West Clarkston-Highland is a suburban community with lots of river access
Bordering the Snake River on the northwest and east sides of the community, West Clarkston-Highland is a vast area outside the city of Clarkston with many recreational options. “It’s a great place to live if you’re into the outdoors. We have a very mild climate, and there’s golfing, fishing, hunting and rafting,” says Steve Knight, a Re/Max Rock-N-Roll Realty broker with over 20 years of experience. “The Snake River from Clarkston to the south is super good for swimming.” West Clarkston-Highland is part of a greater region known as the Lewis Clark Valley, situated at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers and north of Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in the United States. The community offers a blend of outdoor activity and convenience to the cities of Clarkston and Lewiston on the Washington-Idaho state line.
Suburban homes and mini farms in Eastern Washington
West Clarkston-Highland has a mix of suburban and semirural streets. Some areas feature homes close together, while others have houses that are more spread out and include small farms of 1 to 5 acres. Many of the streets in the area's southern and western parts are hilly and offer views of the Snake River and the surrounding hills. Home styles include bungalows, ranch styles, New Traditional and manufactured houses. The region saw lots of development from the 1930s to the ‘70s and again in the 2000s. The median sales price is around $360,000.
Fishing, swimming and boating on the Snake River
Much of the recreation here is on the community’s east side, along the Snake River. Beachview Park sits on a bluff above the water and has picnic areas, playgrounds, a skate park and a basketball court. It also offers sweeping views of the river and the adjacent city of Lewiston. Residents can take Chestnut Street down the hill below the park to access Chestnut Beach, a 4-acre swimming area. The Greenbelt Trail is accessible from the beach and leads 7 miles south to Asotin. Swallows Park is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and has a four-lane boat ramp, picnic shelters and playgrounds. For adventures upriver, multiple local companies offer guided fishing and rafting trips through Hells Canyon. Golfers can enjoy a round at the 18-hole Red Wolf Golf Club, open to the public. Hot summer days call for a trip to the Asotin County Family Aquatic Center, which has waterslides, a lazy river, wave pool and lap pool.
Clarkston's locally owned restaurants offer a mix of cuisines
With the city of Clarkston adjacent to the community, residents are minutes from popular restaurants. “Sauté on 6th is fine dining, and Roosters on the Waterfront is right on the river. Those are probably the premier restaurants in Clarkston,” Knight says. Sauté on 6th has a wide-ranging steak and seafood menu but is also known for its cocktails and desserts. Roosters overlooks the Snake River and serves pub food like burgers and fish and chips. Groceries are available at Rick’s Family Foods on 13th Street. Other shopping in Clarkston includes Walmart, Costco and Albertsons.
Extracurriculars and special programs at Clarkston High School
Highland Elementary School receives a C rating from Niche, while Lincoln Middle School and Clarkston High School each earn a B-minus. The high school offers dual enrollment courses, including the Running Start program through Walla Walla Community College. It also offers various career and technical education options and activities like FFA and JROTC.
Multiple highways offer routes around the Pacific Northwest
U.S. Route 12 passes through the north side of the area, offering a highway west through Washington. Across the state line, residents can use U.S. Route 95 for a north-south road through Idaho. Pullman, home to Washington State University, is about 35 miles north via U.S. Route 195. Spokane is the closest large city, about 108 miles north, via Highway 195. The Lewiston Transit System operates multiple bus routes in the area, connecting the community to downtown Clarkston and Lewiston.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
