Washington side of The Gorge, things to do (Spokane, Walla Walla: camper, live)

[JackieLovesSun]

I just moved to the Oregon side of the Gorge (the Dalles) and have barely begun to explore. I got a bunch of Oregon touristy info at the visitor's center and it includes some things on the Washington side but I'd love to hear more from you.

I wish I could say I was really sporty and would climb mountains and go white water rafting but I'm more about walking a few miles and maybe I could try kayaking on a lake where it wasn't too windy.

also, it's just me, no family.

a friend from Portland told me the elevation changes on the WA side is a lot more abrupt sort of in general but other than that I don't know much.

[Ruth4Truth]

You can visit Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, and see the Native American cedar plank house, constructed in collaboration with the local Chinook tribe, for public and tribal ceremonial use. The refuge occasionally has events planned for the plank house, so you could check the calendar for one of those, if you're interested. There's information available on the archeology of the site, formerly a Native village. https://ridgefieldfriends.org/plankhouse/

You can also visit the Maryhill Museum, which exhibits a collection of items donated by Queen Marie of Romania, as well as contemporary art
https://www.maryhillmuseum.org/

[509]

usbackroads™: Maryhill State Park, Goldendale, Washington

[JackieLovesSun]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

You can visit Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, and see the Native American cedar plank house, constructed in collaboration with the local Chinook tribe, for public and tribal ceremonial use. The refuge occasionally has events planned for the plank house, so you could check the calendar for one of those, if you're interested. There's information available on the archeology of the site, formerly a Native village. https://ridgefieldfriends.org/plankhouse/

You can also visit the Maryhill Museum, which exhibits a collection of items donated by Queen Marie of Romania, as well as contemporary art
https://www.maryhillmuseum.org/

I'm more likely to go to the museum in the near future just because it's closer but I'm interested in both, thank you for posting.

[JackieLovesSun]

Originally Posted by 509

usbackroadsâ„¢: Maryhill State Park, Goldendale, Washington

I met some people from Goldendale at work and it sounds like a charming town, alright. thank you!

[M3 Mitch]

All along SR 14 there are little towns with interesting restaurants and shops. If you have a good car or bike, go from Goldendale via backroads to Bickelton and even on to Mabton. This is mostly about the twisty road. There is no gas in Bickelton, you probably want to fill up in Goldendale before you set off.

[JackieLovesSun]

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

All along SR 14 there are little towns with interesting restaurants and shops. If you have a good car or bike, go from Goldendale via backroads to Bickelton and even on to Mabton. This is mostly about the twisty road. There is no gas in Bickelton, you probably want to fill up in Goldendale before you set off.

thank you, M3 Mitch!

[StealthRabbit]

West gorge, (WA side)

• Beacon Rock
• Cape Horn Trail
• Franz Lake
• Steigerwald nature reserve
• https://www.fws.gov/refuge/steigerwald_lake/.
  
• and don't miss the Bigfoot Bash/ Logtober Fest (be prepared for small town 'weird')
• https://skamania.org/upcoming-event/...ogtoberfest-2/
  
• (Keep an eye on Skamania Fairgrounds for very unique events (like the 'teardrop camper' annual show)
• Walking Man Brewery (one of the earlier Brew Pubs).
• Skamania Lodge for events / concerts.
• And the Bonneville Cultural Center Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center (event coming this weekend (Saturday or Sunday of Labor Day weekend (?) website is not updated, so call to be sure.)

[Jane917]

Be sure to make it to the Maryhill Museum. We had passed it many times on journeys between Wenatchee and Portland. When we finally stopped one day, our comment was sort of like "what is this doing way out here?" It is truly amazing and the views are breath taking. Don't forget a stop at the Maryhill Winery, one of Washington's best. If you like breweries, Everybody's Brewing is a favorite of ours and our kids, who are true beer snobs. Also in Stevenson is Walking Man Brewery. Our favorite local Hood River winery is Marchesi.

The backroad from Lyle to Goldendale (is it Hiway 142?) is a true treat, but be stocked up on food and gas. Also, a trip up to Trout Lake would be a great place for you to spend a day, especially on a festival weekend.

If you make it the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge, wave hi as you go by. However, check their website first, as the entrances are not always open due to road repairs. We live less than a mile to one of the entrances, so it is not a big deal if it is closed when we want to enter, but it would be a big deal if you came all the way from The Dalles. If you do get all the way to Ridgefield, you might also like to take in the Cedar Creek Grist Mill in Woodland. I believe it is only open on weekends for limited hours.

When I drive east on I84, I usually drive on the Oregon side, but often drive on the WA side if I am only going to Maryhill, then north on 97. I have never driven further east on 14 past the 97 turn off. If you do this, make sure you have a full tank of gas.

I hope you are enjoying exploring your new area.

[StealthRabbit]

Local wine tours...
https://www.gorgewine.com/events

Additional nice weekend trip would be to Walla Walla / Tri- cities.
(Check for local events, and speakers at https://www.whitman.edu/)

We usually do a weekend fall and spring trip to Spokane area for annual events. (Include Palouse Falls (best in spring))