Des Moines, Washington
Looking for the best backpacking in Des Moines? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Des Moines. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Backpacking Spots in and near Des Moines
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Brinnon, Washington
Camp at the Dose Forks
15 mi / 1200 ft gainThe Dose Forks Campground is an overlooked campsite deep within the Olympic National Park, making it a perfect weekend camping destination. A mild, 7.5 mile (one-way) trail delivers you to this enchanting area and is a must for those who love photographing forests. There are no reservation requir...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Kaleetan Lake via Denny Creek Trail
If you want to visit multiple lakes, get a view of or tackle a peak at Kaleetan, Chair, and Bryant, campgrounds for overnight or weekend adventures, fish in the lakes, explore off the trail and natural waterslides and picnic area waterfalls, this is for you. Denny Creek Trail offers it all! Afte...Read more -
Enumclaw, Washington
Snowshoe to Sun Top Peak
12 mi / 2000 ft gainFrom Tacoma, Wa. take Hwy 167 to Hwy 410 and follow that until you get to the Chinook Pass Hwy. Then from there follow this road and take the second Service Road on the right and follow this road until it dead ends. The trail starts on NF-7315. You have to walk this road until you reach the first...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Gem Lake and Wright Mountain
4.710.62 mi / 3107 ft gainThe trail to Gem Lake lies along the same trail that passes by the incredibly popular Snow Lake. While the masses typically stop the first place they can along the shores of Snow Lake, fewer make the short trek from there up to Gem Lake. Park at the giant lots at the end of the road to Alpental (...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Winter Camping at Snow Lake
7.2 mi / 1800 ft gainStarting at the Snow Lake Trail Head you climb up the boot pack or ski track of those before you (hopefully) from ~3120 ft. to ~4400 ft. at the ridge line where Snow Lake becomes visible. If there are no tracks, follow the South Fork Snoqualmie River NE and aim just east of the lowest point of t...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Gem Lake, WA
4.710.4 mi / 2923 ft gainThis hike shares the trailhead for Snow lake at the Alpental Ski area in Snoqualmie Pass. You'll start out with a great warm up, walking through dense green underbrush and a brief wooded area. Before too long the trail increases in inclination slightly and begins to offer up some small rocky sect...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Winter Backpack Below Chair Peak
6 mi / 1500 ft gainHike or snowshoe to the ridge below Chair Peak and above Snow Lake and camp among numerous Snoqualmie Pass peaks.Drive to Snoqualmie Pass WA via I-90 and park at the Alpental parking lot (exit 52). Take the Snow Lake trail, which initially climbs 200 feet with wooden steps and eventually evens ou...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Snow Lake
4.06.24 mi / 1699 ft gainThis hike gets crowded fairly quickly so get there early. The parking lot is very large so parking is not really a problem. There are bathrooms at the very beginning of the trail so I highly suggest using them. However at the top there is also a designated restroom area. Starting at 2600 ft, thi...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Upper Wildcat Lake
1.014.43 mi / 4370 ft gainAlthough this hike is possible if you’re looking for an all-day training hike, it’s much more enjoyable if it’s an overnight backpacking trip. Head up the trail past Snow Lake toward Gem Lake. En route to Snow Lake will be a little crowded, but should lighten significantly as you continue hiking...Read more -
Hoodsport, Washington
Snowshoe Mt. Ellinor's Winter Route
5 mi / 4500 ft gainYou can stat this adventure at one of two trailheads. I suggest using the lower of the two. The start of the trail ascends through a forest of old growth pines with periodic views of Mt Washington. Eventually, at a fork in the trail, you will see a sign marking the start of the winter route. You ...Read more -
Snoqualmie Pass, Washington
Hike-In and Camp at Alaska Lake
Driving Directions: From Seattle drive east on I-90 to exit 54 (signed "Hyak"). Turn left (north) under the freeway and right on the frontage road marked "Gold Creek." After about 0.5 mile turn left (north) on Gold Creek Road (Forest Road 4832), and in another 0.5 mile reach a junction. To the le...Read more -
Quilcene, Washington
Marmot Pass via Big Quilcene Trail
5.010.5 mi / 3481 ft gainThis trail has a nice, steady climb that's perfect for beginner or intermediate backpackers. The first 2.5 miles follow a forest trail along the Big Quilcene River. For the next 3 miles, the trail flows in and out of shaded trees, over a small talus field, and through a meadow before the final ac...Read more -
Quilcene, Washington
Backpack to Marmot and Constance Passes
24 mi / 5200 ft gainThe secret to this trip: Marmot Pass and Boulder Shelter, where you can camp on National Forest Service land. Multiple excellent, large backpacking sites sit just on the edge of the National Park, giving you great access to Mt. Constance and Mt. Deception, two of the tallest peaks in the Olympics...Read more -
Enumclaw, Washington
Backpack Noble Knob via Greenwater Trail
16.9 mi / 3920 ft gainFrom Greenwater heading south: Pass the fire station to FR 70 on the left. Follow FR 70 for about nine miles to FR 7033. Take a right and follow the road to the trailhead. Northwest Forest Pass required. The trail is in good shape and mostly flat to Greenwater Lakes which is great for families a...Read more -
Snoqualmie Pass, Washington
Lillian Lake
5.08.36 mi / 2969 ft gainWe backpacked our way to Lillian Lake and set up camp. There is a trail that lead around the lake and a trail that leads up to Rampart Lakes and Rachael Lake as well. We found a few more camps spots on Lillian Lake, then we noticed that only ONE other camp spot was being used. If you want peace ...Read more -
Skykomish, Washington
Backpack from Dorothy Lake Trailhead to Snoqualmie Lake
18 mi / 1900 ft gainThe trail was not crowded although when we got to Snoqualmie Lake there were only a couple camping spots left. The trail up from Dorothy is not too hard at all. The weather was perfect. After passing Dorothy you have to ford a creek where the bridge has been washed out. We went through it on foot...Read more