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Top 10 Summer Activities at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

Are you ready to explore your local national park this summer? Fort Vancouver National Historic Site has so much to offer for visitors of all ages, abilities, and interests!

Our park rangers and staff have put together this Top 10 List of fun summer activities at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (NHS). Click on the links to learn more about each activity. Be sure to recreate responsibly and have a blast at this urban national park!

  1. Visit Fort Vancouver. Summer is an excellent time to visit our namesake! Step back in time at this reconstructed 19th century fur trading fort.
  2. Play outdoors. With lots of open green spaces and a fun, kid-friendly playground near our Visitor Center, Fort Vancouver NHS is a great place to play!
  3. Have a picnic. Nothing says "summer" like a picnic! This beautiful urban park with plenty of green space and picnic benches make it a perfect place to have a picnic with family and friends.
  4. Visit the Fort Vancouver Garden. We love taking walks through the Fort Vancouver Garden over the summer to see what fruits, veggies, and flowers are growing!
  5. Go for a bike ride on the Land Bridge Trail. Fort Vancouver NHS has great trails for bike riding! We especially love biking on the Land Bridge Trail, a mile-long trail that takes riders over the scenic Confluence Land Bridge.
  6. Visit the Public Archaeology Field School blog. This summer, students from Portland State University and Washington State University Vancouver will be conducting archaeological excavations at the national park. Follow along, and see what they find, on this blog!
  7. Walk your dog on the Spruce Mill Trail. Dogs LOVE Fort Vancouver NHS! The Spruce Mill Trail is a great, paved path for dogs of all ages, sizes, and abilities. As an added bonus, while you walk your pet you can take our self-guided tour of the Spruce Mill Trail to learn more about World War I in Vancouver.
  8. Become a Junior Ranger. Becoming a Junior Ranger at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is fun for kids of all ages - and the young at heart!
  9. Plan a special date night. Check out our ideas for a special al fresco date night at Fort Vancouver NHS!
  10. Visit the NEW Pearson Air Museum. This summer, Pearson Air Museum will reopen after a closure to install new exhibits. We are so excited to reveal the new, updated museum!

Learn more about summer fun at all of America's national parks at go.nps.gov/summer!

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Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

Last updated: March 27, 2023