6 Hikes For This Weekend's Free State Parks Day

NORTH BEND, WA — All state parks in Washington will be free to enter on Sunday in honor of the National Park System's 103rd birthday. This is the last free state parks day this summer, so we've compiled six hikes of varying difficulty for you to consider this weekend.

NOTE: Most of the hikes listed below are on state Department of Natural Resources or Department of Fish and Wildlife land and still require a Discover Pass. That information was omitted in a previous version of this story due to a reporting error. Oyster Dome, Yakima Skyline, Mount Washington, and Mailbox will still require a Discover Pass on Aug. 25.

1) Flaming Geyser State Park

This is a great hike to enjoy with the family. It's an easy four-mile round trip stroll to the park's namesake geyser (the flame, sadly, no longer burns). And it's all within about a 45-minute drive of Seattle or Tacoma.

2) Fragrance Lake, Oyster Dome

Both of these moderate 5-mile hikes are located off of Chuckanut Drive south of Bellingham. Each hike offers a good workout with spectacular views of Samish Bay — although Oyster Dome's dome offers the better summit view. The best part about these hikes is the nearby Taylor Shellfish restaurant, where you can reward yourself with a cold beer and fresh oysters post-hike.

3) Yakima Skyline Trail

If it's sun you crave, head to Yakima ("the Palm Springs of Washington"). The Yakima Skyline Trail offers unmatched views of the Yakima River, Mount Rainier, and miles of hop farms. Bring sunblock because you'll be pretty exposed along the 4.4-mile trail — and you'll definitely want to stop for a snack at the old west hitching post at the top of Gracie Point.

4) Mailbox Peak

Just do it so you can check it off the list. The "hard" trail to the top of this North Bend-area peak can be found by going just beyond the main trail head. Good luck!

5) Leadbetter Point Dune Forest Loop

It's a bit of a drive, but this hike north of Long Beach is worth it. As the name suggests, the hike loops through an ancient forest growing out of sand dunes between the Pacific Ocean and Willapa Bay. An excellent and easy hike for bird lovers. Keep high tide in mind if you go because portions of the trail often get flooded.

6) Mount Washington

If you're looking for a little bit of everything, Mount Washington has you covered. The hike begins near Olallie State Park, just a 45-minute drive from Seattle. It's steep at the beginning, but levels off as you ascend through old-growth forests and high-elevations marshes. The views are spectacular, and fewer people visit Mount Washington compared to nearby I-90 peaks. It's 8-1/2 miles round trip, but it's quick due to how straight (and steep) the trail is at the outset. The summit area is small, but it's an excellent place to stop for lunch with nearly 360-degree views of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, and Chester Morse Lake.

The next free parks day is Sept. 28 for National Public Lands Day, and then by Nov. 11 for Veterans Day.