Vancouver Washington offers many outdoor recreational activities including
hiking, biking, camping,
fishing, boating,
walking, swimming, kayaking,
golf,
windsurfing, skiing,
and snowboarding. The area also enjoys a year-round walkable climate and
Vancouver has over 40 miles of urban walking trails.
Fishing in Vancouver:
The rivers and lakes in Vancouver Washington offer some of the best fishing.
This region offers many fine steelhead streams and one of the only wild Fall
Chinook salmon runs in the state. The Columbia River also offers some of the
best sturgeon fishing. Battle Ground Lake, Klineline Pond, and Lacamas Lake are
stocked with rainbow trout, brown trout and other varieties of warmwater fish.
Vancouver Lake offers channel catfish, bass, yellow perch, and carp.
Skiing &
Snowboarding near Vancouver USA:
Mt. Hood in Oregon, about an hour’s drive away, is a virtual winter playground
for both kids and adults offering everything from the best powder skiing and
snowboarding, to tubing, sleigh rides and dog sled rides. Mt Hood Skibowl also
offers America’s largest night ski area. Visit these websites to learn more.
Mt. Hood Skibowl – www.skibowl.com
Timberline – www.timberlinelodge.com
Mt. Hood Meadows – www.skihood.com
Hiking in and around Vancouver:
For the serious mountaineer, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest to the east is
a paradise. Trails range from easy nature trails to rugged terrain at varying
difficulty offering recreation opportunities for everyone. The Gifford Pinchot
National Forest has an abundance of recreational opportunities waiting just for
you! Hiking, backpacking, mountain climbing, a quiet walk in the woods -- all
this and more for you within your National Forest.
Gifford Pinchot National Forest has something for everyone.
Come out and enjoy!
To the north is Mount St. Helens. One of the
most notable climbs is the Monitor Ridge hike to the summit. While not easy,
this non-technical climb is accomplished by over 15,000 people annually.
Although people climb Mount St. Helens year-round, late spring through early
fall is the most popular season. You can also explore Mount St. Helens, from the
easy surroundings of the Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center and the Johnston Ridge
Observatory, or hike to the very edge of the crater!
Windsurfing on the Columbian
Gorge:
It’s not a secret that the Columbia River Gorge has become known as one of the
premier locations, world wide, for windsurfing; some even call it the
windsurfing capital of the world. The winds from the Columbia River Gorge, best
during the middle of the day, create ideal conditions for riding the waves. That
combined with opposing currents can create swells that climb up to 8 feet. There
are approximately 50 approved windsurfing sites along the east and west sides of
the Gorge. You might want to just go and watch the amazing water acrobatics of
these world-class athletes. From Vancouver, head east on Hwy. 14.
Walking around Vancouver:
For those who love to walk, few places in America offer so many historic and
scenic attractions in such close proximity along Vancouver’s walking trails. In
fact, with over 40 miles of urban walking trails, it’s no wonder Clark County
received the Walkable Community Award from Walking Magazine.
Check out the Discovery Loop Trail. The 2.3-mile loop begins on East Evergreen
and winds through Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Officer's Row, and
downtown Vancouver, joining the Waterfront Renaissance Trail at Vancouver
Landing. Sights along the way include Fort Vancouver, Pearson Air Museum,
Providence Academy and Esther Short Park.
You also don’t want to miss the Waterfront Renaissance Trail. This 4-mile long,
14-foot-wide, shared use trail connects downtown to the retail shops and
restaurants along the Columbia River waterfront. The trail passes the plaza
dedicated to Ilchee, a Native Indian chief’s daughter. There are many parks and
picnic areas along the way to stop and enjoy the view. From downtown, head south
on Columbia Ave. to pick up the trail at the waterfront.
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