Western Washington Overview

Southwestern Washington and the Olympic Peninsula is dominated by Mt. Rainier, or simply The Mountain as it's know locally, and offers great mountain biking and hiking. Rising abruptly from the landscape, Mt. Rainier can be seen from as far away as Victoria, British Columbia, and is not to be missed as a Washington state destination. Mt. Saint Helens, the only active volcano in Washington, provides visitors with a upclose look at the disaster and subsequent recovery. Old growth forests stretch from Mt. Rainier to the thrilling recreation that can be found in the scenic Columbia River Gorge. Stretching from Portland, Oregon to Columbia Hills and the beginning of beautiful wine country, the Columbia river draws windsurfers and kiteboarders, as well as fishermen to this magical river along the Louis and Clark Trail.

Centered on the Olympic Peninsula, Olympic National Park is a quiet paradise of temperate rainforest and ruggest coastline. Camping and beaches run the entire coast from Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge and Long Beach up to Forks, the departure point for a kayak or backpacking trip in the largly undeveloped Olympic Mountains. Victorian Port Townsend allows for an incomparable ferry ride to Seattle or the San Juan Islands.

Links to Detailed Coverage

Biking in Western Washington

Although most of Olympic National Park is designated as wilderness and thus closed to all wheeled travel, many mountain and road biking opportunities exist across the Olympic peninsula. Most of the roads that meander through the temperate rainforest and along the rugged coast are open to bicycle travel, although traffic can be a little sketchy. A few singletrack trails lead into the mountains, but better biking in this region can be found along the roads and trails that follow the waterways in places like Aberdeen and Long Beach, where the Columbia River empties into the Pacific ocean. The area is very scenic, full of birds and wildlife, and offers just enough hills to make biking a great means of travel in this area.

The story is much the same out of Vancouver and along the Columbia River Gorge. Exploring nearby Mount St. Helens by bicycle is probably the best means experience the devastation and regrowth of the volcano, along trails that link old growth forests, volcanic mudflows, and alpine climbs.

Boating and Fishing in Western Washington

Aberdeen, along the Pacific coast at Grays Harbor, is a great point to launch or charter a boat to explore the pacific coast. Willapa Bay and the Columbia River outlet at Cape Disappointment offer great sights for a one or two day cruise, or as the launching point for a open ocean fishing expedition.

Inland, Riffe Lake or Swift Reservoir, both near Mount St. Helensare popular boating destinations, and Vancouver is a great departing point to explore the Columbia River Gorge. With the Olympic mountains and forest dominating the region, and bordered on three sides by salt water, western Washington and the Olympic peninsula is Washington fishing at its finest.

Olympic National Park is threaded with cold water streams throughout the temperate rainforest, like the lush Hoh River. South in Aberdeen anglers along the upper Chehalis river sometimes compete with bald eagles and ospreys for the numerous trout and salmon to be found. Riffe Lake and the bubbling Skate Creek towards Mount Rainier National Park are well known with anglers for their trout, bass, and coho.

Many sea fishing excursions depart from the Olympic peninsula. Outfitters depart from Port Townsend to explore the Puget Sound and Neah Bay area. The area is also renowned for the seasonal availability of clams, shellfish, and crabs.

Hiking in Western Washington

Miles of secluded beaches and peaceful forest trails are the best escape the Olympic peninsula has to offer. Within Olympic National Park, world class hiking can be found in places like the lush Hoh and Quinault Rain Forest, where watchful hikers might get a glimpse of Roosevelt Elk or a black bear mother and cub.

Alternatively, the entire northern Pacific coast is open to hiking. Beaches range from protected, sandy coves to magnificent rugged bluffs. Hiking along the ocean can be difficult, but the cool breeze and crashing waves are immensely rewarding.

Skiing / Snowboarding in Western Washington

Olympic National Park experiences heavy, but weather-dependent snow, throughout the winter, and much of the mountains remain inaccessible in the winter to everyone but the most determined. A better bet is Hurricane Ridge Ski Area, located on the north edge of the park. A smaller ski destination, Hurricane Ridge is a great departure point for cross country skiing and snowshoeing as well.