Lynnwood is a city located in Snohomish County in western Washington. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, homesteaders originally settled in the city. Around this time, Alderwood Manor was established in the area as a planned farming community. The modern city of Lynnwood didn't come about until the 1940s, deriving its name from a local realtor's wife. On April 23, 1959, Lynnwood was officially incorporated, and in the subsequent years, it evolved into a busy suburban hub. When Alderwood Mall opened in the area in 1979, it helped transform the eastern section of Lynnwood into a center for retail stores and offices.
As of 2022, Lynnwood had a population of about 38,500. Alderwood Mall is easily the city's most popular attraction, featuring a vast selection of stores and restaurants as well as a modern movie theater. Other popular spots worth checking out around Lynnwood include the Lynnwood Recreation Center, the Lynwood Ice Center and the Lynnwood Convention Center. You could also take the family for a fun evening at Lynnwood Bowl and Skate or Bowlero. Or, if you're in the mood to be pampered, you could spend a relaxing afternoon at Olympus Spa.
The Lynnwood area is known for its breathtaking collection of parks and green spaces. If the sun comes out during your visit, consider having a picnic at Scriber Lake Park or strolling the botanical garden at Gold Park. You could also bring your dogs to Lynndale Park or play a game of pick-up basketball at the Meadowdale Playfields. Once you've worked up an appetite, you can choose one of Lynnwood's many superb restaurants for a tasty dinner. A few of the city's best dining destinations are Blazing Onion Burger Company, The Old Spaghetti Factory and Yeh Yeh's Vietnamese Sandwiches.
Campgrounds Near Lynnwood, Washington
A great place to camp in the greater Lynnwood area is Lake Pleasant RV Park, 15 minutes southeast of Lynnwood. You can stay in one of the 184 full-hookup RV campsites for $44-$48 per night. The park's amenities include restrooms, five shower houses, cable TV, Wi-Fi, a dump station and a playground. It is convenient to a variety of restaurants, a supermarket and several hiking trails.
Thirty-five minutes southeast of Lynnwood, Blue Sky RV Park offers full-hookup RV campsites for $55 per night or $350 per week. The campground is surrounded by natural beauty and a tranquil atmosphere, and there are many nearby creeks and hiking trails to explore. Guests can also enjoy quite a few amenities, including laundry facilities, cable television, Wi-Fi and a clubhouse.
Another option is Vasa Park Resort, where you can rent an RV campsite with full hookups for between $33 and $50 per night. The park, which is a half-hour southeast of Lynwood, provides 249 total campsites, and during your stay, you'll have easy access to the lovely Lake Sammamish. If you've got the kids with you, they'll certainly enjoy the nearby diving boards, waterslides and beaches. Other features of the campground include a playground, showers and laundry facilities.
State Parks Near Lynnwood, Washington
Situated on the northwestern shore of the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula, an hour and 15 minutes west of Lynnwood, Kitsap Memorial State Park features spectacular views of the Hood Canal saltwater fjord. The breezy park features a huge stretch of saltwater shoreline, in which visitors can clam, harvest oysters, crab, swim, dive and fish. For those who would rather stay on dry land, the nearby fields are great for playing catch, flying kites or throwing a frisbee. The park also contains Log Hall, an impressive venue often used for weddings and other get-togethers.
An hour and 20 minutes southwest of Lynnwood, Manchester State Park, which comprises 111 acres and features a 3,400-foot shoreline, is a great destination for history buffs. Before it was a recreation area, the park was established as a U.S. artillery fort defense post meant to protect the Bremerton area. These days, the quiet natural haven is frequently used for hiking, fishing, boating and playing volleyball. During your visit, you should keep your eyes on the skies for eagles, owls and hawks.
Also located on the Kitsap Peninsula, an hour and 25 minutes southwest of Lynnwood, is Illahee State Park. The 86-acre park is mostly known as a great camping destination, but it also features a dense stretch of forest filled with scenic hiking trails and the largest yew trees in the United States. Additionally, there are exceptional opportunities for all kinds of water-based fun in the nearby area. For example, visitors can partake in fishing, diving, swimming, waterskiing, crabbing and shellfish harvesting. You could also take a guided boat tour with the family.
National Sites Near Lynnwood, Washington
Although the headquarters of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is located in Skagway, Alaska, the park also has a location in Seattle, 20 minutes south of Lynnwood. The park's various sites commemorate the history of the famous Klondike Gold Rush. When the Gold Rush occurred, thousands of residents of Seattle and other cities in the Pacific Northwest made their way to Alaska to stake their claims. At the park's Seattle site, visitors can explore two floors of informative exhibits and learn about the impact that the Gold Rush had on the region.
Another national site with a fascinating history is Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve. The reserve, located on the bluffs that overlook Puget Sound, an hour and 20 minutes northwest of Lynnwood, honors the first Europeans to explore the Pacific Northwest region. Specifically, the site is named for the Ebey family, who are famous for being the first permanent settlers in the area. The reserve not only offers picturesque scenery, but it's also a popular destination for activities like hiking, beachcombing and nature photography. Additionally, the reserve contains several historic sites and museums, where visitors can learn about the area's unique history.
If you travel to San Juan Island, three hours and five minutes northwest of Lynnwood, you should absolutely take some time to explore San Juan Island National Historical Park. Although the park is now a peaceful nature area, the island was once the site of a conflict that nearly sent the United States and Great Britain into war during the early 19th century. The conflict started when a pig was shot, and the two countries fought over possession of the island for the next 12 years. If you visit the park today, you can relax on one of the beaches, take a sea kayaking trip, or check out the fascinating remnants of the English and American camps.
National Forests Near Lynnwood, Washington
Situated in the heart of western Washington, an hour and 35 minutes east of Lynnwood, Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest is revered as a wonderful destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The forest's notable features include 1,500 miles of nature trails, 10 different wilderness areas, over 200 glaciers, and several rivers and lakes that offer superb salmon fishing opportunities. It is a nice place for wildlife viewing and bird-watching as well; you might spot elk, deer, bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures and other fascinating species during your visit.
Olympic National Forest is a sizable stretch of temperate rainforest located on the Olympic Peninsula in western Washington, an hour and 45 minutes southwest of Lynnwood. The forest comprises stunning landscapes, majestic waterfalls and picturesque hiking routes. A few of the best trails to explore are the Native American Nature Trail, the Quinault Rain Forest Nature Trail, and the Mt. Walker Trail. While you're visiting, you could also go scuba diving in Hood Canal, cast your fishing line in Lake Crescent, or even climb to the summit of one of the nearby peaks.
One of the lesser-known national forests in Washington is Gifford Pinchot National Forest, which lies in the southern part of the state, three hours and 15 minutes southeast of Lynnwood. Covering approximately 1.32 million acres, the natural area boasts old-growth conifer forests, mighty glaciers and stunning volcanic peaks. Undoubtedly, the forest's most famous landmark is Mount St. Helens, which experienced a huge eruption in 1980. In the forest, there are also 21 different lakes, several of which offer some of the best fishing opportunities in the state. If you enjoy hiking, be sure to explore great trails like the Coyote Wall Loop Trail and the Lewis River Falls Trail.
