Outdoor Activities and Recreation

Family friendly resort with about 1500 acres of terrain.

Turtleback Mountain is a great place to hike and bird watch. The South trail is pedestrian-only. Take the hike up from here to Ship's Peak for a great view -- and great views on the way as well. Be prepared to stop and enjoy.

The Summit at Snoqualmie is the closest ski resort to Seattle.

Not too far from Seattle, Steven's pass has several different ski runs and cross-country areas.

Small island is about five miles off the west coast of Whidbey Island. Smith Island is a protected aquatic reserve. boats must keep a certain distance from shore to protect the wildlife there.

Notable species found here are tufted puffins, rhinocerous auklets, rockfish and bull kelp. But you might also see harbor seals and sea lions on shore, cormorants, and glaucous wing gulls.

On Poulsbo's waterfront is a lovely park with lawn, walking paths and a large gazebo with some seating surrounding it. You'll find plenty of benches to sit and look out at the marina.

The park's namesake, Muriel Iverson Williams, was the town's second mayor.

While you're in the park, look for the small statue of Viking King Olaf near the Sons of Norway, and the Guardian Stone statue (swords in the stone!) And be sure to take a walk down the nearby boardwalk which will take you to some trails into American Legion Park.

If you're a birder, you'll find many marine birds and some other varieties. I've noted many great blue herons, several varieties of duck, occasionally I've spotted a belted Kingfisher -- though I think I recall that being closer down near the Fish Park bridge. Canada geese, of course, and many gulls. You also might spy a bald eagle or osprey but at this location they're usually farther overhead.

Close to the Canadian Border. Good annual snowfall, generally.

Sucia is a small island just to the North of Orcas Island.

Transporation to Sucia is boat-only. If you don't have a boat of your own, Outer Island Excursions runs a water taxi and will (for an extra fee) bring along your ebike or kayak or let you rent one. There's also some camping spots on the island.

The address here is the one for Orcas Island Eclipse Charters or Orcas Island Excursions, but other whale watching opportunities abound in the San Juan Islands.

You may see orcas, humpback whales, or just have a lovely boat ride.

This is a small nature preserve near Eastsound. The trail here is easy and on a Summer morning there were quite a few joggers running through the trail. Mostly forested, with a few more open meadow areas. Good hike for families wanting a short hike.