Experience the Outdoors Virtually
Here are some resources to help you experience the great outdoors virtually or in person.
If outside, please practice proper trail etiquette (video) and safe social distancing (6 feet apart and avoid crowds).
Virtual Adventures
Check out the catalog of parks we have right in our own community. You can view park locations, descriptions and amenities. Visit virtually and start making a plan for a future, in-person visit.
You can learn more about our "local" state parks than you ever dreamed of. Learn the history, view their location, activity ideas, purchase passes and permits.
- Be sure to check out the Junior Ranger Program, meet the “critters” and download the activity sheets.
The amazing wonder of these national parks must be experienced.
- Explore Nature Learn about the natural resources in parks, from the rocks under our feet to the sky overhead and everything in between.
- Kids Page National parks are great places to explore anything kids can imagine. Go on an outdoor adventure. Walk in the footsteps of famous people. Take in unique scenery. Explore new interests.
- Science and Research Parks are living laboratories where scientists ask questions and conduct research. Scientists observe and experiment. They learn from interactions of plants and animals in their natural environment.
The Hidden Worlds of the National Parks can not be missed!
- Check out this virtual tour of Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska. You will feel like you are along for the ride! Climb down a crevasse, listen to the water and wind. You can see the beauty and almost feel the experience.
- Ever fly over an active volcano? Experience a lava tube and look out volcanic cliffs in this virtual tour of the Hawaiian Volcanoes.
- Fly with thousands of bats, explore hidden formations and trek by headlamp through a cave in this virtual tour of Carlsbad Canyons.
- Experience Bryce Canyon and gaze up at the night sky, ride horseback through a canyon and see Hoodoos up close.
- Dive a shipwreck, explore the third largest coral reef in the world and tour a civil war-era fort in this tour of Florida's Dry Tortugas.
Virtual Distance Walking
Fitness Apps to track your progress.
- Simulate Hiking the Appalachian Trail If you like to walk and would like to apply your miles to a real destination, than consider downloading the Walk the Distance Phone App.
Birds and More
Bird Watching is gaining in popularity due to the necessity of quiet and can be done anywhere in the world.
- Take a look at the National Audubon Web Pages and begin your backyard birding adventures.
- Learn how to spot and identify birds by site and sound!
- This Beginning Birding Video is hosted by a girl who has been birding her entire life. It's an excellent beginning birding video for all ages.
- Bird Identification App - The Audubon Bird Guide is a free and complete field guide to over 800 species of North American birds, right in your pocket. Built for all experience levels, it will help you identify the birds around you, keep track of the birds you’ve seen, and get outside to find new birds near you.
The Local Audubon Society of the Lower Columbia Basin has a strong fan-based and keeps the community well-informed of local species, programs and activities (when they open back up).
The Blue Mountain Wildlife and Rehabilitation Center has a wonderful website, facebook page and newsletter to preserve local native wildlife and provide education to the community.