Most reviewed Nature & Wildlife Areas in Washington
4.5Woodland Park Zoo(2.083 reviews)from $19.00 - What a fun day! Thursday: 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Zoos
Nationally award-winning Woodland Park Zoo has sparked delight, discovery, and unforgettable memories for more than 120 years while teaching people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to understand and protect wildlife. Explore the lush setting and see animals from around the globe in our various habitats. With nearly 900 animals and a 92-acre green oasis in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, Woodland Park Zoo provides exemplary care for endangered wildlife as well as native trees, rare tropical plants and an exceptional rose garden. Spend the afternoon with us and let Woodland Park Zoo help you create memories to last a lifetime.See more..
This 36.32-acre park, located on the west side of San Juan Island, boasts over 2,550 feet of scenic shoreline.See more..
4.0Olympic Game Farm(750 reviews) - A great and enjoyable experience! We particularly enjoyed the bears and bison and deer and cows! Thursday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
A wonderful way to spend some time and have a face to face encounter with deer, antelope, llamas, long horned cows, buffalo and bears as well as pheasants. It is a drive through experience but the animals get very close to you and you can feed most of them including the bears deer pheasants and buffaloes from wheat bread that you can purchase for $3 per loaf. Admission is $17 for adults and $14 for seniors 55 up and children. A great 1 1/2 to 2 hours and you can stay all day if you wish and have in and out privileges if you want to go in the morning and get lunch and come back for more time afterward. Mornings or early afternoon recommended. The hotter it is the earlier you want to get there! Staff is great and this activity is highly recommended for one and all, regardless of age!See more..
4.5Washington Park Arboretum(710 reviews) - Tranquility Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks • Gardens
Use a canoe, or your feet, to explore the 230 acres and 4,000 species of trees, vines, shrubs and plants at this arboretum.See more..
4.5Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge(618 reviews) - Peaceful Spot for wildlife and bird viewing Thursday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
Located on the Nisqually River Delta in Southern Puget Sound, this refuge consists of three thousand acres of salt and freshwater marshes, grasslands and mixed forest habitats that provide a resting and nesting area for a wide variety of migratory birds.See more..
5.0Bloedel Reserve(569 reviews) - A tribute to nature and history Thursday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas • Gardens
Bloedel Reserve is a place I’ve known of for several years but never visited until this month. The privately owned reserve celebrates nature in a grand way with its expansive woodlands, gardens, and lakes. The manor house is open to visitors and has helpful docents. I visited Bainbridge Island during a hot spell, which made walking the property’s trails a challenge. Even the famous swans seemed to be hiding in the shade. I look forward to a return visit during cooler weatherSee more..
The Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge is home to over 250 species of endangered birds, fish and mammals.See more..
4.5Northwest Trek Wildlife Park(488 reviews) - Northwest animals in a natural setting Thursday: Nature & Wildlife Areas
SMELL MOOSE BREATH! Take a Wild Drive or Keeper Adventure Tour of 435 acres in which American bison, Roosevelt elk, woodland caribou, bighorn sheep, moose and deer roam free. See bears, otters, badgers, lynx, bobcats, foxes, wolves and other native Northwest animals in natural exhibits along paved pathways under towering evergreens. Play in our nature-inspired Kids' Trek playground. All just an hour's drive from SeaTac Airport.See more..
4.5Tumwater Falls Park(269 reviews) - Salmon and Waterfalls Nature & Wildlife Areas
My wife and I stopped at Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls while driving to Olympic Peninsula. The park is conveniently located right off the interstate. There are three small waterfalls on Deschutes River in the park and a short paved trail leads past them. The lower bridge was closed when we visited but we could get a nice view of them from the trail on the west side of the river. We visited in late September and the salmon were migrating. There were many of them in the pools along the river and we even saw a few attempt to jump. A fish ladder was built to assist the salmon and there is a hatchery near the parking area. It's a really cool spot and worth a short stop if passing through the area.See more..
4.5Quinault Big Spruce Tree(212 reviews) - Jaw dropping! Spent < 1 hour Nature & Wildlife Areas • Forests
This was a relatively quick stop. We had to park basically on the side of the road and then walk through a dirt path in lite woods. We got to the bridge that brings you to the tree and our jaws dropped! This thing was huge. No matter what we did we could not truly get the whole tree within view on our camera but it was amazing! We went early-ish so we did not have a huge crowd. Highly recommend!See more..
4.5San Juan Islands Sculpture Park(195 reviews) - Outdoor Art Gallery! Thursday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks • Art Museums
This park is a MUST SEE on the island! There are dozens of sculptures made from many different mediums strategically placed throughout this large, beautiful nature park. Even if you aren't an art enthusiast, just pick a trail to follow and you will find picturesque scenery everywhere. There is no entry fee, just a suggested donation of $5 per person.See more..
4.5Columbia Park(188 reviews) - Outstanding Views Thursday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
This park contains several hundred acres of riverfront land and offers a variety of recreation opportunities.See more..
4.5Juanita Bay Park(165 reviews) - Nice place for open air lunch Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks
The 144-acre park provides habitat for songbirds, waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds, amphibians, turtles, beavers and other small mammals.See more..
The birds in the cages and aviary are RESCUES. Isn't that AWESOME!!? They are very well cared for and very safe in the large habitat cages you see. NOT a zoo viewing situation at all. Please donate if you like the aviary... I did. I am not affiliated with the park or aviary.See more..
4.5Wolf Haven International(115 reviews) - Wolves up close and personal - wow! Temporarily closed - Closed until further notice Spent < 1 hour Nature & Wildlife Areas
Provides sanctuary for captive-born wolves, guided visits and educational programs about wildlife.See more..
4.5Dungeness River Nature Center(114 reviews) - Amazing Bird Collection Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
Located in a wooded park on the Dungeness River, the River Center offers lectures, classes and field trips for adults and children year round. Exhibits of the birds, animals and plants of the Dungeness watershed open Oct. 2022. Meeting space, catering kitchen, classrooms, gift shop and Hurricane Coffee at the River. Open daily Mon-Sat., 9-5, Sun., noon-5. Admission is free.See more..
5.0Shark Reef Sanctuary(112 reviews) - I would give it 10 stars if TripAdvisor would allow it Nature & Wildlife Areas
We were moving from one San Juan island to the next when we finally landed on Lopez. It being too early to check into our hotel, we headed south towards Shark Reef. And we're glad we did! While it is a relatively short, simple hike, in just its short space we got to experience the woodlands and then Lopez' spectacular coastline. We meandered south to the end of the trail, where we overlooked to seals braying in the distance. We sat there. And sat there. And sat there. The side was coming in strong. We could see mountains in the far distance. And we sat there. No hurrying. No other people. No distractions. Just seeping in the peaceful, eternal beauty. The highlight of Lopez Island.See more..
We took the Auto Tour and enjoyed the peaceful splendor of the refuge from our car. We saw several ducks, geese, swans, herons, raptors, deer, and even a beaver. It was a great visit!See more..
4.5Mercer Slough Nature Park(108 reviews) - Amazing, natural oasis in an increasingly urban area Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks
A couple of different loop paths make for peaceful walking by big trees, streams, sucks, and ruins of old buildings. You can check out the u-pick blueberries, and the on-site fresh produce stand is a must-do during the summer months.See more..
If you're looking for a fun day for the kids, try a different place. This isnt a Zoo, it's a refuge. It's a place to learn what NOT to do when owning big animals. Bad decisions pets now live here, alone, sad and very visibly bored. Unfortunately, they operate solely off donations so they don't have nearly what they should. Adults & children should visit with the intention of learning & helping. I hope they get more help.See more..
4.5Dungeness Recreation Area(102 reviews) - Great chill walk and lots to see Spent More than 3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas
The U.S. Government had plans to build a Voice of America installation at this site, but the project never occurred. Clallam County purchased the property and over the years has developed an outstanding regional park. The scenic views and trails are outstanding. Camping reservations are available online. The USFWS charges a fee to access the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge.See more..
4.5Earth Sanctuary(92 reviews) - Great place to walk around and enjoy nature Thursday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
Earth Sanctuary is a peaceful and magical sculpture garden, nature reserve, and retreat center with two miles of nature trails, three bird-filled ponds, and a variety of powerful sacred spaces. We invite you to experience the labyrinth, two stone circles, two Medicine Wheels, Buddhist Stupa, Ley Line sculpture, prayer wheels, artworks, and a habitat ideal for observing birds and wildlife. Open every day of the year during daylight hours. $7/person admittance fee payable by cash, check, PayPal or Venmo. No dogs please.See more..
We walked through Wright Park after breakfast at the Hob Nob. I saw the conservatory do we decided to go inside. Toasty warm with beautiful plants and flowers! Seasonal and year-round plants here. I think the last time I was here was when the Century Plant bloomed. I forgot to ask the docent if it was still there. Free and open to the public. We decided to make this a seasonal adventure!See more..
Definitely worth the stop. Park at the Kalaloch campground day parking (free). A short walk to the steps leading down to the beach (about 10 stairs). It’s located not far from the stairs. Not handicap accessible, but if you are able to climb the stairs and walk a short distance on sand, it’s worth it. My 5 year old nephew totally thinks a dragon lives there.See more..
Parking spaces are limited. When we arrived around noon, there was still a good amount of available spots. The water wasn't too cold, there wasn't a lot of people at the time. We left around 3:30pm and the parking lot was full and people were parking everywhere.See more..
4.5Friends of Issaquah Salmon Hatchery(64 reviews) - A community resource Thursday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas
Every fall the salmon return to Issaquah, and so, too, do thousands of young students and visitors, who come to see these magnificent fish return from their grueling journey at sea, to fight against the current and spawn in Issaquah Creek. The Issaquah hatchery is the most visited of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s hatcheries, with thousands of visitors every year. As the region grapples with change to the natural environment, FISH highlights the presence of salmon in Issaquah Creek to cultivate a sense of wonder about these remarkable fish. We strive to tell the story of salmon here in such a way that fosters a natural, life-long commitment to their wellbeing, with tours, educational programs, and summer camps! “FISH champions the annual miracle of salmon in our fragile environment.” — FISH MissionSee more..
Beautiful nature refuge ... no pets allowed! We saw a ton of birds, deer, nutria...and beautiful wild flowers. There are a couple of different paths, one leading up to the dike so you can walk along the river. Very peaceful and serene place to walk. There are occasional mountain lion sightings so probably best to walk with a friend, not alone. See more..
My wife and I arrived around 8 a.m. on a Monday morning. We never heard the gun shots. Maybe those are more of a weekend or later in the day phenomenon. We walked the full 2 1/2 mile and only met one woman. It was all ours. Sadly, we were already too late for the Camas (May 9) but there were lots of other great wildflowers. We took a lot of time since we were taking pictures and are getting rather elderly. Just as we came back to the parking lot we heard this real noisy group. I assumed it was a bunch of kids or a family. Nope, it was a group of elderly ladies talking very loud.See more..
My brother and I did this hike while I was visiting. The trail goes through beautiful woods, can be difficult at times. Neither of us are very “in shape” and we did the hike in about 2 hrs. Paragliders were taking off at the top. Parking lot is small. Dogs welcomed. See more..
We drowe through the mountains on North Cascades higway 20. We passed Winthrop,Mazama and through Washington pass we have arrived to Diablo Lake Vista Point. Breathtaking views to mountains on highway and unforgetable views from Diablo Vista point to the lake and mountains. All day blue sky.Day after we decided to hike Thornton Lakes trail. It was rainy day and the trail was really challenge but we enjoy it and survive it.See more..
4.5Iceberg Point(57 reviews) - Great lunch walk with an incline Nature & Wildlife Areas • Lookouts • Hiking Trails
The walk to the monument was very beautiful and full of sites. Our picnic spot was a large rock at the USGS marker and very nice. The incline to the marker was easy but we did not venture to C.See more..
4.5Beebe Bridge Park(56 reviews) - Underused and Gorgeous! Nature & Wildlife Areas
This park on the Columbia River features swimming, tennis, camping and more.See more..
5.0Nisqually Reach Nature Center(55 reviews) - Beautiful place to see sunrise! Thursday: Nature & Wildlife Areas • Educational sites
Stayed at the Inn at Mallard Cove about a mile away, and our host Don recommended we take in the sunrise at the beach here. It was fabulous! Changed in the blink of an eye. Lots of various birds. Enjoyed watching the kayakers and fisherman come and go. Truly a beautiful place to see and hang out as the sun comes up.See more..
My husband and I recently birded here several times looking for a specific bird. Thanks to the staff member who gave us specific directions, we found it. Very nice spot to bird, there is a dedicated birding trail or just take a walk.See more..
The Sehome Arboretum is just a wonderful place to hike, walk, run or explore. Many parts of it are off leash, so your dog can have a great time too. This is not a typical arboretum; it is a giant slice of native woods that has many trails and a few roads in it. It is a glorious place for a walk near the Western Wash University campus and there are many fun surprises to explore, from hidden paintings to moss designs and lovely murals. Go! This is a gem.See more..
4.0Quinault Big Cedar(49 reviews) - Big Cedar- Wonderful photo opportunities, clear pathway, mobility scooter accessible. Oct. 8, 2022 Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Forests
We stopped to see the tree and was pleasantly surprised that the pathways were cleared of any debris and well maintained. I have a mobility scooter and was very pleased to be able to drive around the fallen tree easily, and follow the path to the end, with no blockage of the wide pathways. We had great opportunities to photograph the huge trunk "remains" of this beautiful tree, which even partially down is majestic! There were ample photo opportunities for shooting the amazing trunk and also many other trees up the path from it. Near the end of the path you will discover another cedar that may have been hit by lightning but also very photo-worthy! Even though the once graceful Big Cedar tree is down, it still is giving the world a great look at the beauty and grace found in nature around us.See more..
4.5Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park(47 reviews) - Wow! There is a former Nike Missile Base located just 100 yards from the parking lot Nature & Wildlife Areas
All the positive reviews are correct. This is a great park close to the city, fantastic for a day hike. But there is a hidden gem of Cold War history 100 Yard from the Sky County Trail head. Image a base of Nike Missiles located on top of Cougar Mountain protecting Seattle from airborne attack. WOW, that is what is located between Old Man's trail and Nike Horse Tail. There is no mention of this on the park maps. The Wikipedia article says the base was "obliterated" but the ghosts of the Cold War missile base are there. This is a great spot for entry level urban exploring and hiking.See more..
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the 5 mile gravel one way loop around the refuge. So much to see and do. We will definitely return at dusk to get a different perspective of the refuge. There are plenty of walking trails and places to pull over and view the area. The restrooms were clean. Loved that they had informational kiosks and benches too. Great place for a picnic. We saw deer, a coyote, turkeys, ducks, and other birds. Thought it was a nice touch that they are currently not charging people to visit the refuge. If you are in the area, definitely worth the time for this 5-mile wildlife viewing opportunity. See more..
Small parking area and then a paved walkway of about a mile through the woods to the end. Some uphill and downhill. This area is where rail lines used to end and logging trains drive out on the trussell where the logs were dumped in the sound to float 69 miles north to the mill. It is a pleasant walk with opportunity to see various birds, seals and other animals. See more..
4.5Liberty Lake Regional Park(41 reviews) - Great camping spot Spent More than 3 hours State Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
The camping at Liberty Lake is great. The host sold fire wood for $5 a bundle. The host was also very friendly. The bathroom was clean and the shower had lots of hot water. If you go to the beach, you would want to drive, it is a bit far to walk. See more..
This is an easy 2 mile, family friendly shaded trail that winds through an old-growth forest of huge Douglas firs. The Staircase area entrance is in an out of the way location, at the end of a long, gravel road just past Lake Cushman, so it appears to be less congested than other areas of the park. This just adds to its beauty.See more..
4.5Willapa National Wildlife Refuge(38 reviews) - Birds and a few other creatures, even in winter Thursday: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
Already well-known to serious birders, this park clearly reflects a lot of attention paid to satisfying nature lovers. The explanatory signs are composed with a high degree of literacy and attention to scientific accuracy. Paths are well laid out and appropriate warning given of the water that swamps them in wet seasons. We brought our rubber boots but some of the main paths were submerged too deep for us to ford. One sign warned that full waders might be necessary, as water over the paths sometimes reaches waist depth. But the views were worthwhile, even in a March rainstorm. Because we arrived early in the morning we saw numerous birds, all common to the area, and a small herd of elk across a meadow. On the path lay fecal evidence of bears and possibly other carnivores. There were no other people at that time, but I'm sure there will be many more during spring, summer and fall. See more..
5.0Predators of the Heart(36 reviews) - Trip to Predators of the Heart Nature & Wildlife Areas
Kids bought mom a special birthday gift. The opportunity to see and interact with the wolves at this facility. Majority of the visit was spent with a mom and son wolf duo. Kakoa and Max. Constant affection from these two wolves. Loved being rubbed and having photos taken. Hosts were very professional and very obvious they loved being part of the foundation.See more..
4.5Blaine Marine Park(35 reviews) - Great location to for a stopover! Spent < 1 hour Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks
Always a great stop over either on our way down south or on our way back to Canada. The grounds are very well kept, and there area lots of benches along the walkway for you to take in the natural beauty of the bay! Dog friendly as they have Doggie Stations for your furry friend! Stop by and enjoy the view and the ocean breeze!See more..
5.0Icicle Ridge Trail(35 reviews) - Not too difficult with an amazing view Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
Lots of sun and little shade on this east-facing exposure so dress accordingly and go early in the summer months. It took us about 90 minutes to go up and 60 to go down. Glad we went early because by the time we came down the parking lot was full and it was getting too hot.See more..
Trail of the Painted Rocks is a beautiful trail along the Little Spokane River! It is about 3.6 miles one way so plan for this! You can park a car at both ends of the trail or hike part way and turn around! There are sometimes moose along the river as well as other wild life and birds. Be sure to bring the binoculars and the camera!See more..
4.5Tacoma Nature Center(32 reviews) - Nature in the Middle of the City Thursday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
This is a public park with a lake to walk around, a kids play area and a interpretive center with a reading area for kids, tutles and snakes in tanks and a gift shop. Part of the Tacoma Parks system but deserves special mention.See more..
We saw the sign for the fish hatchery and decided to check it out. So glad we did - fun and educational for all ages. The volunteer host gave us a great tour of the facility and explained the life cycle of salmon and why we have fish hatcheries. We saw the small fry tanks and huge salmon that had just returned from the ocean in another tank. Best of all we got to feed the trout and created a feeding frenzy - they were HUNGRY! Amazing facility.See more..
