Find Your Hiking Community Through These Events

Looking to expand your community of fellow hikers or find new sources of inspiration for your summer outside? Look no further than WTA’s hiker events calendar. We’re highlighting a few of our favorites below for you to check out this summer. If you’re interested in hiking with a group or specific community, you can also check out our resource page on Hiking Groups. 

Photo by Sasha Washut 

Washington Trails Day — statewide, July 30: Washington Trails Day is our state’s official holiday to recognize the importance of public lands. Come say hello to WTA staff and volunteers at trailheads across the state to learn more about our resources and ways to get involved in protecting trails. We will be at Lake 22 (Mountain Loop Highway), Riverside State Park (Spokane area), Staircase Rapids (Olympic Peninsula), Point Defiance (Tacoma) and Samish Overlook (Northwest). Can’t make it out to the trail on July 30? No problem! Connect with us online and find out more about how you can protect the future of Washington trails. 

Refuge Outdoor Festival — Carnation, Aug. 12-14: Refuge Outdoor Fest is an overnight camping experience geared toward Black, Indigenous, people of color and allies to build community through outdoor recreation, music, art and conversations. Join Golden Bricks Events for a weekend campout full of fun, learning and connection in the outdoors at Tolt-McDonald Campground. Find out more about Refuge and register.

Ride Tahoma — Mount Rainier National Park, July 27: This free event is put on by Ian’s Ride, a nonprofit with a mission to "promote outdoor accessibility, further the availability of technology and encourage support services for those with mobility impairment." For this event, wheelchair users will meet in the Paradise area of Mount Rainier and spend the day doing a group ride exploring the nearby trails. The wildflowers are always spectacular and the trails adventurous. Volunteers will join to help individuals get up the steeper sections and feel safe while exploring this beautiful mountain. To join, email ian@iansride.com.

WTA’s Annual Hike-a-Thon — statewide all August long: Hike-a-Thon is an opportunity for everyone who loves the outdoors to support the trails they love while they hike. Whether you’re a thru-hiker, weekend warrior or find joy outside in your own neighborhood, Hike-a-Thon is a fun way to meet fellow trail enthusiasts while raising funds for WTA. We hope to see you on trail throughout the month of August to celebrate our 19th annual Hike-a-Thon!

Pierce County Trails Day — July 30: The goal of Pierce County Trails Day is to make getting outside and being active easy and accessible while also fostering a sense of stewardship. The nonprofit organization ForeverGreen Trails collaborates with government agencies and other organizations to organize events throughout Pierce County for all ages and abilities to promote outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, trail maintenance and more. Please note that you can ride the bus for free in Pierce County on this day. Follow the link to learn more and find an activity that works for you.

Find More Events This Summer and Beyond
Be sure to check out the Hiker Events page whenever you find yourself in need of inspiration and connection in the outdoors. Join one of these events. And send your hiker-friendly event suggestions to nmasihtheberge@wta.org.