If you’re looking for ways to brighten up the dreary Seattle winters and stay active, snowshoeing is a great option! Leaving the rain behind and heading for the beautiful snowy mountains is always a mood-booster, and it’s a much more affordable and beginner-friendly option vs skiing and snowboarding. 

We’ve spent a lot of time researching and exploring different snowshoeing trails near Seattle, and we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite spots below, as well as some tips to help ensure you have a fun and memorable (in a good way!) time.

What to Wear for Snowshoeing in Washington

Deciding what to wear and pack when you first start snowshoeing can be tricky – it’s cold and wet, but depending on the trail, you might really work up a sweat! The key is to utilize layers, and bring some extra options along too. Here’s the system that works best for us:

Lower Half:

• Warm, waterproof boots – these are essential and can make or break your experience (I am a huge fan of these Merrell Thermo Chill boots that keep your feet toasty warm and dry – Mens  |  Womens)
• Warm socks – we also like to throw an extra pair in our pack in case they get damp from snow or sweat (You can’t go wrong with Merino wool, which helps to wick moisture – mens  |  womens)
• Base layer leggings + waterproof shell pants (like these for men / women)  or water-resistant pants, which are not as warm or waterproof, but are more comfortable and usually just fine for shorter trips. We’ll make this choice depending how cold and windy it is! (I’ve been a fan of the Transcendr Leggings from Kuhl, and Shane likes their Renegade Rock Pants)

Upper Half:

• Waterproof gloves – something lightweight but still waterproof is ideal (shop gloves)
• Hat or ear band
• Base layer shirt (huge fan of Smartwool – women / men)
• Mid-layer shirt, like a fleece or light jacket (women / men)
• Outer shell if you expect to get wet or it’s very windy
• Warm, packable coat:

We have been loving our Venustas coats, which are really warm to begin with, but also can be heated with a battery pack! This coat is perfect to put on when you break for lunch or at the top of the hike and the cold and wind start to catch up with you. They also make heated gloves and other products if you tend to run cold and/or spend a ton of time outside like us (“THEEGRESIS” will get you a discount on their website)

This Venustas coat has up to 8 hours of runtime, 6 heating zones (left & right chests, left & right shoulder, mid-back and collar), a water resistant shell, detachable hood, and is machine washable! We’ve been wearing them on hikes, for beach fires, after polar plunging, sitting on chilly brewery patios … it’s been a super handy item to have!

Other Things to Pack for Snowshoeing:

• Snowshoes – trip reports will help determine if you really need these (We’ve had these Tubbs brand snowshoes for years and have gotten a lot of use out of them – women’s | men’s)

• Microspikes – in case snow is compacted and icy (like these)

• Poles
• Hand warmers or heated gloves
• Camp stove and warm food (a Jetboil is really convenient because it shields the wind and boils water really fast)
• Plenty of water and snacks – snowshoeing can be hard work!
• Headlamp and extra batteries – it gets dark quick in the winter, so it’s always good to be prepared (headlamp)
• 10 Essentials

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Best Snowshoeing Spots Near Seattle:

Kendall Peak Lakes 

Stats: 9 miles roundtrip; 1,700 feet elevation gain
Area: Snoqualmie Pass
Distance from Seattle: 50 minutes
Pass: Sno-Parks Permit
Dogs Allowed? Yes

Kendall Peak Lakes is a beautiful snowshoe trail with a mostly gentle grade that follows a closed forest road, offering some great views of the surrounding mountains along the way.

Learn More: Kendall Peak Lakes Snowshoe on WTA.org

Lanham Lake

Stats: 3.2 miles roundtrip; 1,100 feet of elevation gain
Area: Stevens Pass
Distance from Seattle: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Pass: None
Dogs Allowed? Yes

This is a fun snowshoe to Lanham Lake, traveling through the trees and alongside a creek at the Stevens Pass Nordic Center, just down the highway from the ski area.

Learn More: Lanham Lake Snowshoe on WTA.org

Wenatchee Crest

Stats: 6 miles roundtrip; 400 feet of elevation gain
Area: Blewett Pass
Distance from Seattle: 1 hour, 43 minutes
Pass: Sno-Parks Permit
Dogs Allowed? Yes

Wenatchee Crest is a great beginner snowshoe – it was the first one we ever did! This trail offers a mild grade and expansive views of the Teanaway Mountains and the entire Stuart Range. 

Learn More: Wenatchee Crest Snowshoe on WTA.org

Nason Ridge

Stats: 3.6 miles roundtrip; 750 feet of elevation gain
Area: Leavenworth Area
Distance from Seattle: 2 hours
Pass: Sno-Parks Permit
Dogs Allowed? Yes

This is one of the best snowshoe routes in Lake Wenatchee State Park. Try to visit on a clear day – we were unlucky and had socked in views, so missed out on the gorgeous view over the lake, but it was still fun with fresh snow and some misty fog! 

Learn More: Nason Ridge Snowshoe on WTA.org

Panorama Point Snowshoe

Stats: 5 miles roundtrip; 1,900 feet of elevation gain
Area: Mount Rainier
Distance from Seattle: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Pass: National Park Pass
Dogs Allowed? No

Not much beats snowshoeing at Paradise on a sunny day! You’ll have beautiful views in every direction, including massive Mount Rainier seemingly right in your face. 

Learn More: Panorama Point Snowshoe on WTA.org

Longmire to Carter and Madcap Falls

Stats: 5.9 miles roundtrip; 980 feet of elevation gain
Area: Mount Rainier
Distance from Seattle: 2 hours, 5 minutes
Pass: National Park Pass
Dogs Allowed? No

A moderate trail to beautiful, snowy Carter Falls, and Madcap falls just beyond that. This is a great option for when the gate is closed in Longmire and you cannot drive further up the mountain. That’s how we discovered this gem!

Learn More: Carter and Madcap Falls on AllTrails

Artist Point

Stats: 4 miles roundtrip; 1,000 feet of elevation gain
Area: Mount Baker
Distance from Seattle: 2 hours, 40 minutes
Pass: None
Dogs Allowed? Yes

It doesn’t get more beautiful than Artist Point on a clear day. According to WTA, they even call it perhaps one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the entire state! This trail does go through avalanche terrain, so be sure to read up on this to learn more, check the NWAC avalanche forecast, and consider taking a free avalanche awareness course to better assess risk.

Learn More: Artist Point Snowshoe on WTA.org

Other Spots on Our Wish List that We Haven’t Snowshoed Yet:

• Hurricane Ridge on the Olympic Peninsula
• High Hut Snowshoe near Mount Rainier (we’ve done this in the fall and stayed in the cabin – so fun!)
• Rampart Ridge at Mount Rainier
• Cooper River in the Teanaway area

Snowshoeing Tips

• You’ll notice that several of these trails require a Washington State Sno-Parks Permit, which allows you to park at special plowed lots accessible to groomed and backcountry trails. Click here to learn more about where they’re required and to purchase one before your trip.  
• Check trip reports and weather forecasts on WTA.org before heading out. If your route involves traversing mountain passes, be diligent in checking their status, and don’t forget to equip your vehicle with chains if necessary.
• Be avalanche aware. Before heading out on any trails in the winter, you should have at least some basic avalanche awareness in order to make smart decisions. You can check the avalanche forecast with the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC). They also offer free avalanche awareness courses, online resources, and more advanced learning opportunities.
• Avoid walking on ski tracks. Skiers and snowboarders rely on smooth forward motion and your snowshoes will quickly mess this up and can even create a hazard for these other users. Stay as far to the side as possible and walk in an existing snowshoe trail if one exists. Walk single-file to minimize your impact on the groomed path.
• Expect that you might not always actually need snowshoes! Oftentimes the snow is packed down enough that you can walk in regular boots and you might even find microspikes to be more handy for traction. 
• Be aware of sunset time (spoiler: it’s EARLY in the winter) and pack a headlamp just in case. I have this model from Black Diamond, which offers a good balance of price and quality.
• Please be sure to follow Leave No Trace principles – always pack out your trash, stay on established trails, and be mindful of your impact on the land.

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We hope this post inspires you to get out and enjoy the peace and solitude of a beautiful snowshoe trail near Seattle! We’d love to know where you go — connect with us on Instagram @the.egresis and tag us in your adventures!

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Looking for more off-season inspiration? Check out these other ideas:

• 15 of the Best Spring Hikes in Washington
• Winter camping at Dash Point State Park near Seattle
• A Beautiful Stevens Pass Snowshoe Trail: Grace Lakes
• 10 Early-Season Backpacking Trips (Including Beginner Options)
• Explore Rialto Beach and the Incredible Hole-in-the-Wall on the Olympic Coast
• Backpacking Cape Alava Loop (Ozette Triangle) in the Winter