Clarkston (Washington)

Clarkston is a city of 7,200 people (2020) in the Palouse region of eastern Washington. It sits across the Snake River to the west of Lewiston, Idaho.

This article also includes the neighboring city of Asotin, as well as rural Asotin County.

Clarkston and Lewiston were named after William Clark and Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition fame.

Agriculture is a major industry in the area and the port handles a lot of barge traffic carrying grains. Wood chips and sawdust are transported via barges for use at a Lewiston manufacturing plant. Due to its inland location on the Snake River, the port handles goods headed out to Portland-Vancouver, and inland to distributors upstream.

US Highway 12 (US-12) connects Clarkston to Walla Walla and Lewiston, Idaho.

Map of Clarkston (Washington)

• 46.33929-117.0532661 Asotin County Museum, 215 Filmore St, Asotin, ☏ +1-509-243-4659. Exhibits about the county's history, including examples of various kinds of buildings, such as a schoolhouse and Nez Perce tepee.  (updated Mar 2025)

• 46.41599-117.193321 Chief Timothy Park, 13766 Highway 12 (7 mi (11 km) west of Clarkston on US-12 & Silcott Grade Rd). At the location of a Nez Perce settlement. Includes the Alpowai Interpretive Center.  
• 46.077222-117.1719442 Field Springs State Park (30 mi (48 km) south on SR 129), ☏ +1 509-256-3332, [email protected]. Summerː 6ː30AM-dusk. Winterː 8AM-dusk. Park officeː F 2-5PM, Sa Su noon-3PM. A remote 792-acre camping park. The 4,500-foot heights of Puffer Butte give you a view of three states and the Grande Ronde River.  (updated Jan 2026)
• The main attraction in the Clarkston area is jet boating on the Snake River into Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America. Several operators offer half-day and full-day excursions with narration on history, geology, and wildlife (bighorn sheep, eagles, etc.). Tours typically include lunch stops and go through parts of Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. Book ahead, especially in summer.
  • Beamers Hells Canyon Tours, 1345 Port Drive (departs behind Holiday Inn at 700 Port Drive), ☎ +1 509-758-4800, website. Family-owned since 1974. Offers full-day (~200-mile round trip) and half-day tours, plus special options like wine tasting or dinner cruises. Departs from the Port of Clarkston.
  • Snake Dancer Excursions, 1550 Port Drive Suite B, ☎ +1 509-758-8927 or +1 800-234-1941, website. Highly rated for personalized tours (smaller boats), full- and half-day scenic trips to Hells Canyon Dam, and fishing charters. Known for homemade lunches and knowledgeable captains.

• 46.41238-117.045781 Hogan's, 906 6th St, ☏ +1 509 7586311. Friendly atmosphere, great service, if you're lucky you might catch a live band for a $5 cover charge.  (updated Dec 2022)

The port's marina has accommodations for personal boats and yachts, many of which travel through the nearby Hells Canyon.

• 46.41973-117.05661 RiverTree Inn, 1257 Bridge St, ☏ +1 509 758-9551, fax: +1 509 758-9551.  
• 46.42029-117.041362 Motel 6, 222 Bridge St, ☏ +1 509 758-1631, fax: +1 509 758-4942.  

Walla Walla ← Pomeroy ←	W  E	→ Lewiston → Missoula
END ←	N  S	→ Asotin → Enterprise