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Summer is a fantastic time to visit Fort Vancouver National Historic Site! There is so much to do and explore. On this page, read about our favorite summer activities at the park, find answers to frequently asked questions, and start planning your trip! Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Are pets allowed? Where can I have a picnic? Are there bathrooms??
A summer trip can raise a lot of questions! Find the answers to frequently asked questions about visiting Fort Vancouver NHS in the summertime below. Starting Memorial Day Weekend, Fort Vancouver, Pearson Air Museum, and the Visitor Center are open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm. National park grounds are open from dawn to dusk. Learn more about operating hours, fees, and more here. Parking is available at two parking lots along East 5th Street and at the Visitor Center lot Tuesday through Saturday. Gated parking lots are open 9 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. Parking is available at the Pearson Air Museum lot from dawn to dusk. Street parking is also available on East Evergreen Boulevard and East 5th Street. There is no fee to park at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. While visiting most of Fort Vancouver NHS is free, there is an entrance fee to Fort Vancouver itself. Interested in buying an America the Beautiful pass? You can do that at the Fort Vancouver Contact Station!
Learn more about fees and passes here. Picnic tables are located in the Great Meadow area of the national park, on the north side of East 5th Street. You are also welcome to spread out a blanket on the Parade Ground, or other green spaces in the park. Please be sure to “leave no trace”! Throw away garbage in nearby bins, and make sure that your picnic area is clean and ready for the next visitors. Learn more about picnicking at Fort Vancouver NHS here.
There are some areas of the national park that are off limits to picnicking, including the East Vancouver Barracks area and many areas south of East 5th Street. Please consult the Superintendent’s Compendium to see a map of these areas. No. Due to concerns about fire hazards and to keep our picnic areas clean and functional for all our visitors, barbecue grills of all kinds are not allowed except with a National Park Service-issued permit. Learn more about permits here. (36 CFR §2.13)
No. Using or possessing fireworks and firecrackers at the national park is prohibited. (36 CFR § 2.38)
Yes! Fort Vancouver National Historic Site’s trails are a great place for a group or solo bike ride. Learn more here.
Skateboards, scooters, roller skates, and other similar devices are allowed on hard surfaces at Fort Vancouver wherever pedestrian traffic is allowed. But there are a few important exceptions! Please do not use skateboards, roller skates, scooters, etc., inside Fort Vancouver, in the Fort Vancouver Garden, on paved taxiways and the Pearson Field runway, or the paved tarmac pads to the west of Pearson Air Museum. (36 CFR § 2.20)
Restrooms are available at Fort Vancouver, Pearson Air Museum, and the Visitor Center during business hours, Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9 am to 5 pm. After hours restrooms are not available.
No. Launching, landing, or operating drones or other unmanned aircraft from Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is prohibited except as approved in writing by the superintendent. (36 CFR § 1.5)
Food and drink is not available for sale at Fort Vancouver NHS, but there are water fountains and water bottle refilling stations. Interior water bottle filling stations and drinking fountains are located at Fort Vancouver, Pearson Air Museum, and the Visitor Center during business hours, Tuesday through Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm. Limited snacks and soft drinks are available for sale at the Army Air Force Post Exchange Convenience Store, located at 754 Vancouver Barracks, open 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday. An exterior drinking fountain is located at the Visitor Center, and is open from dawn to dusk. Fort Vancouver NHS is located near downtown Vancouver, Washington. Learn more about nearby restaurant offerings here. Yes! Please note that pets are not allowed inside park facilities. Please be sure to pick up after your pet and keep them on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Learn more about bringing pets to Fort Vancouver NHS here.
Small scale, single string kites are allowed on the Vancouver Barracks Parade Ground, but are prohibited elsewhere. The launching and flying of large-scale kites, including dual line and quad-line stunt kites, which require the use of ground anchors or direct control by individuals for surfing or exercise and kite skateboarding, skate sailing, or the use of kite buggies are all prohibited. (36 CFR § 1.5) No. The establishing or erecting of play and recreation structures (including bounce facilities, wading pools, slack lines, hammocks, water slides, and volleyball nets) is prohibited. (36 CFR § 1.5)
Yes, but please keep music volume to a minimum so that our visitors can enjoy this historic place! Loud or amplified music is prohibited except by permission of the superintendent. (36 CFR § 1.5)
Fort Vancouver NHS is a great place to bring the whole family! Kids love playing on the playground near the Visitor Center, becoming Junior Rangers, and exploring this urban green space! Take a look at our Trip Ideas for groups with children here.
Yes! Summer is a great time for family gatherings and weddings at the park. Learn more about holding a permitted special event at Fort Vancouver NHS here.
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Last updated: March 27, 2023