Diablo Lake– Hell of a lake, but not a devil of a hike

Padilla Bay Dike Trail–shore fine hike in the Skagit Valley

January 29, 2026 |

Quick Facts: Location: Skagit County Land Agency: Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Roundtrip: 4.8 miles Elevation Gain: 30 feet Contact: Padilla Bay NERR Access: From Burlington (exit 231 on I-5) proceed through roundabouts and head west on Josh Wilson Road for 6.4 miles. Upon entering the village of Bay View turn left onto 2nd Street…

Vancouver Lake Regional Park

January 22, 2026 |

Volcano views and excellent birdwatching just west of downtown Vancouver, WA Quick Facts: Location: Vancouver, WA Land Agency: Clark County Parks Round Trip: 3.0 miles of trails Elevation Gain: minmal Contact: Vancouver Lake Regional Park Detailed Information: Urban Trails Vancouver WA (Mountaineers Books) Notes: year round parking fee of $5.00; Dogs permitted on-leash and prohibited…

Yost Park– Slice of Nature in the heart of Edmonds

January 15, 2026 |

Quick Facts: Location: Edmonds Land Agency: Edmonds Parks and Recreation Department Roundtrip: About 1.5 miles of trails Elevation Gain: up to 300 feet Contact: Edmonds Parks and Recreation Access: From Everett or Seattle take I-5 to Exit 179. Then head west on 220th Street SW for 2.1 miles. Turn right and head north on 96th Ave…

Lake Padden Park- big trees and placid lake minutes from bustling Bellingham

January 1, 2026 |

Quick Facts: Location: Bellingham Distance: more than 9.0 miles of trails Elevation Gain: up to 600 feet Contact: City of Bellingham Park Map: Square One Maps Chuckanut Recreation Area Notes: on-leash and off-leash trails Trailhead directions: From Bellingham follow I-5 south to Fairhaven Exit 252. Then continue south on Samish Way for 2.3 miles turning…

Dockton Forest and Maury Island Natural Area — Explore Vashon Island’s grand park

December 18, 2025 |

Quick Facts: Location: Vashon Island Land Agency: King County Parks Round Trip: More than 10 miles of trails Elevation Gain: up to 450 feet Contact: King County Parks Detailed Information: Urban Trails Seattle (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Dogs allowed on leash Access: From Seattle take Washington State Ferry from Fauntleroy (West Seattle) to Vashon Island Ferry…

Squaxin Park─ Make it your mission to hike this park

December 11, 2025 |

Quick Facts: Location: Olympia, Washington Land Agency: City of Olympia Parks and Recreation Roundtrip: 2.5 miles Elevation Gain: 300 feet Notes: Dogs must be on a leash. Access: From Lacey, follow I-5 south to Olympia taking Exit 105B to Plum Street. From Tumwater, follow I-5 north to Olympia taking Exit 105. Turn right onto Henderson…

Cranberry Lake Trail—A sweet little hike on Camano Island

November 27, 2025 |

Quick Facts: Location: Camano Island Land Agency: Washington State Parks Roundtrip: 2.2 miles Elevation Gain: 125 feet Contact: Cama Beach State Park Notes: Discover Pass required; Dogs must be leashed Recommended Guidebook: Urban Trails Everett (Mountaineers Books) Access: From Exit 212 on I-5, travel west on SR 532 to Camano Island to a junction at 10.0 miles.…

Sultan River Canyon Trail

November 13, 2025 |

A near yet remote canyon housing big trees and a wild stretch of river Quick Facts: Location: Sultan Basin Land Agency: Snohomish County Public Utility District Roundtrip: 4.4 miles Elevation Gain: 850 feet Green Trails Map: Mountain Loop Highway 111SX Access: From Everett follow US 2 east to Sultan. At a traffic light just past Milepost 23 turn left onto…

Moss Lake Natural Area

October 30, 2025 |

Extensive peat bog teem with flora and fauna Quick Facts: Location: Snoqualmie Valley Distance: 3.0 miles of trails Elevation Gain: minimal Contact: King County Parks Recommended Guidebook: Urban Trails Eastside (Mountaineers Books) Notes: dogs welcome on leash Trailhead directions: Use your phone App to map to Moss Lake Natural Area 35646 NE Moss Lake Rd,…