Within three hours' drive of the Seattle metro area you can be walking near glaciers, on beaches, through old-growth forests, and along ridge lines between knifelike peaks still sporting snow deep into August.
Saltwater-fishing opportunities exist year-round in Seattle, though during certain times of year salmon must be released, usually around May and June. During those times, fish for lingcod, cabezon, and flounder.
The REI flagship store in Seattle is home to the Outdoor Recreation Information Center, which is staffed by National Park Service and Forest Service personnel. The store has a wide selection of USGS topo maps and Green Trails maps for sale.

Seattle Overview

Imagine yourself sitting in a park on the Seattle waterfront, a double-tall latte and an almond croissant close at hand. The snowy peaks of the Olympic Mountains shimmer on the far side of Puget Sound, while the ferryboats come and go across Elliott Bay. It's a summer day, and the sun is shining. (Hey, as long as we're dreaming, why not dream big?) It just doesn't get much better than this, unless, of course, you swap the latte for a microbrew and catch a 9:30pm summer sunset. No wonder people love this town so much. Read More

Hotels

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Inn at the Market
86 Pine Street
Seattle, WA 98101

Hotel Class:

Distance: 0.5 Miles
(from destination center)

Parks Expert Rating

5.0 out of 5

Traveler Rating

Not Yet Rated

Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel

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from: $179

The Edgewater
2411 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98121

Hotel Class:

Distance: 1.0 Miles
(from destination center)

Parks Expert Rating

5.0 out of 5

Traveler Rating

148 reviews
4.6 out of 5

Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel

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from: $220

Hotel Monaco Seattle - a Kimpton Hotel
1101 4th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101

Hotel Class:

Distance: 0.1 Miles
(from destination center)

Parks Expert Rating

4.0 out of 5

Traveler Rating

54 reviews
4.6 out of 5

Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel

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Attractions

University District
4114 University Way NE and 45th Street
Seattle, Washington 98105

Distance: 4.2 Miles (from destination center)

Description: The neighborhood immediately to the west of the... Read More

Parks Expert Rating

5.0 out of 5

Traveler Rating

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Discovery Park
3801 West Government Way
Seattle, Washington 98199 Map

Distance: 5.0 Miles (from destination center)

Description: Although this park has a beach, it is not a prime... Read More

Parks Expert Rating

5.0 out of 5

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Foster Island Walk
2700 24th Avenue East
Seattle, Washington 98112 Map

Distance: 3.0 Miles (from destination center)

Description: If you need a break from visiting museums and... Read More

Parks Expert Rating

4.0 out of 5

Traveler Rating

Not Yet Rated

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Feature Articles

The New American Road Trip
outside
At some point after puberty and before mortgage payments, that summer ritual our parents used to make us do became something we couldn't do without. And the rules have changed. Cars are faster, highways are better, and there's cool stuff—really cool stuff that doesn't involve buffets or Dollywood—just about everywhere. Stop sitting on those vacation days and get out there. Our five two-week loops will get you rolling.
City Without Limits
outside
Seattle
GORP - Wonder Mountain Wilderness
gorp
GORP - Mt. Skokomish Wilderness, Washington
gorp
GORP Mount Rainier National Park - Mt. Rainier Wildlife
gorp

More Seattle Parks and Outdoors Feature Articles (12)

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Trip Ideas

Backyard Playgrounds
Seattle

GORPTravel Trips

Washington - Olympic National Park Hiker
Timberline Adventures
from $1995, 6 days
Olympic National park, situated in the heart of the Olympic Peninsula at land's end in the northwestern corner of Washington, dominated by the...
Washington: The Olympic Peninsula
Country Walkers
from $2798, 7 days
It's not too farfetched to think that the gods of ancient Greece might have chosen this northwest corner of the United States as their home. Few...
Vancouver Island - Olympic Peninsula Multi-Sport
The World Outdoors
from $2498, 6 days
Where ancient temperate rainforests and jagged mountains meet the pounding Pacific, British Columbia's Vancouver Island and Washington's Olympic...

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Seattle Vacation Rentals

Details

from: $200

Queen Anne Guesthouse
Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1 Sleeps: 6

Amenities: No Pets, Non-Smoking

Details

from: $307

7 Bedroom VACATION HOME in SEATTLE, WA 98199
Bedrooms: 7 Bathrooms: 3 Sleeps: 14

Amenities: Alarm Clock, BBQ, Blender, CD Player, Cable/Satellite TV, Coffee Maker, DVD Player, Dishwasher, Fireplace, Freezer, Full kitchen, Hot Tub, Internet Access, Iron, Jacuzzi, Laundry, Linens, Microwave, No Pets, Non-Smoking, Oceanfront, Oven, Phone, Refrigerator, Stereo, TV, Toaster, Utensils, VCR