Umatilla is a gateway to the Columbia River and Washington State
Umatilla is a growing town within the county that shares its name. The town is located on the banks of the Columbia River, which forms a boundary between Oregon and Washington State. KC Furstenberg, a broker with The Kenmore Team, says locals like her call Umatilla "Little Phoenix" for its semiarid climate with tumbleweeds, reminding them of the Arizona city. Still, life here wraps around water. Boat launches, marinas and wildlife areas serve as gateways to the river, and many homes come with river views. Once a part of the Oregon Trail route and Lewis and Clark's journey across the Pacific Northwest, the area is steeped in American history and growing into a new chapter. Residential construction is booming in Umatilla due to its proximity to the Tri-Cities of Washington State: Kennewick, Pasco and Richland. Umatilla County also started taking off after Amazon began establishing data centers there around 2010.
New construction, vintage homes and country properties for hobby farms
Umatilla has tons of new construction featuring one- and two-story traditional-style homes, many with farmhouse touches such as shiplap paneling. The McClannahan Summit subdivision is one of the newest communities. It’s being built on a bluff on Umatilla’s western side, with premium lots offering 180-degree views of the Columbia River. Umatilla’s oldest homes are small cottages close to the town center. Ranch-style homes and split-levels from the 1960s and ’70s also have a foothold here. Lots range from "tiny," in Furstenberg’s words, to acres on the outskirts of town, fit for hobby farming. Prices range from around $150,000 to $575,000, with newer homes and those on acres pricing higher than smaller, older homes closer to the highway. "We have only seen [prices] go up, especially in new construction," Furstenberg says, adding that there is high demand.
Diverse recreation, much of it surrounding the water
The town has 11 parks, some on the Columbia River. Nugent Park Boat Ramp has a small Little League field, playground and picnic shelter and serves as a launch point for boaters. Umatilla Marina RV Park has nearly 100 boat slips, campsites and a day-use area where people fish and picnic. Locals can find a spot to lounge on the sand and swim from the shore at McNary Beach Recreation Area. The recreation area is also an access point to the Lewis and Clark Commemorative Trail, where hikers retrace the footsteps of the explorers. Umatilla also has a public golf course, a driving range and a disc golf course. Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge’s 23,000 acres of islands, shores and upland are less than 10 miles away. The refuge is popular with anglers and bird-watchers and has specific hunting hours.
Places to eat in town, shopping in Hermiston and Kennewick
Most of Umatilla’s restaurants cluster along Sixth and Willamette streets. Doñitas Tacos is a favorite for quesadillas, tortas and tacos. The Bridge Bistro & Brews is a go-to for craft beer, custom burgers and pizza, and even has some vegan options. Rae’s Dayz Diner and Cakery serves comfort food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A giant metal cowboy statue stands outside Columbia Harvest Foods grocery store. Hermiston, a bigger city less than 7 miles away, has chain stores such as Walmart and Grocery Outlet. Furstenberg says for a mall, locals head to Columbia Center in Kennewick, around 30 miles away.
Popular festivals locals look forward to
The community hosts several premier events during the year. Umatilla Landing Days, in June, includes fireworks, kids’ amusement rides and parades, among other entertainment. In September, Rock the Locks Music Festival allows on-site camping and is designed for all ages.
Public education begins at McNary Heights Elementary School
Students attend the Umatilla School District. McNary Heights Elementary School and Clara Brownell Middle School earn C-minus ratings on Niche, and Umatilla High School scores a C-plus rating. The district’s Perfect Attendance Spells Success program celebrates students who consistently attend classes. In 2025, a group of sixth graders earned new bikes and helmets.
Highways to Washington State and a Greyhound to Portland
Highway 82 runs through Umatilla and crosses the Columbia River to Washington State. U.S. Route 730 travels east to U.S. Route 12 in the neighboring state. Paratransit options are available, albeit limited. Greyhound provides connections to Hermiston, the Tri-Cities and Portland, which is around 180 miles away.
Earthquakes, brush fires and floods
A magnitude 2.0 earthquake was reported near Umatilla in 2025, and a brush fire broke out that same year in nearby Hermiston, destroying several school buses and prompting evacuations. The last major flood to occur in Umatilla was in 2020, when heavy rain and rapid snowmelt overloaded the Umatilla River.
Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
