Southwest Region First Day Hikes

A park ranger in a snowy forest touches a tree and addresses a group of people in winter clothes.

Come get the most from the west and the coast this Jan. 1! From lakes to lighthouse to fairytale forests, you will find classic Northwest scenery and plenty of fresh air on these delightful hikes. Hikes in our Southwest region -- those parks located at the southern end of the peninsula, south of Seattle and out to the Columbia Gorge area -- are listed alphabetically below.

Please note:: There is no charge for hikes and a Discover Pass is not required to park on state managed land on Jan. 1, a State Parks Free Day. Some hikes do have limited participation and require registration and/or may require a Sno-Park permit. Be sure to save your spot and get your permit(s) following the links included in the park's event descriptions.

  1. Parks B - F
  2. Parks G - L
  3. Parks S - T

Battle Ground Lake State Park

  • Time of Event: 10 a.m.
  • Name of Hike: Volunteer Led Interpretive Hike
  • Trail Name: Upper Lake Trail
  • Length of Hike: 1.5 miles
  • Where to Meet: Kitchen Shelter
  • Degree of Difficulty: Easy
  • Is this Hike for Beginners? Yes
  • ADA Accessible? No
  • Stroller Accessible? No
  • Are leashed dogs allowed? Yes
  • Restrictions: Hike was canceled last year due to icy conditions; an interpretive program was presented as an alternative activity.
  • Description: Volunteer led interpretative hike through the forest, will be learning the history of Battle Ground Lake and the ecology of the area. After the hike we will stop for coffee and donuts at the kitchen shelter. 

Battle Ground Lake State Park

  • Time of Event: Noon
  • Name of Hike: Volunteer Led Interpretive Hike
  • Trail Name: Upper Lake Trail
  • Length of Hike: 1.5 miles
  • Where to Meet: Kitchen Shelter
  • Degree of Difficulty: Easy
  • Is this Hike for Beginners? Yes
  • ADA Accessible? No
  • Stroller Accessible? No
  • Are leashed dogs allowed? Yes
  • Restrictions: Hike was canceled last year due to icy conditions; an interpretive program was presented as an alternative activity.
  • Description: Volunteer led interpretative hike through the forest, will be learning the history of Battle Ground Lake and the ecology of the area. After the hike we will stop for coffee and donuts at the kitchen shelter.

Bottle Beach STATE PARK

  • Time of Event: 9 a.m.
  • Name of Hike: Bottle Beach First Day Hike
  • Length of Hike: 1.2 miles
  • Where to Meet: Meet at Bottle Beach State Park Parking lot
  • Degree of Difficulty: Easy
  • Is this Hike for Beginners? Yes
  • ADA Accessible? No
  • Stroller Accessible? No
  • Are leashed dogs allowed? No 
  • Restrictions: None
  • Things to bring: Bring binoculars
  • Registration Required: No 
  • Cancellation Information: 360-268-9717
  • Description: Come take an easy guided hike with Ranger Lisa at Bottle Beach State Park.  In the early 1900s Bottle Beach was the settlement called "Ocosta-by-the-Sea" located at the pacific terminus of the Northern Pacific Rail Road. Bottle Beach State Park is also one of the premier birding locations in the state so bring your binoculars and come learn about the park's wildlife and unique history!

Cape Disappointment State Park

  • Time of Event:  Noon
  • Name of Hike: Cape Disappointment First Day Hike          
  • Trail Name: Coastal Loop Trail
  • Length of Hike: 1.5 miles
  • Where to Meet: Coastal Loop Parking area, near the Cape D. Cafe
  • Degree of Difficulty: Moderate
  • Is this Hike for Beginners?  Yes
  • ADA Accessible? No
  • Stroller Accessible? No
  • Are leashed dogs allowed? Yes
  • Restrictions: None
  • Registration Required: No.
  • Cancellation Information: 360-642-3029

Fort Flagler State Park

  • Time of Event: 11 a.m.
  • Name of Hike: Battery Tour        
  • Trail Name: Flagler Rd/Battery Row
  • Length of Hike: 1.5 miles
  • Where to Meet: In front of the museum at Fort Flagler State Park
  • Degree of Difficulty: Moderate
  • Is this Hike for Beginners? Yes
  • ADA Accessible? No
  • Stroller Accessible? No
  • Are leashed dogs allowed? No 
  • Restrictions: Some of the trail is unpaved. Batteries have stairs with and without handrails. Rooms inside of the batteries are dark.
  • Things to bring: Bring flashlights and dress appropriately for the weather.  Sturdy shoes or hiking shoes advised.
  • Registration Required: No
  • Cancellation Information: 360-344-4400 ext. 327
  • Description: Hike back into Fort Flagler’s history with one of our Interpretive Rangers. Learn more about Fort Flagler’s military history and operations from the late 1890’s through the early 20th century.

 FORT WORDEN HISTORICAL STATE PARK

  • Time of Event: 11 a.m.
  • Name of Hike: The Best of Fort Worden
  • Trail Name: Fort Worden’s Artillery Hill
  • Length of Hike: 2.5 miles
  • Where to Meet: At the USO Building parking lot on the west side of Taps at the Guardhouse pub in Fort Worden State Park.
  • Degree of Difficulty: Moderate
  • Is this Hike for Beginners? Yes
  • ADA Accessible? No
  • Stroller Accessible? No
  • Are leashed dogs allowed? Yes
  • Restrictions: Short sections of Battery Way Loop are steep, but the entire trail is paved.  The hike is self-guided and there will be a docent at Memory’s Vault to provide information or to answer questions.      
  • Things to bring: Dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable footwear.  Please remember to pick up after your pets
  • Registration Required: No
  • Cancellation Information: 360-344-4400 ext. 327
  • Description: This is a self-guided hike on a State Park’s Free Day, so meander at your own pace through a forest canopy winding past several of the historic gun batteries.  Stop at Memory’s Vault; a sculpture garden with columns of poetry.   See mountain views on clear days.   There are rest benches and restroom facilities along the way

 Fort Worden Historical State Park

  • Time of Event: 11:15 a.m.
  • Name of Hike: The Views of Fort Worden
  • Trail Name: Bluff Trail
  • Length of Hike: 1.5 miles
  • Where to Meet: At the USO Building parking lot on the west side of Taps at the Guardhouse pub in Fort Worden State Park.
  • Degree of Difficulty: Moderate
  • Is this Hike for Beginners? Yes
  • ADA Accessible? No
  • Stroller Accessible? No
  • Are leashed dogs allowed? Yes
  • Restrictions: Some of the trail is unpaved and may have tree roots in the trail   
  • Things to bring: Dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable footwear.  Please remember to pick up after your pets
  • Registration Required: No
  • Cancellation Information: 360-344-4400 ext. 327
  • Description: Hike Fort Worden’s Bluff Trail and see the Park’s most spectacular views including the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Admiralty Inlet, Whidbey Island, Mt. Baker and Mount Rainer.