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Things to See in Vancouver, Washington
Vancouver, Washington is the perfect destination for nature and history lovers alike. There are many iconic rivers, waterfalls, and hikes that are sure to please nature enthusiast. The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is one of the most picturesque locations in the area with its rolling hills and breathtaking nature vistas. If you’re feeling more adventurous, try out a hike such as Dog Mountain Trail or the Loowit Trail. There’s also no shortage of historical monuments in Vancouver – take a trip to Fort Vancouver or Lewis and Clark State Park & Interpretive Center to get in touch with the region’s past. No matter what experience you’re looking for, Vancouver has something for everyone to explore!
Things to See
5 Beautiful Waterfalls Near Vancouver WA
We have no shortage of incredible waterfalls and hikes around Vancouver, WA, ranging in difficulty and elevation gain. I've collected a few below that I believe are family friendly. Remember that weather and seasons can change the terrain dramatically, so do some research on each trail within the last 2-4 weeks for up to date conditions. Round Lake Loop & Pothole Falls in Lacamas Lake Regional Park For the lowest impact and nearest waterfalls to Vancouver, just venture down the 14 into Camas. It’s just a 1.6-mile outing with 200 feet of elevation change and totally doable for kids. There are a number of junctions where you can extend your hike and explore more, varying terrain, such as the Camas lily fields, in the summertime.Distance from Vancouver: 25 Minutes, depending on traffic. Latourell Falls This is another low impact, quick (under a quarter mile?) walk that’s even accessible by stroller, off Oregon Highway 30. If you’re unfamiliar, hiking through the Columbia Gorge offers two paths–one on the Oregon side and one on the Washington side; the river being the stateline. The bright green moss over the rocks under Latourell Falls is vibrantly instagrammable, and the mist floating off the waterfall is fun for kids. The accessibility of this one makes it a bit busier than the others to come, but still worth a quick stop.Distance from Vancouver: 40 Minutes, depending on traffic. Siouxon Creek The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is one of my favorite day trips from Vancouver, and Sioxon Creek is a great place to start exploring. The pools that the waterfalls pour into are majestic green and blue jewel tones. Depending on how far you want to go, you can see four waterfalls, Horseshoe Creek Falls, Siouxon Falls, Chinook Falls, Wildcat Falls, and the hike can range from 4-9 miles. Try checking out AllTrails for specifics on each route.Distance from Vancouver: 1 hr, 30 Minutes, depending on traffic. Covel Creek Falls and Angel Falls Trail With all kinds of varying terrain and things to see, including forest, waterfalls, caves and grottos. Portions of it can be overgrown and some reviewers stated it was easy to get off the planned route and extend the hike way longer than planned. There are two to three streams to cross and steep inclines, so make sure you have appropriate footwear for this one, but it is doable for the whole family. It’s been stated toward the end of summer 2021 that the waterfalls aren’t as full as some expected. Spring may be ideal for this location.Distance from Vancouver: 2 hours, 20 Minutes, depending on traffic. Panther Creek Falls One of my faves in the Pacific Northwest because of the little wispy divergent paths of water running down bright green mossy rocks creating a breathtaking view of one of the most unique waterfalls around. This hike is short but requires a bit of rock-climbing off-trail experience to reach the bottom of the falls. The trails have recently been restored by Forest Service and are manageable for most ages. The trailhead is unmarked and hard to find and conditions are wet but the view is worth it. To extend your adventure, check out the nearby Ramona Falls.Distance from Vancouver: 1 hr, 30 Minutes, depending on traffic.
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Museums, Gardens, and More!
We're lucky to have beauty in every direction from Vancouver, and these specially curated and beautifully maintained museums, gardens, and more are truly destinations people visit from around the world. In order from closest, to furthest away: International Rose Test Garden, Portland, OR: The oldest continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States, featuring more than 10,000 roses in bloom from late spring to early fall is truly breathtaking. It’s set in Washington Park along with the Hoyt Arboretum and the Japanese Garden (see those below!). There’s no entry fee, but it does get busy, so plan accordingly! Distance to Vancouver: 20 minutes. Portland Japanese Garden, Portland, OR: A place to let go of worldly thoughts and see oneself as a small but integral part of the universe. Not just a garden, but also home to the Cultural Village where visitors can immerse themselves in traditional Japanese arts through seasonal activities, performances, and demonstrations in the Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin Tateuchi Foundation Courtyard. Distance to Vancouver: 20 minutes. Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, OR: Home to 2,300 species of trees and shrubs from six continents, 12 miles of trails, and 189 acres, it is the perfect place to clear your head and walk solo, or with a family. It’s worth a visit in every season to see what’s blooming. Distance to Vancouver: 20 minutes. OMSI, Portland, OR: The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is intriguing for all ages. With seasonal exhibits including my favorite, “Exquisite Creatures”, a wonderful display of bugs and small, colorful animals, and the very popular traveling “Body Worlds” showing you inside the human body, keep an eye on their website to see what’s current. For adults, OMSI After Dark is a monthly event for 21+ with food trucks, drinks, and music. Distance to Vancouver: 20 minutes. Rice NW Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro, OR: If you’re into crystals, gems and prehistoric petrified wood and fossils, this place will “rock” your world (I had to.) My mind can’t even really fathom the age of some of the specimens and how it could have possibly been determined. The collection of 20,000 rocks and minerals was started by Richard and Helen Rice, who eventually turned their world class collection into a 501c3 and made it available for all those interested in the earth sciences. Distance to Vancouver: 40 minutes.Wildlife Safari, Winston, OR: A 600 acre Drive-Thru animal park with dozens of threatened species like the quirky Cotton-top Tamarin, Brindled Wildebeest, and literally, lions, tigers, and bears, (Oh my!). Driving your own vehicle, It takes about 1-1/2 hours to complete your tour. Distance to Vancouver: 3 hours, depending on traffic. Evergreen Space and Aviation Museum, McMinnville, OR: More than fifty vintage aircraft, rockets and aviation equipment, with optional bonus tours, including the famous Hughes Flying Boat Spruce Goose. No reservations are required, but you may have to wait if you don’t make one. Distance to Vancouver: 1 hr 15 Minutes, depending on traffic.
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Local Landmarks Around Vancouver WA
Whether you're into nude beaches, casual strolls with coffee, or shopping local produce and native-caught fish, places to visit on a day off are just a short drive from Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR. Columbia Springs This is such a little natural, hidden gem including 2 miles of trails and 2 lakes, off the Old Evergreen Highway right in the center of Vancouver. Go there to enjoy a picnic or nature walk. It has total summer camp vibes, with so much to learn and explore, and includes 100 acres of lush, forested green space, plus a trout hatchery!Distance to Vancouver - None! Moulton Falls Bridge You’ve probably seen images of this iconic footbridge over the Lewis River in your Vancouver research. It’s an easy out-and-back hiking trail, with divergent routes to waterfalls (look out for Lucia Falls and Big Tree Falls). Avoid crowds by going early in the morning.Distance from Vancouver - 40 minutes Kelly Point Park (Portland) Enjoy a paved loop for a walk or bike ride and drop down trails in a number of areas to the river’s edge, where you can let your dogs run and soak up a little sun watching ships go by. Located where the Willamette and Columbia Rivers merge, it feels a little remote driving there but it’s a somewhat hidden beautiful sandy beach with plenty of shade from towering trees.Distance from Vancouver - 20 minutes Sauvie Island (Portland) From a nude beach, to U-pick fruit and berries, to pumpkin patches and corn mazes in the fall, there is something for everyone during every season in Sauvie Island. I love Bella Organic Farm which offers an indoor “farmers market” open daily to get local organic produce and goods.Distance from Vancouver - 30 minutes Vista House (Multnomah County) Vista House is a historical museum at Crown Point along the Columbia Gorge on the Oregon side, with gorgeous and accessible panoramic views of the Columbia River. If you can make it at sunset on your way back from a hike deeper in the Gorge, the reflection on the river is stunning. Check hours if you want to go inside for your history lesson.Distance from Vancouver - 40 minutes Waterfront Renaissance Trail A 5-mile paved trail along the waterfront in Vancouver, from Wintler Park all the way to the Kaiser Viewing Tower. You can start in the center, by parking and grabbing a coffee at Savona, and head either right or left, depending on how far you want to go. This is also the most direct access to the tiny, “Surprise Beach.”Distance from Vancouver - None! Bridge of the Gods A toll bridge over the Columbia River in Cascade Locks connecting Washington and Oregon, east of the 205. Observe the phenomenal views, and check out the fruit stands under the bridge, as well as the Umatilla tribal member-owned Brigham Fish Market that sells fresh Columbia River-caught salmon and other fish in season throughout the year. For more information about buying fresh Indian-caught salmon in season, visit the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) website at www.critfc.org.Distance from Vancouver - 50 minutes If you're visiting during summertime, check out the top River Floats in the area, and if you need to feast after your adventures we've got some great restaurants in Vancouver!
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