Plan a Snowshoeing Trip Near Seattle

Who says that the hiking season has to end when the heavy snow starts falling? Snowshoeing is a fantastic way to see some of your favorite trails from a whole new perspective, explore new natural destinations near Seattle during the winter, and enjoy a fun, healthy workout in the process. Whether you're just getting started with snowshoeing or you're already experienced at traversing the trails, there are so many amazing places to explore within driving distance of Seattle. Here are some of the best places to plan a snowshoeing trip near Seattle this winter.

• Gold Creek Pond – Snoqualmie Pass – Snoqualmie Pass, WA 98068
  For anyone who's new to snowshoeing, the Gold Creek Pond trail at Snoqualmie Pass is the perfect place to start your adventures. It's a flat trail, so you don't have to worry about extensive elevation changes, and the 2.8-mile trail is short enough that it's easy to fit a snowshoeing trip into your busy schedule. While it's not the most demanding trail, it still offers outstanding scenery around the pond, with forests and mountain peaks as the backdrop. This is a very popular trail and does require a Sno-Parks Permit, so be sure to plan ahead.
  
• Franklin Falls Winter Trail – Parking Lot, Denny Creek Trail, North Bend, WA 98045
  Located just under an hour east of Seattle, the Franklin Falls Winter Trail is an ideal destination if you want some truly spectacular scenery on your next snowshoeing trip. It's a bit more advanced than the Gold Creek Pond trail but still beginner-friendly at 4 miles long with about 400 feet of elevation change throughout the hike. Of course, the big reward is getting to see the gorgeous Franklin Falls in a serene winter setting, with snow all around and fantastic photo ops galore. This trail is a favorite of local families and is also dog-friendly as long as your pet is on a leash.
  
• Kendall Peak Lakes –  Snoqualmie Pass, WA 98068
  Already explored the Gold Creek Pond trail? Within the same park, you'll also find the trailhead for the Kendall Peak Lakes trail, which offers more of a challenge and a significantly longer trail than its nearby neighbor. If you traverse the full distance, this trail checks in at a hefty 9 miles and features 1,700 feet of elevation change with quite a bit of uphill climbing. That climbing will bring you to some stunning views, perfect for taking a break and soaking in the scenery. These vistas also make for great stopping points to turn around if you don't want to tackle the full 9-mile trail all at once.
  
• Lake Easton Sno-Park – 150 Lake Easton State Park Rd., Easton, WA 98925
  The Snoqualmie Pass trails are fantastic, but that also means they can get pretty crowded at peak times. For a less crowded and more tranquil snowshoeing trip, try Lake Easton Sno-Park, which is located about 70 miles southeast of Seattle. The main trail here is 5.2 miles round-trip, with about 450 feet of elevation gain and the highest point of 2283 feet. This scenic, peaceful hike is ideal for anyone who loves spending time in nature. Be sure to stop at Mountain High Hamburgers for their extensive milkshake menu!
  
• Miyar Adventures – 1120 NW Ballard Way, Seattle, WA 98107
  If you're new to snowshoeing or would like to find some new places to explore, the team at Miyar Adventures offers a diverse selection of guided snowshoeing day trips that can take you to interesting trails all around Washington. They offer excellent educational hikes for beginners, where you'll learn the essentials of navigating trails, operating the equipment, and practicing safe snowshoeing habits. For more experienced groups, the guide will focus more on finding the best trails and less on snowshoeing instruction. There are scheduled snowshoeing adventures that anyone can sign up for, as well as custom packages that allow you to tailor your trip to the needs of your group.

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