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Popular Family Hikes and Less-Crowded Alternatives Nearby

Classic hikes near Seattle plus beat-the-crowd alternatives

Maegen Blue
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Published on: August 26, 2024

View from the top of popular Washington hike Rattlesnake Ledge
Photo:
The view from Rattlesnake Ledge, a popular hike near Seattle. Photo: iStock

Classic hikes near Seattle — and off-the-beaten-path alternatives nearby

Ah, the great outdoors — there is just nothing better than a hike for sharing with your kids towering trees, wildlife and lots and lots of other people. Yes, many of the Seattle area’s best family hikes are so popular that the trail can seem like a busy highway. 

Of course, beloved hikes are popular for a reason, and many local families would say it’s worth getting up early to score a parking space at the trailhead to trek these trails. Pro tip: Go on a weekday.

Here, we’re highlighting four of these classic hikes near Seattle that are well worth doing, plus four lesser-known options to consider if you like your wilderness with a little more elbow room. Most of these hikes are suitable for even young children.

Note: We always recommend carrying the 10 essentials. It’s a good habit to get into, especially with kids and as the weather cools.

To see all the hikes we’ve rounded up, click the arrow above the image or the link at the bottom of each page. If you already know where you want to hike, jump to the area you are interested on the list below:

First pair: Rattlesnake Ledge and Cedar Butte

More family hikes:

Editor’s note: This article was originally published a few years ago and updated most recently for your hiking adventures in August 2024 by ParentMap’s associate editor, Kari Hanson.

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