Top five must-see state parks near Portland and Vancouver

Looking for outdoor adventures near the Washington-Oregon state line? While Portland and Vancouver residents love their urban parks, Washington’s state parks offer mighty rivers, historic forts, extinct and active volcanoes and wild beaches, all within a two-hour drive. From disc golf at Paradise Point to hiking on the Columbia River, to windswept lighthouses, we’ve got your next Northwest escape.

Interstate Escapades: State Parks Near Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington You'll Want to Visit Again and Again

Paradise Point, 25 min.

What to do:

Play the park’s nine-hole disc golf course with its mile-long flat walk and a few challenging tees.
Once you've beaten your friends, cool off in the East Fork of the Lewis River.
Don’t want to brave I-5 South going home? Rent a yurt, spend the night and enjoy the mist rising off the river in the morning.

Battle Ground Lake, 30 min.

What to do:

Check out spring-fed Battle Ground Lake, which was once a caldera at the foot of the Cascades volcanoes.
Go for a refreshing swim, try fishing or get out your kayak and paddle across the smooth water.
If you want to stay dry, there’s also hiking, horseback riding and picnicking to discover.

Two people sit on the shore of a lake while another plays with a red dog.

Beacon Rock, 40 min.

What to do:

Split your time between waterfalls and volcanoes:
- This park is famous for the 848-foot-tall Beacon Rock, a 57,000-year-old basalt volcanic cone with astounding views from the top, but it's worth heading across the highway to check out the 2,000-foot hike up Hamilton Mountain with its dramatic waterfalls and different but equally stellar views of the Gorge.
Paddle or boat out from the Doesch Day-Use Area and peek into the Civilian Conservation Corps-era buildings along the way.

A view from above of a lush green landscape with a river and highway.

Seaquest and the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, one hour

What to do:

Visit the newly renovated Mount St. Helens Visitor Center:  After you've made your own earthquake, explored the inside of the volcano and watched the new feature film, stroll down the Silver Lake trail on a boardwalk over a wetland, with excellent birding opportunities.
Take the underground pedestrian tunnel across the highway to Seaquest State Park: This green, forested park has camping, yurts and a great playground for kids.

A yurt in a forest in snow — Seaquest yurt in the snow. By Alysa Adams.

Fort Columbia and Cape Disappointment, two hours

What to do:

Stop at Fort Columbia, a military fort built between 1896 and 1904 and decommissioned in 1947. It is one of the most intact forts from its time.
Wander through the gun batteries (bring flashlight and jacket) and check in for the night at one of the two officer's homes you can book for overnight stays and big family gatherings.
Drive 15 minutes down the road to Cape Disappointment and explore not one, but two of Washington’s first lighthouses.
Hike stunning seaside trails at Cape D and check out the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center at the spot where their expedition ended its westward journey in 1805.