park, located at the southern end near the Columbia River entrance, offers dramatic coastal scenery and historical significance.

History

The peninsula has been inhabited by Native American tribes, particularly the Chinook people, for thousands of years. European exploration began in the late 18th century when the Columbia River was discovered. The area developed as a resort destination in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, attracting visitors from Portland and other cities. Tourism remains central to the peninsula's identity and economy.

Communities and Tourism

Long Beach serves as the primary commercial center and gives the peninsula its name. Other communities include Ilwaco, a historic fishing port near the Columbia River, Seaview, Ocean Park, Nahcotta, and Oysterville, a preserved historic village. These small towns offer accommodations, restaurants, and tourist amenities.

Tourism drives the local economy, with visitors attracted by beach activities, kite flying, razor clam digging, fishing, and scenic beauty. The peninsula hosts annual events including the Washington State International Kite Festival. Cranberry farming, oyster cultivation, and commercial fishing supplement tourism as economic activities.

Economy

The economy is highly seasonal, peaking during summer months and holiday periods. Seafood processing, particularly oyster harvesting from Willapa Bay, provides year-round employment. Commercial fishing remains important despite industry changes. The peninsula's cranberry bogs produce a significant portion of Washington's cranberry crop. Retail businesses, hospitality services, and restaurants cater primarily to tourists, with many operating seasonally.

Regions of Washington State