Welcome to the Skamania County

Welcome to Skamania County featuring some of the most scenic and diverse landscape in the world. Located in southwestern Washington, Skamania County extends from the northern shores of the Columbia River, through the forested ridges and ravines of the Cascade Mountains, north beyond Mount St. Helens, and east to the flanks of Mt. Adams.  Skamania County consists of 1,672 square miles that includes the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, and Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. 80% of the County is National Forest.

The County was established 1854, one of the first counties in the state. It operates under the laws of the State of Washington with a Commission form of government. The County is a general purpose government and provides public safety, road improvement, parks and recreation, judicial administration, health and social services and general administrative. There are eleven elected officials: Three County Commissioners, an Assessor, an Auditor, a County Clerk, a District Court Judge, a Prosecuting Attorney, a Sheriff, a Superior Court Judge and a Treasurer. The County population is approximately 11,000.

While the early settlers of Skamania County were reliant on natural resources for their livelihoods, especially timber, the economy of the County is transitioning.  Top employment includes jobs in the tourism industry, local government, four school districts, a lumber mill and small manufacturing. Outdoor recreation is major form of activity including wind surfing, kiteboarding, mountain biking, kayaking, sailing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, hunting and fishing, or resting and relaxing in one of our quiet hideaways.

The County seat in Stevenson, is also home to Skamania Lodge and the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum.  While Skamania County is considered a rural county, the metropolitan area of Portland/Vancouver is less than an hour away from the center of the county.