Epic adventures around Seattle

Nicknamed the Emerald City due to its lush surrounding landscapes, Seattle has plenty of outdoor spaces waiting to be discovered.

With summer on the horizon, mountain lovers, hikers and island hoppers can unlock a host of natural adventures within easy reach of the city. Check out some of the best:

Lake Life

Lake Washington

A great spot for paddle boarding due to the calmness of the water, Lake Washington is one of the most relaxing spots in Seattle. Beginners can learn stand up paddle whilst enjoying spectacular views of Mount Rainier. It’s recommended to head to Matthews Beach Park, St. Edward State Park or Sand Point for easy launch sites. Be careful in the afternoon as it can get a little gusty across the lake.

Lake Union

Famed for its houseboat population and surrounding city skyline, Lake Union is a must visit when in Seattle. Travelers can rent a kayak and take in the neighboring houseboat properties and views of the Space Needle. An alternative is to take a Lake Union cruise or hire a boat to get out on the open water. Also visit Gas Works Park, an urban park with stellar views of the city skyline and the lake – some might even recognise it from the popular film 10 Things I Hate About You which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

Forest Finds

Mount Baker: Snoqualmie National Forest

Just an hour outside of Seattle, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is verdant natural oasis. Located on the west side of the Cascades between the Canadian border and Mount Rainier National Park, it boasts lush greenery and mountain meadows. The year-round recreational opportunities are endless but summer is a particularly good for hiking, fishing, river rafting and bird watching. There are also a number of campgrounds.

Hoh Rain Forest: Olympic National Park

Located within the Olympic National Park peninsula opposite Seattle, Hoh Rain Forest is one of the largest temperate rain forests in the US. Tucked away from highways and commercial flight paths, Hoh Rain Forest is the quietest spot in all of North America, meeting the criteria of having a noise-free interval of at least 15 minutes. The rainforest is home to towering trees adorned with moss and ferns, and multiple trails.

Breathtaking National Parks 

Mount Rainier National Park

For a quintessential Pacific Northwest experience, a day trip to Mount Rainier National Park offers some of the best opportunities for adventure and learning, all just a two-hour drive from the city. The mountain has epic valleys, waterfalls and subalpine meadows. At 14,410ft, Mount Rainier has more than 130 trails to explore on foot, ranging from easy to challenging, but all with scenic views.

North Cascades National Park

A 2.5-hour drive from the city centre, North Cascades National Park is home to more than a third of the glaciers in the lower 48 US states. With towering summits and broad lakes, the park boasts accessible waterfall hikes, alpine meadows and a range of wildlife. On the west side sits Ross Lake and Diablo Lake, whilst east is home to the green wilderness of Okanogan National Forest. Winding through the park are trails to trek, which journey through ageing forests and meadows. Here, visitors can spot chipmunks, marmots and pikas.

Island Hopping 

San Juan Island

Across the water from Seattle are the San Juan Islands, an archipelago of 172 different islands, one of the biggest of which is San Juan Island itself. Accessible via a ferry from downtown Seattle, San Juan Island offers a picturesque harbor, sweeping fields with livestock and vineyards where visitors can sample a variety of different wines. With historic lighthouses and sweeping fields of lavender, the Island is an ideal spot for those looking to relax and enjoy a slower pace of life.

Bainbridge Island

Entirely surrounded by salt water and famed for its outstanding natural beauty, Bainbridge Island is a popular destination for day trippers. Travelers can wander around the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, visit one of the six wineries, or try watersports such as kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding. Bainbridge Island also has a fantastic culinary scene, from farm-to-fork restaurants to local coffee roasters.

For more information, please visit: https://visitseattle.org/ 

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