Northwest Vancouver, WA

Vancouver

The creek runs through a greenway one and one-half miles long, flanking a checkerboard of agrarian, residential and utility company property.
The creek runs through a greenway one and one-half miles long, flanking a checkerboard of agrarian, residential and utility company property.
Those of us who trek the wilderness in the Great Northwest have some very peculiar people to thank. A little more than a century ago, as the burgeoning industrial revolution began to trammel its way across the country, the owners of railroads, municipal water holdings, the telegraph, and those new-fangled monstrosities known as electric power companies, all found themselves in a pickle. To ply their trade they needed space; more to the point, they needed specific routes through the space that other people had, or could have, just by parking their wagons and calling it home. More critically, they didn't want to have to pay for it, at least not at the going rate. They were able to convince the local, county, state and even the federal government (none of which needed much convincing), that it would be in the nation's best interest to grant a set of low-to-no cost easements ceding to these entities the rights-of-way through any obstacle which might come into their path. And while this over-simplification of events would not earn even a solid "D" in an intro to contract law course, it brings to light an undeniable reality: a lot of the wilderness we get to enjoy in this part of the country is there because someone took it and never gave it back. This became abundantly clear to me this Summer and Fall when I hiked no fewer than five major wilderness areas whose sole purpose, were they not wilderness, would be to provide a conduit for some sort of consumer service. In Washington: Dog Mountain, Hamilton Mountain, Table Mountain and the complex of trails at Coyote Wall are all criss-crossed with power lines. They don't overwhelm the landscape, but there they are. In Oregon, Mount Defiance is essentially the state's tallest communication tower; Forest Park combines water, electricity, and phone routes that are hidden so well in places, you'd never know they were there. The Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway, here in Vancouver, would simply not exist today, save for its designation as a right-of-way for Bonneville Power and the local railway. Homes were built right up to its rim, and a residential (essentially rural road) was grandfathered in before it was declared a wetland refuge, but the area itself remains blissfully exempt from development. It is home to at least a dozen species of waterfowl, herons, eagles, peregrine falcons, beavers, otters, coyote, deer, and all the usual characters thriving in an urban wildlife setting. As far as the animals are concerned, the place is more or less the way they found it. Did all this open territory come down to us by accident? Was it the by-product of both greed and a none-too-coincidental "cooperative understanding" between the private sector and those charged with protecting the public's interests? Well, kinda. But ironically enough, without that century-old landgrab, we might no longer be able to enjoy some of the Nothwest's most beautiful places. It will make me shake my head and smile every time I think about it. But I, for one, am grateful.
Here in the Northwest, we don't get to see blue sky very often in the winter time. But when we do, we tend to make it count.
The brightest things at the greenway in winter are the moss-covered trees, which give off an almost iridescent glow when hit by even a few rays of sunlight.

Popular places to visit

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

5/5(14 reviews)

Stride around a 19th-century fort, watch live craft demonstrations and learn about Washington’s trading and military history.

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
Panoramic sunrise landscape over Columbia River, Mt Hood, Portland Oregon, and Vancouver Washington, Pacific Northwest United States

Waterfront Park

Waterfront Park is just one of the places to see in Vancouver, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels?

Waterfront Park
Esther Short Park which includes a garden

Esther Short Park

4/5(5 reviews)

Relax by fountains, shop in bustling markets and listen to concerts in a scenic park that has become the city of Vancouver’s premier outdoor public space.

Esther Short Park
Fisherman trying his luck along the shores of Vancouver Lake with Mt. St Helens in the background.

Vancouver Lake Park

3/5(2 reviews)

After visiting Vancouver Lake Park, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Vancouver. Discover the beautiful waterfalls in this walkable area, or enjoy its biking trails.

Vancouver Lake Park
Pearson Air Museum which includes interior views and aircraft

Pearson Air Museum

Trace the story of flight in a fascinating Vancouver museum housing vintage plane models from the earliest days of aviation.

Pearson Air Museum
Columbia River Crossing I-5 Interstate Bridge at Night

Interstate Bridge

4.5/5(4 reviews)

You can learn about the history of Vancouver when you stop by Interstate Bridge. Stroll along the area's riverfront, or simply savor its top-notch restaurants.

Interstate Bridge

Northwest Vancouver Hotel Deals

The Paramount Hotel

The Paramount Hotel

3.5 out of 5
808 SW Taylor St Portland OR
The price is NT$2,897 per night from Feb 18 to Feb 19
NT$2,897
NT$3,377 total
Feb 18 - Feb 19
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the restaurant ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,182 reviews)
Loved it. Great hotel, great location

Reviewed on 2026/2/5

The Paramount Hotel
The Duniway Portland A Hilton Hotel

The Duniway Portland A Hilton Hotel

4.5 out of 5
545 SW Taylor St Portland OR
The price is NT$4,718 per night from Feb 8 to Feb 9
NT$4,718
NT$5,473 total
Feb 8 - Feb 9
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Portland. Enjoy a rooftop terrace, a 24-hour fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
Excelent service

Reviewed on 2026/2/1

The Duniway Portland A Hilton Hotel
Radisson Hotel Portland Airport

Radisson Hotel Portland Airport

3.5 out of 5
6233 NE 78th Court Portland OR
The price is NT$2,924 per night from Feb 17 to Feb 18
NT$2,924
NT$3,550 total
Feb 17 - Feb 18
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this golf hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,966 reviews)
Very clean room. Super friendly staff! Really fun coffee machine in the lobby. Restaurant food was not good. The front desk graciously refunded the meal.

Reviewed on 2026/2/3

Radisson Hotel Portland Airport
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland

4 out of 5
1000 NE Multnomah Street Portland OR
The price is NT$3,746 per night from Feb 15 to Feb 16
NT$3,746
NT$4,367 total
Feb 15 - Feb 16
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,011 reviews)
Nice and quiet. Friendly staff

Reviewed on 2026/2/2

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland
Mark Spencer Hotel

Mark Spencer Hotel

3 out of 5
409 Sw 11th Ave Portland OR
The price is NT$2,259 per night from Feb 9 to Feb 10
NT$2,259
NT$2,620 total
Feb 9 - Feb 10
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,994 reviews)
Staff was great. Great character hotel

Reviewed on 2026/2/6

Mark Spencer Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center

Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center

3.5 out of 5
550 SW Oak Street Portland OR
Fully refundable
The price is NT$2,924 per night from Feb 7 to Feb 8
NT$2,924
NT$3,426 total
Feb 7 - Feb 8
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Portland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,328 reviews)
Staff friendly

Reviewed on 2026/2/5

Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center
See all 2,735 properties in Northwest Vancouver
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around Northwest Vancouver

Nice little park in the middle of Vancouver, WA. The switchbacks up the hill, surrounded by tall trees will make you feel like you're a lot further from town. It was a nice, quiet place to stretch my dogs legs for a bit and eat my lunch from nearby Panera Bread.

Hazel Dell South

When in Hazel Dell South, you can plan a visit to Officers Row and Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Hazel Dell South
A beautiful little church which I pass by at least once a week. Finally got out of my car to take a picture.

Lincoln

Though Lincoln might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and Clark County Historical Museum.

Lincoln
Default Image

West Minnehaha

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in West Minnehaha and surrounding area, you can visit Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and Pearson Air Museum.

West Minnehaha
Boardwalk in Silver Lake Castle Rock Wetland in Cowlitz County Boardwalk, Washington Mt St Helens Visitor Center

Hazel Dell

Hazel Dell is well-liked for its restaurants. You can also take some time to explore sights in the surrounding area like Vancouver Mall and Officers Row.

Hazel Dell
Default Image

Rose Village

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Rose Village and surrounding area, you can visit Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and Pearson Air Museum.

Rose Village
Default Image

Fourth Plain Village

While Fourth Plain Village might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Vancouver Tennis Center and Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.

Fourth Plain Village

Northwest Vancouver, WA