Living in Washington is such a privilege for anybody like me who absolutely thrives in the outdoors and loves to explore trails in the mountains & forests galore! I’ve written about plenty of epic hiking trails in previous blog posts (such as some of my favorites at Mount Rainier), but I’ve yet to write specifically about hiking trails in Washington that are accessible to everybody, no matter your age, body type, or physical ability. 

I believe that it’s incredibly important that EVERYBODY who wants to is able to explore the outdoors and experience the magic of nature, but for some reason, the outdoors is often gate kept from certain portions of the population! When you’re choosing a location for your elopement or even just a location to visit for a quick day-hike, you should be free to explore the outdoors within whatever comfort zones & level of challenge you’d like. 

That’s why I wanted to give you 15 of the best accessible hiking trails in Washington where you can bring your kids, family members, & any guests along to your elopement, and get beautiful views without having to follow super long or difficult trails! Below, I’ve included 10 wheelchair-accessible trails throughout the state, as well as 5 other trails that are partially accessible. Happy hiking!

Wheelchair-Accessible Hiking Trails in Washington

1. Picture Lake – Artist Point, Mount Baker Area

Length: 0.5 miles, roundtrip

Elevation gain: 0 ft.

Trail type: Boardwalk with railings, gravel, & natural surfaces

Picture Lake is a super pretty lake near Deming, WA, in the Mount Baker wilderness area! It’s a really easy loop trail with a boardwalk (with railings) and gravel areas, as well as other natural surfaces that are wheelchair-friendly & easy to get to from the parking lot. 

2. Gold Creek Pond – Snoqualmie Pass

Length: 1 mile, roundtrip

Elevation gain: 10 ft.

Trail type: Pavement, boardwalk, & paved trail

Gold Creek Pond is a popular destination near Snoqualmie Pass that gets tons of visitors, who come to see the gorgeous water & mountain views! The loop trail around the pond is made up of paved asphalt and wooden boardwalks/bridges, with plenty of space for most wheelchairs to fit & move through. There’s barely any elevation gain, so it’s really more like a nice, easy walk around a beautiful body of water, surrounded by classic PNW greenery!

3. Rainy Lake – North Cascades

Length: 2 miles, roundtrip

Elevation gain: 70 ft.

Trail type: Paved asphalt

Rainy Lake is yet another fabulous lake within the North Cascades, off of the scenic Highway 20. This 2-mile roundtrip trail starts at the Rainy Pass Trailhead, and is wheelchair accessible + has barely any elevation gain! You’ll want to make sure you keep going straight at the spot where the trail branches off, as the right trail leads you to a steep climb toward the mountains. 

4. Rockport State Park – Rockport

Length: 2 miles out & back

Elevation gain: 131 ft.

Trail type: Packed dirt

Rockport State Park has multiple trails that all provide great options for people of any age, skill level, or accessibility! It’s a gorgeous park full of mossy trees, lush ferns, and endless paths to explore. If you’re looking for a wheelchair-accessible trail in the park, check out the 1-mile West Loop Interpretive Trail!

5. Washington Pass Overlook Trail – Stehekin

Length: 1 mile, roundtrip

Elevation gain: 10 ft.

Trail type: Paved, gravel

This trail at the Washington Pass Overlook, along Highway 20, is one of the easiest ways to get unreal views of the North Cascades. You legit just pull off the highway, park your car, and walk a few minutes – and bam, you’ve got majestic scenery of the mountain peaks and the DREAM place for a road trip rest stop! The first 200 feet of the trail are the most accessible, and then you do get to some stairs at the 0.1-mile mark that people using wheelchairs may need help traveling down. There are plenty of benches at the overlook, along with wheelchair-accessible restrooms and an info station

Now that you’ve learned about some of the most accessible trails in the Cascades, be sure to check out my full guide on How to Elope in North Cascades National Park!

6. Hurricane Hill – Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park

Length: 3.4 miles out & back

Elevation gain: 826 ft.

Trail type: Paved

Hurricane Hill is a 3.4-mile, moderately-challenging trail near Port Angeles, via Hurricane Ridge, which is also one of the most easily accessible locations with beautiful views within Olympic National Park! It’s a great choice for couples who want more of a challenging hike, but still need a wheelchair-accessible option for themselves or their guests. The views of the Olympic Mountains are to die for!

7. Rattlesnake Lake – North Bend

Length: 1.4 miles out & back

Elevation gain: 39 ft.

Trail type: Paved road

Rattlesnake Lake is a lovely lake near North Bend, full of opportunities for outdoor-lovers including hiking, swimming, & more. It’s a great area to visit on a sunny day and bring a picnic to, as there are plenty of spots to sit down (a few picnic tables, benches, & grassy areas) and look out at the beautiful lake. The trail along the east side of Rattlesnake Lake is super easy to navigate & is wheelchair-accessible!

8. Hall of Mosses Nature Trail – Olympic National Park 

Length: 0.8 miles, roundtrip

Elevation gain: 100 ft.

Trail type: Gravel, natural surfaces

If you’re looking to have your elopement within the incredible Olympic National Park on the Washington peninsula, somewhere where you can bring your kids & guests along, the Hall of Mosses Nature Trail is a fantastic option! The trailhead starts at the Upper Hoh Road and takes you through the stunning mossy trees & vibrant green ferns of the Hoh Rain Forest. Note that the first 0.1 miles of the trail is the most accessible, and after that, wheelchair users may need help getting down the steeper sections of the trail.

9. Trail of the Shadows – Mount Rainier National Park, Longmire

Length: 0.7-mile loop

Elevation gain: 39 ft.

Trail type: Asphalt, wooden bridge, gravel

I couldn’t leave you without any wheelchair-accessible trails at Mount Rainier, my favorite place in all of Washington state! The Trail of the Shadows is a short, easy loop near Longmire, where you’ll get to explore the forest & meadows of Mount Rainier. The trailhead is across the main road from the National Park Inn in Longmire, with wheelchair-accessible restrooms right nearby. Made up of asphalt, wooden bridge, & gravel, the southern half of this trail is most accessible, but the whole trail should be okay for wheelchair users as long as they have somebody to assist in the steeper sections!

10. Enchantment Park – Leavenworth

Length: 0.7 miles, roundtrip

Elevation gain: 13  ft.

Trail type: Pavement, gravel, & natural surfaces

I fell in love with Leavenworth these past few years, as it’s such a wonderful elopement destination for any couples who want access to countless outdoor activities, while also getting to explore an adorable, unique little town! Enchantment Park Loop is a great easy, 0.7-mile loop near Leavenworth, perfect for people of all ages, skills, & ability levels. The trail surface is made up of pavement, gravel, and other natural surfaces, and wheelchair users may need assistance in the moderately-steep section of the trail.

Be sure to check out my full blog post on How to Elope in Leavenworth, Washington for an in-depth planning guide!

Other Accessible Hiking Trails in Washington (not fully wheelchair-accessible)

1. Fire and Ice Trail – Artist Point, Mount Baker Area

Length: 0.5 miles, roundtrip

Elevation gain: 100 ft.

Trail type: Gravel

The Fire and Ice trail is another wonderful one up at Mount Baker, with the trailhead starting at Heather Meadows where there’s a restroom, picnic tables, & a visitor center. 0.2 miles of the trail are wheelchair-accessible, and you really get incredible views from every point of the trial & surrounding areas of Heather Meadows!

2. Cutthroat Lake – North Cascades

Length: 3.8 miles, roundtrip

Elevation gain: 400 ft.

Trail type: Bridges, level trail

Cutthroat Lake Trail is the perfect option for anybody looking for a slightly more challenging, lengthy hike without too difficult of a journey. It’s just under 4 miles long and is a nearly level walk, making it great for kids or adults who’d rather go on a pleasant, easier adventure instead of working up a sweat. 

3. Gorge Lake Overlook – North Cascades

Length: 0.53 miles, roundtrip

Elevation gain: 73 miles

Trail type: Paved, gravel

The Gorge Lake Overlook provides one of the many incredible blue-lake views that you can find throughout the North Cascades, peeking over the Gorge Dam & with plenty of moss, ferns, and other greenery nearby. Half of the loop is paved & readily accessible for most people (although wheelchair accessibility is not specified online), and the other half is compacted gravel. A perfect, short trail for anybody looking for a quick adventure with their family or friends & amazing views!

4. Franklin Falls – North Bend

Length: 2 miles, roundtrip

Elevation gain: 400 ft.

Trail type: Bridges, stairs, & natural surfaces

You know I love me a good waterfall in the middle of a lush forest – and luckily the PNW is full of ‘em! Franklin Falls is an easily-accessible waterfall near Snoqualmie Pass, with a pretty low-effort out & back trail to get there. The trail is great for people of all abilities (though it’s not clear online whether or not wheelchairs will be able to complete the entirety of the trail), and is perfect if you’ll have any kids tagging along on your elopement day who don’t want to hike 10 miles up a steep mountain!

5. Ruby Beach – Olympic National Park 

Length: 1 mile out & back

Elevation gain: 49 ft.

Trail type: Sand, gravel

Ruby Beach is one of my all-time favorite spots within Olympic National Park, sitting right on the peninsula and FULL of unreal PNW scenery. From the tree-lined coast to the unique sea stacks to the moody skies & tidepools, walking along Ruby Beach is truly one of the most beautiful ways to experience Washington, especially because it’s easy for kids & people of all ages to walk along the sand! Be careful of driftwood and rocky areas along the sand, since it’s not quite a clear, white-sand beach that you’d find in Hawaii. If you’re looking for a wheelchair-accessible section of Ruby Beach, head to the 0.25-mile trail that leads from the parking area to the Ruby Beach Overlook!

Check out this blog post for all of my best tips, suggestions, & location ideas for eloping in Olympic National Park!

More Elopement Destinations in Washington State

If you’re still on the hunt for your perfect Washington elopement location, I’ve got you covered – check out even more of my fav places in the state below!