Kayaking, rafting, fishing, swimming and boating are all available, mostly on the Columbia s calmer companion rivers, Wind, White Salmon and Klickitat. From I-5 and the city of Vancouver, take Highway 14 east into the gorge. For historical background on the river and its impact on Native American and pioneer communities, stop at the new Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center near Stevenson. At the other end of the Columbia River, in the far northeast corner of the state, lies a region locals called Panorama Land . You could also dub it the Colville Corner, after the big national forest that protects much of northeast Washington s timberlands.
Fishing is a prime attraction, especially fly-fishing.
Locals brag about the lunker trout, the walleye and bass. Spring in the desert is ideal sunny warm weather, wildflowers, good fishing. The Tieton River near Yakima offers challenging whitewater rafting as late as September when most other rivers have run dry.