Hikes for Turkey Day Recovery

Thanksgiving is the ultimate day of eating. In fact, the average American will consume between 3,000 and 4500 calories on Turkey Day. By the time the holiday season is over, most of us will have gained 7 to 10 lbs.

To burn off those calories - and spend some quality time with friends and family - take advantage of the long holiday weekend and go for a hike!

Last year we came up with ten easy hikes near cities and towns all across Washington, and this year we're doing the same.

Though the wintery conditions we've experienced this week will reached all elevations, we've tried to pick trails that are low enough that they have mostly melted. Of course, the snow is great news for winter hiking, and snowshoe-buffs can find more information on snowshoe trails our Winter Recreation page. Just be sure to read our Winter Safety Tips and check the  road and weather conditions before you head out!

See you on the trail!

Bellingham:  Fragrance Lake - one of many enjoyable hikes along Chuckanut Drive.

Everett:  Lunds Gulch - drive down to Lynnwood for this lovely hike through the woods to a quiet beach on the Puget Sound

Seattle:  Coal Creek Falls- less than 20 miles outside Seattle, these pretty falls are tucked away among the ravines and forests along Cougar Mountain

Olympic/ Kitsap Peninsula:  Dosewallips State Park- bring your binoculars and be on the lookout for elk, waterfowl and wild chantrelle mushrooms!

Tacoma:  Twanoh State Park - grab some leftovers and have a picnic in the park's shelter halfway down the trail

Olympia:  Millersylvania State Park - create your own loop along the park's 8 miles of trails

Vancouver:  Beacon Rock - enjoy national and natural history at Beacon Rock-a basalt mass named by Lewis and Clark during their 1805 expedition

Wenatchee:  Ancient Lakes - this trail brings you to a unique site- waterfall plunging into a lake, in the middle of the desert

Spokane:  Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge- enjoy the 5-mile auto loop, then ditch the car and enjoy the solitude of your choice of a 1- or 4-mile hike

Tri-Cities/Walla Walla:  Juniper Dunes Wilderness - this desert wilderness is a wildlife lover's dream. With no established trails, you can hike as much or as little as you want. Check out the Trip Reports for inspiration!

Have fun - and we hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!