Vancouver, Washington

Looking for the best photography in Vancouver? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Vancouver. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Photography Spots in and near Vancouver

  • Rhododendron, Oregon

    Devil's Peak Lookout

    3.0
    2.62 mi / 600 ft gain
    The Trail: This hike is one of the 2 routes that lead to the lookout, and the shorter of the two. It requires more driving to get to the trailhead than the other, but less walking, so if that sounds appealing to you, you have come to the right place! First, you'll be greeted by a dense forest w...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Mount Defiance

    3.7
    12.55 mi / 5167 ft gain
    This hike starts at the Starvation Creek Rest Area. After parking, head west back along the shoulder of the freeway, where you’ll see a wooden sign stating “Mt. Defiance Trail.” Continue heading west along the abandoned Columbia River Highway. Keep going west as you pass the junction with the Sta...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Lower Starvation Ridge Loop

    3.7
    2.69 mi / 1001 ft gain
    Starvation Creek Falls is an impressive 190 ft. waterfall just a few feet from the parking lot. If you don't know it's there, you'll miss it. Keep walking past the restrooms, away from the trail head to see this beautiful two-tiered waterfall. There are a couple of picnic tables near the creek to...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Starvation Creek Falls

    3.5
    The Starvation Creek Falls drops 141ft down into a naturally formed bowl, cascading past a wooded picnic area and onto the Columbia River. The falls are one of the easiest falls to access in the Columbia River Gorge along with Multnomah Falls, but are far less Crowded. The short 300ft walk from t...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Warren and Lancaster Falls

    4.5
    1.89 mi / 571 ft gain
    The hike along Mt. Defiance Trail to Warren and Lancaster Falls is great if you want to get away from some of the more crowded destinations in the gorge, or just want to catch some shade during the summer. The trail is fairly easygoing, though the last 1/4th of a mile to Lancaster Falls is a bit ...
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  • Rhododendron, Oregon

    Little Zig Zag Falls

    5.0
    0.66 mi / 131 ft gain
    The hike along Little Zig Zag River is definitely one of Oregon's hidden gems. Although the waterfall isn't as highly rated in comparison to other impressive falls like Multnomah Falls, Abiqua Falls, or Bridal Viel Falls, it is still quite the sight to see, and most definitely worth the visit. T...
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  • Government Camp, Oregon

    Tom Dick and Harry Mountain

    5.0
    8.28 mi / 1726 ft gain
    Looking to score those iconic photos of Mt. Hood? Climb the well-graded trail to Tom Dick and Harry Mountain, one of the most accessible summit hikes to Portlanders, and see where they were all taken. Starting from the busy Mirror Lake Trailhead, climb roughly 900 feet and 1.5 miles to Mirror La...
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  • Government Camp, Oregon

    Mirror Lake Trail

    4.6
    4.09 mi / 810 ft gain
    I was out doing the Ramona Falls hike, and I decided that I needed to find a lake that provided me with a great view of Mt Hood. My first stop was Trillium Lake, but with that being a “drive up” lake, there were tons of people. Tons of people only means one thing…turbulent waters! As I was dr...
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  • Government Camp, Oregon

    Snowshoe Tom, Dick, and Harry

    5.0
    8 mi / 1710 ft gain
    Your day of adventure will start at the Skibowl West parking lot. Unfortunately, due to snowplowing, the roadside parking to the Mirror Lake trailhead is covered in snow. If you are doing this hike in the summer, be sure to check out this adventure: Climb Tock, Dick, and Harry Mountain!After you ...
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  • Skamania County, Washington

    Camp Forlorn Lakes & Explore Guler Ice Cave

    Camp at scenic and easily-accessible Forlorn Lakes, where the 25 campsites ($10/night) are both isolated and roomy. Sites have a picnic table and fire ring and provide access to the series of lakes, as well as the East Crater Trailhead which leads into the Indian Heaven Wilderness.Nearby, explore...
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  • Scotts Mills, Oregon

    Abiqua Falls

    4.9
    0.69 mi / 115 ft gain
    This trail is unmarked and a little rough and rugged. The land is privately owned by Mount Angel Abbey, but they don't appear to have problems with courteous hikers. Walking out of the parking area back up the road in the direction you came from, you’ll pass one dirt trail right at the ending of ...
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  • Toutle, Washington

    Hike the Hummocks Trail

    2.4 mi / 0 ft gain
    The trail has a number of ups and downs as you pass the many ponds and ash/rock/mud hills (hummocks) on your way towards the North Fork Toutle River. There is abundant wildlife in the area including birds, beaver and elk.This is also a great place to park and extend your day of hiking on the Boun...
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  • Mount Hood, Oregon

    Kayak Laurance Lake

    5.0
    This lake is found about 25 miles south of Hood River, Or. $5 for day use and now other passes are accepted, just keep that in mind. There are camping sites all over the lake as well, so if you are thinking of making a weekend out of it.  It wasn't very crowded on a weekend during the summer so y...
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  • Cook, Washington

    Spirit Falls

    4.0
    1.5 mi / 516 ft gain
    NOTE: Access to this hike is currently closed. A Part of this hike goes through private land. At this time, the landowner is not granting access to hikers. There are no signs or trail head for the falls, but it's a popular spot for kayakers and photographers, so look for a faint boot path direct...
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  • Toutle, Washington

    Loowit Viewpoint

    5.0
    From roughly May to September, both star gazers and photographers alike travel to the darkest locations in order to capture something truly magnificent- the galactic core of the milky way. The Loowit Viewpoint is unlike any around due to the perfect combination of it's remote location, higher ele...
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  • Toutle, Washington

    Mount Margaret's Ridge Camp via Coldwater Trailhead

    3.5
    7.12 mi / 1634 ft gain
    The hike is relatively easy. I'd say intermediate due to the incline at the beginning. Also intermediate due to it being an backpacking camp adventure. A friend of mine and I backpacked in to shoot the sunset and sunrise. We went a little early in the season so it was also to scout for future ad...
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