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Image by David Merrick

Washington

31

Backpacking Washington State

An abundance of evergreen forests have dubbed this Pacific Northwest state the “Evergreen” state, but Washington’s diverse geography has a lot more to offer than just magnificent trees. Over 4 million acres of protected wilderness stretch across the state, creating a wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts backpacking Washington’s overnight or multi-day routes. Find your trail for easy backpacking in Washington or escape for days on a gritty expedition.

*Our information may not always be current and should be used for trip planning / selection purposes only. Always call ahead for the most current information before setting out on your trip.

Weekend Getaway

Weekend Getaways

Boulder River Wilderness.jpg

Boulder River Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 25

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-3 nights

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Image by Pavł Polø

The Brothers Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 17

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-2 nights

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Clearwater Wilderness.jpg

Clearwater Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 20

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-2 nights

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

William O. Douglas Wilderness .jpg

William O. Douglas Wilderness 

Number of Miles of Trail: 27+

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-3 nights

Permit/Reservation: Required 

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Week-Long Adventures

Buckhorn Wilderness.jpg

Buckhorn Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 54

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-7 nights 

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Henry M. Jackson Wilderness .jpg

Henry M. Jackson Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 49

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-6 nights 

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monum

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument 

Number of Miles of Trail: 200

Group Size Limit: 4

Best For: 1-7 nights 

Permit/Reservation: Required 

Mt. Baker Wilderness.jpg

Mt. Baker Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 50+

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-6 nights 

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Norse Peak Wilderness.jpg

Norse Peak Wilderness 

Number of Miles of Trail: 35+

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-4 nights 

Permit/Reservation: Required 

Salmo – Priest Wilderness.jpg

Salmo-Priest Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 50+

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-6 nights 

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Yacolt Burn State Forest.jpg

Yacolt Burn State Forest

Number of Miles of Trail: 57

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-7 nights 

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Gritty Expeditions

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Alpine Lakes Wilderness.jpg

Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 615

Group Size Limit: 8

Best For: 1-∞ nights

Permit/Reservation: Required 

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Are

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

Number of Miles of Trail: 370

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-13 nights (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Required 

Colville National Forest .jpg

Colville National Forest

Number of Miles of Trail: 486

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-∞ nights 

Permit/Reservation: Not required

Image by Marco Bicca

Elbe Hills and Tahoma State Forests

Number of Miles of Trail: 90

Group Size Limit: N/A

Best For: 1-9 nights (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Gifford Pinchot National Forest.jpg

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Number of Miles of Trail: 1,500

Group Size Limit: 4

Best For: 1-∞ nights 

Permit/Reservation: Required 

Glacier Peak Wilderness .jpg

Glacier Peak Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 450

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-∞ nights 

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Goat Rocks Wilderness .jpg

Goat Rocks Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 120

Group Size Limit: 8

Best For: 1-16 nights 

Permit/Reservation: Required 

Idaho Panhandle National Forests.jpg

Idaho Panhandle National Forests

Number of Miles of Trail: 1,400+

Group Size Limit: 8

Best For: 1-13 nights (hard limit Memorial Day-Labor Day; 1-∞ nights rest of year)

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness .jpg

Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 194

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-27 nights 

Permit/Reservation: Not required

Mount Adams Wilderness.jpg

Mount Adams Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 66

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-8 nights 

Permit/Reservation: Required 

Mount Rainier National Park.jpg

Mount Rainier National Park

Number of Miles of Trail: 265

Group Size Limit: 5

Best For: 1-14 nights (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Required 

Mt. Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest.j

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Number of Miles of Trail: 1,500

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-13 nights per ranger district (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Required

North Cascades National Park.jpg

North Cascades National Park

Number of Miles of Trail: 400

Group Size Limit: 6

Best For: 1-14 nights (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Required 

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.jpg

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest 

Number of Miles of Trail: 1,285

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-∞ nights 

Permit/Reservation: Required 

Olympic National Forest .jpg

Olympic National Forest

Number of Miles of Trail: 250+

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-13 nights (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Olympic National Park.jpg

Olympic National Park

Number of Miles of Trail: 600+

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-∞ nights 

Permit/Reservation: Required 

Pasayten Wilderness.jpg

Pasayten Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 600+

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-∞ nights 

Permit/Reservation: Not required 

Umatilla National Forest.jpg

Umatilla National Forest

Number of Miles of Trail: 715

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-13 nights (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Not required

Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness.jpg

Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 200

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-13 nights (hard limit)

Permit/Reservation: Not required

Image by Katie Musial

Wild Sky Wilderness

Number of Miles of Trail: 80+

(trails still under development)

Group Size Limit: 12

Best For: 1-11 nights 

Permit/Reservation: Not required

Want to experience more of the Pacific Northwest  and nearby states? See the Idaho and Oregon pages for more close trips!

Don't see your favorite place? Found an error on the site? Let us know and help backpackers everywhere!

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