Tunes and Trails: Festival Hikes Around the State
Note for 2022 - Some festivals may be cancelled for the 2022 season, but hiking is still an option. Check trip reports and recreate responsibly on these trails.
Summer in the Northwest feature outdoor music festivals, where you can listen to your favorite musical artists (and discover new ones) as you drift between stages with gorgeous landscapes as your backdrop. And as with so many places in Washington, hikes are never far away, but it can be hard to hike once you get camp set up on the festival grounds.
So we put together a few recommendations of where to hike on your way to and from the festival — whether you want to stretch your legs on the way to the show, or come back after the crowds are gone to enjoy the surroundings, sans soundtrack.
Hike safely and go lightly on the land
Remember, whether you venture out for a break from the crowds or plan to revisit these locations later, it's important to always head out with the Ten Essentials, and to practice Leave No Trace.
Volume: The Inlander's Music Festival
Spokane: May - June | Festival cancelled for 2022
Some rapids at Riverside State Park in Spokane. Photo by Susan Elderkin.
Riverside State Park
Location: Eastern Washington -- Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
Visit during the festival: There are many different options at this park just outside of Spokane. Take a break from the crowds at the race and hike the Bowl and Pitcher trail, the Deep Creek Canyon trail, or the Little Spokane River trail. If you don't want to get quite that far out of town, try the Spokane Centennial Trail, accessible from many different trailheads.
> Plan your trip to Riverside State Park
Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail
Location: Eastern Washington -- Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
Mileage: 37.0 miles, one-way
Elevation Gain: 600 feet
Visit during the festival: If you don't want to get quite that far out of town, try the Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail, accessible from many different trailheads. Hike or bike along the Spokane River, and with 37 miles of trail, your journey can be as long or as short as you want it to be.
> Plan your trip to the Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail
Capitol Hill Block Party
Seattle: July
Stop by Pike Place Market during your urban hiking through Seattle. Photo by wafflesnfalafel.
washington Park arboretum
Location: Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
Mileage: 50 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 50 feet
Visit during the festival: If you're feeling ambitious it is possible to walk to the arboretum from Capitol Hill -- but it's a long walk. Have good shoes and allow several hours to get there and back. On the other hand, it's a great way to snag some quiet minutes with your thoughts in between sets.
> Plan your trip to the Washington Park Arboretum
Elliot Bay Trail
Location: Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
Mileage: 10.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: minimal
Visit during the festival: This paved urban trail will take you along the Elliot Bay shoreline and is open to walkers, runners and bike riders. The Elliot Bay trail provides a splendid alternative to walking the main city streets of Seattle. You can stop by the Olympic Sculpture Park and Myrtle Edwards Park along the way.
> Plan your trip to the Elliot Bay Trail
Timber! Music Fest
Carnation: July
Photo by Jason Neuerberg.
Snoqualmie Valley Trail
Location: Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
Mileage: 32.0 miles, one-way
Elevation Gain: minimal
Visit during the show: If you need a break from all the excitement, take a hike or a bike ride on the mostly flat Snoqualmie Valley Trail. The summer is a good time to look for wildflowers like blackberry, elderberry, pea, daisy, buttercup and wild rose on this old railroad grate.
> Plan your trip to the Snoqualmie Valley Trail
Tolt-Macdonald Park
Location: Puget Sound and Islands -- Seattle-Tacoma Area
Mileage: 12.0 miles, roundtrip
Visit during the show: Timber! isn't just a music festival -- there are plenty of activities for kids and adults to explore the outdoors. Go on a guided hike/activity by pre-registering for one of the festival's organized adventures. Or, if you prefer, simply take a nice stroll along the banks of the mighty Snoqualmie River
> Plan your trip to Tolt-Macdonald Park
Northwest String Summit
Hornings Hideout: July
Photo by pdxymsb
Paradise Point State Park
Location: Southwest Washington -- Lewis River Region
Mileage: 1.0 mile, roundtrip
Stop by on the way: Disc golf, swimming, short hiking trails through old-growth trees and a waterfall are just off of I-5 in this hidden gem of a hideout. Camp here on your drive down to Oregon, or just take a walk to check out the disc golf course under the freeway!
> Plan your trip to Paradise Point State Park
Doe Bay Fest
Orcas Island: August
Photo by Brandon Milner.
Moran State Park - Mountain Lake
Location: Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
Mileage: 3.9 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 50 feet
Visit during the show: You'll be staying in Olga, WA for Doe Bay, and this peaceful lake is just a short drive from the resort. This family-friendly hike is great for festival-goers who are bringing little ones. If you don't want to camp at the show, stay in Moran State Park and relax in the early morning peace and quiet!
> Plan your trip to Moran State Park - Mountain Lake
Moran State Park - Mount Constitution via Mountain Lake
Location: Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands
Mileage: 6.7 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1500 feet
Visit during the show: After you’ve enjoyed you’re leisurely stroll around Mountain Lake, you can take a drive up to the top of Mount Constitution for some stunning views. If you’re up for more of a challenge, you can take the 1500-foot climb up to the top of Mount Constitution instead. However you get there, you will be greeted with exhilarating views of Puget Sound, the Olympics and the Cascades.
> Plan your trip to Moran State Park - Mount Constitution via Mountain Lake
Summer Meltdown
Whitehorse Amphitheatre: August
Photo by Dan Zelazo.
North Fork Sauk River
Location: North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
Mileage: 11.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1000 feet
Stop by on the way: If you're ready for a leg-stretcher, take a stroll along the North Fork Sauk. Walk for long as you like -- 11 miles is possible, but if time is running out or you just need a breather, a couple of miles on this gently rolling trail is just the ticket. Splash in the river but don't fall down!
> Plan your trip to North Fork Sauk River
Rockport State Park
Location: North Cascades -- North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
Mileage: 3.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 250 feet
Stop by on the way: If you're coming from Highway 20, don't miss this state park at the turn-off for Highway 530. It's full of family-friendly trails for the family-friendly Summer Meltdown Festival.
> Plan your trip to Rockport State Park
THING
Fort Worden: August
The beach at Fort Worden State Park. Photo by Hikeczar.
Fort Worden State Park - Point Wilson
Location: Olympic Peninsula -- Hood Canal
Mileage: 2.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: minimal
Visit during the festival: There are over 11 miles of hiking trails to explore at Fort Worden State Park. Point Wilson is only a short ways away from the festival stages. Enjoy a two and a half mile walk along the fine sandy beach between Fort Worden State Park and the Point Wilson Lighthouse.
> Plan your trip to Fort Worden State Park - Point Wilson
FORT Townsend Historical STATE PARK
Location: Olympic Peninsula -- Northern Coast
Mileage: 6.5 miles of trails
Stop by on the way: Take a self-guide tour of this historic marine camping park along Port Townsend Bay. Be sure to grab a map before you go exploring the interpretive trails through the stunning forest, and immerse yourself in the area’s military history.
> Plan your trip to Fort Townsend Historical State Park
Chinook Fest
Naches: June
Fog-filled valley below Kelly Butte. Photo by nbesio.
Kelly Butte
Location: Mount Rainier Area -- Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Mileage: 3.4 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1100 feet
Come back: Stretch your legs on a short hike up to the Kelly Butte fire lookout. The summit is a great place to have lunch and snap some great pictures of Mount Rainier if the sky is clear. In the fall, you will be able to enjoy the changing colors as you make your way up the former logging road.
> Plan your trip to Kelly Butte
East Rim Waterworks Canyon
Location: Central Washington -- Yakima
Mileage: 3.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 450 feet
Stop by on the way: Follow along the river up the canyon to see fascinating rock formations at East Rim Waterworks Canyon just outside of Yakima. Keep your eye out for a variety of wildlife like bald eagles, elk, rams and more!
> Plan your trip to East Rim Waterworks Canyon
Other Festivals: There are countless other opportunities to hear music in gorgeous parts of Washington. Here are a few more festivals in areas you might want to revisit after the event is over in order to explore the hikes.
- Subdued Stringband Jamboree (Bellingham: August) Check out our Hikes 30 Minutes from Bellingham for some destinations near this summer stringfest.
- Olympia Music Festival (Quilcene: August - September) It's hard to hike in the fancy clothes you might be wearing for a performance at the Olympic Music Festival (this festival is all classical music). So come back to explore the gorgeous Lower Big Quilcene River when you've donned your hiking duds.