Given the incredible diversity of geography and ecosystems in Washington State, it’s no surprise that the state has been a favorite destination for generations of outdoor activity enthusiasts. You’ll find ample opportunities for climbing, hiking, biking, boating, canoeing, fishing, golfing and horseback riding here. You can pursue winter sports such as downhill skiing, cross country skiing and snowshoeing; water sports such as surfing, windsurfing, water skiing, scuba diving and swimming; wheeled adventures (on and off-road, pedal powered or motor driven) and much more. In fact, you could make a very good argument that Washington State served as the launch pad for the modern outdoor recreation renaissance..
In 1938, Congress voted to authorize a redesignation of Olympic National Monument to Olympic National Park. The region’s new status was officially signed into legislation by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who’d recently been dazzled by a scenic motor tour of the Olympic Peninsula. That same year, in Seattle, a little recreational equipment company called REI started selling gear to help local outdoor enthusiasts get out and enjoy themselves. The rest, as they say, is (natural) history.
Even lifelong Washington residents who spend a great deal of their free time exploring the state will tell you that it’s a place of endless discoveries. It’s doubtful that anyone even knows the total number of the state’s trail miles for hiking, biking, horseback riding and off-road vehicles, but it can’t possibly be less than hundreds of thousands of miles. Much of this elbow room is preserved and protected in some way. Washington State has three of the most beautiful national parks in the country, well over 100 state parks and numerous wildlife preserves, wilderness areas, recreation areas and greenbelts.
In addition to a handful of small-but-scenic mountain ranges, the state has two major ranges: the Cascade Range and the Olympic Mountains. Both the Olympics and the Cascades offer countless places for outdoor activities, whether you’re interested in hardcore climbing or mountain biking or just looking for a peaceful hike through a stand of old-growth forest or a good spot for a family picnic. Come winter, Washington’s mountains offer everything from black-diamond runs for intrepid skiers and snow boarders to “bunny slopes” for inner tubing with the kids. Whatever draws you to the mountains, there’s no shortage of them here.
Then there’s the water. Taking into account the Pacific Coast of Washington and the state’s extensive tidal waterways and island perimeters, there are more than 3,000 miles of coastline here. And with an amazing number of glacier-fed rivers, freshwater lakes and scenic reservoirs, this place is a paradise for people who love water and all things you can do on it, in it and near it.
Washington State also offers rainforests and deserts, alpine meadows and wetland estuaries. In short, if you love outdoor activities, we’ve got an abundance of spaces and places where you can enjoy them.
