Top 6 Day Trips for Snowshoeing near Seattle | Seattle Refined

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Gold Creek Pond is one of the most accessible (and extremely popular) outdoor recreation spots in Snoqualmie Pass – plus, it's just one hour from Seattle. In the summer, wedding photographers basically live here. But in the winter months, kids, parents and exercise-buffs alike flock to the park due to its all-adventure versatility.{ }(Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)<p></p>

Gold Creek Pond. In the peak of winter, expect the trailhead to be non-accessible via car which adds a little trek time to the journey. Fortunately, that additional time is well-worth it as the entire landscape feels like something straight out of Narnia. Once you hit the pond, trails are easily marked with signs around the loop.{ }(Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)

Gold Creek Pond. Pro tip: Pack your Non-Motorized Sno-Parks Permit and punch in Gold Creek Sno-Park on the GPS. Hit the trail super-early in the morning on the weekends, before 8:30AM, or visit mid-week for less crowds. (Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)

Lake Easton State Park features nearly 700-acres of outdoor beauty. And in the winter, the park offers good snowshoeing terrain that’s well suited for first timers, too. Display your Non-Motorized Sno-Park Permit and set out for Lake Easton Sno-Park to enjoy a 5.0 mile loop around the snow-covered lake. (Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)

Lake Easton. The snow dusted evergreens of the Cascade Range contrast nicely against a dismantled, man-made footbridge. The perimeter around the lake is the best path to take and also provides some pretty scenic photo ops along the way.{ }(Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)

Lake Easton. About half-way around the quiet, winter loop, see if you can spot the railroad bridge in the distance that’s part of the nearby Iron Horse Trail. (Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)

About two hours from Seattle, set off on one of the many trails packed into the 4.0 mile recreation area at Lake Wenatchee State Park. The park is popular in the summer months for obvious reasons, but winter hiking around the lake yields a very PNW feel. Be sure to to pack your Discover Pass and Sno-Parks Permit in the car before heading out. (Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)

Lake Wenatchee State Park. Take either the North Park exit or South Park exit to explore snow-packed trails designed especially for snowshoeing with little blue markers (perfect for beginners). Both routes allow exploration in the park that aren't always accessible in the summer months.{ }(Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)

Lake Wenatchee sits in the Wenatchee National Forest of the Cascades Mountain Range and was formed by glacier and snowmelt. It's a popular spot for camping, canoeing and cross-country skiing, too.(Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)

Hyak Sno-Park is a popular Central Cascades hub for winter recreation – especially sledding – and features large, warm bathrooms, too. Pro tip: A Sno-Park Permit is required because it's a starting point for the 110-mile Palouse to Cascades Trail, which includes the must-see Snoqualmie Tunnel. (Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)

<p>Hyak Sno-Park. Kids take the dare to fly down the Hyak hill on their best sleds and unicorn inflatables. (Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)</p>

Curious about snowshoeing but don’t want to commit to a purchase? Head to The Summit at Snoqualmie for a full day or half day rental and easy access to several groomed snowshoeing trails. Plus, the warming huts along the way don’t hurt either. (Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)

The Summit at Snoqualmie. Grab a map at the Nordic Center and take off on one of the groomed trails around the resort. Pro tip: Keep off the groomed cross-country tracks as the trails are shared by other winter sports enthusiasts. (Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)

Don’t have a Sno-Parks Permit or Discover Pass? Head to one of the most scenic (and slightly intermediate) snowshoe trails in the Central Cascades: Skyline Lake. A little over an hour from Seattle, this short, steep and beautiful snowshoe trail is sure to impress.{ }(Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)

Skyline Lake. Promising a heart-pumping dose of exercise and truly unbeatable views on a clear day, the terrain is packed with fluffy snow and takes you straight up the mountain, eye-level with evergreens.{ }(Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)

Skyline Lake. About halfway up, stop for a breath and a spectacular view of the Stevens Pass ski area below. Pro tip: Snowshoeing uphill can be a little more challenging, so take smaller steps and shorter strides. (Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)

Skyline Lake. The army green radio tower is a scenic marker for the more-than-halfway-there stopping point, and also makes for a picture-perfect photo op. In total, the trail{ } clocks in at around 3.0 miles out-and-back with 1,100 ft elevation gain.{ }(Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)<p></p>

Skyline Lake. A snow-covered Skyline Lake is the perfect prize for the uphill trek, with bonus views of Cowboy Mountain and Big Chief Mountain looming over Stevens Pass. (Rachael Jones / Seattle Refined)

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