Washington State
Issaquah,
Washington
The gateway to the Issaquah Alps. Three forested mountains, one of the best paragliding launches in the Northwest, and a historic downtown 18 miles from Seattle.
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Overview
Eighteen miles east of Seattle on I-90, Issaquah sits in a bowl at the foot of three forested peaks known as the Issaquah Alps. Tiger, Cougar, and Squak Mountains rise straight out of town, giving Issaquah some of the most accessible hiking anywhere near the city. Trailheads for West Tiger 3, Poo Poo Point, and the Cougar Mountain wildland all sit within a few minutes of downtown.
Beyond the trails, Issaquah packs in a full day of activity. Lake Sammamish State Park anchors the north end with beaches and paddling, paragliders launch off Poo Poo Point most clear afternoons, and the historic downtown mixes breweries and restaurants with the Cougar Mountain Zoo, a salmon hatchery, and the October Salmon Days festival that draws crowds from across the region.
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What Makes Issaquah Special
The Issaquah Alps
Tiger, Cougar, and Squak Mountains form a wall of forest on the south and west edges of town. Together they hold hundreds of miles of trail, from the steep grind up West Tiger 3 to the gentle Tradition Lake loop, all starting minutes from I-90.
Poo Poo Point
One of the premier paragliding launches in the Pacific Northwest sits on the shoulder of Tiger Mountain. On clear afternoons dozens of gliders ride the thermals over the Issaquah valley. You can hike the Chirico Trail up to the launch and watch the flying up close.
Lake Sammamish State Park
A 512-acre state park on the south shore of Lake Sammamish, with two swimming beaches, boat launches, paddling, and picnic meadows. It is one of the most popular summer day-use parks in the Seattle metro area.
Downtown & Salmon Days
The historic downtown keeps its small-town feel with local breweries, Gilman Village shops, Boehm’s Candies, and the Village Theatre. Every October the Salmon Days festival celebrates the salmon returning to the Issaquah hatchery.
beExploring / Issaquah
Things to Do
Hiking the Issaquah Alps
West Tiger 3, Poo Poo Point, Cougar Mountain, Squak Mountain, and the Tradition Plateau give hikers of every level a trail. Some of the closest real mountain hiking to Seattle.
Hiking the Issaquah Alps →
Lake Sammamish State Park
Swim, launch a kayak or paddleboard, or spread out on the beach at this 512-acre state park on the lake’s south shore. A summer favorite for Issaquah families.
Lake Sammamish State Park →
Salmon Hatchery & Salmon Days
Watch salmon return up Issaquah Creek to the state hatchery each fall, then join tens of thousands of visitors for the Salmon Days festival every October.
Salmon Hatchery & Salmon Days →
Poo Poo Point Paragliding
Watch gliders launch off Tiger Mountain, or hike the Chirico Trail 1,760 feet up to the launch meadow yourself for one of the best valley views around.
Poo Poo Point Paragliding →
Tiger Mountain Mountain Biking
The Tiger Mountain trail system is one of the best-known lift-free mountain bike networks in western Washington, with flowing descents built and maintained by the local riding community.
Tiger Mountain Mountain Biking →
Cougar Mountain Zoo
A compact family zoo on the slope of Cougar Mountain, known for its tigers, cougars, cranes, and a walk-through experience that works well for younger kids.
Cougar Mountain Zoo →
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Where to Stay
Most people visit Issaquah as a day trip from Seattle or the Eastside, which is easy given how close it is. If you would rather stay the night, the choices split between town, the neighboring Eastside cities, and heading further up I-90 toward the mountains.
Issaquah & the Highlands
A handful of chain hotels sit off I-90 near downtown and up in the Issaquah Highlands, convenient for early trailhead starts on Tiger and Cougar Mountains and close to restaurants and shopping.
Bellevue & the Eastside
Ten to fifteen minutes west, Bellevue and the wider Eastside add a much larger range of hotels, from budget to full-service, all within a short drive of Issaquah trailheads and Lake Sammamish.
Snoqualmie Pass
Thirty-five minutes further east on I-90, the pass has hotels and cabins that work well as a base for combining Issaquah hiking with skiing or alpine trails higher up.
Snoqualmie Pass →
Stay in Seattle
At 20 to 30 minutes each way, Issaquah works comfortably as a day trip from the city. Most visitors hike or paddle in the morning and are back in Seattle by afternoon.
Stay in Seattle →
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Best Time to Visit
March – May
Green and quietWaterfalls and creeks run full, trilliums bloom along the lower trails, and the Issaquah Alps are lush and uncrowded. Poo Poo Point paragliding picks up as the weather clears. A great season for the Tradition Plateau and Cougar Mountain loops.
June – August
Peak seasonAll trails open, long daylight, and warm afternoons. Lake Sammamish State Park is at its busiest with swimming and paddling. Tiger Mountain trailheads fill early on weekends, so arrive before 9am or hike on a weekday.
September – October
Salmon DaysSalmon return up Issaquah Creek to the hatchery, and the Salmon Days festival takes over downtown in early October. Cooler air makes for excellent hiking, and the maples along the lower Alps turn gold.
November – February
Lowland trails openThe Issaquah Alps stay accessible through most winters since the summits sit low. Trails are muddy and green, crowds thin out, and clear cold days give some of the sharpest views of the year from Poo Poo Point and West Tiger 3.
Tiger Mountain and Poo Poo Point trailheads fill before 9am on summer weekends. Plan an early start or a weekday visit.
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Tips
The Poo Poo Point and Tiger Mountain trailheads on Issaquah-Hobart Road fill by mid-morning on summer weekends. Arrive before 9am or come on a weekday for easy parking and a quieter trail.
You do not need to fly to enjoy Poo Poo Point. Hike the Chirico Trail up to the launch meadow, then sit and watch the paragliders come and go with the whole Issaquah valley spread out below.
Tiger Mountain trailheads sit on Washington DNR land and require a Discover Pass. Cougar Mountain and Squak Mountain are King County and state park land with their own rules, so check which pass you need before you go.
If you want to see the salmon run, aim for late September through October. Combine it with the Salmon Days festival for the fullest experience, but expect big crowds and street closures downtown that weekend.
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Common Mistakes
Treating West Tiger 3 as a casual walk. It climbs roughly 2,000 feet in a little over two miles and is a genuine workout. Bring water and good shoes rather than expecting a stroll.
Only ever hiking Tiger Mountain. Cougar and Squak Mountains are just as close, far less crowded, and hold miles of quiet forest trail. Spread out across all three peaks of the Issaquah Alps.
Showing up at Lake Sammamish State Park at midday on a hot summer weekend without a plan. The day-use lots fill and there is a parking fee. Arrive early or go on a weekday.
Driving into downtown Issaquah on Salmon Days weekend expecting normal parking. Streets close for the festival and lots fill fast. Park on the edges and walk in, or take the shuttle.
beExploring / Issaquah
Plan Your Trip
Things to Do
Hiking, paragliding, the lake, and more
Parks
Lake Sammamish, the Alps, and city parks
Day Trips from Seattle
Issaquah and other close escapes
North Bend
Mount Si and Snoqualmie Falls, 15 minutes east
Snoqualmie Pass
Skiing, hiking, and snowshoeing up I-90
beExploring / Issaquah
