Washington

This is a lovely shallow lake for kayaking with spectacular views of Mt Hood and Mt St. Helens on clear days. It’s an ideal spot for beginners to learn water sports including, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding and swimming. There is a beach and park available for those afternoon picnics and nap...

Unveiled in 1990, the Fremont Troll is a quirky Seattle landmark sculpted by Steve Badanes and his team. This 18-foot concrete giant playfully clutches a Volkswagen Beetle under the Aurora Bridge, adding a touch of whimsy to the neighborhood. Originally designed to revitalize a neglected underpas...

Visiting Hat and Boots Park in Seattle's Georgetown neighborhood is a journey through kitschy Americana. This giant roadside attraction, once a gas station, boasts the title of the largest cowboy hat and boots in the country. The hat itself even served as the station's office in the 1950s! After ...

Manastash Ridge is a popular hike in Ellensburg, Washington, attracting many locals and students of Central Washington University. While attending school, I climbed the Ridge a handful of times, always with struggle. After making my resolution of 40 hikes in 2015, I decided to tackle this hike fo...

Dirtyface Lookout is a great half-day hiking adventure with beautiful alpine wildflowers, a cascading waterfall, lake views, and forested trail leading to views of the Glacier Peak Wilderness and Enchantments. There is a forest service fee (or Northwest Forest Pass) to park at the trailhead beh...

Seattle's Pike Place Market holds a quirky treasure – the Gum Wall. Located in an alleyway near the Market Theater, this unexpected art installation is a colorful wall completely covered in used chewing gum. Begun in the 1990s by theater patrons, the gum wall has become a symbol of Seattle's uniq...

The Watmough Bay Trail on Lopez Island, Washington, is a moderate-level hiking trail that stretches for approximately 1.59 miles. The trail is known for its unique natural features, including a prominent cliff face, a pebble beach, and a protected bay. The trail is relatively flat, making it acce...

Stimpson Nature Preserve is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Bellingham, Washington.

The Whatcom Creek Trail Loop offers a scenic 4.1-mile urban wilderness adventure in the heart of Bellingham. This well-maintained trail follows Whatcom Creek through mixed forest, featuring cascading waterfalls, historic industrial sites, and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. The moderat...

The South Beach Trail in Discovery Park is located near Seattle Washington. The trail offers a stunning views of the picturesque South Beach coastline. Starting near historic buildings, this trail is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, with frequent sightings of foxes, rabbits, snakes, and soarin...

Head out to Myrtle Falls in the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park. This trail will take you to a beautiful 72-foot waterfall. This .97-mile hike leads to 72-foot Myrtle Falls with snowy Mt. Rainier in the background. Follow the Skyline or Golden Gate trail and then cross the footbridg...

A short, relatively easy, hike up a forested butte near Rattlesnake Lake. 1.75 miles up with 900 feet of elevation gain, reaching a summit with views toward the north, from Mount Si to Mailbox Peak, and several other peaks in between. Despite such a nice payoff with an easy to get to trailhead, t...

Located in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, the hike to Keekwulee Falls via the Denny Creek Trail is a classic Washington adventure. Just off I-90 near Snoqualmie Pass, this popular trail offers lush forest scenery, cascading waterfalls, and a beloved natural water slide. It’s a great ...

South Bay Trail is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Bellingham, Washington.

While the full Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) road trail can be quite a challenging adventure, the upper section of the trail is perfect for a modest hike or trail run through some beautiful classic PNW forest terrain. Just adjacent to the Middle Fork Road the 3.4-mile trail runs between a sm...

For a serene forest escape in the heart of the Olympic National Forest, the Lower South Fork Skokomish Trail offers a peaceful adventure along one of Washington’s most scenic river valleys. Located just outside of Hoodsport, this trail is known for its lush old-growth forests, river views, and ...