A rural atmosphere and close-knit community in Carson
Along the northern banks of the Columbia River, among the mature woodlands and rolling hills of Skamania County, Carson is a rural community known for its quiet atmosphere, natural scenery and hot springs. Located in the Columbia River Gorge, the area feels far removed from city life, with spacious properties providing privacy to residents. “When you move here, you’re not just adopting a new town, but a new community,” says Rachel Broughton, a Realtor with Windermere Real Estate who grew up in Carson. “It’s a small town with no traffic lights and just one main intersection. People help one another in times of need, whether it be plowing a neighbor’s driveway or borrowing some eggs.” Carson and the neighboring town of Stevenson have limited businesses and amenities, but downtown Hood River’s active shopping hub is just 20 miles east. “A lot of folks are drawn to town for the large acreage or to work in the logging industry,” says Broughton.
Large properties and midcentury architecture
Carson’s ranch-style homes, bungalows and Colonial Revivals were mostly built throughout the 1960s and 1970s, with a small selection of new construction and a few dating back to the early 20th century. Most homes are on a quarter acre or more, with some properties reaching over 2 acres. Houses range from $330,000 to $700,000, with prices increasing with square footage and recent renovations. The area has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, which is lower than the national average of 4.
Career and technical education courses at Stevenson High
Local students attend Carson Elementary School, which earns a C-plus from Niche. Next door, Wind River Middle School also receives a C-plus. The B-minus-rated Stevenson High School has a large offering of career and technical education courses, including metal arts, journalism and social media marketing. The Stevenson Community Library is a short drive west and has a variety of free programs each week, from book clubs and English language workshops to educational presentations and craft circles.
Several local eateries are in Carson
A small selection of businesses can be found along Wind River Road, including Crosscut Espresso & Deli, which serves coffee, sandwiches, baked goods and smoothies. Backwoods Brewing has over a dozen craft beers on tap that can be enjoyed alongside pizza, pub fare or slow-smoked meats. The brewery also has breakfast offerings, with homemade cinnamon rolls every Sunday morning. Bungalow Bar & Grill offers bar grub from burgers to hot wings, along with tap brews and cocktails that can be sipped on during a round of pool. For sweet treats, from cookies to cupcakes, locals can swing by Trulies Divine Desserts. Shoppers can find a small selection of groceries and household essentials at Dollar General or the Carson General Store, with a larger selection a short drive west at Stevenson’s A&J Market.
Carson residents enjoy waterside and wintertime recreation
The Wind River winds through the east end of Carson and is lined by a few hot spring resorts and rental cabins where visitors can soak in the area’s natural mineral springs. “The community is a gateway to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest,” says Broughton. “A lot of residents like being active in the outdoors. In winter, people will head to Mount Hood for snowmobiling or visit the national forest for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.” The Public Elk Ridge Golf Course has 18 well-maintained greens and fairways. For a day on the river, Old Hatchery Road has a boat ramp near where the Wind and Columbia rivers meet. Nearby, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area has miles of trails that wind through woodlands, along ridges and past waterfalls, popular among hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders alike.
Driving to nearby PNW communities
The Lewis and Clark Highway runs alongside the Columbia River and can take drivers around 5 miles west to Stevenson or 20 miles east to Hood River. Portland International Airport is about an hour away via Interstate 84.
Written By
Jillian Pillow
