10 Outdoorsy PNW Day Trips You Can Take Right Now

Of course, health and safety are top of mind. Be sure to respect your neighbors and locals by wearing a face covering (as it's appropriate to your sport/activity), practicing social distancing, and using hand sanitizer.

You can read more about what our current phase means right here.

1. Aerial ropes course/ax throwing

High Trek Adventures

Yep, you read that right! Ax-throwing is a safe way to release your inner woods-person in a self-contained cage. 

High Trek is mostly an all-ages rope course that takes you high into the sky on a harness for aerial obstacles and zip lines, all with incredible views of the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges.

2. Walking/bicycling

Centennial Trail

This easy, mostly-flat paved trail follows an old rail line for forty miles through valleys, woods, and across farmlands. You can spend a full and rewarding day on the path. If you’d like a less popular trail, you might enjoy the Whitehorse Trail that goes from Arlington to Darrington.

3. Fishing 

Twin Lakes Arlington/Marysville

Grab your pole and tackle box! These man-made lakes are stocked with fish and are designed to allow you to fish from the grass. It’s not the “roughing it” experience of the die-hard fisher-person, and that’s what makes it fun and accessible.

4. Hiking (for history buffs)

Monte Cristo, the Mountain Loop Highway

Monte Cristo is a ghost town, a failed mining operation deep in the Central Cascade. But not too deep – you can access the trailhead from the Mountain Loop Highway. There are still remnants of rusted mining gear and shacks (please look but don’t touch), and the discerning eye can make out the old roads of the town. 

And maybe you’ll see a ghost?

5. Mountain biking/hiking 

Japanese Gulch, Mukilteo

Japanese Gulch is a trail system framed by ferns, cedars and big leaf maples. It offers beginner and intermediate routes for mountain bikes. It’s also ideal for hikers, but do take a map or mark your outbound route clearly in your mind –- these winding trails are like a fairy tale forest where it’s easy to get caught up in the beauty and become disoriented.

6. ATVs/Off-road trucks 

Reiter Foothills, Gold Bar 

The Reiter Foothills are specifically designated for off roads motorsports. Kick up some mud!

7. Mountain biking 

North Mountain Bike Park, Darrington

This brand-new trail system is designed to build skills for mountain bikers (and would be mountain bikers) through a series of trail systems. If you’ve ever skied you know the deal: some trails are for beginners, some are for intermediate bikers, and so on.

The views from the slopes of North Mountain are pretty incredible -– blue green trees as far as the eye can see. Photogenic!

8. Kayaking/paddle boarding/canoeing

Snohomish Estuary 

Wander afloat through summer waterways and under bridges. This tidal estuary is home to all kinds of birds and wildlife that can be glimpsed from the winding eater trail system. Put in at the boat launch in Marysville and spend the day exploring a largely unseen side of the Coastal Communities.

9. Walking/dining/kites/photo ops. 

Port of Everett’s International Pavilion 

Watch sailboats bob in the tide and fill your lungs with briny saltwater air. The Port of Everett’s International Pavilion features a promenade right on the waterfront. You can get to-go orders and even walk-up food from nearby restaurants. Keep your eyes peeled for friendly harbor seals!

10. Walking/jogging/bicycling

Bothell River Front Trail

Zip or meander along this paved trail that runs parallel to the Sammamish River. This walking and bike trail connects to Woodinville, which is the epicenter of coastal PNW wine country.