Bellingham, Washington

Obstruction Pass State Park is something of a hidden gem on Orcas Island given that its nearby neighbor, Moran State Park, gets most of the tourist attention. What this means is that you can find solitude and quiet, *and* make a visit to the only publicly owned beach on the island. There are seve...

It may be daunting to figure out how to kayak in the San Juan Islands.If you're a beginner/intermediate kayaker, this is the trip for you.First, you'll want to plan ahead and reserve a kayak for Sucia Island. We used Outer Island Expeditions which was nice because they make it pretty easy for you...

The nine primitive campsites and one Cascadia Marine Trail campsite of Obstruction Pass State Park are the only first come, first serve campsites available on Orcas Island. The campsites themselves overlook a fantastic (and accessible beach) and Obstruction Pass itself. There are four composting ...

From Washington Park in Anacortes, Washington we launched our 19' Beachcraft with a deep hull into Puget Sound on a beautiful blue sky morning. The weather and water was favorable for an overnight adventure to Blakely Island! We made our way across Rosario Straight and toward James Island (20 mi...

No visit to the San Juan Islands is complete without taking a whale watching tour and Rosario Harbor on Orcas Island is uniquely situation to allow for trips east into the Rosario Straight, south into Lopez Sound, or west into the Haro Straight. Such flexibility is useful when on the looking for ...

The easiest way to explore this area is through Outer Island Excursions, which offers a 3-hour kayaking tour from Smuggler’s Villa Resort on Orcas Island (they also offer various tours of the surrounding islands).The tour begins with a paddle down the North Shore of Orcas Island to Point Doughty ...

To start this hike, jump on trail 215 for a short distance of about a 1/4 mile. From here, continue until you cross trail 320 and head left onto it. Stay on 320 until you come across trail 230.Take 230 uphill (resembles an old fire road) toward the ravine just above a creek. From here, head onto ...

If you're looking for a weekend camping getaway to a small San Juan Island and you have a boat of substantial size or experience sea kayaking, this is the adventure for you!Launch your boat from Washington Park in Anacortes and cruise or sea kayak across Rosario Straight to James Island. There i...

Redwood Park is large beautiful forested park in South Surrey. The park is a legacy of one of Surrey's early pioneer's, David Brown, who in 1893 gave the property to his twin sons, David and Peter. The Brown twins spent much of their life traveling the world collecting the seeds and saplings of e...

It's just a short walk to the beach on this protruding point in Lopez Sound, and all downhill. Immediately upon leaving the trailhead, you come to a junction. Turn right and make a beeline straight for the picnic area at the base of the Spit.Time to explore the Spit. If the tide is high, stick to...

Skagit Valley is an important agricultural region of Washington State, but the prettiest time of year to attend is during the spring when flower season takes hold. Daffodils first, then tulips, and then irises bloom and cover fields as far as the eye can see. The Skagit Tulip Festival is held eve...

Starting at the parking area, there is a roughly 2 mile hike through the woods. Depending on which route you take, you will suddenly end up at one of many incredible view points looking West at the Olympic Mountains, open ocean, and the San Juan Islands. In some areas you will be about 150 feet a...

One of the best routes to add to your itinerary when exploring Deception Pass State Park, one of Washington’s most popular year-round camping, hiking, and kayaking destinations; The Lottie Point Loop trail is a great offshoot of a larger trail system that takes you across soaring cliffsides and a...

The Lighthouse Point Trail is yet another offshoot of Deception Pass Park’s wonderful trail system, which weaves itself through the northern corners to the southern ends of the park’s expansive walking paths. Perfect for families and for adventurers just getting their hiking legs warmed up for th...

THE TRAIL: On the north side of the bridge, you'll come across Rosario Rd. Take this down to the Bowman Bay parking lot and your trailhead begins here. Take a moment to walk out on the fishing pier or watch what people are catching before you continue south on the trail towards Lottie Bay/Lightho...

Starting from the Rosario Beach parking lot, the trail heads out past a large recreation area for families and into a wooded area leading up to Rosario Head.  At this point in the trail there are beaches on either side that provide a great opportunity to explore some tidal pools. If you choose to...