The original town of Vancouver was founded in 1825 around the area of Fort Vancouver and was officially incorporated in 1857. Its convenient position on the Columbia River made it an ideal location for a fur-trading outpost, shipyards, and other river-related commercial opportunities. Today, it’s considered to be a suburb of Portland since that large Oregon city is just across the Columbia River. More than 120,000 people call Vancouver home.
If you want to see what Fort Vancouver looked like, stop by the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, which houses a reconstructed Fort Vancouver, Officers’ Row, and Pearson’s Air Museum. The Vancouver Waterfront is a great place to shop, dine, and relax thanks to its proximity to the Columbia River. Some nice parks in the area include Frenchman’s Bar Regional Park, Wintler Community Park, and Nikkei Park.
Washougal National Motocross - About half an hour east of Vancouver is the Washougal MX Park, which hosts this motocross event in late July. This picturesque track contains many vantage points that are ideal for watching the riders race around the circuit.
Oregon Brewers Festival - If you’re a fan of craft beers, then you’ll definitely want to visit this beer festival that takes place in Portland in late July. Over 100 Oregon craft brewers and cider makers will have samples of their wares available for tasting at this fun Portland event.
Oregon State Fair - Salem hosts Oregon’s state fair from late August through early September at the Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center. A classic carnival, a petting zoo, animal shows, food and drink competitions, and more make this an excellent family-friendly event.
You can find top-notch RV storage at Pedron’s Auto Boat & RV Storage, which is located in the northeastern part of Vancouver. Outdoor, indoor, and covered storage are all available, and the largest space is 60 feet long. Another quality storage facility in Vancouver is Padden Storage, which is about five minutes from Pedron’s. A variety of indoor and outdoor options are available for campers up to 45 feet long. If you want to park your camper near the Columbia River, then you may want to consider Cascade Park Self Storage. Outdoor and covered parking spaces ranging in length from 20 to 40 feet are available.
It is a beautiful 40-mile drive east on Highway 14 through Camas, WA and Washougal, WA to get to Beacon Rock State Park, a fantastic place to hike. Near the beginning of this Columbia Gorge hike, hikers can see Hardy and Rodney Falls. Then, they get treated to stunning views of the Columbia River below before finally reaching the end of this trail. Hikers who do this hike in the spring or early summer are often rewarded with beautiful views of Mt. Hood with its snow-capped summit. After hiking, quench your appetite with peanut chicken or a veggie burger at The Grill in Stevenson, WA.
A quick jaunt up Interstate 5 through Salmon Creek, WA, and an even shorter drive along Ridgefield National Refuge Road brings hikers to Ridgefield National Refuge, a beautiful hiking destination, in about 35 miles. Before exploring this site, consider stopping at the Country Diner in Ridgefield for a hearty breakfast. This refuge has many curvy hiking loops, and hikers can find something exciting around each bend. While seasonal variations exist, they should not be surprised to see sandhill cranes, Canadian geese, and hawks. One of the main hiking trails at this refuge allows visitors to explore a full-scale Cathlapotle Plankhouse, like Lewis and Clark may have visited during their explorations.
Another terrific hiking destination is Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge, which can easily be reached by driving about 20 miles east on Washington 14. Access the River Trail in William Clark Park. This one-mile-long trail offers tranquil views of the Columbia River. Then, it meets the Mountain View Trail, which offers magnificent views of Mt. Hood on a clear day. After you work up an appetite, consider heading to 54°40′ Beer to enjoy delicious pub food.
Vancouver, WA has a vibrant arts district. Consider attending the complimentary summer outdoor concerts at Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver. This venue also has walking paths, a playground, picnic shelters, and a clock tower. While this park is the oldest public park in Washington, something exciting is always happening there.
Another great option while exploring the downtown area is to stroll along the five-mile-long Columbia River Waterfront Renaissance Trail. From this trail, visitors can glimpse the remains of the Kaiser Shipyards at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and the 700-pound Ilchee Statue, which stands 7 feet tall and was created by Eric Jensen.
This area of Vancouver is known as Columbia Shores, and visitors can find a wide variety of cuisine. Get delicious Thai cuisine at Thai Orchid Restaurant. Find Latin food and craft cocktails at DOSALAS latin kitchen + tequila bar. Alternatively, get great wood-fired pizzas at The Rock Wood Fired Pizza if you want Italian cuisine. Visitors who get chilly while exploring the waterfront will want a cup of fresh-brewed coffee at Thatcher's Coffee.
Renting an RV makes exploring Vancouver, WA and the Columbia River Basin easy. On RVshare.com, everyone can find an option that is ideal for them. People who prefer larger units filled with lots of amenities will want to consider Class A motorhomes. On the other hand, if you are more of a minimalist who would like a unit that can go into most areas, consider a Class B motorhome. People who are somewhere in the middle will find Class C motorhomes that fit their lifestyle perfectly.
Whether you prefer to stay close to nature or in a fancy resort campground, you can find an ideal place to camp in the Vancouver area. When looking for camping opportunities, consider Vancouver RV Park, Columbia River RV Park, and Ninety 9 RV Park. If you love staying close to nature, consider camping at Battle Ground Lake State Park, Paradise Point State Park, and Beacon Rock State Park. In addition to exploring the Vancouver area, consider taking an RV road trip.
While staying in an RV makes it easy to move throughout the region, prepare meals, and see attractions, many people find that a travel trailer is the best option for them in the Vancouver area. These units come in different configurations, with some having outdoor kitchens and room to bring ATVs or wave runners. They can often be pulled by your vehicle. Travel trailers come in different sizes so that you can opt for a small teardrop option ideal for a couple or a larger one sleeping up to 10 people.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Vancouver, WA, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Vancouver?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Vancouver from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Vancouver?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.