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White-water enthusiasts flock to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Scenic Cannon Beach, Ore., is known for Haystack Rock
Skiers won’t want to miss the slopes at the nearby mountains

Take It Outside

Outdoor adventures abound in the Vancouver area.

Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach, just a short drive from Vancouver, is the third-highest sea stack (or rock island) in the world at 235 feet. Photo by Wes Aldridge

Nestled on the north bank of the Columbia River, Vancouver, Wash., is an enjoyable getaway in its own right. The Evergreen State’s fourth-largest city is rich in history and culture. Its location near bustling Portland, Ore., also makes it a desirable place to visit.

But it’s the natural wonders surrounding the northwestern community that make it attractive to outdoor enthusiasts.

Hello, Gorge-ous

With its location near the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, the Vancouver vicinity boasts
a host of white-water rapids, attracting avid rafters and kayakers from across the country.

Ninety minutes east of the city, the Klickitat River gushes through a high desert canyon with stunning,
200-foot-tall basalt walls.

Many local companies offer rafting tours, an exhilarating way to see the Klickitat, as well as the nearby White Salmon River, where rushing waters flow vigorously for year-round water recreation, as opposed to most rivers, which dry up by mid-summer.

Anglers also flock to area rivers, with northern Oregon’s Deschutes River known as a haven for fly-fishing.

Kayaking on the Columbia River is a popular pastime. Photo by Wes Aldridge

This Run’s for You

From downtown Vancouver, the towering Mount Hood is hard to miss. Weather permitting, you can behold both Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams as well.

But instead of gazing at the snow-capped peaks in the distance, trek to the Cascade Mountains for a myriad of recreational opportunities.

Home to several ski areas, Mount Hood lies just an hour and a half from Vancouver, while Mount St. Helens is less than two hours away (though it requires
a climbing permit).

The infamous volcano is surrounded by Gifford Pinchot National Forest, which also includes Mount Adams, the second-highest peak in Washington state. The forest features more than 1,200 miles of recreational trails for hikers, bikers, skiers and even spelunkers, who can explore the area’s many lava tubes, which are caves created from lava.

Fun in the Sun

In addition to being in the shadow of the snowy Cascades, Vancouver sits a mere 80 miles from the Pacific Ocean.

The seaside community of Cannon Beach, Ore., maintains a quaint, small-town feel despite its growing popularity as a weekend getaway.

The beach features the well-known Haystack Rock, an image often associated with the rugged Oregon coast. The 235-foot-tall “sea stack,” or rock island, is the third-highest on the planet. Smaller rock formations known as The Needles surround Haystack Rock, where anemone, starfish, crabs and other sea creatures make their homes.

No matter if you’re here to enjoy a white-water adventure, a mountaintop vista or a breath of salty ocean air, the Vancouver area offers an amazing array of reasons to take it outside.

Story By Jessy Yancey

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