Winter fun across southwest Washington, from the river valley to the foothills of the Cascades!
We have seen all kinds of weather this winter, for sure! Lots of warm sunny days, frosty chill mornings and everything in between. While the weather is unpredictable, there are lots of great winter activities to enjoy across southwest Washington. Plan your winter adventure & check out these ideas below:
1. Frenchman’s Bar Regional Park - sunsets
Visit this Clark County regional park about 1 hour before sunset to take a stroll on the beach, check out the amazing wildlife (hint: sandhill cranes “bugling” calls or “barks” of the sea lions).
Pay a daily parking fee at the fee booth or buy and annual pass here.
A couple of cool options here:
If the weather is cold, stay in your car and drive the auto-tour loop (1071 S Hillhurst Rd). Bring your binoculars and keep an out for all sorts of wildlife. Stop at the fee booth to pay daily fee and check out the sign boards for sightings updates.
If you are up for a short stroll under the mighty oaks, park at the new Carty Unit Community Nature Center parking lot and cross the bridge for accessible trails for all. Look for ducks on the ponds, song birds in the bushes and raptors up high.
3. Cathlapotle River Park (Woodland)
This is a quiet little spot in Woodland on the Columbia River just north of where the Lewis river enters, 4102 Dike Rd, Woodland, WA. A short walk on a paved path from the small parking area, leads to amazing views of the river. This quiet setting is a great place for a portable chair and your sketch pad on a sunny winter day.
4. Burnt Bridge Creek Trail in Vancouver
Sunny day in the winter = bike ride!
This is a great paved path with quiet forested, open meadow and creekside views. This trail is less busy than some other urban trails but offers great exercise along the 8 mile route. There are multiple trail heads to join the trail. No fee, just grab your bike and go for a ride.
Photo source: WTA Trail links
5. Water Resources Education Center - Wednesday Wanders
Join WREC staff for amazing local nature adventures in the areas near the center. Stop inside first to check out the cool exhibits and then head outside to look for animal tracks, listen for birds and other unique nature adventures, right in town. If you have nature questions, these folks will point you in the right direction.
Check their calendar (or ours) for upcoming outings (reservations required). Free parking at the center.
6. Columbia Springs - salmon hatchings
Winter is a special time at Columbia Springs, as they launch the Salmon in the Classroom programs. Staff help area schools raise salmon eggs into alevin into fry (small fish) and release them into local waterways.
Not in school, no worries! Visit the staff and volunteers at the visitor center to see this transformation for yourself. Free parking, access to trails and visitor center (hours vary).
7. East Fork Lewis River Stewardship
The East Fork Lewis River Reconnection Project is a habitat restoration, flood and erosion risk reduction, and recreational enhancement project. The project spans over three river miles along the East Fork Lewis River from Lower Daybreak Regional Park to Cemetery Bend. Volunteer to help with the replanting efforts at this historic restoration project.
8. Gordy Jolma Family & Salmon-Morgan Creeks NAs - old tree easy walks
Just southeast of Battle Ground are a couple hundred acres of forests and fields that feel a far way from town, under the old cedar trees.
For accessible walks, visit the Gordy Jolma Family NA paved trails that wind through the old golf course. For a relaxing nature trail walk, stroll amongst the trees and listen for owls and ravens at the Salmon-Morgan Creeks NA.
9. Lacamas Lake - paddling fun
On sunny (or cloudy) days, enjoy the lack of crowds and the stillness of this lake for a day of adventure. Put in your canoe, kayak or paddleboard at the Lacamas Lake launch and slide into the water at the south end of the lake. A loop around the entire lake is almost 5 miles. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the trails, too.
Photo source: visitvancouverwa.com
10. Moulton & Lucia Falls - Winter steelhead trout run - jumping waterfalls
Feel like you are in backcountry wilderness and watch the trout jumping the waterfalls! Amazing views from shore, including a picnic table for a family gathering. Keep an eye out for eagles and kingfisher birds that are also looking for a trout dinner. The Lewis River is an important source for salmon and trout, in return, their spawning grounds feed the forests as wildlife feast on the fish.
11. Rock Creek Campground - front country hikes & winter camping
Tucked in the foothills of the Cascades mountains in the Yacolt Burn Forest, this campground is a trailhead for some scenic hikes. Enjoy the bridges along the Appaloosa Trail and look for wildlife and quiet solitude. Return for a day adventure to your campground for some nature journaling and then watch the starry skies. You’ll need a WA Discovery Pass for this adventure, which is included if you visit your local library for a Check Out WA Pack.
12. Sam Walker Nature Area - scenic easy hikes
Take a mile-long stroll along a gravelled trail through abandoned farm fields to really great views. As you hike along the floodplain, views of the mighty Columbia River and the Oregon side of the Gorge open up. Eventually loop back around and find yourself back at your car. This is a great family hike. Let us know how you liked it by filing a WTA trail report here.
13. Silver Star Mountain - snow shoe hikes
Looking for a moderate-hard winter adventure?
Silver Star Mountain holds a challenge (peak elevation is 4,390 feet) with those winner views overlooking the Vancouver-Portland valley to the west. Be prepared for a full day and check trip reports for conditions updates. Roads tend to be pretty bumpy so higher profile vehicles recommended. Make sure to take a map as GPS is spotty. (Photo source: AllTrails)
14. Mt. St. Helen’s - snow shoe hikes & winter adventures
Soooo many great hikes, whether you prefer lower elevations like the Hummocks Trails or a family friendly 1-mile climb up to June Lake, there are all sorts of ideas. Plan for a full day of adventure, bring plenty of snacks and get ready for fun.
15. Washington sno-parks - sledding, snow mobiling, cross country skiing and more!
Sno-parks offer parking, restrooms and, in some locations, warming huts. Use this interactive map for more details about the types of trails, grooming and lengths, as well as interactive web cams to give you an idea of area conditions. Interactive tools on the map can show you a trail length and elevation section (how many ups and downs you will traverse). Parking lots can fill up early, so plan accordingly and be prepared for winter conditions, emergency supplies, etc.
16. Gifford Pinchot National Forest
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest covers approximately 1.32 million acres and extends along the Cascade Range, encompassing Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and Mount Adams, featuring diverse ecosystems including old-growth forests, glaciers, and high mountain meadows. The USDA GPNF web page has lots of information for winter sports here.
