Winter is calling, and the snow-covered trails near Seattle are ready for you! If you're looking to trade your hiking boots for snowshoes and explore the serene winter landscape, you've come to the right place. Here's a guide to some of the best snowshoe hikes within easy reach of the city.
Snoqualmie Region
This region offers a classic Pacific Northwest winter experience, with accessible trails that provide a good dose of snow and beautiful scenery.
- Kendall Peak Lakes Snowshoe This trail is a local favorite for its relatively gentle terrain and the reward of frozen alpine lakes. A March 21, 2026 report noted that the snow was already quite soft, suggesting snowshoes were definitely needed. Earlier, a March 9 report mentioned about 6 inches of snow, where snowshoes were likely not necessary but microspikes would be useful.
- Gold Creek Pond Snowshoe A popular and relatively flat option, Gold Creek Pond is accessible and offers lovely views. A mid-March 2026 report indicated congestion on Lake Mardee Road, suggesting an earlier start is wise. For an earlier winter trip, a January 14, 2026 report confirmed the road across Snoqualmie Pass was clear, with just some crunchy snow near the trailhead.
- Granite Mountain For those seeking a more challenging climb, Granite Mountain offers a rewarding ascent with expansive views. A late March 2026 report detailed a route taken up to the summit, indicating snow travel. However, a January 16, 2026 report highlighted that the avalanche chute on the summer trail makes it dangerous in winter, and that snow cover below the treeline was intermittent.
- Snow Lake A quintessential snowshoe destination, Snow Lake promises a frozen wonderland. A May 2, 2026 report shows how late the snow can linger, even with attempts to reach Gem Lake. An early February 2026 report mentioned stable weather and promising avalanche conditions for exploring mountain trails.
- Franklin Falls - Winter This trail leads to a spectacular frozen waterfall and is usually well-traveled. A late February 2026 report found the road clear and the trail in good shape with little snow, though parking at the Pratt Lake trailhead required a Sno-Park permit. Another February report from the same year noted easy parking along the road, with snow becoming more consistent after Denny Creek campground.
- Annette Lake Annette Lake is a beautiful destination that often requires snowshoes early in the season. A New Year's Day 2026 report described the road to the trailhead as having huge potholes and the parking lot as a sheet of ice, emphasizing the need for a snow park permit. A late December 2025 report noted lots of snow right from the parking lot.
- Gold Creek Pond Note that this trail is currently closed for construction as of a June 2, 2026 report. Previously, a late March 2026 report indicated a snow-covered trail where snowshoes weren't needed, but a Sno-Park permit was required.
- Amabilis Mountain Snowshoe This area offers a good chance for snowshoeing with less crowded trails. A mid-April 2026 report indicated the road was mostly snow-free to a certain point, after which microspikes were useful before snowshoeing became necessary off-road. A late March 2026 report suggested that microspikes were sufficient, with snowshoes not being essential due to melting patches.
- Mount Washington Mount Washington offers a solid climb with rewarding views. A February 26, 2026 report mentioned snow starting about halfway up the trail. Another report from the same date highlighted a landslide that closed the Olallie gravel trail west of the Mt. Washington turn-off.
Central Cascades
Venturing a bit further east, the Central Cascades offer a different flavor of winter beauty.
- Skyline Lake Snowshoe This is a classic snowshoe route that can lead to beautiful alpine lakes. A late March 2026 report noted that the first half-mile was packed and slick, recommending spikes, while snowshoes were used further up. An earlier report from the same weekend mentioned snowshoeing to Lake Valhalla via the PCT winter route, encountering post-holing.
- Wenatchee Crest Snowshoe (Blewett Pass) Known for its expansive views, this area is great for longer excursions. A March 2, 2026 report described skiing out and back on a sunny day, noting excellent views of the Enchantments and surrounding peaks, though limited snow cover was a concern. An earlier February report mentioned using boots, gators, and a single hiking pole, recommending sunscreen for a beautiful sunny day.
- Frog Mountain Frog Mountain can be a good option for snowshoeing, though access can be tricky in winter. A late November 2025 report indicated that a 4x4 vehicle was necessary for the road, with high ground clearance recommended. An earlier January 2025 report reiterated the difficulty of the road for vehicles without 4x4.
Planning Tips
- Sno-Park Permits: Many of these popular winter trailheads require a Washington State Parks Sno-Park permit. Check the Washington State Parks website for current permit requirements and purchase options.
- Avalanche Awareness: For trails in avalanche terrain like Granite Mountain, always check the Northwest Avalanche Center forecast before heading out and be prepared to turn back if conditions are not safe.
- Footwear Flexibility: Conditions can vary greatly. While snowshoes are often the star, be prepared with microspikes or traction devices as well, as some reports indicate icy or packed snow sections where they might be more useful.
- Road Conditions: Winter road conditions can change rapidly. Always check WSDOT for pass conditions and be prepared for potential delays or closures, especially on forest service roads leading to trailheads.