BRADLEY HOME TEAM
Camas Neighborhood Guide
On the Washington side of the Columbia, about twenty miles east of Portland where the river meets the entrance to the Gorge, Camas has pulled off a rare transformation — from a century-old paper-mill town into one of the most desirable places to live in Southwest Washington. Its brick-lined historic downtown, top-ranked schools, string of lakes and nearly sixty miles of trails, and combination of small-town feel with big-city access have made “the Lily of the West” a magnet for families and professionals — all with Washington's no-income-tax advantage.
A Clark County city of roughly 26,000 to 30,000 residents, Camas sits along State Route 14 between Vancouver to the west and Washougal to the east, across the Columbia from Troutdale, Oregon. Named for the camas lily, it still calls its high school teams the “Papermakers” — a nod to the Georgia-Pacific mill that defined the city for over a century, even as tech and modern industry have reshaped its economy.
Homes in Camas
Camas offers a wide housing range, from history to luxury. Near the downtown and old mill you'll find small turn-of-the-century homes originally built for mill workers; on Prune Hill — an extinct volcanic vent — and along the shores of Lacamas Lake, you'll find larger estates and upscale new construction with Columbia River and Mount Hood views. In between, established neighborhoods and newer master-planned developments on the northern and eastern edges (Green Mountain, Lacamas-area communities) fill out the market.
The city has grown rapidly since the 1990s while keeping its small-town feel, and it sits at the higher end of the Clark County market — the Camas School District premium is real and measurable, with homes inside district boundaries reliably commanding higher prices. Luxury inventory around Lacamas Lake and Prune Hill has grown substantially, while more modest options exist near the historic core.
A buyer's note: the Camas School District premium is genuine — homes inside its boundaries command more. Also weigh location-specific factors: some river-adjacent areas may need flood insurance, Prune Hill has slope considerations, and homes near the mill site or rail line can carry noise or odor. Verify the specifics for any address.
What Makes Camas Different: Schools, Lakes, and a Brick Downtown
Camas's appeal rests on a rare combination — a top-tier school district, an unusual abundance of water and trails, and a genuinely charming historic downtown.
Top-Ranked Schools
The Camas School District is consistently recognized as one of the strongest in Clark County and among the top districts in Washington State, with Camas High School frequently ranked in the state's top tier. For many families, the district is the single biggest reason they choose the city — and it underpins the area's home values.
Lakes and Trails
Camas is unusually rich in water and green space — Lacamas Lake, Round Lake, and Fallen Leaf Lake sit just north of downtown, wrapped in Lacamas Regional Park's hundreds of acres and roughly sixty miles of area trails. The 7-mile Lacamas Heritage Trail, the Round Lake loop, and the spring camas-lily blooms in the lily fields are local touchstones for hiking, paddling, and biking.
A Historic Brick Downtown
Rebuilt in sturdy brick after a 1923 fire, downtown Camas is a walkable, Norman-Rockwell-style main street of locally owned boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and the historic Liberty Theatre. Events like Camas Days (with its famous bathtub races), monthly First Fridays, and the Wednesday farmers market keep its civic life vibrant.
Schools
Camas is served by the highly regarded Camas School District, consistently ranked among the top districts in Washington State — and one of the primary reasons families choose the city. School assignment still depends on address, so confirm the boundary for any specific home, especially given the measurable price premium inside district lines.
Elementary and Middle
The district operates a well-regarded set of elementary and middle schools with a strong STEM focus. Verify the current feeder pattern for a given home.
High School
Students attend Camas High School — the “Papermakers” — frequently ranked among the top public high schools in Washington.
A buyer's note: the Camas School District boundary directly affects home value, and not every home with a Camas mailing address is inside it. Confirm the exact district and school assignment for any address before making an offer.
Lifestyle
Camas blends mill-town grit with modern comfort. The brick downtown anchors daily life with independent shops, cafes, and the Liberty Theatre, while the lakes and trails just north put paddling, hiking, and biking minutes from home. The community is family-centric and fiercely proud of its heritage — the Georgia-Pacific smokestack remains a landmark, and the “Papermaker” identity runs deep through school sports and local culture.
Residents value the small-town feel and have resisted big-box development downtown, choosing instead to nurture a walkable, community-first core. With Washington's no-income-tax advantage, strong schools, and Portland only about twenty minutes away, Camas draws upper-middle-class families and professionals seeking space, quality, and lifestyle in one package.
Getting Around
Camas connects to the metro via State Route 14, which runs along the Columbia west to Vancouver (about 15 to 20 minutes) and the I-205 interchange, offering a scenic, relatively low-congestion commute compared to I-5. The Glenn Jackson Bridge (I-205) links to Portland, roughly 25 to 40 minutes depending on traffic, and Portland International Airport is a short drive west. C-TRAN provides bus service, but Camas — like most of Clark County — is car-oriented, with downtown the most walkable pocket.
Parks and Recreation
Camas's lakes, trails, and parks are central to its appeal.
Lacamas Regional Park and Lakes
Hundreds of acres wrapping Lacamas, Round, and Fallen Leaf lakes, with miles of trails, the Round Lake loop, waterfalls, and the spring camas-lily fields — the crown jewel of Camas recreation.
Lacamas Heritage Trail
A roughly 7-mile flat path along the shore of Lacamas Lake, ideal for walking, running, and cycling — the backbone of the city's trail network.
Camas Meadows Golf Club and Grass Valley Park
An 18-hole championship golf course with a lighted, heated driving range, plus a large community park with tennis, pickleball, basketball, and ball fields.
The Columbia River Gorge
The entrance to the Gorge sits about twenty minutes east, opening onto world-class hiking, windsurfing, and waterfall access along the river.
People Also Ask
Why are Camas schools so highly rated?
The Camas School District is consistently recognized as one of the strongest in Clark County and among the top districts in Washington State, with Camas High School frequently ranked in the state's top tier. It's a primary reason families choose the city — and it measurably supports home values inside district boundaries.
What is Camas known for?
It's known as a former paper-mill town (its high school teams are still the “Papermakers”) turned top-tier suburb — celebrated for its brick historic downtown, top-ranked schools, and the lakes and roughly sixty miles of trails around Lacamas Regional Park, all with Washington's no-income-tax advantage.
How far is Camas from Portland?
About twenty miles, roughly 20 to 40 minutes via State Route 14 and the I-205 Glenn Jackson Bridge, depending on traffic. Portland International Airport is a short drive west.