Go wild in Washington: A guide to getting outdoors in the Evergreen State
The Pacific Northwest is an astonishing land of ancient forests, rugged coastlines, soaring peaks and crisp, clean air. At the region’s heart lies the US State of Washington, bordered by North American neighbours Oregon to the south, Idaho to the east and the Canadian province of British Columbia to the north, while the vast Pacific Ocean rolls in along its breathtakingly beautiful western shores.
Not to be confused with Washington DC, the United States’ capital city on the east coast, the State of Washington is a wonderfully wild world away, with more than 14,85 square kilometres of diverse landscapes providing a year-round playground for adventure-seekers and lovers of the great outdoors.
Hip Seattle is an exciting, accessible gateway to the state’s infinite natural wonders, with more than 22 flights a week from London and Dublin to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and Amtrak offering stunning rail journeys from King Street Station to destinations across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
After a few days discovering Seattle’s iconic landmarks like the Space Needle with 360 degree views and the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), or easing into the city’s legendary coffee culture (this may be the birthplace of mega-brand Starbucks, but independent roasters and eclectic cafés abound), head out to explore the wilder corners of the Evergreen State. Here’s why Washington should be high on your travel list…
Make your way into the mountains
“The mountains are calling and I must go,” wrote Scottish-born American naturalist and author, John Muir, and you’ll hear Washington State’s spectacular peaks beckoning at every turn. While the Cascade Mountains and Mt. Baker Ski Area offer endless opportunities for snow sports in winter, including snowmobiling and snowshoeing, the spring and summer months (mid-March to the end of August) see miles of mountain trails open up to campers, hikers and mountain bikers.
In Mount Rainier National Park – named after the park’s 4,390 metre-high active volcano – dazzling wildflowers paint the alpine meadows from mid-July, and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument has miles of walking and cycling trails, and an other-worldly subterranean lava tube to explore in Ape Cave.
Be wowed by waterfalls
Spring is a magical time to visit the State of Washington, as the mountain snow melts to form towering waterfalls, which tumble into crystalline rivers and lakes.
Four hours southeast of Seattle, Palouse Falls State Park Heritage Site offers panoramic views of the cascades from three viewpoints, as water plunges into a deep basalt gorge, plus exciting hiking around its rugged rim. A birdwatcher’s dream, you’ll find ospreys and Bullock’s orioles here along the river, while golden eagles soar overhead.
To the east, near the border with Idaho, powerful forces of nature merge with Indigenous culture and history at Spokane Falls, where A Place of Truths Plaza honours the Native American Spokane Tribe, and highlights the importance of preserving the Spokane River.
Lose yourself at the lakes
Whether you’re a keen swimmer, or prefer to stay dry in a kayak, Washington’s north-central Trails and Lakes region, east of the Cascade Mountains, definitely makes a splash, with vast crystal-clear glacial pools and historic Gold Rush towns like Winthrop welcoming visitors with Old-West charm after hiking or biking the trails.
Lake Chelan State Park is a hub for water-based adventures with boating, kayaking, water-skiing and hydro-biking all available on the state’s longest, largest and deepest lake, which stretches for 80km and reaches a depth of some 450 metres.
Summer transforms the Spokane region into a freshwater wonderland, with the Spokane River and 76 lakes including Spokane and Liberty – making perfect spots for picnicking and getting out on the water. Clear-blue Lake Wenatchee, near the Bavarian-style alpine town of Leavenworth, has kayak and paddle board rentals, while Rimrock Lake on the White Pass Scenic Byway draws swimmers and sailors, and cross-country skiers in winter.
Wind through wine country
Can’t decide whether to go for an adrenalin-pumping bike ride along the river, or spend a relaxing few hours exploring Washington’s Wine Country? In the Evergreen State you can do both. The country’s first AVA (American Viticulture Area), Yakima Valley AVA, was designated in 1983, and is one of the few places in the USA where you can have adventures in the snow, hike, bike and tour a vineyard, all in one day.
Washington now has more than 1,000 licensed wineries, along with excellent cideries and breweries. Tour the Walla Walla Valley with a bike tour to try some award-winning reds, or join a horseriding tour through the vineyards of Yakima Valley before dining at one of the region’s farm-to-table restaurants.
Recreate responsibly
Washington’s wild beauty inspires mindful travel, while the state’s endless opportunities for outdoor adventure encourage visitors to reconnect with nature, wildlife and themselves.
Choosing to visit Washington’s three iconic national parks – Mount Rainier, Olympic and North Cascades – in the quieter shoulder seasons (April to June and September to October) lessens the load on the land and provides better wildlife viewing opportunities – black bears, bobcats and coyotes all roam here. You’ll benefit from fewer crowds, less traffic and the cooler temperatures, too.
Leave a lighter footprint by wandering some of Washington’s less-trodden paths in the state parks and national forests, and by choosing human-powered adventures like hiking, biking and kayaking, which help you to cut down on your carbon count, while immersing yourself in some of the wildest landscapes on Earth.
For more inspiration, head over to the official State of Washington Tourism.
