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Named for its many islands, this county on Puget Sound encompasses nine islands in total, including sprawling Whidbey Island—at the northernmost stretch of the sound—and Camano Island. Both islands are tourist hotspots, with tons of state parks and campgrounds, many of them right on the water. Whidbey in particular is known for its thriving arts scene.
Across Puget Sound from Seattle, the Kitsap Peninsula and Bainbridge Island offer a variety of outdoor activities, with plenty of parks, hiking trails, marinas, and campgrounds. This region is also great for lovers of the arts and history, with museums and galleries dedicated to Native cultures, naval history, and the arts.
On the opposite side of Puget Sound from the Seattle metro area, the Olympic Peninsula features some of the region's best opportunities for hiking and water sports. Here you'll find lakes, ocean beaches, forests, and numerous state parks, with an abundance of forested campgrounds. Olympic National Park and its emeraldine temperate rainforests are also set on the peninsula.