Everett, Washington is a bustling city located in Snohomish County in beautiful Western Washington. Early in its history, the area was inhabited by several Coast Salish Native American tribes. In 1855, the Treat of Point Elliott was signed, relinquishing the area's lands to Washington's territorial government. The first permanent American settler to arrive in what would become Everett was Dennis Brigham, a carpenter from Massachusetts. Brigham built a log cabin for himself, and several other families soon established homesteads in the area. Plans for an official settlement came about in 1890, and the new city of Everett was incorporated on May 4, 1893.
As of 2022, Everett is home to approximately 111,000 people. Located less than an hour north of Seattle, Washington, the city is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, annual family-friendly festivals, and diverse selection of restaurants and breweries. If you want to explore the art scene during your visit, consider browsing the fantastic exhibits at the Schack Art Center. If you prefer the performing arts, you could attend a concert at the Historic Everett Theatre or watch a lively musical at the Village Theatre. If you're a sports fan, you could get your entertainment by attending an Everett Aquasox minor league baseball game or an Everett Silvertips hockey game.
If the weather is nice while you're in Everett, consider spending an hour or two strolling the lovely Evergreen Arboretum & Gardens. Alternatively, you could take the family for a fun-filled day at Carleton Farms or hike the gorgeous trails at Howarth Park. You could also head over to the breathtaking Jetty Island and spend a relaxing day sunbathing and observing the local birds. For anyone who prefers to stay indoors, the Everett area boasts some fantastic educational attractions. During your visit, consider visiting spots like the Hibulb Cultural Center, the Future of Flight Aviation Center, and the Imagine Children's Museum.
Everett is home to some fantastic dining destinations. Before you leave the city, you should sample great restaurants like Emory’s on Silver Lake, Scuttlebutt Brewing, and Anthony’s Home Port Everett.
Campgrounds Near Everett, Washington
The greater Everett area features many superb campgrounds, and one example is Lake Pleasant RV Park. The well-maintained campground has 196 full-hookup RV campsites available for $44-$48 per night. The park features many amenities and is located conveniently close to a supermarket, several restaurants, and multiple hiking trails.
Another local option is Blue Sky RV Park, which features RV campsites with full hookups available for $55 per night or $350 per week. The campground, which is known for its helpful staff, offers easy access to several creeks, hiking trails, and restaurants. Plus, guests at the park get to enjoy spectacular views of the nearby forests and mountains.
If you're a fan of outdoor recreation, you may want to stay at Kitsap Memorial State Park. While you're there, you can partake in a variety of activities, including diving, fishing, swimming, clamming, and crabbing. The park is home to 50 full-hookup RV campsites, which can be rented for only $25-$30 per day.
State Parks Near Everett, Washington
Washington is home to many beautiful state parks, and one great example is Kitsap Memorial State Park. Located on the scenic Kitsap Peninsula, the park provides excellent views of the Hood Canal saltwater fjord. The park features a long stretch of saltwater shoreline, offering visitors fantastic opportunities for fishing, crabbing, oyster harvesting, diving, swimming, and clamming. There's also a rustic log hall that's perfect for weddings and other gatherings as well as two large fields for various recreational activities.
Situated in Washington's Island County, Fort Casey State Park is another serene natural haven worth exploring. The park's main feature is its namesake fort, which was originally constructed to defend the entrance to the region. Today, the area is a popular spot for various recreational activities. For example, you could head to the nearby shoreline to enjoy watersports, have some fun in the dive park, or hike along the scenic Pacific Northwest Trail. The iconic 1,200-mile trail happens to run right through the state park.
If you're interested in military history, another great state park to visit in Western Washington is Fort Flagler State Park. Although the site is now enjoyed by many for outdoor recreation, Fort Flager was originally a U.S. Army coastal artillery fort. During your visit, you can learn about the fort's fascinating history. You can also explore the nearby hiking and biking trails, observe the local wildlife, or take your boat out on the water. Alternatively, you could simply spend a relaxing day sunbathing or enjoying a picnic lunch.
National Sites Near Everett, Washington
Any history buff exploring the region will absolutely want to visit Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. At the fascinating park, visitors can learn all about the history of the famous Klondike Gold Rush. When gold was discovered in the Klondike Hills, roughly 25,000 people headed to Alaska from Western Washington to claim their shares. The park is separated into four sites, one of which is located in Seattle and features two floors of amazing exhibits. The other sections of the park are found in Alaska, so it will require a long journey if you want to visit them in person.
Another unique national site to visit is Ebey's Landing National Historic Reserve, which lies on the bluffs overlooking the beautiful Puget Sound. The reserve honors the legacy of the Ebey family, who were the first permanent European settlers to arrive in the area. If you want to learn more about the region's history, the reserve features interesting historical sites and museums to explore. Plus, the site offers excellent opportunities for activities like beachcombing, photography, and hiking. If you visit during the spring, you may even get the chance to spot some incredible gray whales as they migrate through the region.
One of the loveliest destinations in Western Washington is San Juan Island, which is where you'll find San Juan Island National Historic Park. The peaceful park features quiet forests and gorgeous views of the coast, but it's most known for its unique history. The area was the site of a famous conflict over a pig between the United States and Great Britain. This dispute led to 12 years of conflict over who the island belonged to. Eventually, arbitration by Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany decided that the island would be granted to the United States. While you're visiting the park, you can check out the historical barracks, blockhouse, commissary, parade ground, and formal garden. You can also hang out on the nearby beaches or spend a fun day sea kayaking.
National Forests Near Everett, Washington
Washington is known for its many lush forests. One that you may want to visit is Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, which is located in Western Washington about 30 miles east of Everett. The beautiful forest is a popular destination for wilderness and backcountry explorers. It boasts roughly 1,500 miles of scenic hiking trails, 10 different wilderness areas, and over 200 glaciers. One of the most common activities in the forest is fishing; the area is known as one of the best places to catch salmon in the state. A few of the nicest trails to check out are the Baker Lake Trail, the Heliotrope Ridge Trail, and the Canyon Ridge Trail.
If you head across Puget Sound from Everett to the wonderful Olympic Peninsula, you can spend some time exploring the vast Olympic National Forest. The forest is known for its stunning landscapes, majestic waterfalls, and lush rainforest areas. In addition to exploring fantastic trails like the Quinault Rain Forest Nature Trail and Murhut Falls Trail, visitors can enjoy activities like fishing and scuba diving. Other popular activities include bird-watching, geocaching, and stargazing.
If you're looking for more of a hidden treasure, it's absolutely worth checking out Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Nestled in the southern part of the state, the forest covers 1.32 million acres and is filled with old-growth conifer trees. The area is home to amazing features such as glaciers, spotted owls, and even volcanic peaks. Perhaps the most notable landmark in the forest is Mount St. Helens, which famously erupted back in 1980. The forest is also home to lovely campgrounds, excellent hiking trails, and some great fishing spots.
