Like the ferns in our forests, we Pacific Northwest residents can tolerate being overwatered. In fact, we do tolerate it. Every year. Relentlessly. Year after year. But each spring, there comes a breaking point, when the rain FINALLY tapers off, the temperature rises, and we all squint and begin to complain about the heat. Well, not all of us do that. But I think we can agree that spring and summer in the PNW are, in a word, glorious.
So get outside and enjoy it! In 2023, Vancouver WA was ranked the 14th best city in America for outdoor activities (by Niche.com). We have bike and walking trails, dog parks, a vibrant waterfront, shops and restaurants downtown, and rivers, forests and the beaches of the Pacific Coast within an easy drive. Without further ado, here are some books about outdoor activities in the Vancouver area. You can, of course, check these out at your library - and then take them OUTSIDE to read!
Hiking, Camping, Paddling
- Day Hike! (series) - includes North Cascades, Central Cascades and Olympic Peninsula, among others
- Best Easy Day Hikes (a Falcon Guides series) - features many titles, including The Disabled Hiker’s Guide to Western Washington and Oregon: Outdoor Adventures Accessible by Car, Wheelchair and on Foot and Best Hikes Near Portland, Oregon as well as rockhounding titles.
- 60 Hikes within 60 Miles (series) - includes Portland and Seattle
- Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge: Waterfalls, Vistas, State Parks, National Scenic Area
- Pacific Northwest Camping (Moon Outdoors series)
- 52 Ways to Nature. Washington: Your Seasonal Guide to a Wilder Year - organized by season, this guide describes 52 outdoor activities such as foraging and stargazing.
- Paddling Washington: Flatwater and Whitewater Routes in Washington State and the Inland Northwest - maps and equipment requirements for paddlers of all skill levels.
Other Outdoor Activities
- The Pacific Northwest Garden Tour: The 60 Best Gardens to Visit in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia - highlights public gardens and nurseries
- Waterfall Lover’s Guide Pacific Northwest - includes how to access each waterfall as well as the best season to visit.
- A Haunted Tour Guide to the Pacific Northwest - divided into Oregon, Washington and British Columbia
- Best Road Trips. Pacific Northwest: Escapes on the Open Road - published by Lonely Planet. Yes, you are in the car, but you will get out of the car at the end of the drive, right?
- Gold Panning the Pacific Northwest: A Guide to the Area’s Best Sites for Gold - updated 2023 edition
Activities with Kids
- Little Feet Hiking (series) - includes Portland Metro, Columbia River Gorge, and the newest title: Strolling and Wheeling around Vancouver, WA: 30 Low-Barrier, Accessible and Wheels- Friendly Nature Trails in Clark County, WA by local author Jessica Becker
- Where Should We Camp Next? National Parks by Stephanie Puglisi
- Hike it Baby: 100 Awesome Outdoor Adventures with Babies and Toddlers - covers all 50 states
New at the Library
Fiction
- Shadow of the Solstice by Anne Hillerman
- Who Will Remember by C.S. Harris
- Tilt: A Novel by Emma Pattee
Nonfiction
- John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs by Ian Leslie
- Breathe: Wake Up to Life by Prem Rawat
- The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More by Jefferson Fisher
Children
- Echo by Adam Rex
- Fluffy Flying Seed by Mary Auld
- Isle of Ever by Jen Calonita
