Seven Snow-Free Winter Hikes in the Seattle Area

While winter storms cover trails across the country in snow, Seattle’s mild coastal climate offers outdoor enthusiasts a unique opportunity for ample snow-free hiking throughout the colder months. Thanks to the city’s proximity to multiple national and state parks, hikers don’t need to venture far to enjoy stunning natural landscapes.

To the west, discover coastal ecosystems and lush rainforests on the Olympic Peninsula. Or travel just an hour or two to the east for winter-friendly low-elevation mountain trails with towering snowy peaks in the background. 

These mountain and coastal areas are the perfect places to immerse yourself in the wild this winter. So load your backpack, bundle up, and head outside to discover the incredible beauty outside Seattle.

1. Hoh Rainforest

A short ferry ride and drive from Seattle, the Olympic Peninsula is one of the most ecologically diverse regions in the Pacific Northwest. Here, visitors can explore rugged coastlines, towering mountains, and one of the best-preserved temperate rainforests in the world — the Hoh Rainforest.

Hike through an enchanting landscape of moss-draped trees, ferns, and crystal-clear streams on the Hoh River Trail. This route extends 18.5 miles to the Blue Glacier moraine with views of Mount Olympus. In winter, hikers typically turn around at 5 Mile Island for a 10-mile, round-trip hike. 

If you’re short on time, the Hall of Mosses Trail winds 0.8 miles through old-growth forests and features an impressive grove of maple trees covered top to bottom in club moss.

• Length: Up to 18.5 miles; most winter hikers turn around sooner
• Difficulty: Moderately challenging
• Restrooms: At the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center
• Parking: Main lot at the trailhead and overflow parking at the nearby campground
• Dog friendliness: No dogs allowed in the national park
• Hours: 24 hours a day year-round, with some holiday closures

2. Ozette Triangle and Coast

For a coastal adventure in Olympic National Park, the Ozette Triangle hike offers a stunning mix of forest and seaside landscapes. Starting at Ozette Lake, the 9.3-mile loop follows a boardwalk through old-growth forests before opening up to the expansive Pacific coastline.

Enjoy views of rugged cliffs, towering sea stacks, tidepools brimming with life, and the boulder-strewn shoreline from Sand Point to Cape Alava. As you approach the cape on the northern stretch of the coastal trail, keep an eye out for petroglyphs carved into the boulders at Wedding Rock. This historic artwork created by inhabitants of the Ozette Village dates back 500 years and depicts orcas, clam shells, and other images of life on the Olympic coast. 

While you won’t have to contend with snow on the trail, tides higher than 5 feet can make sections of shoreline impassable at high tide. Be sure to check the tide chart before you start your hike.

• Length: 9.3 miles
• Difficulty: Moderately challenging
• Restrooms: At the trailhead; pit toilets on the trail at Sand Point and Cape Alava
• Parking: Lot at the trailhead
• Dog friendliness: No dogs allowed in the national park
• Hours: 24 hours a day year-round, with some holiday closures

3. Moran State Park 

Take a scenic ferry ride to the San Juan Islands north of Seattle. Known for its diverse landscapes and ample trails, this peaceful archipelago is a hiker’s paradise. Head to Orcas Island — the largest land mass in the island chain — to explore Moran State Park.

With nearly 40 miles of trails, the park is home to the most extensive trail network in the San Juans. For a low-key winter hike, try the Cascade Lake Trail. This 2.6-mile loop hugs the forested shoreline and connects to several spur trails leading to a lagoon and waterfall. 

Along the route, catch views of Mount Constitution. At 2,400 feet, this peak is the highest point in the San Juan Islands and offers sweeping vistas of the surrounding islands. Often covered in snow in the winter, the trail to the summit is a popular option for summer hikers and lucky off-season visitors who catch the trail when it’s snow-free.

• Length: 2.6 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Restrooms: Available at several points along the trail
• Parking: 3 lots with trail access available 
• Dog friendliness: Dogs allowed on leash
• Hours: 8 a.m. to dusk in winter

4. Boulder River Wilderness

East of Seattle, the Cascade Range beckons with its towering peaks, alpine lakes, and dramatic vistas. While high-elevation areas typically receive an average of 37 inches of snow each winter, low-elevation trails remain accessible most of the cold season.

With a maximum elevation of 1,550 feet, the Boulder River Trail offers a chance to experience the North Cascades year-round. Hike among moss-covered trees, which are especially stunning in wetter winter months, and past multiple waterfalls on the 8.1-mile trail. After prolonged cold weather, this already-gorgeous trail takes on an ethereal look, with frozen waterfalls and icicles dripping from branches and rocks.

• Length: 8.1 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Restrooms: None on location; pit toilet available at the nearby Washington State Department of Natural Resources campground 2.8 miles east
• Parking: Small lot at the trailhead
• Dog friendliness: Dogs allowed on leash
• Hours: 24 hours a day

5. Tiger Mountain State Forest

A local favorite, Tiger Mountain and the surrounding forest offer hikers options for outdoor recreation outside the city. In the winter, low-elevation trails, including the South Tiger Mountain Loop, remain mostly snow-free for winter hiking.

Access this unassuming trailhead on the side of Tiger Mountain Road Southeast. From there, the route follows Tiger Mountain Trail, which gently ascends through the dense southern part of the forest and along the eastern slope.

At Hobart Gap, catch the South Tiger Traverse to venture into clearings where the forest has been logged over the years. Altogether, the trails form a 7.5-mile loop that peaks at just over 2,000 feet — keeping hikers entertained with year-round hiking.

• Length: 7.5 miles
• Difficulty: Moderately challenging
• Restrooms: No toilet at trailhead
• Parking: Roadside parking
• Dog friendliness: Dogs allowed on leash
• Hours: Daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

6. Carbon River 

No exploration of Seattle’s hiking scene is complete without mentioning the crown jewel of the Pacific Northwest — Mount Rainier and its namesake national park. Washington’s tallest mountain dominates the city’s skyline on clear days and offers some of the most spectacular and varied terrain in the region.

At 14,411 feet, this iconic peak receives an average of 670 inches of snow annually, which means winter adventures on the mountain involve skis. 

But in the far northwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park, temperate rainforest climates surrounding Carbon River offer visitors a chance to explore a section of the park without snow year round. Once accessible to cars, Carbon River Road now caters exclusively to bike and foot traffic.

Choose from several spur trails along this 10-mile corridor, including the 2.7-mile Old Mine Trail, which winds through dense rainforest along the bank of the Carbon River until it reaches a historic mine.

• Length: Up to 10 miles, with a variety of shorter trail options
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Restrooms: At the Carbon River Entrance Area a few miles from the trailhead
• Parking: Roadside
• Dog friendliness: No dogs allowed in the national park
• Hours: 24 hours a day year-round, with limited services in winter

7. Bonus: Trails in Seattle’s Backyard

If you’re short on time or just looking for a quick escape from the city, check out some of the trails within a 30-minute drive of Seattle. These areas are perfect for weekday outings or brief weekend excursions. 

On the shores of Lake Washington, Seward Park offers a serene, urban escape. The park’s flat terrain makes it perfect for a leisurely hike or family outing. Hike the paved 2.4-mile loop that circles the park’s perimeter along the water’s edge to enjoy the tranquility of the old-growth forest. On clear days, hikers can catch views of Mount Rainier and the Cascades. 

For an adventure that feels remote without straying too far from the city, head east to Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. Here, a network of more than 35 miles of trails provides hiking opportunities for all skill levels. Connect the Wildside, Shy Bear, and Cave Hole trails for a 5-mile loop that winds through dense forests. Because many of the trails in this park overlap, hikers should download a map before hitting the trail. 

• Length: 2.4 to 5 miles
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Restrooms: Multiple available along the Seward Perimeter Loop; none at the trailhead in Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
• Parking: Lot parking at both trailheads
• Dog friendliness: Dogs allowed on leash
• Hours: Daily from dawn to dusk

This post was sponsored by Fjällräven.