Doug's Beach is one of the oldest and best sailing spots in the gorge. It has sandy shallows on both sides of the river, and a channel shape that can make for large, well spaced swell when the conditions are right. It works best on a W wind or with a bit of NW thrown in.
Parking has been an issue here for a long time, as the beach access is via a walkway over a Railroad right of way. In 2006 a RR siding was built, which removed some available parking. As it stands, parking is parallel-style along the pullout on Hwy 14. The walk to the beach can be very long.
There is ample room for 3-4 dozen rigs and several picnic tables as well as porta-potties. When the wind is blowing, this is one of the first spots to fill up. Sailing up or down wind from the main launch area is recommended.
It can get crowded. One option is to sail from Rowena (Oregon side about 1.5 miles downstream) and do the downwinder to Doug's.