Camping and biking

Looking for an intense in-tents experience? We’ve got you covered

The Quincy Lakes area offers public, dry camping with portable toilets. The Quincy Lakes area offers around 20 lakes to visit.

To get to the lakes from Quincy, take Highway 281 south five miles to County Road 5 NW. Turn west and drive three miles to Road T Northwest. Turn south on that gravel road. Proceed south a half mile to the gate at the main entrance of the wildlife area. The east side of the wildlife area can be accessed via Highway 281 from Road 3 Northwest.

Grant PUD manages several year-round campgrounds on the Columbia River. Visit Crescent Bar Recreation Area, Priest Rapids Recreation Area Campground, Sand Hollow Campground, Jackson Creek, Rocky Coulee and Buckshot. Some of these campgrounds have very specific rules, so be sure to visit www. grantpud.org/visit-us to learn more about each spot. Some of these campgrounds may have fees, quiet hours, allow no pets or larger campers, or have a limit on the number of days you may stay, depending on the time of year.

Gorge Amphitheatre Campground, Wildhorse Campground, as well as a variety of camping options are available for visitors to the amphitheater. Go to www.tourgrantcounty. com.

Biking and rock climbing

Many of the trails around the Quincy Valley are suitable for off-road bicycles. Road racers can enjoy cycling through Quincy Valley’s variable farmland on the many paved county roads. We advise that you remain alert to passing traffic, given the high number of sizeable vehicles that travel around and across the Valley every day.

The Quincy Valley has hundreds of miles of trails for biking, many of which are open year-round. Some of the best trails are found at the Quincy Lakes Wildlife Area, where trails meander through the same landscape that was formed by ancient floodwaters that carved breathtaking vistas and valleys. Its variety of wildflowers and plentiful sunshine make a ride through the Quincy Lakes Wildlife Area a unique experience.

Another prime spot for you and your mountain bike is the Nature Conservancy’s property north of Quincy, at the 4,788-acre Beezley Hills Preserve.

To reach Beezley Hills Preserve from Quincy, head east on Highway 28. Near the eastern edge of town, turn north on Columbia Way, which curves into Road P NW, also known as Monument Hill Road. Go 7.1 miles and park next to the access road for a communications tower at the top of the hill. On the south side of the road, there is a gate into the Beezley Hills Preserve.

According to the Washington Trails Association, the terrain is best suited for beginners and intermediate bikers. The terrain is easy, but there is no signage. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the trail, but mountain bikes are OK. Visit www.wta. org for more information and trip reports. You may also visit Trailforks.com.

The Feathers near Vantage, amazing basalt columns formed millions of years ago, draw rock climbers year-round. Described by the climbing website Mountain Project (www. mountainproject.com) as “Beginner Central,” The Feathers are climbable on both the north and south ends, allowing for most weather conditions. The Feathers, (elevation; 1,115 feet) are off of Interstate 90 at exit 143. Take the old Highway 10 down toward the Columbia River. The Feathers are adjacent to the first parking and camping area found in the Frenchman Coulee area.