Why you Should Hike in Washington State

The Pacific Northwest in the United States is one of the most spectacular places I have ever visited. Nature there is so unique, that it’s nearly impossible to find another place like it anywhere in the world. I visited in the spring of 2019 to do hike Washington state, and I fell hopelessly in love with the nature and the wildlife that I experienced.

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Where to Hike in Washington State

A stunning Mt. Olympus and surrounding nature, Washington — A stunning Mt. Olympus and surrounding nature

During my visit, I stayed mostly in the Seattle and Olympia area. Around these major cities are huge amounts of protected forest and plenty of hiking opportunities. For a full list of hiking trails and locations to hike in Washington State, check out the Washington Trails Association! This site will give you every trail and park in Washington State, as well as rate the difficulty and length of each hike.

My first taste of Washington hiking was at Deception Pass State Park. I stayed in a modest cabin with a few friends and family for a couple of nights and hiked different areas of the park. The park contains 38 miles (61km) of hiking trails, as well as horse trails, beaches, and opportunities for water activities. My two favorite areas of the park were hiking up to Goose Rock and exploring Rosario Beach. Of course, the wildlife in both of these areas was incredible!

My hiking partner and I quietly admiring a deer on the edge of our hiking trail at Deception Pass State Park, Washington — My husband and I quietly admiring a deer on the edge of our hiking trail at Deception Pass State Park

There are dozens of other trails around Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, areas in/around Seattle, and even just through the forest on the side of the road! Washington is so full of lush forest and greenery, that you don’t have to go far for a stellar hike. I also visited Twanoh State Park and the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, and highly recommend both locations for their abundant wildlife!

Wildlife in Washington State

I visited Washington in early April, and was able to see A TON of wildlife on my hikes! Deer, eagles, otters, and dozens of birds were everywhere I looked.

An otter eating dinner at Rosario Beach, Deception Pass, Washington

Flowers were just starting to bloom around Seattle and northern Washington during this time as well, including cherry blossom trees! Between the flowers, wildlife, and fresh food during the spring season, Washington is difficult to beat.

Stacia under a blooming cherry blossom tree, Seattle, Washington — The blooming cherry blossom trees in Seattle smell incredible!

What to Bring to Hike in Washington State

The Pacific Northwest can get pretty chilly and wet at times, especially during the rainy spring season. However, the spring season is when you’ll find the flowers beginning to bloom, wildlife beginning to appear, and not be bothered by large summer crowds. It is important to be prepared for your hike in this weather!

A beach in Washington — Spring in Washington is beautiful but can be wet

A rain jacket is an absolute must. Although it did not rain much while I was there, a light rain jacket came in handy when I needed to sit down on a damp log, or the chilly wind picked up on the top of an overlook. If you’re already in the Seattle area, the REI Flagship store will have dozens of jackets to choose from. If not, I recommend this North Face jacket! It’s light and has vents for cooling, but is also very wind and water-resistant. I would order slightly large, as you will probably want to wear it over a sweatshirt at some point in your hike.

Stacia atop an overlook, Washington — Keeping warm and dry in my North Face Jacket!

Good hiking boots will keep your feet and ankles supported, warm, and dry going up and down the mountains of Washington. I absolutely love my pair of Vasque hiking boots! They’re a little pricey, but they offer support for my previously broken ankle and are completely waterproof.

Stacia's boots on top of a rock overlook, Washington — My boots kept me warm and dry, even when climbing wet rocks!

A good water bottle will keep you hydrated and prevent unwanted plastic waste and litter. I love my Lifestraw water bottle! I know I can refill the bottle from nearly any water source, and the straw filtration will keep me from getting sick. It keeps the water tasting fresh as well.

Other items you may want on you are a small first aid kit, extra socks, and sun/rain protection if needed. Hiking poles can help if you have joint issues, or otherwise need more stability on incline and decline paths. Depending on how long your hike is, and how difficult the trail is, you may be fine with just some water and a jacket!

I love hiking and exploring nature. Washington’s unique ecosystem makes for a great week of exploration. The cities of Seattle and Olympia are well worth exploring as well.

Where is your favorite place to hike?