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

WTA's Dark Places Digest

WTA has collected some options for locations all over the state that allow you to see a shooting star without planning a backpacking trip.

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.

Wilderness Washington: Hike 12 Wilderness Areas

There's no better way to get to know some of Washington's 31 wilderness areas than to hike them. Eighty percent of Washington's wilderness is within 100 miles of major metropolitan areas, making our state's wilderness some of the most accessible in the nation.

Hike Blue Lake (All of Them)

Blue Lake is perhaps the most eponymous name for a hike in Washington. With (at least) six of them scattered around the state, saying "I'm going to hike to Blue Lake" might be met with the question, "Which one?"

Fleeting Beauties: 10 Alpine Hikes for Wildflowers and Berries

Don't despair if you feel like you've missed the best of wildflower season. There are still plenty of late season flowers dotting alpine meadows, along with some early berries. Here's where to find both.

3-5 Day Backpacking Trips for Summer

These multi-day backpacking trips offer the best summer hiking has to offer in Washington. Plus, tips for planning more adventures.

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.

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.

Explore the Goat Rocks Wilderness

Nestled between snow-capped Mount Rainier and Mount Adams, the Goat Rocks’ reputation for stunning scenery and relative proximity to population centers, such as Southwest Washington and Portland, Oregon, draws more adventure-seekers every year.

Hike the Rainbow: Get a Flower Show on a Trail Near You

Washington is full of colorful wildflowers. Here's where you can find flowers of each color of the rainbow.