Drive from Seattle: ~0–15 min

Stats: 2.8 mi • 140 ft gain • Difficulty 2/10

Highlights: Bluffs + lighthouse views, forest + meadow variety, big ‘feel-like-a-hike’ inside the city.

Great snack stops: South Beach; West Point overlook benches.

Trailhead / start: Discovery Park Visitor Center / East Entrance, 3801 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle, WA 98199

Parking: Free lots at Visitor Center + East/ South parking areas. Busy weekends—arrive early.

Pass / fees: None

Drive from Seattle: ~0–20 min

Stats: 2.4 mi • ~100 ft gain • Difficulty 1/10

Highlights: Lake Washington shoreline loop, old-growth forest, playgrounds + bathrooms nearby.

Great snack stops: Shoreline benches; near the playground/picnic area.

Trailhead / start: Seward Park, 5900 Lake Washington Blvd S, Seattle, WA 98118

Parking: Free lots inside the park; street parking nearby.

Pass / fees: None

Drive from Seattle: ~0–15 min

Stats: 3–6 mi (choose your loop) • Minimal gain • Difficulty 1/10

Highlights: Creekside ravine, bridges, lush ferns—great “mini-forest” for kids.

Great snack stops: Benches along Ravenna Creek; Cowen Park picnic tables.

Trailhead / start: Ravenna Park (near 5520 Ravenna Ave NE), Seattle, WA 98105

Parking: Street parking around NE 55th St / Ravenna Ave NE; no formal lot.

Pass / fees: None

Drive from Seattle: ~15–30 min

Stats: 2–3 mi • ~150 ft gain • Difficulty 2/10

Highlights: Puget Sound views, shoreline, ferry spotting, troll statue + playground.

Great snack stops: North beach viewpoint benches; picnic tables near play areas.

Trailhead / start: Lincoln Park, 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle, WA 98136

Parking: Free lots in the park; can fill on sunny weekends.

Pass / fees: None

Drive from Seattle: ~25–35 min

Stats: ~2–4 mi (many loop options) • ~200–500 ft (route-dependent) gain • Difficulty 2/10

Highlights: Meadows + boardwalks, kid-friendly trail network, seasonal wildflowers.

Great snack stops: Meadow benches near lower trailhead; viewpoints along upper trails.

Trailhead / start: Evans Creek Preserve, 4401 212th Ave SE, Sammamish, WA 98075

Parking: Two small trailhead lots (upper/lower). If full, return later—avoid blocking driveways.

Pass / fees: None

Drive from Seattle: ~25–40 min

Stats: ~3–5 mi (easy out-and-back to Coal Creek Falls; longer loops possible) • ~400–900 ft (route-dependent) gain • Difficulty 4/10

Highlights: Waterfall + forest, optional viewpoint at De Leo Wall, lots of loop flexibility.

Great snack stops: Coal Creek Falls viewing area; De Leo Wall viewpoint.

Trailhead / start: Red Town Trailhead (Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park), Newcastle, WA (use park signage/GPS)

Parking: Lots can fill on weekends; use designated lots only—no roadside blocking.

Pass / fees: Generally none for county park lots; verify posted signage at trailhead.

Drive from Seattle: ~40–50 min

Stats: ~2–3 mi (choose your loop) • Minimal gain • Difficulty 2/10

Highlights: Lake shoreline, mountain backdrop, flat gravel paths—stroller-friendly sections.

Great snack stops: Picnic tables at the lake; beach area by the boat launch.

Trailhead / start: Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area, North Bend, WA 98045 (near Cedar Falls Rd SE / 436th Ave SE)

Parking: Large paved lot; very busy on weekends. Arrive early.

Pass / fees: Discover Pass typically required (posted at lot).

Drive from Seattle: ~40–55 min

Stats: 4.0 mi • 1,160 ft gain • Difficulty 6/10

Highlights: Iconic overlook above Rattlesnake Lake; great workout; huge payoff views.

Great snack stops: Ledge viewpoint (watch kids closely near cliffs); mid-trail benches/flat spots for breaks.

Trailhead / start: Rattlesnake Ledge Trailhead (Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area), North Bend, WA 98045

Parking: Very crowded. Use main lot; avoid illegal roadside parking. Weekday mornings are best.

Pass / fees: Discover Pass typically required (posted at lot).

Drive from Seattle: ~45–60 min

Stats: 2.6 mi • 500 ft gain • Difficulty 4/10

Highlights: Two big waterfalls; well-built trail; kids love the bridges + roaring water.

Great snack stops: Lower falls viewpoint; river-side spots near the bridge.

Trailhead / start: Twin Falls Trailhead, North Bend, WA 98045 (Olallie State Park area)

Parking: Small lot fills quickly—arrive early. Park only in marked spots.

Pass / fees: Discover Pass often required in state-park managed areas; check posted signs.

Drive from Seattle: ~55–70 min

Stats: 2.0 mi • 400 ft gain • Difficulty 4/10

Highlights: Classic waterfall with short approach; great year-round (icy in winter).

Great snack stops: Flat rocks near falls (keep kids back from slick edges).

Trailhead / start: Franklin Falls Trailhead (Denny Creek Rd / NF-58), Snoqualmie Pass, WA 98068

Parking: Limited shoulder/lot parking; arrive early. In winter, traction devices recommended.

Pass / fees: Northwest Forest Pass usually required (posted at trailhead).

Drive from Seattle: ~60–75 min

Stats: 1.0 mi • Minimal gain • Difficulty 1/10

Highlights: Paved loop with mountain views; stroller/wheelchair-friendly.

Great snack stops: Benches around the pond; picnic tables at trailhead.

Trailhead / start: Gold Creek Pond Trailhead (Hyak area), Snoqualmie Pass, WA 98068

Parking: Paved lot; can be busy on summer weekends.

Pass / fees: Northwest Forest Pass typically required (posted).

Drive from Seattle: ~60–80 min

Stats: 5.6 mi • 1,300 ft gain • Difficulty 5/10

Highlights: Multiple waterfall viewpoints; great ‘big hike’ for families building stamina.

Great snack stops: Middle Falls viewpoint; Upper Falls viewpoint (pack out all trash).

Trailhead / start: Wallace Falls State Park, 14503 Wallace Lake Rd, Gold Bar, WA 98251

Parking: Large paved lot; weekends can fill. Park closes at sunset.

Pass / fees: Discover Pass (or day-use fee where posted).

Drive from Seattle: ~35–55 min

Stats: ~1.5–3 mi (pick your loop) • ~200–400 ft gain • Difficulty 3/10

Highlights: Coastal forest + beach access; low-tide exploring and driftwood.

Great snack stops: Picnic Point / beach driftwood line; picnic tables near trailheads.

Trailhead / start: Dash Point State Park, 5700 SW Dash Point Rd, Federal Way, WA 98023

Parking: Day-use lots; arrive early on hot days. Stay on marked trails on bluff edges.

Pass / fees: Discover Pass (or day-use fee where posted).

Drive from Seattle: ~1 hr 30 min – 2 hr

Stats: ~3–4 mi • ~500 ft gain • Difficulty 4/10

Highlights: Bluffs, tide pools, epic views of Deception Pass + islands.

Great snack stops: Rosario Head viewpoint; beach driftwood logs (watch tides).

Trailhead / start: Rosario Head / Deception Pass State Park, 41229 WA-20, Oak Harbor, WA 98277

Parking: Multiple lots; summer weekends are very busy. Use designated parking only.

Pass / fees: Discover Pass (or day-use fee where posted).

Drive from Seattle: ~1 hr 45 min – 2 hr 15 min

Stats: 5.2 mi • ~300–400 ft gain • Difficulty 4/10

Highlights: Bluff + beach loop, coastal prairie, huge views (fog can be magical).

Great snack stops: Bluff viewpoints; beach driftwood for a picnic (check tides/lagoon crossing).

Trailhead / start: Ebey’s Landing Trailhead (lower lot near Hill Rd), Coupeville, WA 98239

Parking: Trailhead lot + overflow along Hill Rd can be busy; don’t block private drives.

Pass / fees: Discover Pass required and enforced per WTA trip reports; verify at trailhead.

Drive from Seattle: ~2 hr – 2 hr 30 min

Stats: 0.7 mi • Minimal gain • Difficulty 1/10

Highlights: Boardwalk + historic Longmire, huge trees, great ‘break-up-the-drive’ stop.

Great snack stops: Longmire picnic areas; benches along the loop.

Trailhead / start: Longmire (near Longmire Museum), Mount Rainier National Park, Ashford, WA 98304

Parking: Use Longmire day-use lots. Summer may require timed entry reservations—check NPS.

Pass / fees: Mount Rainier National Park entrance fee or valid national parks pass.

Drive from Seattle: ~2 hr 45 min – 3 hr 30 min

Stats: 1.9 mi • 328 ft gain • Difficulty 2/10

Highlights: Two bridges + a tunnel, old-growth, classic waterfall finish.

Great snack stops: Falls loop viewpoints; benches near trailhead.

Trailhead / start: Marymere Falls Trailhead (near Lake Crescent Lodge), Olympic National Park, WA

Parking: Shared lots near Lake Crescent; can fill mid-day in summer.

Pass / fees: Olympic National Park entrance fee or valid national parks pass.

Drive from Seattle: ~2 hr 15 min – 3 hr

Stats: 1.6 mi • 200 ft gain • Difficulty 2/10

Highlights: Big waterfall for minimal effort; mossy forest and spring wildflowers.

Great snack stops: Flat areas near the base viewpoints; creekside rocks (watch slippery footing).

Trailhead / start: Murhut Falls Trailhead (near Brinnon, WA) — follow posted Forest Service directions/GPS.

Parking: Small pullout/lot; arrive early on sunny weekends.

Pass / fees: Often Northwest Forest Pass required; verify posted trailhead signage.

Drive from Seattle: ~3 hr 30 min – 4 hr 30 min

Stats: ~4 mi out-and-back (to Hole-in-the-Wall) • Minimal gain • Difficulty 3/10

Highlights: Sea stacks, tide pools at low tide, dramatic Olympic coast.

Great snack stops: Driftwood line before Hole-in-the-Wall; tidepool area (only at safe tides).

Trailhead / start: Rialto Beach Parking (La Push), Olympic National Park, WA 98350

Parking: Main lot fills mid-day in summer; arrive early. Always check tide tables before going past.

Pass / fees: Olympic National Park entrance fee or valid national parks pass.

Drive from Seattle: ~3 hr – 4 hr 15 min

Stats: 3.2 mi • 700 ft gain • Difficulty 4/10

Highlights: Big alpine views for relatively short effort; wildflowers in summer; frequent deer sightings.

Great snack stops: Hilltop viewpoint; pullouts along the ridge path (stay on trail).

Trailhead / start: Hurricane Ridge (Olympic National Park), Port Angeles, WA 98362

Parking: Start from Hurricane Ridge area parking. Summer access can have entry/traffic controls—check NPS.

Pass / fees: Olympic National Park entrance fee or valid national parks pass.