Columbia River Gorge
Along Skamania County’s southern border is the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. The Gorge’s natural splendor, as well as its place in history, makes it an ideal place to get away for rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. The Gorge offers a variety of things to do. You can enjoy inviting parks, friendly boutiques, resorts like the Skamania Lodge (800-221-7117) or the Bonneville Hot Springs (866-459-1678), and an abundance of the outdoor adventures like windsurfing, kiteboarding, hiking, biking, or fishing. Nearby is Gifford Pinchot National Forest as well as Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams which are favorite spots for winter activities like snowshoeing, skiing, and snowmobiling. Of special interest to hikers, Skamania County has several trails that connect with the Pacific Crest Trail that extends from Mexico to Canada. Also, while in Skamania County, take some time to visit the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum where you can learn more about the Gorge’s history, nature and affect on the region.
The Columbia River Gorge has much to offer—whether you view it by travelling the Lewis Clark Highway (Rt. 14) or exploring by foot or boat. The Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge runs for 20 miles along the river and is home to migratory birds, Canadian geese, curlews, deer and other land animals.
The Gorge’s proximity to the Southern Cascades makes it convenient to spend some time viewing their rich splendor. As you visit the Cascades, be sure to take in the sights along the White Salmon and Klickitat rivers. At Cowboy Lake National Refuge you can see tundra swans, pintails, mountain and western bluebirds, sandhill cranes and many other birds. The marshlands and meadows are a paint box of colors—especially during spring and summer when the ground is covered in the pinks, purple, yellow, and reds of the wildflowers.
Photo Credits: Banner by Kacey; River view by Jan Tik;
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