Summer Hikes

Long days and less snow in the mountains: for some, summer is the best hiking season. With so many possible destinations, how do you pick where to go? Let us help. These features highlight some of Washington's best locations, and some you may not have heard of, but are definitely worth a visit.

If you don't already have one, create an account with us so you can save hikes you're interested in while you're browsing. We promise you'll find more than one here you'll want to do. And if you're new to this whole hiking thing, we've got a handy Hiking 101 page you'll want to check out.

Hike Like a Pro

Where to Pitch Your Tent | How to Keep Cool | How to Read a Map | A Guide to Washington's Hiking Jargon

Shaping the Perfect Backpacking Route: From Loop-de-loops to Lollipops

Backpacking routes come in many shapes and sizes. This guide lays out a few general shapes that can help you plan your next trip and dream of even greater possibilities.

Barrier-Free Trails

Finding a wheelchair-friendly trail can be challenging, but they are out there! While access for disabled hikers is a need that we're continually working to improve, there are some trails in Washington that allow wheelchair users to enjoy the natural beauty of the state. Here's a sampling.

Overnight Backpacking Destinations

Enjoy an overnight stay in the backcountry this summer. Extending a day hike into a longer overnight trip adds an entirely new experience, with opportunities to watch the sun rise and set, and stargaze.

Weekend Backpacking Trips

Immerse yourself in the backcountry with some longer hikes. The backpack trips described here are all between 10 and 25 miles — some can be hiked in two days (one night), but several would be much more enjoyable if you take three days.

Backpacking Trips on WTA-Improved Trails

Visit a remote trail that WTA's volunteer vacation and backcountry response teams have recently maintained.

Sleep Under Starry Skies: 12 Summer Backpacking Destinations

Backcountry camps all over Washington let campers enjoy the solitude and majesty of a starry night sky. WTA collected a few hikes that are gorgeous during the day, so your trip to camp is as scenic and beautiful as your evening stargazing time.

Long Hikes, Overnights for Labor Day Weekend

Whether you have one, two or three days in mind, make your way into the backcountry this holiday weekend. You can go for the day, or turn these long day hikes into overnights.

Tunes and Trails: Festival Hikes Around the State

In Washington, music festivals feature gorgeous landscapes as the backdrop to weekends packed full of music. Many of the venues that host these festivals have lots of hiking nearby. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic means these festivals are on pause.

Beyond the Big 3: Pacific Northwest National Parks and Monuments

The Pacific Northwest is host to a number of other national historic parks and monuments. Find a few of the lesser-known parks in Washington that make great destinations for hiking and learning about the history of the Pacific Northwest.

Trails Shaped by Fire

After a wildfire, what's left is a changed landscape that can make for a fascinating hike. Bright purple fireweed contrasts with blackened trees, and morel mushrooms occasionally poke through the duff. New green growth pops against an arid environment, and a new landscape is born.

10 Hikes in the Pasayten Wilderness

The vast and remote Pasayten Wilderness stretches across the northern border of our state and encompasses the east-west divide of the Cascades. As the largest Wilderness area in the state, it offers miles of expansive views, 150 peaks, and is home to a huge array of wildlife.

Hike Washington's National Forests

Get to know the national forests in Washington.