Outdoor Family Activities in SW Washington
What outdoor family activities in SW Washington can you find?
With the end of school days away and minimal options for summer day camps many parents want to know what outdoor family activities in SW Washington are there? No one wants to sit in traffic to seek out a new adventure spot when there is still uncertainty of what is open and what is not.
Below is a list of fun outdoor family activities in SW Washington that most, if not all of your family members will enjoy.
Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center
This outdoor fish hatchery is 100 acres and not only has nature trails that are open and FREE to the public to enjoy, but there is also a designated space for kids to the left of the parking lot. This space allows kids to use their imagination and build a fort or pretend they’re camping in the woods.
Lucia Falls
Lucia Falls is a 24-acre regional park just outside of Vancouver, WA. It has many kid-friendly hiking trails that meander along the Lewis River and a quiet area for picnics. There are beautiful views of the falls and river all throughout the trails.
Whipple Creek
This is a nicely shaded 300-acre regional park in Ridgefield, WA; making it nice for warmer days. Most of the trails are family-friendly but are also shared by horseback riders so be careful when running around a blind corner. There are many opportunities to see wildlife such as woodpeckers, deer, herons or beavers.
Salmon Creek Trail
This loop is 5.9 miles in length and can be busy on nicer, weekend days. This is a concrete trail (mostly) with bikes, dog-walkers and joggers. There is bird watching and a couple of benches along the way to enjoy the view of the creek.
Vancouver Lake
This is a great spot for a picnic and to dip your feet on a summer day. Many people also fish here. The park has two picnic shelters but plenty of open space to explore and put a blanket down on the ground. Additionally there is a 2.5-mile trail that connects the park with Frenchman’s Bar Regional Park.
Wherever the summer adventures take you and your family, the SW Washington region is full of outdoor family activities ranging from a quick stop to an all-day exploration. Be sure to pack plenty of water, snacks and sunscreen!
