Skamania: Hiking, Water and Landscapes
Accommodation in Skamania
Skamania combines the landscape of the Columbia River Gorge with distinctive hiking trails, water activities and cultural insights. Those looking for a vacation apartment or vacation home can make their preferred type of trip the starting point for choosing a location: the focus may be on active days in the mountains, excursions on the water, scenic routes along the river or visits with a historical and cultural focus.
Hikes between Beacon Rock and the Pacific Crest Trail
Beacon Rock is the core of an extinct volcano. The summit trail is 4,500 feet long; the round trip takes 45 minutes to one hour.
For longer tours, the Pacific Crest Trail offers a different scale. The route stretches 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada and passes through California, Oregon and Washington. In Skamania County, day hikes on the Pacific Crest Trail are offered as a way to explore the route. The Gillette Lake trail offers easy day hikes on the Pacific Crest Trail; Gillette Lake is stocked with golden trout. Trout Creek is a four-mile section of the Pacific Crest Trail for a round trip. Its route leads through wooded ridges between the Columbia River and the Wind River Valley.
There is no water available at the Dog Mountain Trailhead. During the busy season, a free weekend shuttle connects the Skamania County Fairgrounds parking lot in Stevenson with the trailhead. This information should be included in your day planning if you choose this starting point.
Columbia River, Swimming Area and Wind
State Route 14 runs along the Columbia River throughout Skamania County; the section through the county is 47 miles long. Highway 14 is known here as the Lewis and Clark Scenic Byway. Scenic drives pass cliffs above the Columbia River and mountain roads lined with evergreen trees. Seasonal wildflowers, fall colors and snow-covered mountain views provide different highlights.
For days on the water, Stevenson Boat Launch offers a free slip as well as access to jet skiing, fishing, sailing and kayaking. Pebble Beach has a swimming area with views and opportunities to launch kayaks or boards. East Point is considered a popular spot for kitesurfers in the Columbia River Gorge; suitable wind conditions occur there more often than at other locations in the Gorge. Those traveling with different interests can take these offerings into account when choosing the focus of their vacation.
Forest, Views and Nature Experiences
The route to Falls Creek Falls passes through old-growth forest in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Lawetlat'la, Mount St. Helens, is also located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Skamania and Cowlitz Counties. The mountain is directly connected to the traditional beliefs of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and the Yakama Nation concerning the origins, cultural history and nature of the world.
Another place to visit is the Carson National Fish Hatchery. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and welcomes visitor groups of all sizes. The outdoor ponds are accessible to visitors at any time. For a vacation rental in Skamania, such a visit can be another addition to hikes and excursions along the Columbia River Gorge.
Culture and Regional Orientation
The Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum presents the history of Skamania County and the Columbia River Gorge. It also features an exhibit on the history of the Cascade Chinook. The annual “Free-gate” fair in the Northwest includes daily livestock and horse shows, animals, 4-H activities, food, exhibits, competitions, demonstrations, a parade, a lumberjack carnival, a market sale and fireworks.
For further orientation in the area, you can also explore Stevenson and North Bonneville.
For the broader travel overview: Washington.
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