Washington
Looking for the best backpacking in Washington? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Washington. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Backpacking Spots in and near Washington
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Quilcene, Washington
Marmot Pass via Big Quilcene Trail
5.010.5 mi / 3481 ft gainThis trail has a nice, steady climb that's perfect for beginner or intermediate backpackers. The first 2.5 miles follow a forest trail along the Big Quilcene River. For the next 3 miles, the trail flows in and out of shaded trees, over a small talus field, and through a meadow before the final ac...Read more -
Skamania County, Washington
Indian Heaven to Blue Lake
4.56.71 mi / 997 ft gainCrowds and mosquitoes were nonexistent as we went a bit early in the season. The trails were all covered in snow, but we were able to do some way finding with a GPS and topo map. 3.5 miles in we found a dry spot next to Blue Lake and set up shop. After dropping off our gear we climbed up Gifford...Read more -
Amboy, Washington
Siouxon Trail to 14 Mile Falls
5.013.03 mi / 2310 ft gainWhen you park at the top of the trail, all you see is layers and layers of emerald trees and ground clear of any underbrush. Once on the trail, you start on a rapid decline that brings you to the first of the many streams along this hike. Cross the bridge made out of logs and head towards the ma...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Gem Lake, WA
4.710.4 mi / 2923 ft gainThis hike shares the trailhead for Snow lake at the Alpental Ski area in Snoqualmie Pass. You'll start out with a great warm up, walking through dense green underbrush and a brief wooded area. Before too long the trail increases in inclination slightly and begins to offer up some small rocky sect...Read more -
Carbonado, Washington
Hike Bearhead Mountain
5.06 mi / 1800 ft gainFormerly the site of an old fire lookout, Bearhead Mountain located in the Clearwater Wilderness, provides great unobstructed views of the north side of Mount Rainier, Little Tahoma, and many other surrounding Cascade mountain peaks. In the summer months you are likely to encounter great wildflow...Read more -
Quincy, Washington
Ancient Lakes Trail
4.74.34 mi / 213 ft gainOn the hunt for a dry, scenic backpack during a weekend of dreary, wet, early September weather in the mountains, we decided to head toward the high desert outside of Quincy, WA. After a short hike in, we found a site seldom seen - waterfalls and lakes in the midst of the desert - an area known a...Read more -
Packwood, Washington
Snow Lake Trail
3.82.12 mi / 427 ft gainSnow Lake is a beautiful lake in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington. You can do the 2.6 mile roundtrip hike to the lake as either a day trip or as a backcountry camp. To camp at one of the two sites on the lake you must secure a permit from the permit office at Longmire. The hike to the s...Read more -
Mason County, Washington
Upper Lena Lake
5.012.61 mi / 4239 ft gainThe hike to Upper Lena Lake is a beautiful one. It first takes you past Lena Lake, which is a very popular weekend destination for families. Luckily you're pushing on to Upper Lena Lake that sits in a peaceful alpine meadow with Mt. Lena and Mt. Bretherton towering above. The first part of the t...Read more -
Mason County, Washington
Lena Lake
4.56.24 mi / 1644 ft gainThe trail climbs gently up and is accessible almost every season, weather permitting. Snowshoes may be needed December-February, so make sure and check with the Hoodsport Ranger Station. Just 45 minutes north of Hoodsport (a darling small town on the shores of Puget Sound), this trailhead has sp...Read more -
Snoqualmie Pass, Washington
Spectacle Lake via Pete Lake Trail
5.018.91 mi / 3058 ft gainDepending on when you arrive at the Pete Lake Trailhead, expect to be traveling with company as it is one of the more popular locations on the eastside of Snoqualmie Pass. At an elevation of 2600 feet, the beginning route is a moderate 400 feet of elevation gain. Start on your way through the va...Read more -
Winthrop, Washington
Heather-Maple Pass Loop
5.07.5 mi / 2185 ft gainNote to any hikers taking on this trail, this is a non-repeating trail meaning it goes in a big loop. The trailhead has 2 trail points of entrance. To the right (the pathway that is not paved) is the counter-clockwise route, a little less steep and more scenic at the start. To the left, the trail...Read more -
Marblemount, Washington
Sahale Glacier Camp via Cascade Trailhead
5.011.09 mi / 4183 ft gainAs an initial note, to spend an overnight at Sahale Glacier Camp, you need to obtain a permit at the North Cascades Ranger Station in Marblemount, Washington. Permits are limited, so get there early or call in advance. To start, go to Marblemount, WA and then drive ~23 miles east on Cascade Rive...Read more -
Concrete, Washington
Anderson and Watson Lake
5.68 mi / 1165 ft gainThe drive up to the starting point of the trail to Anderson and Watson Lake was easy, but at the end it gets a little tricky - the service road is sharp gravel and runs for about 10 miles to the trailhead. Some spots are steep and there are large potholes, but slow and steady wins the race. There...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Bandera Mountain
4.47.8 mi / 3176 ft gainThis hike has unreal views of Mount Rainier. On a great clear spring day, the mountain is out. It's right in your face. It's incredible. If you tackle this hike in the spring the bear grass and wildflowers are alive and blooming towards the top and it makes for some fantastic picture-taking. Once...Read more -
Forks, Washington
Rialto Beach to the Sea Stacks
4.71.06 mi / 26 ft gainBefore you start this hike, you'll need to pick up a permit at the Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles, WA - (360) 565-3100. The trail itself starts at Rialto Beach, which is at the end of Mora Road in La Push. There's a large parking lot for overnight campers so there shouldn't be any ...Read more -
Arlington, Washington
Three Fingers Lookout
4.514.31 mi / 4357 ft gainApproximately 11 miles east of Granite Falls, WA, on the Mt. Loop Highway, turn onto Forest Service road 41 and follow this road for 18.0 miles to the trailhead. The road is quite rough and it is recommended you have a four-wheel drive vehicle. There is a washout about halfway along the road, an...Read more