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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Skykomish, Washington
Hike to Lake Deer via Lake Dorothy Trailhead
12.6 mi / 1600 ft gainStart off by traveling along Highway 2 and turning towards the Money Creek Campground. Turn off onto Forest Road 6410 and follow that to the Lake Dorothy Trailhead (about 9 miles).This first section of the hike can be pretty crowded on a nice summer day as the trail is very family friendly and it...Read more -
Eatonville, Washington
Hike to Gobbler's Knob
4.05 mi / 1500 ft gainEntering the Park from the Southwest Entrance, bear left when you approach the forking Westside Rd. This road has been closed a few miles in due to massive rockfall. When you reach the road closure, just park along the side of the road. In Spring and Summer, you should be able to see plenty of ot...Read more -
Ashford, Washington
Hike to Upper Palisades Lake
6.6 mi / 1200 ft gainPark at the Sunrise Point parking lot and find the Palisades Trail at the northeast corner of the parking lot. If you bring along a pair of binoculars, you can stop at the first overlook on the left and scan the adjacent mountain slopes for the white dots of mountain goats. Continue down the trai...Read more -
Gold Bar, Washington
Barclay Lake
4.44.4 mi / 607 ft gainWith less than 500 feet of total elevation and 4.4 miles of round trip hiking, the Barclay Lake trail is a perfect hike for beginners, families, or those looking for a quick morning or afternoon jaunt. Yet dont let the simplicity of the hike fool you. The end result of the hike is nothing short o...Read more -
Snoqualmie Pass, Washington
Day Hike to Lila Lakes and Alta Pass
4.312 mi / 3000 ft gainGetting There From Seattle, drive Interstate 90 to Exit 62, Signed Kachess Lake/Stampede Pass. Turn left and head north over the interstate; you'll reach Kachess Lake Campground in five miles. Turn left where the pavements ends and drive four miles on Box Canyon Road (FS Road #4930) to the Rachel...Read more -
Snoqualmie Pass, Washington
Take a Hike Up To Rampart Lakes
5.011 mi / 2200 ft gainGetting There: From I-90 East, take exit 62. Take a left, heading over the highway. After 5.2 miles, the road veers left, passing Lake Kachess Campground. Go another 0.3 miles on the gravel road and take a right at a sign for Rachel Lake/Trail 1313. At this point, the road gets a little rough, bu...Read more -
Snoqualmie Pass, Washington
Hike Alta Mountain
4.012 mi / 3300 ft gainStart off at Trail #1313 to Rachel Lake. The first 2.5 miles is a flat, slow uphill hike till you get to a river crossing. From there, the next 1.3 miles will be a 1,000 foot elevation gain to Rachel Lake. Once you arrive, this is a good spot to rest, eat some snacks, and replenish your water sup...Read more -
Snoqualmie Pass, Washington
Hike to Rachel Lake
4.88 mi / 1600 ft gainThis hike is 8 miles roundtrip, with 1600 feet of elevation gain. Once you're on the trail, it starts heading uphill to help get your heart rate up on the hike. As you enter the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the trail starts to level out. You'll cross a few streams and hike through a fair amount of ve...Read more -
Ashford, Washington
Summerland Trail
5.08.62 mi / 2359 ft gainThe Summerland trail is by far the easiest trail that I ever experienced. The trail is well maintained and for the first 3 miles you are surrounded by trees and the sound of waterfalls and rivers, and it's green everywhere. The last 1.3 miles, you encounter switchbacks and you can get some view...Read more -
Ashford, Washington
Climb Little Tahoma/East Shoulder
17 mi / 7450 ft gainStart from the Summer Land Trail Head at the Fryingpan Creek parking lot just West of the White River Ranger Station in Mount Rainier National Park. Beginning at an elevation of 3,800 feet, you'll head southeast along the Summer Land Trail for 4.5 miles, tracing the Fryingpan Creek. There are a f...Read more