Places to Go
There are countless ways to get outside in Washington. Whether hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, hiking, horseback riding, boating, or camping, the Department of Fish and Wildlife wants to make it easy for you to do the things you love, from Puget Sound and the Pacific coast to the Columbia Basin and the rolling hills of the Palouse.
In this section
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WDFW manages more than 1 million acres of land throughout the state.
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WDFW manages hundreds of water access areas throughout Washington, providing recreational access to the state’s lakes, rivers, and marine waters.
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WDFW's Life Outdoors Report showcases upcoming fishing, hunting, and other outdoor recreation activities around the state.
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Find information about public clam, mussel, and oyster beaches, including harvest seasons, beach locations, and current Department of Health status.
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Dozens of fishing piers around Puget Sound let you fish Washington's marine waters, even without a boat.
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Washington's lowland lakes offer some of the best fishing opportunities in the state.
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Without a doubt, high lakes trout fishing is one of Washington's premier recreational opportunities.
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Marine areas offer unique fishing opportunities to the adventurous angler.
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Want to start your adventure today? Find a license dealer near you.
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Find areas across the state where you can see salmon migrating and/or spawning.
Places news & important dates
Only 3% of the South Puget Sound region's prairies remain, and conservation grazing is playing a key role in helping this unique habitat.
As of Jan. 1, 2025, boaters must follow new regulations to protect the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population.
Visit your WDFW lands
WDFW is implementing partial seasonal closures of five units in the Methow Valley Wildlife Area through Mar. 31, 2025. These closures help protect critical winter range for migrating mule deer and balance conservation and recreation efforts.
Respectful communication and dialogue go a long way toward creating positive connections between outdoors enthusiasts and avoiding potentially negative encounters while recreating.
This public fishing pier is located on the Seattle Waterfront adjacent to the Port of Seattle’s Centennial Park north of the Pier 86 grain terminal. The current pier was built in 1980 and has been closed since 2016 due to safety concerns.
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