Bachelor Island, River island in Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, United States
Bachelor Island stretches roughly 5 kilometers along the Columbia River and is separated from the mainland by Bachelor Island Slough and Lake River. The island features wetlands and forested areas that provide important habitats for wildlife.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition named it Green Bryor Island in 1805, later calling it Quathlahpotle Island after a nearby settlement. Settlers claimed the land in 1849 under the Donation Land Claim Act, beginning a new chapter of occupation.
Indigenous peoples and later settlers shaped the island's story, leaving traces that are visible along the shores today. The land holds memories of different communities who called it home at different times.
Visitors can find primitive camping options with direct access to the Columbia River available year-round. Use the Refuge boundary signs as reference points to understand where you can explore and camp.
The island sits within a crucial wildlife corridor where countless migratory birds rest and pass through seasonally. Many visitors overlook how dramatically bird populations shift with the changing seasons throughout the year.
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