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Explore Washington State

Recreation

Washington State Outdoor Recreation

Washington State has more terrain for outdoor recreation than most people ever fully explore. Within a few hours of any major city, you can be on a remote alpine trail, launching a kayak into a calm bay, or skiing powder in the Cascades. The variety here is genuinely extraordinary and it rewards people who are willing to look a little further than the usual bucket list destinations.

This section covers the active side of exploring Washington. You will find trail reports and hiking guides, state park reviews, tips for water access points, winter recreation routes, coastal walks, wildlife viewing spots, and the kind of outdoor stops that are worth adding to any road trip. Every post is written by someone who made the trip and came back with a real opinion rather than a press release.

Whether you are planning a technical summit, a family friendly day hike, or just looking for a quiet beach walk, the content here covers a wide range of skill levels and seasons. Washington has something worth getting outside for in every month of the year.

Browse recent posts below, or use the activity and county tags to filter by what you are looking for. There is always more out there than most people get around to finding.

Recent Recreation Articles

Showing 37 to 48 of 156 articles
Fishing In Washington State
Nathan Berry · June 6, 2024

We are truly fortunate to live in Washington state, where we are surrounded by beautiful land and beautiful water, which means abundant fishing opportunities! I have been fishing in Washington since I was about 6 years old. This article will highlight the many fishing opportunities available in the greater Seattle area year-round! A fishing trip...

Visiting Mount St. Helens With Kids
Danielle Wood · June 3, 2024

Washington State has many amazing, beautiful places to visit, but none are quite as unique as Mount St. Helens. Before its eruption in 1980, Mount St. Helens stood tall and prominent in the western Washington sky. While not able to offer the same views today, Mount St. Helens still boasts extraordinary scenery and a landscape...

Spending a Weekend at Lake Chelan
Julie Sojot · May 29, 2024

Looking for a destination that has it all? Then look no further than spending a weekend at Lake Chelan. From recreation adventures (both in the mountains and on the water) to wineries, breweries, nearby U-Pick farms, shopping and everything in between — Lake Chelan has it all. Lake Chelan Lake Chelan is a 50.5-mile long...

Kayaking Rentals and Tours in Washington
Lexi Wicks · May 28, 2024

So, you want to go kayaking but you don’t want to have to invest in all the gear? No problem! There are places to rent kayaks and other gear all over Washington state, giving you access to many places to paddle. With so many experiences and landscapes to explore, seeing Washington state from the water...

Five Amazing Dog-Friendly Cabins in Washington
Natalie Uy and Bryan Holand · May 26, 2024

After a busy work week, we love going into the mountains to recharge. The best part about living in Seattle is that there are plenty of cabins and hiking trails in the mountains nearby. We always love traveling with our dog, Nike, and make a special point to find dog-friendly places (because dog lovers are...