State Route 142 passes through Klickitat, leading southwest (downstream) 3 miles (5 km) to Pitt and east (upstream) the same distance to Wahkiacus.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Klickitat CDP has a total area of 0.93 square miles (2.4 km2), all of it land.

On February 7, 1910, the name of the town post office was officially changed to "Klickitat".

Travel through the Klickitat canyon and up to the plateau was arduous until the completion of a rail line in 1903.

[4, p. 47] The rail line eased travel and facilitated the transportation of people, crops, livestock and timber.

[7] The naturally carbonated Klickitat Mineral Springs just east of town gave rise to health spas, a carbonated beverage company, and a large dry ice plant which operated until 1957.

[8] The area surrounding the town of Klickitat and the river which shares its name are renowned for their seasonal hunting and fishing.

During summer, popular activities on the Klickitat River include recreational drift boating, kayaking, and rafting.

Two miles east of town is the ruins of the dry ice plant with a single remaining building.