Experience The Outdoors - Snohomish County Tourism Bureau

EXPERIENCE THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME WITHOUT TAKING ONE TO GET HERE.
WELCOME TO SNOHOMISH COUNTY
Open up to Adventure
snohomish.org
Snohomish County is a recreational mecca and due to its temperate climate, it is the perfect destination for family
adventures and outdoor fun throughout the year! From bald eagle river float trips and kayak tours to first-class white
water rafting, to urban and rural walking trails, hiking, biking and snow shoeing, Snohomish County has endless
outdoor opportunities all within minutes of first class hotels and conference centers.
Aerial Adventures Snohomish County, just minutes north of Seattle, is home to a variety of aviation attractions
including Ultralights, Helicopter rides, Gliders, Hot Air Balloons, and Sky Diving.
Biking Trails Miles of winding country roads in rural Snohomish County offer endless opportunities for peaceful walks
or bike rides. There are also four designated trail systems, the Interurban Trail, Centennial Trail, Lowell Riverfront Trail, and
Langus Riverfront Park and Nature Trail all offering safe walking and biking for the whole family.
Photo: Aerial Balloon Company
BIKING TRAILS
Family Friendly Trails From the 23-mile Centennial Trail which runs from Snohomish to Bryant open to walkers,
bikers, bladers and horseback riders to the Interurban Trail – a 15.1-mile paved trail along the Interurban Trolley line route that
once carried passengers and freight between Everett and Seattle in the early 1900's, Snohomish County offers safe, accessible
trails for the whole family. If those are too much to take in, the Lowell Riverfront Trail – a short 1.6 mile pedestrian trail in Everett
and the 3-mile Langus Riverfront Park and Nature Trail adjacent to the Snohomish River that leads to Spencer Island in north
Everett are perfect shorter trails that get you and your family moving!
Fishing There's always fishing action in the sparkling blue waters of Puget Sound. You can fish for king, silver, and
blackmouth salmon almost year-round. Many charter fishing guides will be happy to take you out for salmon fishing, plus
crabbing and shrimping. The cold clear waters of our wild, scenic rivers are also home to trophy-size trout and salmon. The
Stillaguamish and Skykomish Rivers offer choice steelhead fishing nearly year-round, although October, November and December are prime times. Local mountains hold hundreds of lakes and streams where trout fishing can be found for those who like to
hike and explore.
Golf Some of the finest public golf courses in the Northwest are found in Snohomish County. There are 16 scenic courses
presenting a challenge for every level of golfer. Here you can enjoy golfing in wooded areas or wide open green spaces any
month of the year!
HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES
Hiking Some of the best hiking and mountain biking trails in the Northwest are found in the foothills of the North Cascade
Mountains. From a short one-hour hike to a full day or even overnight excursion, you can experience a wide variety of terrain
and breath-taking high mountain scenery. The Darrington Ranger District is one of the largest districts in the Mt. BakerSnoqualmie National Forest offering 328 miles of hiking routes with various degrees of difficulty and length.
Hot Air Balloon
The beauty of the Pacific Northwest is best seen with a glass of champagne, and a lot of hot air!
Romance a loved one or treat yourself. A nine-story hot air ballon will carry you over the Snohomish river valley to view the
panorama of the Northwest’s mountains, farmlands, rivers and lakes. Departing early morning or early evening hours for a 60 –
to 90-minute flight.
KAYAKING NEAR JETTY ISLAND
Kayaking From mountain streams and lakes to the shores of Puget Sound, there are a wide variety of options available
to kayakers of all interests and skill levels. One of the most popular versions involves kayaking the backwaters and sloughs of
Snohomish County during winter. Three main sloughs on the lower Snohomish River – Ebey, Union and Steamboat – follow
miles of shoreline and several islands. Grassy, shallow marshes with muddy bottoms provide excellent places for wildlife and
kayakers. Outfitters provide eco-kayaking tours, including single day, weekend and overnight trips and custom adventures
based upon your groups' interests, experience, time frame, and objectives.
Kiteboarding
Everett is one of the major kitesurf cities in Washington State with kitesurf spots, shops and schools.
Kiting at Jetty Island is ranked in the top 5 best locations to “Learn to Kite” according to USA Today. The winds are very steady
and light so you can build confidence. Shallow waters allow you to learn with minimal swimming and because the waters at Jetty
Island are so shallow, Port Gardner Bay offers warmer than usual water conditions often associated with the Puget Sound for
your comfort.
Ranger Programs Have you ever noticed a nudibranch or ogled an octopus? Join a Beach Ranger-Naturalist during
summer months for an introduction to the intertidal community. Walks coincide with low tides and run approximately one hour,
rain or shine. Or enjoy and learn at the wildlife sanctuary and educational center. Offering year round adult and youth educational
programming and tours of the wetlands. Learn about the salmon life cycle, wild birds and wetland critters, stream keeper training
and watershed education.
KITEBOARDING NEAR JETTY ISLAND
River Rafting Four major river systems, (the Skykomish, Snohomish, Sauk, and Stillaguamish), make Snohomish
County one of the most popular rafting spots in the Northwest. Several local rafting companies offer exhilarating whitewater day
and overnight trips as well as tamer eagle float trips. This is an exciting way to enjoy spectacular scenery with your family and
friends.
Scuba Diving Edmonds Underwater Park was developed by a group of volunteers over the past two decades. The
27-acre underwater park is the most popular dive site in Washington. The reasons are many reefs and wrecks teeming with sea
life, easy access, parking, shower/washroom facilities and dive shop nearby. A rope system guides divers to dozens of
"enhancements" or structures with names like "Dopey" and "Sleepy." Look for the enormous, swim-through "Tube Hinge." The
park is famous for its gator-sized lingcod, cabezone and forests of white and orange plumose anemones. Also, dive the "oil dock"
one-half mile to the south. Dive level from beginner to expert.
Sky Diving Experience the freedom of flight – by jumping out of an airplane! Skydive for the first time or get licensed
and never stop. Your parachute will bring you to a gentle landing, but your imagination will continue to soar!
BALD EAGLE WATCHING RAFTING TRIP
Snow Sports From Thanksgiving to Easter, the steep slopes of the Cascades carry the high hopes of skiers. There's
lots of dry powder, and lots of variation for every skill level. Snowmobilers will find amazing country roads just off Highway 2 near
Sultan and Index. In north county you can take groomed snowmobile trails near Darrington. There are many areas in Snohomish
County where snowshoers can enjoy a quiet mountain excursion. Currently the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie has 119 miles of
designated cross-country ski trails in its forest trail inventory. Numerous other opportunities, however, for cross-country skiing
and/or snow shoeing are available throughout the forest.
Water Sports Boating, water skiing, wind surfing, swimming, canoeing & kayaking, jet skiing, diving…what’s your
Photo: Skydive Snohomish
pleasure? Access to numerous lakes, rivers, and miles of Puget Sound shoreline provide numerous opportunities for water
recreation. Enjoy your favorite ways to play in the water.
SKYDIVING IN SNOHOMISH
Wildlife Tracking and Wilderness Survival Courses Alderleaf, a nature education and
wilderness survival school, offers innovative permaculture, wildlife tracking, outdoor education, and wilderness survival courses
in the Pacific Northwest. Led by a staff of seasoned professionals, wilderness courses provide you with valuable nature skills.
Offering day-long, weekend and week-long courses, as well as short presentations and a year-long wilderness certification
program.
Photo: Aldlerleaf Wilderness College
Wildlife Viewing River Float Trips Snohomish County’s most outstanding characteristic is the nature!
Nestled between the coastline and the mountains, Snohomish County is the perfect base to discover the flora and fauna of the
Pacific Northwest. Snohomish County offers you the opportunity to see Gray whales, salmon spawning, or bird watching at
Spencer Island, Edmonds Marsh and Jetty Island. The Snohomish River Estuary brings over 350 species of migratory birds and
dozens of mammal, fish, amphibians and reptiles to these wildlife-rich wetlands. See wildlife in its natural environment – by foot,
by raft or boat.
WILDLIFE TRACKING PROGRAMS
For more information, contact: Amy Spain
Snohomish County Tourism Bureau
1133 164th Street SW,
Suite 204, Lynnwood, WA 98087-9318
425.348.5802 amy@snohomish.org