Rowland Lake, formally named DeBois Lake, is so beautiful ! This little lake is so picturesque,…read moreespecially in the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom and growing along the slopes, framing the water. If you have driven along SR-14 four miles east of Bingen, then you have driven through Rowland Lake, literally, since the SR-14 and the train track cut through the lake! It makes for some pretty spectacular photo snaps! When you turn onto Old Highway 8 there is a small parking lot and a few areas where you can pull over to take in the scene. Further up the hill on Old Highway 8 is a pull off area for even better views from above. If you are heading to Catherine Creek area or Syncline Wines, you will pass Rowland Lake. It's worth pulling over for a few minutes to take in the beauty. The north lake is stocked with trout, both rainbow and broodstock. There are two fishing openers: the first is from the last Saturday in April through the Sunday before Thanksgiving.; the second is the Friday after Thanksgiving through February. People have also caught bluegill, crappie and largemouth bass. Check their website for details. There is a small boat launch area; electronic boats only. WA access pass is required if you are spending time here other than just pulling over for a few quick pics. I walked around, took pics, then headed to Catherine Creek.

With Horsethief Butte as the scenic backdrop, this lake is a relaxing spot for fishing & kayaking…read more Equipped with bathrooms & showers, a popular place for camping & RV sleepovers. Not naturally formed, flooded into existence by the Dalles Dam. Without a natural circulation of water, the summer creates toxic algae harmful to humans and fish. Warning signs are posted. A petroglyph trail is a highlight for all; in depth tour guide available by reservation. Boat launch access to the Columbia River.

Lovely piece of the Gorge. We've stopped by the lake portion and checked out the Petroglyphs before…read morewhile passing through, as well as briefly jumping onto a trail at the Butte. This weekend we got around to investing more time in the trails of Butte and it was pretty fun. The trails don't allow for a complete loop around the rock, as there's a block for restoration on the east side. But you can wander most of the way around the water side...up and around the rocks is really where's it at though. There are 3 access points to the top from the trails, and the bouldering up is loads of fun. Once atop you can roam all about and enjoy fabulous views from every angle. While the remainder of the trails at Butte are average, we found it pretty entertaining to climb around the rock portion. There's a decent amount of parking...Discover Pass required...as well at a vault toilet at the trailhead.

This is a beautiful lake. It sits within view of Mt. St. Helen's near the Johnston Ridge…read moreObservatory and the Science and Learning Center at Coldwater. You can miss it if you are on the way to the observatory given there a good sign on the way up. There's a trail that goes around the lake that is well established. One kayak here and I hear there's some pretty good trout in the waters. I though the lake and the surrounding scenery were quite beautiful, especially along the trails. It's a great place for pictures and such. There are restrooms available, potable water, but to motor boats nor overnight camping is allowed.

Mount St Helens is the first glacial mountain I ever climbed. I've also hiked the entire Loowit…read moretrail along with many of the other trails in the park. Love this place! Been visiting Coldwater Lake for as long as it's been open. It used to be a well kept secret but in more recent years it's become difficult to experience the serene experience that it once was due to it's increasing popularity. The Rangers and park staff are awesome as is almost always the case in National reserves. They do "require" a national pass here and elsewhere in the park but that requirement is rarely enforced and I've never seen it enforced any place other than at the Johnston Observatory. There is a boat launch area and they may well be checking for passes in vehicles over there. I am so thankful that the Park Service is so committed to monuments like this one. Been coming here for many, many years and hope to do so for a long time to come. Coldwater Lake is one of our very favorite places to visit at almost any time of the year.

Super clean & clear lake. Perfect for an afternoon outing on the beach or paddling on the water…read more Pretty large with a 12 mile walking/biking path circling the entirety of the lake. Day use areas are scattered all along the shore of the lake, very accessible from path. The rocks in the water are smooth, so less chance of cutting your foot. $10 parking fee 10 mph speed limit on water -- no wake entire lake

This visit we finally got to do some kayaking on Timothy while staying the night at Pine Point…read more It was a great weekend on the lake. Beautiful waters perfect for the kayak, fun hiking, a beautiful camp site, lots of adorable ducklings...and although a wildfire popped up within eyeshot, we got to witness planes working through the evening dipping into Timothy and ultimately taking the fire down. Yay! Although I've never seen so many employees at any campground, the grounds were kept pristine and every staff member encountered was friendly. No complaints, just fabulous fun at Timothy!

A lush, beautiful state park located off I-84 near Rowena. After passing by more times than I can…read morecount, I decided to venture off the highway to check it out. Was so surprised and delighted by the incredible views of the basalt cliffs across the way, and of course, close up views of the magnificent Columbia River. There is an area under the trees with picnic tables, a perfect spot to gather for a meal after a nice walk or hike. Plenty of parking, great views, peaceful and serene - a gem.

We pulled off recently to check out Mayer. In our camper van, it was a lovely, quiet spot to enjoy…read morea stretch and a meal. It seemed to be more like a county park in feel, with plenty of parking, some picnic tables, and toilets. They had a recycle bin alongside the trash cans...loved to see that. Albeit a cold December day, we only saw a couple of cars come and go while we were there. From signage it appears to be a good windsurfing area at other times of the year, so I'm sure it gets much busier. Nice little stop-off along the gorge for a view, a stretch, or a picnic.

This is a quiet little fishing spot, less than 40 minutes from Portland. Well stocked with rainbow…read moretrout in the summer, it's easily accessible for all ages. Owned and maintained by PGE (Portland General Electric). Be prepared to rough it a little here. The parking lot is approx half mile walk down a gravel path to get to the BEST fishing area, although there us an area that's more easily accessible with a small fishing pier. Then climb up over a grassy hill. There is a bathroom, but its a vault-style outdoor toilet (no running water or flushing toilets) so it gets real my smell my in the summer. Fishing is incredibly easy here. We caught our limit in less than 2 hours two days in a row. Obviously, they keep the lake well stocked, multiple times during the spring and summer.

Trillium Lake is a nice spot to relax and take a break from the busy Portland city life. There is a…read morewonderful trail around the lake that gives you great views of the water and of Mount Hood in the distance. It is also a great place to go camping, go for a swim, or kayak out in the water. You could tell it was a very lively place that many people enjoy and all the staff there was very friendly and cooperative. Overall, I recommend Trillium Lake to anyone looking for a calm place to unwind with amazing views.

Relaxing. Very good view of mt hood. Picnic areas clean. Public restroom available. You can go on…read morefishing here.

Lacamas lake and the surrounding trails are awesome! There is a small parking lot or an overflow…read moreparking lot available and both make it easy to access the lake and trail. We did the round lake loop trail that is about 1.5 miles round trip. It is relatively flat with a few inclines and declines. We saw families using strollers on parts of the trail. The trail is shaded for almost the entire route. The trail is well maintained and clean. The trails are clearly marked and the signs are easy to see. There's bathrooms and a playground for kids. We saw a lot of people using kayaks in the lake. There's also picnic tables and benches to use. This is a great option for any age and ability. It's beautiful and green. I highly recommend Lacamas Lake for those who want to enjoy the greenery and beauty of Washington.

Love this lake! There are three parking lots available, two on the smaller side. There are…read morerestrooms available during summer months. This park is very lush with picnic tables and grills spread out for privacy. The view of the lake is gorgeous! There are over 6 miles of trails, some of which intertwine. If you're new to these trails, a map is a good idea; one could easily get lost if not familiar as the trails aren't all marked. I just took a picture of the trail map by the parking area to have as reference in case I needed it. The trails are lush and mainly dirt and rocks. If you walk down to lower falls the trail can be a little more treacherous. Some of the hills are steep and some rocks loose. Make sure you wear the proper footwear. There are a few falls to see, many creeks, a dam and a couple lakes (Lacamas and Round). Overall a wonderful place to get outside for fresh air and beautiful scenery. Highly recommend.

Scenic Fishing Spot…read more 5/5 Stars Not only is this place Beautiful but it is filled with fish. It is a great place to come with friends and family. It is safe and spacious.