Spring breakin’ OUTSIDE!

Written By nature play designs .

With most of southwest Washington kids out of school this coming week, let’s brainstorm some fun adventures for them and you! Our partners have some great events planned if you want to join a fun outing or use these resources to plan your trip. Stay local or regional and have a great time in nature. Here we go!

Check out our event calendar

Looking to join a great activity with our regional partners? Look no further than our event calendar. We have activities for all ages and interests. Use the tags to help sort for events that fill you goals for outings.

Need some help planning? We have got you covered

Our partners have several resources to help guide you for fun family adventures. Many resources are available at the Fort Vancouver Regional libraries, local bookstores and partner web pages.

Local nature and lots of fun!

Pack a backpack full of gear and snacks and walk to your nearest park or school ground for nearby fun. Grab your mitts and ball, a frisbee, a bat and wiffle© balls, football (either kind) and just kick back with friends and family.

  • Check your city’s webpage for a park near you or visit one that you haven’t been to before

  • Most schools are open to the public when school is out, so visit your school or a different one (if you really want to stay out of school)

  • Remember to pick up your trash before you leave and put in the trash bin at the park or take home to dispose of it

  • Invite friends and neighbors to make teams and host a potluck

Biking adventures for everyone

  • In town, there are lots of choices for relatively flat biking to accommodate beginners and experienced biking fun. Many schools have paved loop pathways as do parks. The Fort Vancouver campus also has lots of loops and great views.

  • Regional trails offer a variety of settings, lengths and destinations. The Vancouver Renaissance Waterfront trail, Salmon Creek Trail and Burnt Bridge Creek have several access points and beautiful settings. Other trails such as the Vancouver Lake - Frenchman’s Bar connecting trail, the Washougal dike trail from Steamboat Landing to Cottonwood Beach to Steigerwald Lake NWR.

  • Trail riding / Mt. biking - getting of the beaten path requires more skill but can super fun. Check out the ideas at the Visit Vancouver site.

  • ROAD TRIPS - for great biking a little further out, head north to the Moulton Falls-Hantwick Road trail, Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Trail, Banks-Vernonia State Trail and the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail

Walking in the forest = hiking

We are so lucky to have access to so many parks, forests and natural areas. Check out these ideas for hikes, from nearby nature to some backcountry adventures:

Mountains in the spring time

Living so close to the mountains means that we can access some of the most unique settings in Washington. Be prepared for spring hikes with these tips. As the snow melts, creeks will be flowing cold and fast, and waterfalls will be amazing to view.

  • Mt. Adams - At an elevation of 12,276 feet, Mt. Adams is the second highest peak in Washington. Find a list of the trails in the Gifford Pinchot here as well as with the Washington Trails Association. There is still snow so plan for warm gear, 10 essentials and traction equipment.

  • Mt. St. Helen’s - With the summit just over 8,000 feet, trailheads may be more accessible but trails still have snow. Dress in layers with sturdy shoes, crampons and trekking poles. Check trail reports here. (Photo by HikerVick trip report)

  • ROAD TRIP - Mt. Hood - The Mt. Hood National Forest has lots of tips, trail ideas and adventures awaiting you. Check them out here.

nature play designs .
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Youth outdoor programming across SW WA