Your “Get Outdoors Month” (& beyond) Adventure!
Let’s go outside! The partners of the Lower Columbia Nature Network have packed the summer calendar, especially, June for Get Outdoors Month. We are here to help you, your family and friends enjoy the great outdoors. There are lots of options, ideas and opportunities. We know that being active outdoors improves our physical health. Did you also know that doing activities outside boosts our immune system, improves our mental and emotional health and can really boosts our moods. If being outside is new to you, start with 5 or 10 minutes. Let us know how it went! Don’t forget your permit/pass….check here.
Scroll down to find these sections for your summer adventure!
Nearby Nature - short adventures out your front (or back) door and just down the street
Local Nature Outings & Destinations
Regional Adventures for active outings
ROAD TRIPS, Day Trips & Community Events around the region
Need ideas or can’t find what you are looking for?
Check out Event Calendar for planned activities with our regional partners OR contact partners directly for more information
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Nearby Nature - short adventures out your front (or back) door and just down the street
Just being outside in your yard is a great start. Enjoy snacks, meals, morning cup of happiness and conversations outside are great starts to getting more outside time.
No yard, no problem - just short walks from where you live can be a huge boost. Walk, skip, hopscotch or jog while noticing the little bits of nature along the way. Great start!
Join a community garden - Apartment complexes, senior living communities, faith-based organizations and cities/counties all provide some type of community gardening. Grow what you like, doesn’t have to be all veggies. Grow cut flowers, food for local food banks or zucchinis to share with neighbors. Don’t want to manage your own plot, help others with theirs, such as the Urban Abundance’s SW WA Victory garden (work parties every Friday) or help with your local school garden (most schools would love your help).
Find a good spot for a Sit Spot - Sit spots are great ways to calm, rest and reset. Grab a yoga mat, cushion or towel and find some nearby nature. Use this Sit Spot Zine as a guide or use the 10 minutes to write down some ideas, write a post card to a friend, or just enjoy the sunshine.
For families with kids, make part of your yard a nature play area. Set aside a part of the yard for kids to build, dig, create and use their imaginations. Create a small storage area of materials that can be used including pails, hand shovels, sticks, wood discs/blocks, old pots and pans, pieces of wood, watering cans, large spoons, small hand tools, ….. endless ideas can be found on-line. Make an easel to paint or draw ideas and shelves to let projects “dry”.
Local Nature Outings & Destinations
Local neighborhood & community parks - southwest Washington has so many great opportunities to “Play your way” at local parks, check out these cities info: Battle Ground, Camas, Kelso, La Center, Longview, Ridgefield, Vancouver, Washougal
Join a club or program for a structured outing - many of our regional partners have programed outings. Whether you want to volunteer to remove invasive species, plant some habitat or learn a new outdoor skill, they have you covered! Our event calendar has a great list of upcoming events. Use the Sort table at the top to find events that might interest you.
Ready to hit the trail? Find the right trail for your adventure can be tricky. Are you out for a bike ride, stroller friendly, roller-sport, or walking trail? Here are some ideas to get you started:
Nearby adventure - You don’t have to go far to find some adventure. Check out these fun spots:
Skateboard parks - Vancouver, Clark County, Battle Ground, Camas, Longview, Woodland
Water play areas - Clark County, Vancouver (Esther Short Park & Columbia River Waterfront), WSU Vancouver, Ridgefield Overlook Park, Holley Park in Lacenter, & Crown Park in Camas (opening soon)
Disc golf - Leverich Park in Vancouver, Hockinson Park in east Clark County, Spudder Hill in Ridgefield’s Abrams Park
Regional Adventures for active outings
You know that the PNW is a outdoor enthusiasts' playground. Check out some of these partners and locations to get out there!
Water fun for SUPs, Kayaks & Canoes - Whether you are a beginners or long-time adventurer, there are lots of great spots to paddle:
Beginners - Grab a lesson with Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe or Sweetwater SUPs in Ridgefield
Local flat water (pretty smooth sailing) - Vancouver Lake Park (have to carry down to the beach from parking), Lake River (put in at Felida Moorage or Langsdorf Landing just north of Frenchman’s Bar)
More regional water trail access - Take a look at LCEP’s water trail recommendations for the Columbia & Lewis Rivers for put in spots like Washougal’s Steamboat Landing.
Heading a little further north for lake paddles, including near Mt. St. Helen’s & Battle Ground Lake SP
White water rafting and paddling on the John Day, Clackamas and White Salmon Rivers, there are lots of outfitters and guides (do a quick web search to find one that meets your needs). Adaptive action needed…check out Adventures Without Limits.
Sea Kayaking - Whether it is the Oregon coast or northern Washington’s San Juan islands, there are local outfitters that can help you plan and prep for a trip in the Pacific.
Surfing - Yep, grab your wet suit and head to the beach.
Hitting the trails with bikes! There are lots of ways to bike the trails in our corner of WA and lots of groups that want to help you find your fun.
Cyclocross - (ORBA) super fun sport where bikers ride laps across natural features. Races and events are region wide and include youth and kiddy cross events
Mountain Biking - Several mountain biking groups including Evergreen MTB Alliance and NW Trails Alliance with NW Trail Sisters have event calendars with rides, trainings, and stewardship days. Adventure rides include Lacamas Lake (Green/Blue), Whipple Creek (Green/Blue) up to the advances trails at Thrillium & Cold Creek in the Yacolt Burn Forest. Further up the Gorge is the Klickitat Trail. Want to try Adaptive MTB? Check Out Oregon Adaptive Sports.
Road riding - Many groups offer local and regional rides including the Vancouver Bike Club and their Ride Around Clark County, Mt. Adams tour and many, many others.
Hiking & Climbing - There are countless trails for hikers and climbers of all skill levels in our region. Use some of our favorite resources to find a spot that meets your skill level and interests, like the Washington Trails Association Trail Finder. Use the features to turn on the layers & filters for just the right hike. Don’t forget to add your trip report and let us know how it was! (Double check pass/permits before you go). Also, check out the Pacific Crest Trail WA sections for thru-hiking or section hikes. Lots of great ideas on the PCT Association page.
Photo Source: bicycling.com
ROAD TRIPS, Day Trips & Community Events around the region
Summer brings out a whole other level of outdoor fun from the coastal towns to the mountain tops. Here are just a few of the many fun events going on around our region worth planning ahead (and packing lots of snacks) for:
Coastal fun - Both Cannon Beach, Oregon (June 19-21) and Long Beach, WA (July 15-19) hosts sand castle festival. Also, check out the amazing Washington State International Kite Festival at Long Beach, WA (August 17-23) & the Summer Kite Festival (June 27-28) in Lincoln City, OR
Up the Columbia River Gorge - 19th annual Pacific Crest Trail Days (August 14 & 15) at the Marine Park of Cascade Locks, Oregon. Also the Harvest Festival in the Fall is something to look forward to! Make sure to plan ahead for a new moon sky watching at the Goldendale Observatory.
Up to the Mountains we go! Mt. St. Helen’s Institute and other partners ensure an amazing adventure on the mountain for overnight camps including the Family Campout (July 10-12) as well as Into the Crater Hike (July 31-Aug 2)
