Snohomish: Trails, Water and Culture

In Snohomish County, the visitor experience ranges from saltwater coastlines and farmland to alpine peaks and mountain adventures in the Cascades. Specific travel ideas include trails, wetlands, waterfalls, aviation and culture. To plan your trip, you can first decide whether outdoor activities, nature watching, history or an event date will shape your stay.

Hiking and Biking

Snohomish County Parks offers more than 100 miles of trails for hiking and biking. The Centennial Trail runs for more than 30 miles between the city of Snohomish and the Skagit County line. Its named endpoints give the longer route a clear geographic frame. Wallace Falls State Park features lush forest, two lakes and the three-tiered Wallace Falls; the park also offers 17 miles of hiking and biking trails.

For a specific hike, Wallace Falls State Park offers a 2.8-mile route to the top of the falls. Viewpoints are located at the lower, middle and upper falls. The 17 miles describe the park’s trail network; the 2.8 miles refer to the specific hike to the top.

Wetlands, Rivers and Coast

Spencer Island offers opportunities to observe waterfowl and shorebirds. The island is located in the Snohomish River Estuary, formed where the Snohomish River meets Port Gardner Bay. At Meadowdale Beach Park, a 1.25-mile one-way nature trail winds through old-growth forest, alongside Lund’s Gulch Creek, to the beach. Birdwatching in the estuary and a route through the forest and alongside a creek to the beach offer distinct nature experiences.

Habitat restoration is also part of Meadowdale Beach Park: a restoration project completed in 2023 restored a 1.3-acre estuary there. It serves as a rearing area for Chinook, chum and coho salmon, as well as cutthroat trout.

Aviation, Museums and History

Boeing Future of Flight is a public attraction in the Paine Field Aviation District and serves as the gateway to the Boeing Everett Factory Tour. Interactive and immersive experiences, programs and tours focus on aviation. The Sky Deck offers panoramic views of Paine Field, the Boeing Everett Factory and the North Cascades. Check current operating and tour information before your visit.

The Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum displays 26 aircraft and more than 30 vehicles across nearly 110,000 square feet of exhibit space. The collection is housed in three hangars on a nine-acre site. The Hibulb Cultural Center combines an approximately 23,000-square-foot cultural center with a 50-acre nature preserve. Its offerings include interactive exhibits, classrooms, a longhouse, a research library and a gift shop.

A historic lime kiln remains as a prominent landmark along the Lime Kiln Trail and is visible from the trail. The Robe Canyon Historic Trail is a 2.2-mile loop through Robe Canyon. Robe Canyon Historic Park includes a section of the historic transportation route of the famous Monte Cristo Railroad. The Schack Art Center offers hands-on classes and a public hot glassblowing studio; class offerings may change, so check the current program. The historic 1906 Mukilteo Light Station in Lighthouse Park features exhibits and a gift shop. Check the current seasonal schedule before your visit.

Events and Getting There

The annual Spring Tours at Pilchuck Glass School take visitors around the historic campus and feature live glassmaking demonstrations. Dates vary from year to year. In Monroe, the Evergreen State Fair is held annually as an 11-day county fair; it celebrates agriculture, community and local culture. Dates also change each year. Evergreen State Fair Park offers 193 acres for year-round events and includes an equestrian center and Evergreen Speedway.

Paine Field in Everett is a commercial airport with three gates and flights operated by Alaska Airlines. As air service may change, check current routes before traveling. Amtrak serves Edmonds, Everett and Stanwood, connecting these places with Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia. Schedules and service patterns may change, so check them before your trip.

You can then compare the places and transportation options that best match this focus.

Explore more destinations: Snohomish, Everett, Lynnwood, Arlington, Edmonds, Marysville, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo, Granite Falls, Monroe, Gold Bar, Index, Mill Creek, Maltby, Lake Stevens, Stanwood

For the broader travel overview: Washington.