Southwest Washington offers a myriad of outdoor recreational activities including hiking, biking, camping, fishing, boating, swimming, kayaking, golf, windsurfing, skiing, and snowboarding. The area also enjoys a year-round walkable climate and Vancouver has over 40 miles of urban walking trails.
Fishing:
The rivers and lakes in Southwest Washington offer some of the
best fishing. This region offers many fine steelhead streams
and one of the only wild Fall Chinook salmon runs in the state.
The Columbia River also offers some of the best sturgeon fishing. Fishing
regulations fluctuate based on how many fish are forecast and
how many actually arrive but some fishing is always available. Battle
Ground Lake, Klineline Pond, and Lacamas Lake are stocked with
rainbow trout, brown trout and other varieties of warmwater fish. Vancouver
Lake offers channel catfish, bass, yellow perch, and carp. For
more information click
here.
 Windsurfing:
It’s not a secret that the Columbia River Gorge has become known as one of the premier locations, world wide, for windsurfing; some even call it the windsurfing capital of the world. The winds from the Columbia River Gorge, best during the middle of the day, create ideal conditions for riding the waves. That combined with opposing currents can create swells that climb up to 8 feet. There are approximately 50 approved windsurfing sites along the east and west sides of the Gorge. You might want to just go and watch the amazing water acrobatics of these world-class athletes. From Vancouver, head east on Hwy. 14.
 Hiking:
For the serious mountaineer, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest to the east is a paradise. Trails range from easy nature trails to rugged terrain at varying difficulty offering recreation opportunities for everyone.
To the north is Mount St. Helens. One of the most notable
climbs is the Monitor Ridge hike to the summit. While not
easy, this non-technical climb is accomplished by over 15,000 people
annually. Although people climb Mount St. Helens year-round,
late spring through early fall is the most popular season. Permits
are required to climb above the 4,800 foot elevation and recent
volcanic activity has closed some of the trails. Click
here for more information on hiking in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
 Walking:
For those who love to walk, few places in America offer so many historic and scenic attractions in such close proximity along Vancouver’s walking trails. In fact, with over 40 miles of urban walking trails, it’s no wonder Clark County received the Walkable Community Award from Walking Magazine.
Check out the Discovery Loop Trail. The 2.3-mile loop begins on East Evergreen and winds through Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Officer's Row, and downtown Vancouver, joining the Waterfront Renaissance Trail at Vancouver Landing. Sights along the way include Fort Vancouver, Pearson Air Museum, Providence Academy and Esther Short Park.
You also don’t want to miss the Waterfront Renaissance Trail. This 4-mile long, 14-foot-wide, shared use trail connects downtown to the retail shops and restaurants along the Columbia River waterfront. The trail passes the plaza dedicated to Ilchee, a Native Indian chief’s daughter. There
are many parks and picnic areas along the way to stop and enjoy
the view. From downtown, head south on Columbia Ave. to pick up the trail at the waterfront.
Take the Tour through Time walking tour of downtown Vancouver and explore the historic properties that are the cornerstones of Clark County heritage and culture. The community’s preservation efforts of these buildings are not only a source of pride, they also recently earned Vancouver the designation of a Preserve America Community by the White House. Stop by the Visitor Center to pick up a Tour through Time walking map. Click here for directions to the Visitor
Center.
Click here for more information on walking trails in Vancouver and Clark County.
 Skiing & Snowboarding:
Mt. Hood in Oregon, about an hour’s drive away, is a virtual winter playground for both kids and adults offering everything from the best powder skiing and snowboarding, to tubing, sleigh rides and dog sled rides. Mt Hood Skibowl also offers America’s largest night ski area. Visit these websites to learn more.
 Golf:
Golf is a much appreciated sport in the Pacific Northwest. The area offers 10 public courses and numerous driving ranges. Click
here for a listing.
Camping:
The area offers two state parks with tent and RV sites, as well as a number of well-kept RV Campgrounds. Click
here for a listing.
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