WTA's Favorite Hikes Close to Home
Getting outside can be hard to do in the winter. To get that rejuvenating dose of nature and light when it's dark all day, take a page from our playbook and visit a nearby park.
You might already have a favorite local park or greenspace. If not, get started with these recommendations from WTA staff. These are the trails we head to for that moment of calm. They can be midday leg-stretchers or longer weekend rambles.
Some pack many miles of trail into small acreage, so you can create big outings in a little park. Or, you can simply find a quiet spot and sit. Enjoy.
Stimpson Nature Reserve
Closest City: Bellingham
Mileage: 4.9 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 300 feet
Stimpson Nature Reserve. Photo by twokidsbadknees.
Brimming with old-growth forests and wetlands, this nature reserve is a great escape close to the city of Bellingham. A trail system composed of two interconnected loops offers an option between the longer main loop and the shorter Geneva Pond loop.
> Plan your visit to Stimpson Nature Preserve using WTA’s Hiking Guide
Staff Testimonial: "This is one of my family’s favorites up in Bellingham. Stimpson Nature Reserve is 5 minutes outside of town and is a lovely short loop through old-growth. Another favorite, Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve, is only 5 mins down the road and has a lot of loop options, and is really pretty when the leaves start turning." — Jaime Loucky, Chief Impact Officer
Whatcom Falls Park
Closest City: Bellingham
Mileage: 4.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 50 feet
Whatcom Falls Park. Photo by j brink.
A lot of variety is packed into this 4-mile network of trails. Visitors here can experience deep forests, open meadows and creeks and waterfalls. And for a one-of-a-kind feature be sure to check out the stone bridge that overlooks the falls--both the falls and the bridge are works of art.
> Plan your visit to Whatcom Falls Park using WTA’s Hiking Guide
Staff Testimonial: "Whatcom Falls Park has it all, rushing water, lots of wide interconnecting trails for long or short hikes and a large parking lot. And, did I mention rushing water?" — Barbara Budd, Northwest Regional Trails Coordinator
Raptor Ridge from Arroyo Park
Closest City: Bellingham
Mileage: 8.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet
Raptor Ridge. Photo by OneHundredMilesAYear.
Clocking in at 8.0 miles roundtrip, this hike takes visitors through dense forest to a stunning viewpoint.
> Plan your visit to Raptor Ridge from Arroyo Park using WTA’s Hiking Guide
Staff Testimonial: "A nice, forested hike through some of Bellingham’s biggest trees culminates in a spectacular climb through a narrow rock staircase to an exposed overlook of the Cascade Range." — Arlen Bogaards, Northwest Regional Manager
Lowell Riverfront Park Trail
Closest City: Everett
Mileage: 3.0 miles of trails
Elevation Gain: minimal
Lowell Riverfront Park. Photo by ForTheLoveOfTrails.
In addition to being a multi-use trail that's accessible to a variety of trail users, this trail offers access to the stretch of the Snohomish River just before it empties into Puget Sound. Keep an eye out for birds as well as sea creatures swimming up from the mouth of the river.
> Plan your visit to Lowell Riverfront Park Trail using WTA’s Hiking Guide
Staff Testimonial: "I enjoy Lowell Riverfront Park Trail because it's paved, which means my daughter can ride her bike while I walk. I am also fascinated with the little detour off the main trail that you can take to look at the wetlands, and I love watching the waterfall that falls from the pedestrian bridge into the wetlands. It's nifty to think the wetlands are working to make that water clean. This trail is popular with all sorts of folks. I see families with young kids, teenagers, people walking dogs, folks out for a jog, older hikers. It makes me happy to see so many people out enjoying it." —Jessi Loerch, Washington Trails Editor
Evans Creek Preserve
Closest City: Redmond
Mileage: 4.2 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 325 feet
Evans Creek Preserve. Photo by jennekehikes.
WTA built the trail system in this nature preserve just east of Lake Sammamish. Check out the handiwork of so many hardworking volunteers who constructed these ADA accessible trails, and take in the scenery of wetlands, meadows and forests.
> Plan your visit to Evans Creek Preserve using WTA’s Hiking Guide
Staff Testimonial: "Dropping down the trail from the upper parking lot feels like you’re entering another world. The road noise disappears and you are immediately on this lovely set of trails with tall trees and little bridges over flowing creeks that gurgle down the hillside through the understory ferns. Keep going down and across the puncheon decking and wander through the giant skunk cabbage and rhododendrons. Leave the forest behind and break out onto the old farm fields to soak up the sun and smell the blackberries that line the meadows. I love to sit there for a moment looking south and take in the view of the Snoqualmie valley mountain range before I head back up the hill to my car. It’s a lovely loop hike." — Emily Snyder, WTA Crew Leader
BOeing Creek Park
Closest City: Seattle
Mileage: 4.2 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 325 feet
Vivid greens at Boeing Creek Park. Photo by Erika Haugen-Goodman.
Pair Boeing Creek Park with Shoreview for back-to-back walks just west of Shoreline Community College. On offer: some very tall trees, small creeks, and a network of (mostly) good trails with a few ups and downs. Wildflowers, ferns, moss, birds: they are all here.
> Plan your visit to Boeing Creek Park using WTA's Hiking Guide
Washington Park Arboretum Loop
Closest City: SeattleMileage: varies
Elevation Gain: 250 feet
UW Stadium is visible from the boardwalk between Foster and Marsh Islands. Photo by nwroth.
Washington Park has miles of trails, but one of the best things about this park is that it's so close to so many other green spaces. With a little creativity, it's possible to make loops, connect neighborhoods and have a lengthy adventure right in town.
> Plan your visit to Washington Park Arboretum Loop using WTA's Hiking Guide
Staff Testimonial: "During the Stay Home order, I walked to Washington Park on a weekly basis, accessing it a variety of ways. My most adventurous trip wound up being about 10 miles. I included the arboretum, linking up with the trail through Foster and Marsh Island, getting back onto Montlake via the ship canal trail, and then climbing back up towards home via Interlaken and Volunteer Park." — Anna Roth, Hiking Guide Manager
Beaver Lake Preserve
Closest City: Sammamish
Mileage: 1.2 miles, roundtrtip
Elevation Gain: 50 feet
Beaver Lake Preserve. Photo by whitebark.
Beaver Lake Preserve immerses visitors in a forests full of native plants and wetlands where frogs are sure to be swimming.
> Plan your visit to Beaver Lake Preserve using WTA’s Hiking Guide
Staff Testimonial: "Beaver Lake Preserve — 76 acres of wooded forest in Sammamish — offers a short network of family-friendly trails and a picnic area with the opportunity to explore further using the connector trails to Hazel Wolf Wetlands and Soaring Eagle Park." — Krista Dooley, Community Partnerships and Leadership Development Director
May Creek Trail
Closest City: Newcastle
Mileage: 3.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: minimal
May Creek Trail. Photo by noirange.
Follow the rushing water of May Creek through this green space that transports you away from the nearby bustle of the city.
> Plan your visit to May Creek Trail using WTA’s Hiking Guide
Staff Testimonial: "This trail is a ramble in a creek ravine. Even though it’s surrounded by neighborhoods and traffic it seems much farther out. May Creek also has lots of history and connects to more trails in Newcastle and to Cougar Mountain." — Lezlie Cox, Office Manager
CHief Sealth Trail
Closest City: Seattle
Mileage: 4.3 miles, roundtrtip
Elevation Gain: 800 feet
The Chief Sealth trail winds through the hills of south Seattle. Photo by Marley.
This paved route on Beacon Hill is an urban gem! Walk (or bike) four and a half miles of paved trail connecting Jefferson Park with the Kubota Gardens and with expansive views all along the way. You can extend your day by taking a wander around the gardens and marveling at the landscape.
> Plan your visit to Chief Sealth Trail using WTA's Hiking Guide
Point Defiance Park
Closest City: Tacoma
Mileage: 5.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 200 feet
Point Defiance Park. Photo by Criada.
This grand park sits on the very tip of a peninsula jutting out into Puget Sound and has a variety of landscapes, paths, playgrounds and more to keep visitors coming back to find something new each time.
> Plan your visit to Point Defiance Park using WTA’s Hiking Guide
Staff Testimonial: "Point Defiance Park has trails, beaches and views — what’s not to like." — Moleek Busby, Field Operations Senior Manager
Watershed Park
Closest City: Olympia
Mileage: 1.36 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 150 feet
Watershed Park. Photo by schmerica79.
As the name suggests, this park encapsulates a wet environment. A labyrinthine series of wooden boardwalks and bridges float visitors above the creeks and bogs blooming with skunk cabbage.
> Plan your visit to Watershed Park using WTA’s Hiking Guide
Staff Testimonial: "Watershed Park is my favorite spot for a quick walk (or trail run) in Olympia. It's only a short drive from downtown, but once you start meandering down the quiet loop trail, you'll feel transported to somewhere far outside the city. With multiple entry and exit points, it's easy to access and to venture for as little or as long as you like. Plus, it's great for salmonberry foraging in the springtime!" —Rachel Wendling, Communications Coordinator
Cougar Trails
Closest City: Vancouver
Mileage: 6.0 miles of trails
Elevation Gain: 308 feet
Cougar Trails. Photo by BeaverDawg.
These six miles of trails on the Washington State University (WSU) campus in Vancouver are a great place to get some exercise while soaking in forests and fields.
> Plan your visit to Cougar Trails using WTA’s Hiking Guide
Staff Testimonial: "The riparian restoration work along Mill Creek and the deep-forest feel down there is like a little bit of old-growth primeval forest right on campus." — Ryan Ojerio, Southwest Regional Manager
Whipple Creek Park
Closest City: Vancouver
Mileage: 3.1 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 110 feet
Whipple Creek. Photo by knchaika.
It's easy to leave the stress of the city behind when you stroll down these inviting paths that wind under towering old-growth.
Staff Testimonial: "This park feels like a magical old-growth forest in the middle of Vancouver, enough to fully get lost in (I've gone for some runs there that can last well over an hour without even running on the same trails twice), but also accessible enough to take your little kiddo or your elderly dog for a short and magical stroll." — Stasia Honnold, Southwest Regional Trails Coordinator
> Plan your visit to Whipple Creek Park using WTA’s Hiking Guide
Finch Arboretum
Closest City: Spokane
Mileage: 1.25 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: minimal
Finch Arboretum. Photo by James Hawley.
Not far from downtown Spokane, Finch Arboretum is a beautiful place to talk a stroll and learn about the more than 2,000 labeled trees and shrubs that are rooted here.
> Plan your visit to Finch Arboretum using WTA’s Hiking Guide
Staff Testimonial: "Almost all of the trees and shrubs have tags identifying what they are, so visiting is a learning experience. The 'Touch and See Nature Trail' is my favorite part of the park, and the ginkgoes are my favorite trees." — Holly Weiler, Eastern Washington Regional Coordinator
Dishman Hills Natural Area
Closest City: Spokane Valley
Mileage: Loop options vary
Elevation Gain: Loop options vary
Dishman Hills. Photo by TrailKat.
This natural area is extensive and varied, offering what feels like endless hiking opportunities near Spokane Valley.
> Plan your visit to Dishman Hills Natural Area using WTA’s Hiking Guide
Staff Testimonial: "With single-track trails, an intact ecosystem with native plants and lots of wildlife you can almost forget you're in an urban area (until you hear the intercom at the car dealership across Appleway)." — Holly Weiler, Eastern Washington Regional Coordinator