- Puget Sound
Popular camping styles for Puget Sound
Waterside treehouses in Puget Sound guide
Overview
Stretching from the Pacific Ocean clear over to Seattle, Puget Sound and its surrounding communities offers a balanced mix of things to do and see, particularly for people who cherish the arts as much as the outdoors. The region is home not only to Seattle, Washington’s only truly big city, as well as to numerous islands and coastal towns geared toward travelers in search of rest and relaxation. There’s even Olympic National Forest, where you’ll find quiet hiking trails, pretty beaches, plenty of campgrounds, and even a natural hot spring.
Where to go
Greater Seattle
Washington's biggest city offers urban fun within striking distance of serious nature. Despite its urban vibes at the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle is chock-full of wooded parks, including the 534-acre Discovery Park on the eastern banks of Puget Sound.
Island County
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.
The Kitsap Peninsula and Bainbridge Island
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.
The Olympic Peninsula
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.
