Stories & News

Get the latest news, how-to advice, and feature articles about the trail community, the current hiking season and issues impacting trails you love.

Get local news, how-to advice, and feature articles about our trail community, the current hiking season in Washington and issues impacting trails you love.

Learn more about: WTA member magazine | Signpost blog

From trails to trains: WTA on Sound Transit

Jul 31, 2026

At WTA, we love taking transit to trails. This summer, we're bringing trails to transit with our first partnership with Sound Transit! Here's to the photographers that made it possible.

Hiker Headlines: Little Giant Pass, PCT Northern Terminus, Rachel Lake and more fire closures

Jul 30, 2026

Tomorrow is World Ranger Day! WTA is hiring for an Outdoor Leadership Training Gear Library Assistant. Maintenance projects will temporarily close some trailheads on Highway 20 in August, including Rainy Pass. And fires are burning across the state, resulting in dozens of trail closures.

A Pathway to Outdoor Leadership: Connecting communities to nature

Jul 28, 2026

Jane Tesner Kleiner shares her path to the outdoors and experience building community with Nature+Play Designs and the Lower Columbia Nature Network.

10 things I’ve learned about hiking with a kid

Jul 27, 2026

My 4-year-old and I have done a lot of hiking. When we’re nearing the top of whatever we’re climbing, we’re often asked, “Wow! How did you get up here?” Every kid is wired differently, but here are 10 things that have worked for us. By Lily Niland.

Hiker Headlines: More fires; road, trail closures; last call for Hike-a-Thon

Jul 23, 2026

It’s the final call for Hike-a-Thon! There’s been a lot of fire activity this week, and there are multiple fire closures in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and North Cascades National Park, as well as new fire restrictions. And be aware of some other road and trail closures, too.

Tell us how you enjoy the North Hood Canal area — and help shape its future

Jul 22, 2026

The Olympic Peninsula Outdoor Recreation Collaborative is considering how recreation in the North Hood Canal can be improved for the future, including management of the Dosewallips River Road. WTA is part of the collaborative’s core team. Take a survey to contribute your thoughts on this special place.

Hiker Headlines: Trail and road closures, a new trail bypass, burn bans, plan your fall hiking

Jul 16, 2026

It's July 16. The Palouse to Cascades Trail has a new bypass for a section of trail that washed out at Olallie State Park. The Pratt River Trail will be closed for a few day for trail work. DNR is adding a burn ban for campfires and other burning in Eastern Washington. If you're going to be on U.S. 2 near Leavenworth, be prepared for some delays. And we hope you'll join us for Hike the State in September to get free hiking recommendations! Here's some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

1 year, 1 trail, 12 hikes

Visiting the same trail every month helped me find calm and stability in a particularly challenging year | By McKenna Princing

Alpine Lakes Wilderness: 1 landscape, 50 years, lasting inspiration

Jul 10, 2026

This year marks a major milestone. Alpine Lakes Wilderness celebrates 50 years on July 12, the day that it was designated as wilderness five decades ago.

Hiker Headlines: Forest Service funding, Staircase area reopens, closure at High Rock and Hidden Lake Lookout, upcoming fun

Jul 09, 2026

WTA joined Sen. Patty Murray to discuss concerns about cuts to Forest Service funding and staffing. The developed area at Staircase on the Olympic Peninsula has reopened after a yearlong closure! However, be aware of some other closures, like the High Rock trail and the road to Hidden Lake. Hike-a-Thon registration has begun and check other fun events are coming up.

Hike-a-Thon is back! Be ready to hit the trail in any weather with this year’s prizes.

Jul 07, 2026

Bottles, backpack covers and more! This year’s Hike-a-Thon prizes are here.

Congress works to fund trails in 2027 and beyond — you can help

Jul 06, 2026

Funding is critical to protect our national public lands and keep them open for people to enjoy. WTA is heartened to see Congress’s recent progress to fund trails in 2027 and beyond. Take 60 seconds to ask Congress to provide the vital funding that our outdoor places need.

What's your why? Statewide party celebrates Washington Trails Day

Jul 02, 2026

Hikers and volunteers shared their love for trails in Washington's statewide celebration of trails -- Washington Trails Day.

Outdoors for All's Favorite Trails (Accessible Trails Near Seattle)

Get tips on what information trip reporters can share to help trail users of all abilities and organizations like Outdoors for All find the right trail for them.

Hiker Headlines: Sunrise Road opening, fee-free weekend, be careful with fire

Jul 02, 2026

We’ve got a big weekend coming up: Sunrise Road opens on July 4, and there are some fee-free days on federal lands. More fires have broken out, including at Lyle Cherry Orchard trail and in North Cascades National Park. And construction is closing roads for several weeks, including the road to Rialto Beach.

Building community and trails: WTA work parties for veterans

Jul 01, 2026

Veterans are finding belonging while supporting trails at volunteer work parties. By Joseph Gonzalez

Q&A: Youth volunteer's stories from 8 years with WTA

Jul 01, 2026

After 8 years of being a youth volunteer, this spring, Sophie has been interning with WTA. As an intern, he has worked on-trail and assisted with Youth & Families work parties. He has also had the opportunity to complete training, including Wilderness First Aid, and meet the communications team at WTA. As he’s wrapping up his internship, he answered some questions about his experiences with WTA.

Meet the volunteer Northwest Exposure judging panel

Jun 30, 2026

Hiker Headlines: Olympic National Park fire, national park fire bans, speak up for trails, rainy weekend

Jun 25, 2026

Washington Trails Day is this Saturday, June 27! A fire is burning in Olympic National Park. More areas have added restrictions on campfires, including a parkwide ban at Mount Rainier and North Cascades national parks. Twanoh State Park will be closed for part of the summer. Help speak up for trails by asking Congress to revive the Legacy Restoration Fund. And there’s rainy weather in the forecast!

Hiker Headlines: Wildfire season starts, now hiring, free day, closures

Jun 18, 2026

This Friday is Juneteenth, and parking fees will be waived on state-managed lands. WTA is hiring for a seasonal trail crew leader. Join us at a backpacking workshop in mid-July. Goodell Creek Campground and Mallardy Road are currently closed. And wildfire season is upon us!

Find the perfect backpacking pillow

For a modest weight, the right backpacking pillow can help you sleep better and wake ready to cover more miles. By Sandra Saathof

From accident to wheelchair accessibility advocate — a journey back to nature

Ian Mackay is using his experience to help others with limited mobility enjoy time on trail. By Jessi Loerch

Hike It, Summer 2026: Adventures for Summer

Three trails to hike this summer — plus nearby fun to extend your trip. | Washington Trails magazine, Summer 2026 issue.

Hiker Headlines: Highway 20 will open soon, road to Artist Point open, free weekend, fire restrictions start

Jun 11, 2026

The road to Artist Point is open for the season, and Highway 20 is expected to open soon. Both days this weekend are fee-free days for some federal lands. Fire restrictions are starting in some areas. Join us at Hiker Happy Hour! And the World Cup is coming to Seattle soon — we’ve got some resources on how to be a good steward of our trails as more visitors come to Seattle.

A new Teanaway trailhead and 18 miles of trail — a victory 13 years in the making

Jun 09, 2026

Over the weekend, community members and trail users came out to the Teanaway Community Forest to celebrate the grand opening of the West Fork Teanaway trailhead and 18 miles of trail for hikers and other non-motorized trail users. WTA helped lead the planning and trail work in the area.

Underfunded roads are putting trails out of reach, but WTA is working to change that

As maintenance funding for forest roads is dwindling, we are losing our ability to reach parts of Washington’s amazing outdoors. Learn what WTA is doing, and how you can help.

Hiker Headlines: WTA storm damage webinar, Lake 22 closure, free weekend, Teanaway Community Forest ribbon cutting

Jun 04, 2026

Join WTA's webinar to learn how this winter’s storm damage could affect your summer hiking. Saturday, June 6, is National Trails Day and also the opening of the West Fork Teanaway trailhead; join us to celebrate! And, be aware of several construction projects that may cause closures or delays, including on the Lake 22 trail and Cascade River Road.

Help trails recover from storms: Your trip reports needed

Jun 03, 2026

This spring, people are going outside and encountering damage from this past winter’s storms. Land managers and their partners, including WTA, are working to recover trails and your ability to get outside — but we need your help.

WTA staff share their self-care habits on trail

Jun 01, 2026

Going outside, for many of us, is a form of self-care. But hiking and backpacking can also certainly tire us out, and it’s nice to have a way to take care of yourself or a packed creature comfort. We asked WTA staff what they do to take extra good care of themselves at camp or when taking a break on an especially brutal section of trail.

Hiker Headlines: Rainier roads open, Enchanted Valley permits releasing soon, Marblemount bridge nightly closures

May 28, 2026

Multiple roads at Mount Rainier National Park have opened for the season! Work on Graves Creek Road has completed, and backcountry permits for Enchanted Valley for the summer are releasing soon. The Skagit River Marblemount Bridge will undergo nightly closures every weekday from June 1–19 for repairs. And the Wedekind and Greenline trails at Capitol State Forest are closed until further notice.