CAMP: Lake Chelan State Park and Campground

Location: South Shore of Lake Chelan in Washington State campground website | (509) 687-3710 | Reservations Campground type: state park, 109 tent spaces, 35 utility spaces, one dump station, five restrooms and five showers. A summer vacation on Lake Chelan is a must-do for many Washington families, and Lake Chelan State Park is pretty much the epicenter of all that family […]

GO: Picnic Point Park, a Scenic Beach Escape on Puget Sound

The waterfront retreat known as Picnic Point Park is aptly-named; come on a sunny day or a clear evening near sunset and you’re going to spot plenty of couples on blankets with picnic baskets. It’s just a perfect spot for a romantic rendezvous. And at low tide, it’s the perfect spot for beach-combing. Set on the […]

CAMP & HIKE: Pearrygin Lake State Park and Campground

Pearrygin Lake State Park is a beautiful camping park ringed by Cascade peaks. It comprises over 1,200 acres (that includes the lake) with 11,000 feet of waterfront. Why We Love It: The park’s landscape is open with just a smattering of trees, mainly willows and ash, so campers won’t get much privacy but they will get in […]

Twisp Farmers Market in the Methow Valley

Location: The parking lot of the Community Center in Twisp. The Methow Valley Farmers Market (also known as the Twisp Farmers Market) is 9am to noon each Saturday from April through October. The market features fresh seasonal produce from local farms, prepared foods, bakery-fresh pastries and coffee, farm-fresh eggs, honey, preserves, pottery, mosaics and many other items. The Twisp […]

GO: Fort Ward Park on Bainbridge Island

Location: Southern tip of Bainbridge Island. Fort Ward Park is still thought by many as a Washington State Park, but it isn’t; in 2001 the land was transferred to the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District. The park is open to the public and does not require a user fee. It’s new management is the latest in its long history […]

GO: Iceberg Point on Lopez Island

Location: Very southern tip of Lopez Island on the southwest side. Access is via nearby Agate Beach County Park, which has parking available. The solitude you’re likely to find on Iceberg Point says nothing about the beauty of the place, because if that were well known this gem would be crawling with people. As it is, Iceberg Point […]

HIKE & CAMP: Obstruction Pass State Park on Orcas Island

Location: Southeast corner of Orcas Island, Washington. If ever there was a downside to beautiful Orcas Island, it is the dearth of public saltwater beaches. For this reason alone, we generally prefer San Juan and Lopez over Orcas when we want quality beach time. But now, we know about Obstruction Pass State Park! This 80-acre waterfront parcel just past […]

CAMP & HIKE: Spencer Spit State Park on Lopez Island

While it’s a bit of a toss-up which of Lopez Island’s two laid-back waterfront campgrounds nudge above the other in greatness, I’ll go with Spencer Spit State Park just for the setting. Gosh, it is beautiful there. This state park sits on the northeast corner of the island on a sand spit that encloses a picturesque lagoon. […]

Q: Where to Go Whale Watching in Washington?

Dear TripFinder, We’ve lived in Seattle for two years now and have yet to see an orca whale. How can we see one? Thanks! -Selma in Seattle Dear Selma, My first glimpse of an orca in Puget Sound was a chance sighting from a ferryboat crossing from Mukilteo to Whidbey Island. Note the word chance. […]

Q: Can We Rent Canoes on Diablo Lake at Colonial Creek Campground?

Dear TripFinder, Hi there. I was wondering if you could give me some information regarding canoe rentals in North Cascades National Park. Do you know if they have canoe rentals available at Colonial Creek Campground? Thanks! -Vicky Dear Vicky, The waters of Diablo Lake are a brilliant jade green color, created by cold glacial runoff […]