Northport brings together waterfront areas along the Columbia River and tangible traces of its local history. When planning your visit, you can first decide whether you would rather focus on the water or on historic buildings and memorial sites. Both themes give Northport a distinct character, without requiring a set itinerary.
On the Columbia River: Waterfront and Boat Launch
The Northport Waterfront includes riverside and beach areas along the Columbia River, some of which are exposed year-round and others seasonally. They are next to Northport City Park and extend around a boat launch. The park itself is a waterfront park with a boat launch. Northport also has a boat launch on Upper Lake Roosevelt that is not part of the National Park Service. Since water levels fluctuate, it is advisable to check current conditions before planning to use it.
The layout of the paths is also part of the waterfront’s character: After the restoration was completed, the path from the Northport Waterfront parking lot to the shore was improved with wooden steps. Following the restoration in fall 2025, two new benches and a covered picnic area were provided there for recreational use. Since amenities can change, check before your visit to see whether they are still available.
The Flat Creek Loop offers another perspective on the river landscape. It runs along Northport Flat Creek Road beside the steep slopes and the Columbia River shore. The route description thus connects a road with two distinctive landscape features: the steep slopes and the riverside.
History in Buildings and Memorial Sites
The Smelter Monument commemorates the beginnings of Northport. Northport School is also connected with the town’s development: built in 1903, it is known for its significance in Northport’s development and for early education in Stevens County. The historical themes therefore bring together the town’s development and the region’s educational history.
The Northport Historical Society operates a small museum in the former town hall at 318 Columbia Street. Confirm possible visiting times before you travel. Another building with its own history is the Fire Hose House: the Historical Society restored it in 2009 and 2010; today, it houses Northport’s 1935 fire engine. A sturgeon sculpture was also created as part of the waterfront restoration in honor of John Roland, a longtime employee of the Department of Ecology.
Northport’s bridge history includes the Columbia and Red Mountain Railroad Bridge, one of the first bridges across the Columbia River in the United States. The Columbia River Bridge in Northport provides the only access to the west side of the Columbia River between Kettle Falls and Trail, British Columbia. Another named bridge, the Red Mountain Railroad Bridge, spans Little Sheep Creek as a Howe truss bridge. Its wooden decking has deteriorated, and the bridge is considered abandoned.
Accommodation and Practical Planning
A brochure updated in January 2025 lists food, accommodation, fuel, and boat and fishing equipment rentals in Northport. Before traveling, check which of these services are currently available. If you are looking for a vacation rental, compare availability for your specific travel dates rather than assuming that a general reference to accommodation means a particular option is available.
For a stay focused on the water, the waterfront, riverside park, and boat launch are the main attractions; fluctuating water levels make it advisable to check current conditions. Those more interested in local history can explore the school, museum, Fire Hose House, and bridges.
Discover more destinations: Loon Lake, Valley, Kettle Falls.
View the broader travel guide: Stevens County.
