Ross Lake Resort has a series of floating cabins on fjord-like waters. The reservoir extends some 20 miles north of Ross Dam into Canada, opening a wonder-world to families – fishing, canoeing, hiking, and camping. It’s open from June into October. (206-386-4437)
While in Skamania County, take a tour of the Bonneville dam and jump aboard a sternwheeler for a “little skippers cruise,” where kids’ tickets are half regular price. Call Mount St. Helens Visitor Center at 360-274-2100.
Can’t keep the kids out of the water? Campbell’s Resort on Lake Chelan offers packages that include a deluxe waterfront room, free meals for kids 12 and under, passes to Slidewaters water park and free transportation to and from the park (800-553-8225, 509-682-2561 or www.campbellsresort.com). The resort also offers children’s fishing classes, Monart drawing classes, swimming lessons, and evening campfire entertainment by jugglers and magicians.
Paddle around in a three-person kayak! Outdoor Odysseys out of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island takes families on kayaking adventures. Kids as young as 5 can take a three-hour tour to Dinner Island to spot marine animals such as Harbor Seals and very rare Minke Whales. One day trips and 35-day trips are also available for older kids and provide excellent whale watching opportunities. Call 800-647-4621, 206-361-0717, or visit www.outdoorodysseys.com for more information.
San Juan Safaris offers Family Kayaking Tours for children 6 and above - no experience required. Whale Watching & Wildlife Tours depart daily from both Roche Harbor and Friday Harbor. Owners indicate they see orca whales over 90% of the tours out! Call 800-450-6858, 360-378-1323 or visitwww.sanjuansafaris.com
Potholes Reservoir State Park offers something quite remarkable for teens – a chance to camp in the desert and canoe or waterski between sand dunes and islands. Fishing and wildlife watching here are excellent. Wave runner and kneeboard rentals are available at nearby businesses (509-346-2528).
In the blustery but totally rad Columbia Gorge, you can rent everything you need and take lessons to prepare for sail-boarding.
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort north of Forks on the Olympic Peninsula is a family-oriented woodsy hideaway with soaking and swimming pools. From the resort, an easy walk through big conifers leads to gorgeous Sol Duc Falls. (360-327-3583 or www.northolympic.com/solduc)