We’ll be the first to admit that some of Washington’s more popular cities and tourist attractions are a bit crowded, especially during the summer and on weekends (or always and forever if you live in Seattle). If you’re someone who simply can’t deal with crowds, deciding where to spend your leisure time can pose quite a dilemma. Luckily, there are definitely some spots in our state where you can go to escape massive herds of people. These spots are spacious and sparsely populated, so visit away – just don’t all show up at once. Check out these 12 things to do away from crowds in Washington.
- Dosewallips State Park
Kristi Kirschner / Flickr This 1,011-acre year-round camping park has 5 miles of shoreline on Hood Canal at the Dosewallips River. It’s known for its scenic, secluded camping areas, some of which require quite a hike to reach. It’s a popular place, but because it’s so spread out, you’re highly unlikely to find a crowd here.
Address: 306996 US-101, Brinnon, WA 98320
- South Whidbey State Park
Tim Buss / Flickr Lush, secluded forests, breathtaking mountain and sound views, and 4,500 feet of saltwater shoreline await you at South Whidbey State Park. This unique outdoor experience is available for day use, but the campground is currently closed.
Address: 4128 S Smugglers Cove Rd, Freeland, WA 98249
- Uniontown
jodene e / Flickr Sometimes you need a peaceful escape but still desire all the amenities of a town. Uniontown in located in Whitman County in Eastern Washington, and though it’s close to all the major attractions the Palouse has to offer, it’s a very quiet and uncrowded place (its population is 313). Have breakfast at the Sage Baking Company and sip the afternoon away at the beautiful Wawawai Canyon Winery.
- Rialto Beach, Forks
Chett Williams / Flickr Rialto Beach might be one of the more popular beaches on the Olympic Peninsula, but it’s roomy enough for everyone to have their space. It’s an easy hike from the small town of La Push, starting at the mouth of the Quillayute River and extending four miles.
Address: Mora Rd, Forks, WA 98331
- Harmony Lodge, Gold Bar
Facebook Harmony Lodge Vacation Rental The Harmony Lodge cabin offers completely secluded lodging on the banks of Index Creek, which flows into the Skykomish River. You can relax in your own private hot tub overlooking the water, knowing that the rest of the world’s population is miles away.
Address: Baring, WA 98224
- Teanaway Guard Station, Cle Elum
Teanaway Community Forest / Facebook Looking for the ultimate escape? The Teanaway Guard Station in Cle Elum is a cabin so far removed from civilization that you have to ski, snowboard or showshoe your way there in the winter because the road is only cleared to 2 miles away from it. You’ll enjoy some serious peace and quiet, and you and a guest can enjoy a good night’s rest on a set of bunk beds. There’s a propane lantern inside as well as a propane cook stove, but you’ll have to take the stove outside since it can’t be used in the cabin.
Address: Wenatchee, WA 98807
- Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park, Coulee City
andrechinn / Flickr This park’s dramatic landscape was formed by Ice Age floods over 15,000 years ago. Today you’ll find hiking trails, a golf course, camping areas, 74,640 feet of freshwater shoreline and Dry Falls, one of the great geological wonders of North America. Because of its sheer vastness, this park is rarely crowded.
Address: 34875 Park Lake Rd NE, Coulee City, WA 99115
- Port Gamble
rjcox / Flickr This little community is in a quiet part of the Kitsap Peninsula, and it’s a small but beautiful town. You’ll find shopping, great dining options and even a guided paranormal tour await you here.
- Nishinomiya Japanese Garden, Spokane
Frank Fujimoto / Flickr Spokane’s Manito Park is often bustling with guests, but the Nishinomiya garden is a quiet little oasis. It was created in honor of Nishinomiya, Japan, which is Spokane’s sister city.
Address: 2024 S Bernard St, Spokane, WA 99203
- Diablo Lake
Paul Schultz / Flickr Quite frankly, Diablo Lake is uncrowded because the trail that leads to it is not for beginning hikers or people who are out of shape. It’s 6.8 miles long and not for the faint of heart. But your reward is a gorgeous view of Washington’s most visually stunning lake.
Address: Rockport, WA 98283
- Westhaven State Park, Westport
Lindley Ashline / Flickr This park has panoramic views of the beach and 1,215 feet of shoreline on the ocean and Half Moon Bay. It’s just a few minutes from the city of Westport, but you’d never know it.
Address: Westport, WA 98595
- Stehekin
Angel Q. / Flickr Stehekin was named America’s most isolated community by AmericanProfile.com, and for good reason: The only way to get there is to hike several days through the mountains or take a boat up Lake Chelan from the nearest town, which is 55 miles away. It’s a great spot for hikers and bikers who really want to get away from it all.
Sometimes a temporary escape just isn’t enough. If you’re ready to permanently ditch the crowds, move to one of these small Washington towns.
Kristi Kirschner / Flickr
This 1,011-acre year-round camping park has 5 miles of shoreline on Hood Canal at the Dosewallips River. It’s known for its scenic, secluded camping areas, some of which require quite a hike to reach. It’s a popular place, but because it’s so spread out, you’re highly unlikely to find a crowd here.
Address: 306996 US-101, Brinnon, WA 98320
Tim Buss / Flickr
Lush, secluded forests, breathtaking mountain and sound views, and 4,500 feet of saltwater shoreline await you at South Whidbey State Park. This unique outdoor experience is available for day use, but the campground is currently closed.
Address: 4128 S Smugglers Cove Rd, Freeland, WA 98249
jodene e / Flickr
Sometimes you need a peaceful escape but still desire all the amenities of a town. Uniontown in located in Whitman County in Eastern Washington, and though it’s close to all the major attractions the Palouse has to offer, it’s a very quiet and uncrowded place (its population is 313). Have breakfast at the Sage Baking Company and sip the afternoon away at the beautiful Wawawai Canyon Winery.
Chett Williams / Flickr
Rialto Beach might be one of the more popular beaches on the Olympic Peninsula, but it’s roomy enough for everyone to have their space. It’s an easy hike from the small town of La Push, starting at the mouth of the Quillayute River and extending four miles.
Address: Mora Rd, Forks, WA 98331
Facebook Harmony Lodge Vacation Rental
The Harmony Lodge cabin offers completely secluded lodging on the banks of Index Creek, which flows into the Skykomish River. You can relax in your own private hot tub overlooking the water, knowing that the rest of the world’s population is miles away.
Address: Baring, WA 98224
Teanaway Community Forest / Facebook
Looking for the ultimate escape? The Teanaway Guard Station in Cle Elum is a cabin so far removed from civilization that you have to ski, snowboard or showshoe your way there in the winter because the road is only cleared to 2 miles away from it. You’ll enjoy some serious peace and quiet, and you and a guest can enjoy a good night’s rest on a set of bunk beds. There’s a propane lantern inside as well as a propane cook stove, but you’ll have to take the stove outside since it can’t be used in the cabin.
Address: Wenatchee, WA 98807
andrechinn / Flickr
This park’s dramatic landscape was formed by Ice Age floods over 15,000 years ago. Today you’ll find hiking trails, a golf course, camping areas, 74,640 feet of freshwater shoreline and Dry Falls, one of the great geological wonders of North America. Because of its sheer vastness, this park is rarely crowded.
Address: 34875 Park Lake Rd NE, Coulee City, WA 99115
rjcox / Flickr
This little community is in a quiet part of the Kitsap Peninsula, and it’s a small but beautiful town. You’ll find shopping, great dining options and even a guided paranormal tour await you here.
Frank Fujimoto / Flickr
Spokane’s Manito Park is often bustling with guests, but the Nishinomiya garden is a quiet little oasis. It was created in honor of Nishinomiya, Japan, which is Spokane’s sister city.
Address: 2024 S Bernard St, Spokane, WA 99203
Paul Schultz / Flickr
Quite frankly, Diablo Lake is uncrowded because the trail that leads to it is not for beginning hikers or people who are out of shape. It’s 6.8 miles long and not for the faint of heart. But your reward is a gorgeous view of Washington’s most visually stunning lake.
Address: Rockport, WA 98283
Lindley Ashline / Flickr
This park has panoramic views of the beach and 1,215 feet of shoreline on the ocean and Half Moon Bay. It’s just a few minutes from the city of Westport, but you’d never know it.
Address: Westport, WA 98595
Angel Q. / Flickr
Stehekin was named America’s most isolated community by AmericanProfile.com, and for good reason: The only way to get there is to hike several days through the mountains or take a boat up Lake Chelan from the nearest town, which is 55 miles away. It’s a great spot for hikers and bikers who really want to get away from it all.
Have you tried any of these isolated spots before? Are there other things to do away from crowds in Washington that you’d like to recommend? Share with us your thoughts in the comments section!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Stehekin, WA 98852, USAAddress: Westport, WA 98595, USAAddress: 2024 S Bernard St, Spokane, WA 99203, USAAddress: Port Gamble, WA 98370, USAAddress: 34875 Park Lake Rd NE, Coulee City, WA 99115, USAAddress: Wenatchee, WA 98807, USAAddress: Baring, WA 98224, USAAddress: Mora Rd, Forks, WA 98331, USAAddress: Uniontown, WA 99179, USAAddress: 4128 S Smugglers Cove Rd, Freeland, WA 98249, USAAddress: 306996 US-101, Brinnon, WA 98320, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Things To Do Away From Crowds In Washington March 10, 2020 Marisa Roman What are the best outdoor destinations in Washington? Some of the best hidden gem places in Washington happen to highlight beautiful outdoor activities and adventures. In fact, some of the top-rated tourist attractions for the state showcase the beauty of nature and the great outdoors. Olympic National Park, for instance, is a natural wonderland within the Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, Mount Rainer is a major hiking destination, plus a huge active volcano! Click here to find more adventurous outdoor places in Washington. Are there any free things to do in Washington? You know the saying—the best things in life are free. This is especially true when it comes to various things to do in Washington. You don’t need to break the bank when you visit this Pacific Northwest state as there are quite a few free activities to enjoy. Whether you’re visiting the local parks, taking a walking tour, or exploring the Seattle Waterfront, you do not need to spend much. Click here to check out 12 legitimately fun things to do in Washington for free. Are there any other remote or isolated places in Washington to visit? Looking for a few more isolated places in Washington to enjoy? Don’t worry, there are plenty to choose from. Washington has a ton of remote natural spots for travelers seeking a little bit of solitude without sacrificing experience. For example, Olympic National Park is one of Washington’s most remote areas. You can hike, camp, and explore with very few people to bother you! Or if you’re looking for more remote spots, check 12 of the best places in Washington out in the boonies to get a better idea of what Washington has to offer.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Things To Do Away From Crowds In Washington
March 10, 2020
Marisa Roman
What are the best outdoor destinations in Washington? Some of the best hidden gem places in Washington happen to highlight beautiful outdoor activities and adventures. In fact, some of the top-rated tourist attractions for the state showcase the beauty of nature and the great outdoors. Olympic National Park, for instance, is a natural wonderland within the Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, Mount Rainer is a major hiking destination, plus a huge active volcano! Click here to find more adventurous outdoor places in Washington. Are there any free things to do in Washington? You know the saying—the best things in life are free. This is especially true when it comes to various things to do in Washington. You don’t need to break the bank when you visit this Pacific Northwest state as there are quite a few free activities to enjoy. Whether you’re visiting the local parks, taking a walking tour, or exploring the Seattle Waterfront, you do not need to spend much. Click here to check out 12 legitimately fun things to do in Washington for free. Are there any other remote or isolated places in Washington to visit? Looking for a few more isolated places in Washington to enjoy? Don’t worry, there are plenty to choose from. Washington has a ton of remote natural spots for travelers seeking a little bit of solitude without sacrificing experience. For example, Olympic National Park is one of Washington’s most remote areas. You can hike, camp, and explore with very few people to bother you! Or if you’re looking for more remote spots, check 12 of the best places in Washington out in the boonies to get a better idea of what Washington has to offer.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Some of the best hidden gem places in Washington happen to highlight beautiful outdoor activities and adventures. In fact, some of the top-rated tourist attractions for the state showcase the beauty of nature and the great outdoors. Olympic National Park, for instance, is a natural wonderland within the Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, Mount Rainer is a major hiking destination, plus a huge active volcano! Click here to find more adventurous outdoor places in Washington.
Are there any free things to do in Washington?
You know the saying—the best things in life are free. This is especially true when it comes to various things to do in Washington. You don’t need to break the bank when you visit this Pacific Northwest state as there are quite a few free activities to enjoy. Whether you’re visiting the local parks, taking a walking tour, or exploring the Seattle Waterfront, you do not need to spend much. Click here to check out 12 legitimately fun things to do in Washington for free.
Are there any other remote or isolated places in Washington to visit?
Looking for a few more isolated places in Washington to enjoy? Don’t worry, there are plenty to choose from. Washington has a ton of remote natural spots for travelers seeking a little bit of solitude without sacrificing experience. For example, Olympic National Park is one of Washington’s most remote areas. You can hike, camp, and explore with very few people to bother you! Or if you’re looking for more remote spots, check 12 of the best places in Washington out in the boonies to get a better idea of what Washington has to offer.
