WSUV spots to savor before summer ends

There are many interesting places that you’ll find while walking around WSU Vancouver, but if you wander the acres of this beautiful campus, you’ll discover a myriad of hidden gems scattered around. 

Whether you’re coming from the fancy paid parking or the secret free parking spots (which, quite frankly, I don’t want to tell you about,) the first and easiest locale to enjoy a summer view from is the Amphitheater. Located to the left of the main road’s entrance onto campus, it’s nestled atop a nice hill. A spot that someone can envision was used ‘once upon a time’ to host plays such as Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. Some may take the nicely paved path to it, or ‘raw dog it’ up the hill’s lush grass. You can stand at the top or on the comfy bench nearby and enjoy a magnificent view of Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens.

The second gem of WSUV is down the road a bit, hanging left, towards the high school, instead of going to the right. You’ll see an electrical apparatus and an opening going uphill to the left, as well as a trail entrance to the right. Take the left to find a quiet big field, great for lying down in and looking at some clouds, or heck, take your lover for a picnic and soak in the summer sunshine.

Next up on this academic-adjacent adventure, we have an always dynamically enjoyable little pond. In the summer, it dries up into a gorgeous emerald green grassy bowl. While I wouldn’t recommend lying in there, as it’s a bit murky still, I’d highly recommend hanging out at the top of the bowl. Watch birds and bugs dance along the wide open area. This is a great place to meditate, do some yoga, or just lie there and soak up the sun.

Now, everyone’s favorite tucked-away summer oasis, especially on a hot day. If you take the bark dust path down to a little gate, follow it down towards the left, and then hang a right at the second fork, you’ll reach a very humble creek. The first shore you reach is a nice spot indeed. The stream is low, and new areas are opened up along its bed. It grants passage to many logs, great for plopping on and soaking your feet, with enticing crevices for critters. Occasional poets and painters may enjoy its flow. Shoutout to the owl that chills even further up the creek. They’re very friendly.

Last, and by far the most secret, is a mysterious little swimming spot and super mossy forest just off of campus. No, it’s not in someone’s backyard… I think. 

If you follow the path toward the “barn” (see map for details,) you’ll eventually come to another free-parking area, most often used to walk dogs and/or wily children. If you walk down the road there, about 50 feet towards the housing development, you’ll see a small clearing on the right, leading to an old mossy forest. No signs state that visiting this spot is trespassing, so I assume that it’s safe to go there. ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK! Be smart, and bring a buddy, just in case.

If you brave the woods, you’re graced with a surprisingly deep stream, forming a delta full of wonderful bird life and tall grass. Trillium and a blue heron have been spotted there a couple of times, too. You can swim there, fish, soak, or just point and say, “Hey, that’s a nice summer spot!” It’s great… And hopefully not illegal.