Hang Gliding at Tiger Mountain in Issaquah, Washington

Tiger Mountain sits just 30 minutes east of Seattle in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. The mountain has two popular hang gliding launch points where enthusiasts of the sport can soar over a tree-studded valley in view of the Cascades, the glaciers of Mount Rainier, glittering Lake Sammamish and the Seattle skyline. On good gliding days, clusters of colorful parachutes can be seen drifting from the mountain's summit.

The Mountain

• Tiger Mountain, part of the group of foothills called the Issaquah Alps, sits just off I-90 east of Seattle. The mountain is popular with hikers, horseback riders and joggers, who take to the many trails crisscrossing the Tiger Mountain State Forest. The mountain has two well-maintained launch sites for paragliders, a south launch with an elevation of 1,680 feet and a north launch with an elevation of 1,830 feet. Both areas are clear of trees and have bathrooms. The north launch, also called Poo Poo Point, has a wide strip of turf to ease the take-off process. A landing zone sits at the base of the mountain on Issaquah-Hobart road.

Weather and Safety

• Safely paragliding -- from any location -- requires a significant investment of equipment and knowledge. Equipment should be well maintained and thoroughly checked before each glide to further ensure safety. Paragliding anywhere in the United States without an instructor, including at Tiger Mountain, requires a Para 2 (solo) certification.

  The best time to fly at Tiger Mountain is in the afternoon. The mountain is flyable year round, assuming you find a clear day, but April to August are the best months for ideal conditions. In summer, thermaling is best from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and glass-off from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Gliding can range from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on your experience and the conditions.

Lessons and Guides

• Several companies near Tiger Mountain offer paragliding lessons and tandem flying -- flying while harnessed with a professional guide who acts as the pilot. For either lessons or tandem flying, you need not have any prior experience or be in great physical shape. Paragliding is not physically demanding; it requires only that you be able to run 20 to 30 feet. Companies include Seattle Paragliding, Paraglide Washington and Parafly Paragliding. Most lessons and tandem flights include equipment, shuttle service and a session on safety and technique.

Where to Watch

• If you're interested in watching the paragliders, there is a broad berm at Poo Poo Point that's a perfect vantage point. You can choose from two hiking trails to access the area: the Chirico Trail and the Poo Poo Point Trail. The Chirico Trail is shorter, just 4.7 miles round trip, while the Poo Poo Point Trail is a more demanding 7.4-mile round trip trek. Both trails are easy to access from I-90 and pass through forest on their way to the point. There, hikers are treated to expansive views of Lake Sammamish and the Cascade Mountains. It's important that hikers stay out of the way of paragliders landing or taking off, and that they not walk on the turf strip.

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Mountain Bike Trails Near Seattle, Washington

The mountains and foothills surrounding Seattle beckon mountain bikers with an attractive array of biking options. But these locales tend to be far enough away from the city that most Seattle-based bikers can't take advantage of them on weekends or weekday evenings after work. They shouldn't despair, though; there are several worthwhile trails close to Seattle that provide challenging terrain without the need for a long drive to the mountains.

I-5 Colonnade

• This mountain bike skills park is the only mountain biking spot within Seattle's city limits. The network of trails sits under the I-5 freeway between the Capitol Hill and Eastlake neighborhoods. The park is shaded from rain, so it's the perfect place to stretch your legs during the rainy season. Bikers can access features like a pump track, suspension bridge, rock roll-overs and extensive trails. Parking is available off Lakeview Boulevard.

St. Edward State Park

• A short drive from Seattle, St. Edward State Park is a 316-acre swath of land situated on Lake Washington's eastern shore. The park is a favorite of Seattle mountain bikers, who flock to its network of trails to sharpen their skills. St. Edward has an impressive array of technical features, ranging from steep ascents and descents to big jumps and banked turns. While visitors with motor vehicles need to purchase a Discover Pass to park here, they can ride their bicycles in for free.

Big Finn Hill Park

• Big Finn Hill Park is connected to St. Edward State Park via mountain biking trails. This 220-acre park is less technical, consisting mostly of rolling singletrack. The park is appealing to beginners, who might not be ready to tackle the drops and sharp turns found at St. Edward State Park. Together, Big Finn Hill and St. Edward State Park encompass 16 miles of mountain biking trails.

Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park

• The Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park is situated about half an hour from Seattle. The 120-acre park has a range of trails that appeal to beginners and seasoned riders alike. There are tamer, smoother cross-country tracks with fewer technical features along with freeride trails with fast down hills, big air jumps and sharp turns. The park is so popular that parking can be problematic; most people leave their cars at nearby Duthie Hill Lodge and cycle into the park.

Tiger Mountain

• Farther outside of Seattle, Tiger Mountain sits in the Cascade foothills about 40 minutes away from the city. Four trails consisting of 12 miles of riding are open for mountain biking here: East Tiger, Iverson (also known as Fat Hand), Preston Railroad and Northwest Timber. The trails range from the more technical Iverson to the smoother East Tiger. Tiger Mountain, unlike other spots closer to the city, is only open from May to September.

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Backpacking & Camping on Long Beach, Washington

The Long Beach Peninsula, a quiet, tucked-away corner of the Pacific Northwest coast, defines the very southwestern finger of the state of Washington. A place of dunes, shore-pine copses, spruce rainforests, tidal mudflats, oyster-shell middens and little towns, this big sandbar is an excellent place to savor the region’s many special qualities. Laying down a sleeping bag to spend a night under the stars -- or, for that matter, parking an RV in a pine-fringed slot -- makes for an especially direct experience with the peninsula.

The Peninsula

• Setting the Long Beach Peninsula in context is a useful exercise for anyone planning a visit to the area. The landscape comprises a great sandbar accumulated off the mouth of the Columbia River, which defines its southern end. A bold, dark basalt headland, Cape Disappointment, lords it over the “Graveyard of the Pacific," the Columbia’s stormy estuary. Some 30 miles of sand extends due northward like a narrow tooth, separating Willapa Bay eastward from the open ocean. On a clear day, the Willapa Hills on the Washington mainland roll along on the eastern horizon, with High Cascade snow peaks looming beyond. The Olympic Mountains, heart of the Olympic Peninsula dozens of miles to the north, can be glimpsed from the Willapa Bay shore in places.

Cape Disappointment

• Cape Disappointment is the wild anchor of the Long Beach Peninsula and serves as its premier camping location. Miles of rugged trails lace the deep woods of the crest and drop through brine-scented hollows to the rocky coast. The rough, rainforest-swathed and ravine-gouged headland marks the area where Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and their Corps of Discovery reached the Pacific Ocean in 1805, although it was already known to British mariners and, of course, local Chinook Indians. Cape Disappointment State Park includes a large campground, with close to 140 sites, 60 of which are full-hookup. Some of these sites can be reserved in advance, while others are first-come, first-served. Other rental options include 14 yurts and a trio of lakeside cabins.

Long Island

• Long Island is an estuarine island located just a stone’s throw off the Long Beach Peninsula shore on the south end of Willapa Bay. Part of the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, the island includes a spectacular old-growth grove of western redcedar, one of the majestic, long-lived conifer species that defines the Pacific Northwest temperate rainforest. Some 20 campsites -- Pinnacle Rock, Smokey Hollow, Sand Spit, Sawlog and Lewis -- are scattered between five primitive campgrounds on Long Island. These campsites, which are accessible only by boat, are first-come, first-served; during the autumn elk archery season, campers must register. Tidal fluctuations in Willapa Bay are significant, so those kayaking or canoeing out to Long Island must consult the tide schedule; the sites are mostly reachable by water only with a six-foot or better high tide. However, you can generally always go ashore at the landing across from the Willapa Bay park headquarters on the southeastern part of Long Island and backpack in to the island’s campsites.

Private Campgrounds

• For both RV travelers and tent campers, numerous private campgrounds on the Long Beach Peninsula offer additional opportunities for bedding down. Most are concentrated in and around Long Beach, Ocean Park and Ilwaco, the peninsula’s major towns. They range from the Bay Center/Wallapa Bay KOA to Andersen’s on the Ocean RV Park. Collectively, these Long Beach parks account for more than 1,000 RV spaces. Reservations are recommended during the peak tourist season from late spring to fall.

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Climate in the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington

The epic Pacific Crest Trail stretches from Mexico to Canada, crossing through California, Oregon and Washington on its 2,650-mile journey. The trail draws thousands of hikers and equestrians each year. In Washington, the PCT heads through the Columbia Gorge and through the Cascades, hitting varied regions and elevations with a range of climates. The weather also can vary greatly depending on the season.

Spring

• Spring is a tricky time to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington. While lower elevations close to sea level, such as areas near the Columbia Gorge in the southern part of the state, experience mild weather, the North Cascade Range is a different story. This part of the trail is the wettest of the entire route, as storms pass through for most of the year, dumping large amounts of rain and snow. Rainfall ranges from a quarter of an inch to nearly an inch a day, and snowfall can accumulate quickly -- as much as several inches in a day. As a result, there are about 750 permanent snowfields and glaciers, some of which hikers must traverse as they cross the North Cascades. Other sections of the trail climb to high passes and ridges -- from 4,000 to 7,000 feet -- where cold, rainy weather persists into July most years.

Summer

• Summer is generally a good time to hike the PCT in Washington, as extreme high temperatures are rare, especially at high elevations. The weather is sunny and mild, with daytime highs in the 60s and 70s and overnight lows in the 50s. In addition, the rainy season in western Washington ends by July, and the dry weather continues most years until late September or early October, making these months pleasant for hiking. Be prepared for sun exposure in areas near Snoqualmie Pass, where the trail crosses through once-forested areas that have been clear-cut by loggers. In addition, the Cascades experience occasional summer thunderstorms; hikers on high ridges should watch for thunderclouds and take cover at lower elevations if lightning flashes.

Fall

• Early fall is generally mild, while late fall can be cold and rainy as winter approaches. Temperatures begin to fall, with overnight lows approaching the 30s and daytime highs rarely reaching the 60s. Hikers should always carry rain gear and be prepared for gradually cooling night temperatures. Occasionally snow falls at higher elevations -- around 4,000 feet -- in late fall. In September and October, hikers can see colorful displays of fall colors; huckleberry bushes on high slopes turn red and orange, and deciduous larch trees sport yellow leaves this time of year.

Winter

• In winter, the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington receives heavy snowfall, especially at higher elevations. Some days, a foot of snow may accumulate, though a few inches is more common. Most lower elevations (from sea level to a few hundred feet above) will also get snow in January and February. As a result, most thru-hikers do not travel here in winter. However, day hikers can choose certain sections of the trail to hike with snowshoes on clear days, when snow isn't falling heavily. Though temperatures in winter hover at or below freezing, even during the day, snowshoeing is an intense cardiovascular activity that keeps you from feeling uncomfortably cold with minimal layers.

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Cool Beaches in Tacoma, Washington

Although not as well-known as adjacent Seattle, Tacoma, Wash., is certainly comparable to its larger neighbor for exploring Washington State's natural beauty. Situated on the banks of the saltwater Puget Sound, Tacoma's beaches offer both rocky and sandy shores, views of Mount Rainier and plenty of wildlife sightings. Whether you're interested in fishing or taking an icy dip or boating excursion in the Sound, Tacoma's beaches provide ample opportunities for all types of outdoors lovers.

Titlow Park

• Anchored by the historic Titlow Lodge -- a former hotel built in 1911-- Titlow Park boasts a Puget Sound view, a lagoon and several miles of trails through grassy flatland. With a tour of the park, you can also spot Tacoma's famous Narrows Bridge, a replacement for the first Sound-spanning bridge named Galloping Gertie, which collapsed during a windstorm in 1940. The current bridge became a model for suspension bridges when it was completed in 1950. Titlow Park is also one of the city's best places to see -- but not touch! -- seals and sea lions in the spring and summer, as well as boating and fishing.

Dash Point Park

• Nearly three acres in size, Dash Point Park is known for its 700-foot long sandy beach offering views of the lush greenery and stately homes of Vashon Island across the Puget Sound from the park. Unlike other parks in Tacoma, Dash Point offers visitors a parking lot right next to the water, so visitors with limited mobility can still easily access these waterfront views. Open before sunrise and closing after sunset, Dash Point also has a fishing pier, picnic facilities, a basketball court and a playground for young children.

Point Defiance Park

• With more than two million visitors each year, Point Defiance Park is one of the Tacoma's most popular. Offering Puget Sound views like the other Tacoma parks, Point Defiance is also home to a large forest, a Japanese Garden and a Rose Garden. You can take advantage of the park's natural features by boating, swimming and hiking, or spend your time on one of the park's more modern attractions, which include batting cages, tennis courts and Go-Karts. Dash Point is also open before sunrise and stays open until after sunset.

Browns Point Lighthouse Park

• The original Browns Point Lighthouse wasn't exactly a lighthouse. It was really just a lantern attached to a stick on Point Brown in 1887, before Washington became a state. You can tour what this lantern later became: a full-fledged, wood-frame building completed in 1901. You can even rent out the lightkeeper's cottage for a week-long vacation. Although the park itself is open from sunrise to sunset, the free tours of the lighthouse are only offered March through November. In addition to the lighthouse, you can also experience the four-acre park's other amenities, which include a sandy beach, picnic spots and hiking trails.

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Lake & Overnight Camping in King County, Washington

The most densely populated county in Washington State, King County is packed full of famous landmarks, from the Space Needle to Starbucks’ headquarters. Yet this metropolitan hot spot is not only a place for city tourism and business -- step outside the Seattle metro area and you will quickly find yourself immersed in all that the great outdoors in this corner of the country has to offer. Camping is a favorite pastime of many locals, with several nearby campsites, lakeside stop-offs and mountain clearings offering impressive views of the Pacific Northwest.

Natural Beauty along the Sparkling Snoqualmie River

• About a half hour's drive from Seattle, Tolt-MacDonald State Park along the Snoqualmie River offers a beautiful campground setting. The nearly 600-acre park is open for tent and RV setups while also offering creative camping experiences in yurts and a repurposed shipping container, available by reservation only. Campers at Tolt-MacDonald are surrounded by impressive views of the Cascades, riverfront access, nearby hiking and biking trails and campground amenities such as fire pits, picnic shelters and baseball and softball fields.

Play and Stay: Lakeside Camping at Sammamish

• Bordered by two neighboring state parks, Lake Sammamish is a tranquil place to pitch a tent and have a good old-fashioned camping experience with campfire cooking, low-impact hiking trails and water activities such as tubing, waterskiing and rowing. With both of the parks -- Marymoor to the north and Lake Sammamish State Park to the south -- featuring designated camping spots, a lakeside rendezvous is both an inexpensive and relaxing way to spend a long weekend away from the hectic city life in nearby Seattle.

Weekend by the Falls

• A truly secluded getaway, the Snoqualmie River RV Park and Campground is nestled near Snoqualmie Falls, approximately 30 miles outside of the city. The nearby Salish Lodge and Spa's gazebo lookout point for the falls is a short hike away and open to the public year-round. Activities range from fishing to various water sports and hiking trails, with the campground featuring full RV hookups, tent sites, restrooms and showers, fire pits and picnic areas.

No Experience? No Problem

• If the thought of roughing it on your own is daunting, but you're still itching for that Northwest outdoors experience, consider a weekend at a KOA or similar campground. Unlike more traditional campsites, KOAs cater to beginning campers, as well as those who simply crave a bit more luxury in their outdoor experience. With amenities such as Wi-Fi, indoor cafeterias, full restrooms and ample recreational areas at your fingertips, it is the perfect way to dip your toe in the water of Northwest camping.

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Camping in Sun Lakes, Washington

Sun Lakes, located about 100 miles west of Spokane, Washington, lives up to its name. While many think of Washington as a rainy state, the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains can be very dry and sunny. That is certainly true in this arid, sun-drenched region, where more than a dozen lakes sit in a basin below towering orange and brown cliffs. The area makes for a sportsman’s paradise, with large freshwater lakes that are perfect for camping, fishing, swimming, waterskiing and boating.

An Oasis in the Desert

• At more than 4,000 acres, Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park is one of the better-equipped state parks in the area. The campground is located on the northern shore of Park Lake, one of the largest lakes in the Sun Lakes basin. There are more than 150 non-electric campsites here, as well as showers, a large playground and large, easily accessible beaches. Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park also features many acres of grassy lawn on which to picnic or rest under the shade trees -- there are even concerts on some summer weekend nights. More than 15 miles of hiking trails wind through the park’s desert terrain, many of which lead to smaller, less-frequented lakes. There is even a picturesque nine-hole golf course that overlooks the Sun Lakes basin.

A Center for Family Fun

• Also on the northern shore of Park Lake, adjacent the state park, is Sun Lakes Resort. The resort has more than 130 sites for tent and full-hookup RV camping, as well as more than 50 cabins and 10 permanent mobile homes. The resort caters to the entire family, with a pool, snack bar, miniature golf, general store, paddle boat rentals -- even a water-balloon “Water War” area. For those who bring their ski or fishing boats, there is access to the resort’s marina. You can also walk from Sun Lakes Resort to the state park campground and its many beaches in a matter of minutes.
• A Fisherman’s Paradise

• Coulee Lodge Resort at Grande Coulee sits on the northwestern shore of Blue Lake, also in the Sun Lakes basin. This privately owned resort offers more than 20 RV sites with water, sewer and electric hookups, and a dozen tent camping sites, most of which are along the lakefront. There are also 14 cabins and permanent mobile homes available to rent. The Coulee Lodge Resort has a general store and marina that can handle most food and fishing tackle supplies, as well as rentals for motorized fishing boats and pontoon boats. Rowboats and paddle boats can also be rented here.

Dual Lake Access

• Situated on a narrow stretch of land between Blue and Park lakes is Laurent’s Sun Village Resort. Both lakes are accessible from this resort, although most of the resort’s infrastructure is built around Blue Lake. This resort is a bit removed from the others, neatly tucked below the surrounding cliffs. There are nearly 100 RV sites with full hookups available, and another 16 with just electric and water. A small amount of tent camping can be had at the resort, plus 19 cabins. Laurent’s rents electric and human-powered fishing boats, as well as water vehicles for the kids, such as paddlebikes. There is a large swimming area here, as well as volleyball courts and grassy fields on which to run around.

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Cycling Trails in Bothell, Washington

Visit Bothell, Washington and journey back in time while touring historic homes and buildings. Let your imagination take flight on the banks of the Sammamish River, just 30 minutes from Seattle while bird watching at the wetlands, or enjoy shopping, feeding chickens and children’s train rides on the winding paths of the Country Village Shops. For cyclists, Bothell’s regional trail system includes more than 30 miles of paved and soft-surface paths, including several interconnecting trails.

Sammamish River Trail

• Spanning the stretch between Bothell and the city of Redmond, the Sammamish River Trail is a 10.9-mile paved trail that follows the river. The trail begins in Bothell at Blyth Park, where it intersects with the Burke-Gilman Trail. Other access points are at Bothell Landing, Jerry Wilmot Park in Woodinville and Sixty Acres Park and at the trail’s end. Along the trail, you’ll have views across the valley to the Cascade foothills with Mount Rainier in the distance. This multiuse trail is also used by walkers, joggers and skaters. The section from Northeast 175th Street in Woodinvlle to Marymoor Park is also open to equestrian use.

Burke-Gilman Trail

• The Burke-Gilman Trail runs more than 18 miles, from Bothell to Seattle, beginning at the Sammamish River. This lengthy regional trail follows a historic railroad route along the north shore of Lake Washington, passing through the cities of Lake Forest Park and Kenmore, and continuing through Seattle to the Lake Washington Ship Canal before ending at Shilshole Bay on Seattle’s western shore. Cyclists on the Burke-Gilman can see or stop at the Ship Canal, Lake Union, Lake Washington and the Seattle neighborhoods of Ballard, Fremont, Wallingford, View Ridge and the University District. The Burke-Gilman Trail is paved and is off-road except for a short section in Ballard. Because the trail is open to pedestrian and bike traffic, be prepared to share this popular path with strollers, joggers, walkers, skaters and other cyclists.

Tolt Pipeline Park Trail

• Part of the King County Regional Trails system, the Tolt Pipeline Park Trail begins at the Sammamish River Trail and extends out into the West Snoqualmie Valley to Duvall. This 13.7-mile gravel trail follows the Tolt Water Pipeline’s access road through neighborhoods and natural areas. The trails passes Norway Hill, wineries and breweries in Woodinville, the equestrian estates in Hollywood Hills, the Snohomish River and the neighborhoods of Bear Creek and Trilogy. Expect regular road crossings and a moderate grade during the first 1.5 miles. This rustic route is open to foot traffic, bicyclists and equestrians.

North Creek Trail

• A little more than 2 miles long, the North Creek Trail is a useful connector trail, linking the Sammamish River Trail to the University of Washington Bothell, Cascadia Community College and southern Snohomish County. The North Creek Trail begins as a paved trail, starting at the Sammamish River Trail, near State Road 522 at the intersection of Woodinville Drive and Northeast 113th Avenue. The trail passes the university and college campuses and turns to a paved and soft-surface trail after crossing Interstate 405. At 120th Avenue Northeast, a paved spur connects to the North Creek Sports Fields. The North Creek Trail is used by cyclists, walkers and joggers. The Bothell section of the North Creek Trail ends at the Bothell-Everett Highway and picks up again north of the city in Mill Creek.

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Places to Go in Olympia, Washington

As the seat of government for the state of Washington, there is always something going on in Olympia. But it is not all civil servants and legislators here; Olympia is a thriving city with its own music and restaurant scene, the innovative Evergreen State College and a busy working waterfront. Completing the picture is its charming downtown with small restaurants, theaters and retail stores -- all of which are tucked neatly between the spectacular capitol dome and the shores of Budd Inlet.

Tour Washington’s Capitol Grounds

• The Washington State Capitol Building sits high on a hill above downtown Olympia and is the number one tourist attraction in the city. From the ground floor to the top of the capitol dome measures 287 feet. And the 102-foot dome itself, completed in 1928 after six years of construction, is the fifth tallest free-standing masonry dome in the world and the tallest in North America. The capitol grounds are beautiful, too, with monuments and public art throughout. At time of publication, 60-minute tours of the legislative building took place seven days a week, beginning at 10 a.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on weekends. The last tour each day was at 3 p.m.

Find the Artesian Wells

• When Olympia Beer was brewed in nearby Tumwater, Washington, its slogan was “It’s the Water.” The brewery is now gone, but the water that pours from Olympia’s artesian wells still flows. A 1940s-era survey by the city of Olympia, in fact, identified 96 active artesian wells and springs in the downtown area alone. Today, that water is still used by industry, piped through municipal water fountains and used by local restaurants like the Spar Café on Fourth Avenue East. There is one artesian well located near Fourth Avenue East and Jefferson Street. There, the clean, pure water still flows, and locals are known to line up to bottle it. You can too -- it's free. Finding the other wells in the city isn't always easy, but if you ask a local, he just might point you in the right direction.

Explore the Wildlife

• The Nisqually River flows from the glaciers of Mount Rainier into Puget Sound just north of Olympia. This area, where the river delta fans out into the saltwater, has become a protected estuary as part of the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. The 762-acre reserve provides a spectacular opportunity to walk among the bald eagles, fish and other wildlife that make their homes in this estuary. There are about five miles of trails in the reserve, many on boardwalks over the marshland. There are also learning opportunities available in the Interpretive Center.

Float on Puget Sound

• Just downhill from the capitol dome and adjacent to the downtown retail core is Budd Inlet, part of Puget Sound. This is still a working waterfront, and you might find a fisherman bringing in his catch, or a tugboat being refinished. But there are also many vendors and concessionaires that cater to visitors, providing adventures on the waters of Puget Sound. For instance, Mystic Journeys Sailboat Charters leaves the Port of Olympia on several catered cruises, including overnight voyages. And for those who wish to power their own boat on Budd Inlet can rent from Urban Kayak and Paddleboards, which operates from Percival Landing, located downtown.

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Bike Trails in La Conner, Washington

La Conner, Washington, is tucked between the shores of Skagit Bay to the west and the majestic Cascade Mountains to the east, granting gorgeous scenery along the area's many bike trails. Home to a thriving artist community, you’ll find the streets of La Conner lined with art galleries and artisan shops, while the waterfront buzzes with energy as local fishermen and pleasure boaters come and go. The city’s designated bike routes begin in town and extend out or loop through the surrounding communities. Detailed route maps and directions are available from the La Conner Chamber of Commerce.

Swinomish Reservation Loop Tour

• Follow this 10-mile on-road loop for views of the Swinomish Channel in the east and Simalik Bay in the west, with views of Deception Pass in the distance. This bike route begins in La Conner and follows the shoreline, cutting across Fidalgo Island, a bridge-accessed island across the channel. Begin this loop on Maple Avenue, also known as Pioneer Parkway. The Swinomish Reservation Loop Tour follows lightly trafficked roads without bike lanes, and passes several campgrounds and a picnic area.

Tulip Fields Loop Tour

• Imagine vibrantly colored fields stretching out like patchwork quilts toward the horizon and you’ll have some idea of what La Conner -- and much of Skagit County -- looks like in the spring. Ride this 14-mile, on-road bike loop any time of year, but plan a visit during April or May for optimal tulip, daffodil and iris viewing. The Tulip Fields Loop Tour begins on Chilberg Road and follows moderately to lightly-trafficked and rural roads past farms and vineyards, using bike shoulders and vehicle lanes.

Rexville Loop Tour

• Cruise through the Mount Vernon community of Rexville and stop in for a souvenir at the historic 1935 Rexville Grocery. The return ride on this 11-mile on-road bike loop takes you past rolling fields of flowers. The Rexville Loop Tour begins in La Conner and heads east to Dodge Valley, Rexville and the tulip fields. Allow plenty of time for stopovers on this scenic route that passes by a pickle a farm, a seasonal art gallery, a seasonal produce market and several vineyards and flower fields. The trail follows roads with moderate traffic through Rexville, and rural roads past the vineyards and flower fields. Cyclists will need to use road shoulders and vehicle lanes at times.

Mount Vernon to La Conner Spur Tour

• Spend a few hours exploring the city of Mount Vernon by following this one-way, 9-mile spur route. Mount Vernon’s historic downtown features antique shops and award-winning breweries, wineries and distilleries. Mount Vernon is also home to the 1926 Lincoln Theatre and the Washington State University Discovery Garden, which is made up of more than two dozen individual gardens. This one-way route begins in Mount Vernon and extends to La Conner, but the route can be completed in reverse or as a loop. The Mount Vernon/La Conner Spur Tour follows a levee of the Skagit River, passing wetlands, historic farm houses, dairy farms and tulip fields. This route uses bike shoulders and vehicle lane routes. Cyclists may pass through heavy traffic in downtown Mount Vernon.

Bayview Loop Tour

• Allow a full day for this 27-mile bike loop beginning in La Conner and extending north and then east into the Samish River Valley. The Bayview Loop Tour follows the shoreline north along Padilla Bay from La Conner, passing through the Bayview State Park before turning east and dropping down into the valley, past wetlands, tulip fields and farms. Along the route, you’ll pass the Padilla Bay Interpretive Center and the Upland State Game Bird Habitat. The Bayview Loop Tour uses vehicle lanes, bike shoulders and a multipurpose gravel trail on mostly rural and lightly trafficked roads.

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