5 Scenic Trails for Day Hiking Close to the City

I can’t think of a city in the Northwest that doesn’t have access to spectacularly scenic hiking trails within a reasonably short drive. No matter what city you live in or are visiting, you can find a nearby trail for a day hike without having to drive for hours. This easy access to nature is one of the many reasons the Northwest has a well-deserved reputation as an outdoor recreation utopia.

Here are five of our favorite scenic trails that are an easy drive from a Northwest city.

Fragrance Lake Trail, Larrabee State Park

6 miles from Bellingham, Washington

Larrabee State Park on the Chuckanut Drive Scenic Byway has the best of two worlds: a tidepool-rich beach on the Salish Sea and a forested mountain laden with trails and mountainside lakes. The Fragrance Lake Trail begins at sea level and ascends Chuckanut Mountain to Fragrance Lake and, if you choose to continue the hike a bit farther, to Lost Lake.

This 4.4-mile round-trip hike is considered moderate due to its elevation gain of about 1,100 feet, but it’s worth it for the trek through the deep forest that blankets the mountain. You’ll encounter switchbacks with areas to rest and catch your breath. A spur trail leads to an overlook where you can view the Salish Sea and the San Juan Islands. At the top, you’ll find the picturesque, placid lake reflecting the surrounding forest. Take the trail around the lake or simply rest and absorb the tranquility of your surroundings before heading back down to the trailhead.

A Discover Pass is required to park within the park. Learn more about visiting Bellingham at bellingham.org and about Larrabee State Park at parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/larrabee-state-park.

Big Four Ice Caves, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

40 miles from Everett, Washington

Head east on the Mountain Loop Highway in Snohomish County to the Big Four Ice Caves trailhead, and from there the easy hike is less than 2.5 miles round-trip with only a few hundred feet of elevation gain, making the trail perfect for families with kids.

There was once an inn on site, but it burned down in 1949, leaving the stone chimney as the only remnant. From the trailhead you can see the more than 6,000-foot Big Four Mountain, the base of which is the end of the trail. The trail takes you on a pleasant walk through the forest and on a footbridge over the South Fork of the Stillaguamish River. When you reach the base of the mountain, the forest gives way to a rocky landscape with the ice caves visible at the base of the mountain.

Do not enter the ice caves due to the risk of falling rock or ice. A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the trailhead. Learn more about visiting Snohomish County at discoversnohomishcounty.com and about the Big Four Ice Caves at fs.usda.gov/r06/mbs/recreation/trails/big-four-ice-caves-trail-723.

Upper Table Rock, Bureau of Land Management

11 miles from Medford, Oregon

If it’s views you’re looking for while in Medford, Oregon, the hike to the top of Upper Table Rock is worth it. The hike is 2.5 miles round trip with a 730-foot elevation gain, making it a hike of moderate difficulty. But the views over the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon are stunning. In the summer heat, the best time of day to tackle Upper Table Rock is early morning.

The summit of Upper Table Rock was a volcanic lava cap on the valley floor after an eruption 7 million years ago. Over time the surrounding materials eroded leaving the lava cap as a mesa about 800 feet above the present-day valley floor. A hike up Table Rock is a journey through time.

If you plan to hike Upper Table Rock in the spring, the Bureau of Land Management hosts guided group hikes for in-depth insights into the geology of Table Rocks; visit blm.gov/visit/table-rocks-area-critical-environmental-concern for more information. To plan your stay in Medford, visit travelmedford.org.

Maclay Flat Interpretive Trail, Blue Mountain Recreation Area, Lolo National Forest

2 miles from Missoula, Montana

You can take a network of more than 40 miles of trails to explore this forested, mountainous area adjacent to Missoula, Montana. Or you can opt for the easy 1.25-mile Maclay Flat Interpretive Trail to learn all about the wildlife, plants, archaeology and the Bitterroot river where you can watch for bald eagles, ospreys and other birds.

The Blue Mountain Recreation Area’s close proximity to Missoula makes it a popular destination for residents and visitors alike. The flat trail follows the river with views of the mountains. And it is wheelchair accessible, making it a perfect nature outing for people of every ability. No permit is required for day use. Learn more at fs.usda.gov/r01/lolo/recreation/blue-mountain-recreation-area, and plan your Missoula visit at destinationmissoula.org.

Snake River Canyon Rim Trail, Twin Falls Parks

Located in Twin Falls, Idaho

For convenience and stunning canyon scenery, you can’t beat The Canyon River Trail in Twin Falls. The paved trail traces the rim of the Snake River Canyon through the city with many access points, so you can make the hike as long or as short as you wish. And it is accessible for wheelchairs.

The trail accesses several points of interest along its length, including the Perrine Bridge, Pillar Falls, Auger Falls, the spot where daredevil Evel Knievel staged his canyon jump stunt, and the spectacular Shoshone Falls. A centrally located access point is at the Twin Falls Visitor Center, where you can take the trail in either direction. The entire length of the trail is 7.6 miles. Learn more about the trail at tfid.org/182/Parks-and-Facilities and plan your stay in Twin Falls at twinfallschamber.com/visit.