In-City Nature Walks for Seattle, Eastside and South Sound Families
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Skip the long drive and walk in the wilderness, right in town. Photo: Devon Hammer
Explore the great outdoors, close to home
Fall has arrived and winter is coming. This means our days are getting shorter and mountain hiking trails will soon be snowed in. But that doesn’t mean the hiking has to stop. During the off-season, I like to skip the long drive to the hills and find the best places for a nature walk in the city — sometimes they’re just around the corner!
Whether you’re in Seattle, Bellevue or Tacoma, there are so many options for stretching your legs, exploring nature and getting your forest fix close to home. From paths lined with old-growth trees to creek-side trails to workout-worthy hill climbs, you’re sure to find the perfect walk in the woods for your family. Browse the walks in each region, or choose the one you can’t wait to explore:
First up: Seattle-area nature walks
More fun hikes near Seattle for families: |
Editor’s note: This article was originally published several years ago and was most recently updated on Oct. 21, 2025, by ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba, with a thorough fact-check. ParentMap’s managing editor, Allison Sutcliffe, contributed to this article.
