This summer we were able to turn our Out of Office replies on so we could get outside and enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Check out some recommendations for outdoor adventures, family getaways, bird watching spots and more!

Pacific Northwest Trail Adventures

Dirt Biking Tahuya State Forest, Jason Hanner
Take the ferry across to the Kitsap Peninsula and ride the trails at Tahuya State Forest. You can check out the trail system map here.

Lopez Island Bike Camping, Emily Evenson
Drive to the parking lot in Anacortes and bike onto the ferry heading to Lopez Island – no reservations needed when you’re on a bike!  Pack your lightest weight camping gear and pedal your way to Spencer Spit, a gorgeous picnic area and campground.

Backpacking in the Olympic National Park, Leslie Riibe
The Upper Dungeness Trail was perfect for my first backpacking camping trip. Not too long, not too steep, plenty of fresh water, and the views stunning. Camp Handy had lovely nooks for pitching tents and Camp Boulder was my favorite lunch spot.

Paradise at Mount Rainier, Emily Doe
It’s a tradition for my family to get up to Paradise on Mt. Rainier every August. We stay in the historic Inn up there and go for a hike amidst mountain vistas and fields of wildflowers with the Sound of Music soundtrack rolling in my ears!

Sheep Lake / Sourdough Gap Hike, Brittany Porter
This is a pleasant hike to a small lake and a notched gap with sweeping views in the Mount Rainier National Forest.

Close-to-home Adventures

Alki Point Paddle, Allison Rose
Load in at Constellation Park in West Seattle and paddle out to the Alki Point Lighthouse. You’ll have views of Mt. Rainier, the Olympics, and downtown Seattle! Pro tip: Hold on tight to your paddles or you’ll end up being tugged in by your friends.

Elliott Bay Crabbing, Vy Dang
We had a lot of fun crabbing off the piers at Elliott Bay!

Lake Union Paddle, Carol Sanders
Taking in the sun with this view of Watershed from the lake, sure beats being inside looking out!

Marymoor Park Off Leash Dog Park, Elizabeth Holland
A lot of people are already familiar with this spot, but as a newish dog owner, I can not overstate the wonderfulness of this park. My Rosie learned to swim there last weekend, among a ton of other dogs just having the best time. As a friend said, it really is “Valhalla for dogs”.

Fred Hutch’s “Obliteride” Fundraising Event, Aaron Swain
25/50/100-mile rides around the greater Seattle area to raise funds and awareness for cancer research. It is amazing to join a group of almost 1,000 riders, many cancer survivors, also friends/family of survivors, for a great cause. The support and optimism was electric!

Seattle Urban Hike, Cody Lodi
I took an “urban hike” at sunrise from Watershed to the Northlake Commons jobsite. It reminded me of all the details you miss when you’re in a car versus walking.

At the Beach & Beyond

Antelope Canyon, Marina Sosner
A slot canyon on Navajo land in Page, Arizona that is unlike anything I’ve ever seen, or experienced. It is impossible to take a picture that isn’t beautiful!

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Sarah Rable
This summer I took a trip to Vancouver, Canada and went to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. They have a shuttle to and from downtown Vancouver so it was super easy to get to, and it was surprisingly better in the rain. The ponchos were very fashionable and functional!

Concerts at The Gorge, Rachael Meyer
Go see a concert at The Gorge! My family and I have gone to the Gorge twice this year and it has been so wonderful to hear live music and bask in the sun together.

Bird Watching at Haystack Rock, Jen Primm
Each year from April to July, you can find a blanket of nesting seabirds covering Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach, OR. If you’re interested in bird watching, check out the Seattle Chapter of the Feminist Bird Club. We’ve got binoculars you can borrow and a welcoming community of birders who love connecting with the natural world.

Lake Kokanee Paddle, Amanda Keating
This summer we paddled on Lake Kokanee and it was beautiful and fun! The lake is about a 2.5 hour drive from Seattle, and located about 4 miles west of Hoodsport near the Hood Canal.

Washington Coast, Myer Harrell
We rented cottages at Seabrook. Our toddler got her first views of the Pacific Ocean, and loved playing in the sand!

Switzerland and Dolomites, John Stout
We had a great time hiking in Switzerland and the Dolomites earlier this summer!