11 places Vancouverites can visit in Washington once the border reopens

The US land border will reopen next month, meaning Vancouver residents suddenly have many more options for local travel than they had throughout the pandemic.

Are you tired of hiking the same trails on the Côte-Nord? Have you explored British Columbia enough in the past year? Want a change of scenery? A trip to Washington could be a good way to recover from international travel.

The border officially reopens on November 8, and don’t forget that a negative COVID-19 PCR test is required to re-enter Canada.

Mount Baker

That giant mountain that you can see when crossing the Lions Gate Bridge? Yes you can ski there. And it’s about the same distance from Vancouver as Whistler.

Located on the west side of the Cascades between the Canadian border and Mount Rainer National Park, Mount Baker is known for its excellent ski touring and powder trails. To buy tickets on the site of the ski resort.

Seattle

An essential stop on any trip to Washington is the state’s largest city. Visit the Public Market, take in the views from the Space Needle, visit some of the city’s beautiful parks, or catch a Seahawks game for a taste of the NFL revelry.

Unique accommodation

Washington has tons of comfy cabins perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of city life. Discover a chic farmhouse hideaway with resident goats, a Cabin in A with a Lego-themed kitchen, an ’80s time capsule with arcade games in the basement, or a simple studio overlooking the ocean.

Hiking in the Cascades

Avid Vancouver hikers will love all of the new heights to explore south of the border. November isn’t exactly the peak of hiking season, but some accessible trails include Diablo Lake, Rattlesnake Ledge, Mount Pilchuk lookout (snowshoes, rugged vehicle required), and Summit Lake.

Remember to bring appropriate winter gear including crampons / snowshoes, be prepared for avalanche safety and pack the 10 essentials.

Chase the waterfalls

The Silver Falls trail leading to scenic turquoise water in Mount Rainer National Park is accessible all year round and offers hikers a view of colorful rocks. This is a six kilometer rated intermediate loop, and visitors can swim in the falls during the summer months.

Hoh Rainforest

This lush mossy tree paradise inside Olympic National Park receives an average of 3.55 meters of rain per year. It has been crowned a World Heritage Site and a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

Olympic National Park

This coastal national park also has beautiful beaches and hiking trails (which you may need snowshoes for in the winter). Note that Shi Shi Beach is closed at least until January.

Mount St. Helens lava caves

The Monkey Cave at Mount St. Helens is the third longest lava tube in North America. Prepare to be amazed by a strange three-kilometer-long cave with volcanic rocks and gooey walls. Also keep an eye out for the meatball – a piece of fallen lava that literally looks like a giant meatball.

Drumheller Channels

These steep hills surrounded by a braided network of dry canals are magnificent to see. The area also includes large excavated potholes and volcanic basalt columns from the Columbia River. This region is also home to Frenchman Coulee’s feathers, which is popular with climbers.

Dry falls

These falls dried up during the last ice age, almost 20,000 years ago. But at its peak, it was about four times the size of Niagara Falls. Now visitors can see the cliffs who stay near Grand Coulee.

Seabrook

This peaceful Pacific coastal town has been ranked among the most pet-friendly destinations, and it offers many shops, restaurants and markets for people. Cabins cost as little as US $ 95 per night, and visitors can spot gray walls as they migrate past Washington in the spring and fall.