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.
If you’re seeking fresh air and nature’s beauty and you don’t want to go too far – Squires Lake is an ideal hike to explore! Looking to breathe in fresh air and enjoy nature’s beauty with only an hour or two to spare? Check out Squires Lake! Nestled near the south end of the Chuckanut…
This past year was more than enjoyable for many people. Most were fearful of the new COVID-19 illness, while others escaped into the glorious outdoors. What did you do? What about your children? Us adults, well, we have experienced more life. We do better at understanding what might be going on and rolling with the…
UPDATE FEBRUARY 19, 2025 The trailhead for Franklin Falls has been closed due to lack of funding by the federal government. Resting between the north and south lanes of I-90 lies an idyllic scene, full of cedar and pine that seem to stretch miles into the sky and views of the mighty Snoqualmie River. On…
We’ve all done it; made a lofty New Year’s resolution and abandoned it by mid-March, if not sooner! On Jan. 1, 2020 I made a resolution to complete 52 hikes in a year. With my trusty trail runners, leggings and a hoodie I set off to hike Talapus Lake. I made it to the lake,…
Offering unbelievable mountain views from the parking lot, Artist Point is the jumping-off point for many summer hiking and backpacking adventures. Winter is another story. When the road to the top is closed due to snow, Artist Point becomes the destination rather than the launchpad. The only other people you’ll see up there are fellow…
Baby, it’s cold outside, but you and Fido need some outdoor exercise. Don’t let cold weather keep you or your dog cooped up during the winter months. Bundle up and explore these seven “Fido Friendly” trails in southwest Washington’s Grays Harbor County. Leashed dogs are welcome at all of these sites. Aberdeen 1. Johns River…
In September, my wife Regan and I had planned a hike in the North Cascades but a spate of wildfires made that hike impossible. When the smoke cleared two days into what was to have been a five-day trip, we decided to cross a shorter hike off our bucket list and set out for a…
Mount Rainier National Park is considered to be one of the snowiest places on Earth, having averaged more than 640 inches of snow per year between 1920 and 2011. In the winter it truly is a winter wonderland. With the seasonal tourists gone, it’s easy to find isolation in the wintertime. Exploring Rainier in the…
It was nearly a decade ago when social media became more of a regular part of my life. I had used social media for a few years at that point, limited maybe to one or two platforms. Once I was in college meeting TONS of new people, I found myself downloading every app I could…
When you have a window of opportunity, you take the window. Oregon Butte Lookout had been on my hiking list for the last few years and other adventures kept pushing it aside. Recently, after watching the weather for a week, the option of this hike came back on my radar. Based on what I was…
With autumn leaves falling all around us, the ticking clock that signals the end of golf season is fast approaching. Though it doesn’t often snow in Vancouver, the winter is usually accompanied by dreary rain, motivating people to stay indoors most of the time. If you’re looking to make the most of the remaining sun…
Nestled on the Southern end of the Olympic Peninsula is the atmospheric Quinault Rain Forest. Home of moss-covered trees, formidable peaks and the pristine Lake Quinault, this is a classic coastal destination for locals and visitors alike. The rainforest offers a myriad of possibilities for recreation, but a bike ride around Lake Quinault Loop Road…
