Clover Island

Renewing an Urban Waterfront Destination

Clover Island is a mixed-use commercial and recreational destination located in Kennewick’s Historic Waterfront District. Port of Kennewick and its city, county, state and federal partners have teamed to add public amenities, improve the shoreline and create physical and visual access from the island to the Columbia River. The island features an entry gateway, recreational pathway, lighthouse, free public boat launch, marina and restrooms, public plaza, three restaurants (Cedars at Pier One, Ice Harbor Brewing at the Marina, The Crow’s Nest), a hotel (Clover Island Inn), and a diverse collection of public art.

View the shoreline restoration and Riverwalk trail enhancement photos and videos in the renewal progress tab below!

Clover Island is also home to the Clover Island Lighthouse. Constructed in May 2010, the lighthouse is a four-section, pre-cast concrete structure standing 62 feet tall. The fully functional lighthouse is a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Private Aid to Navigation (PATON). The lighthouse tower houses a white beacon that flashes every four seconds. The 3,700-square-foot Lighthouse Plaza that surrounds the lighthouse makes a great place for viewing sunsets, enjoying wildlife, holding portrait sessions, weddings and special events.

Today, Clover Island spans 16 acres. The island originally encompassed 162 acres. The scenic pond behind the adjacent levee was the former Columbia River waterfront before the McNary Dam and levee system was built, which covered most of the island, impounded the original shoreline and formed that nature pond.

Read the Master Plan in the Clover Island Plans tab below and visit the Historic Waterfront District planning webpage to see the community input received during the 2020/2021 planning process.

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Clover Island 1942

Clover Island 1953

Clover Island 2024

Information for Builders & Realtors

Clover Island Plans

Renewal Progress

The transformation of the Clover Island shoreline is complete. Over the years, the Port and its partners added public amenities and art, landscaping, pathways, a scenic overlook and constructed several new buildings bringing new jobs and business to Clover Island. The Port also rebuilt and improved the public boat launch and added paved parking and restrooms.

2021 – 2023 Improvements Project

More recently, the Port partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Benton County, City of Kennewick and Washington State Recreation & Conservation Office to stabilize and restore Clover Island’s north and east shorelines and extend the Clover Island Riverwalk. This work to improve habitat for listed and endangered fish, beautify the Columbia Rivershore, expand recreational opportunities and support future economic development was finished in early 2023. The partners also added lighting, benches, landscaping, interpretive panels, three viewpoints, and other public amenities.