Vancouver, Washington

You read that correctly: Vancouver, Washington. This is America’s city named Vancouver, and while it may share the same name as the well-known British Columbia metropolis (they were both named after sea captain George Vancouver), the Washington state Vancouver has a style and flavor all its own. It’s located in the southwestern-most corner of Washington, just north of Portland, Oregon on the Columbia River. And like its more famous Oregonian neighbor to the south, Vancouver, Washington is rich in cultural sites, outdoor opportunities, and beautiful river views. Portland may be on your list of places to visit, but while you’re there, spend some time across the state line in Vancouver and check out these places in an RV rental Vancouver WA!

Popular Tourist Attractions

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

Stop by this site run by the National Park Service to learn about the region’s storied past as an influential fur trading outpost and military site. The Pearson Air Museum and McLoughlin House National Historic Site are also part of this attraction, making it a great place to spend a few hours or a whole day. Regular US National Parks fees apply, and admission to the reconstructed fort site is $3 per person. (The Pearson Air Museum and McLoughlin House are free with park admission). Book an RV rental Vancouver airport and travel to the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site!

Officers Row

For a self-guided tour of the most awe-inspiring architectural wonders in town, take a stroll down Vancouver’s East Evergreen Boulevard, also known as Officers Row. It’s a street of 21 houses that used to belong to some of the Army officers stationed at the Vancouver Barracks in the second half of the 19th Century. Some, like the General George C. Marshall House, are open for public tours, while others, like the General Ulysses S. Grant House and the General O.O. Howard House, are the locations of area businesses. (The former is a restaurant, while the latter is the headquarters of Fort Vancouver National Trust.)

Water Resources Education Center

Don’t let this facility’s lackluster name fool you — it’s a fabulous place to learn about our planet’s most precious resource. Inside the beautiful and relatively new building, you’ll find interactive exhibits, artwork inspired by nature, hundreds of fish swimming in aquaria, a Puddle Place for small children, and much more. Admission is free, and you’ll be surprised at what you learn. You can read our RV rental Vancouver reviews and see why you should rent now and visit Vancouver!

Campgrounds and State/National Parks

Paradise Point State Park

Just north of Vancouver in Ridgefield is this gorgeous riverfront camping park. There are 18 RV spaces, plus lots of tent sites and even two yurts you can rent. Fall asleep to the blissful sound of peace and quiet, and wake up to 88 acres of wooded splendor (they don’t call it Paradise Point for nothing, you know). The park offers four miles of hiking trails, places to fish in the clear fresh water, and a swimming area for your camper rental Vancouver WA!

Vancouver RV Park

This full service RV park right in Vancouver has just about everything you need to feel at home. There are both pull-through and back-in spots, all with water and electric hookups for RV rentals near Vancouver WA. Guests have access to restrooms with showers, laundry facilities, and a fully stocked rec room. There’s also free wifi on most of the property. Rates are reasonable, and substantial discounts are offered to Good Sam Club members. Vancouver RV Park is a fantastic place anytime of the year and would make for a great winter RV rental Vancouver!

Battle Ground Lake State Park

About 30 minutes north of Vancouver in the town of Battle Ground is where you’ll find this secluded 280-acre lakefront state park. While RV hookup spaces are limited (there are only six available), it’s worth trying to nab one. Some amenities are on site, like a few restrooms and showers, but the real draw is all of the outdoor opportunities. The park offers trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding, plus fishing, swimming, boating, all sorts of sports fields and courts, and unbeatable wildlife watching, making a perfect weekend RV rental Vancouver!

Events

Festivals

Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival

Like a Reese’s peanut butter cup or a Charms Blow Pop, the Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival offers two great things that go great together. This three-day celebration takes place in Esther Short Park toward the end of August every year, and as the name implies, guests can enjoy amazing jazz (and non-jazz) concerts and wine tastings from the region’s best wineries (and there are many). More than that, though, the festival includes fabulous food from some of the region’s best restaurants, an art show and sale, and much more.

Pacific Northwest Hawaiian Festival

You can’t exactly drive your RV to Honolulu, but that’s OK! You can get your Hawaiian fix (minus the weather and rainbows) at Portland and Vancouver’s Pacific Northwest Hawaiian Festival. Esther Short Park is the place to be for a few days at the end of July for a hula competition, hula and craft workshops, Hawaiian music, arts and crafts, delicious food from the islands, and a 5k too.

Sure, everyone knows about the Vancouver in Canada, but the US has its own Vancouver, and it’s pretty fantastic. Whether you love exploring the great outdoors, learning about regional history, or sipping local wine as you admire the beautiful river views, you’ll find something to love in Vancouver, Washington!

From all of us at RVshare, have a great time!