Get Outside: Rainy Day Hikes Near Everett

Story & images by: James Fields

With the New Year upon us, and the cold, wet rainy (and sometimes snowy) season setting in, getting outside can sometimes require digging deep to find the motivation necessary to brave the elements. No matter what you do, you know that you'll come home from a long hike soaking wet. Even short hikes can be hard to manage if it's a downpour. But for those of you itching to get some exercise in, there are some local hikes that are easy to manage with an umbrella in hand. Don't let the gloomy and rainy weather keep you indoors all winter. Enjoy a short hike near you!

Here's a list of places to consider this wet winter:

Loganberry Lane (at Kasch Park)

I used to work out of a warehouse by Paine Field, and when I wanted a little bit of the outdoors on my way home from work, this is where I would stop. Kasch Park is probably best known for its sports fields. It has six football fields and five baseball fields allowing for many sports to be played concurrently. But what is less known about this park is that in the trees just behind the fields there is about one mile of trails. Recent repair work by the Washington Trails Association has repaired much of the trails making it more manageable in the rain.

Learn more from the Washington Trail Association here.

Ebey Waterfront

Just across the Snohomish River and Ebey Slough to the north of Everett, as you're just beginning to enter Marysville you'll find the entrance to the Ebey Waterfront Park. This trail is a paved 3-mile roundtrip waterfront experience.

Convenient to get to and easy to ride a bike, push a stroller, or just go for a stroll.

See a longer write up on this trail here by Christopher Bragg.

Spencer Island

Getting to Spencer Island takes a little bit more effort to get to than the Ebey Waterfront, but its distance from Everett is about the same. Sitting just to the east of Everett, across the Snohomish River, you can find a parking spot at Langus Riverfront Park and then proceed south to the paved trail taking you around the south of the island. The views of the river are absolutely stunning. Keep your eyes open, and you might be able to glimpse some river otters enjoying a paddle in the river. As you approach the Langus Slough, the trail takes a turn towards the north and eventually meets up with 4th Street and a bridge that takes you over the slough and into Spencer Island Park.

It's at this point the pavement ends and the wilderness begins. The whole trail is 6.6 miles in length (round trip), but only the first 1.7 miles are paved. So you can get over three miles of a nature hike in here without getting all muddy, or you can plod along and enjoy it all depending on how the weather and your spirits hit you that day.

For an added bonus, you could also time a trip to the Everett Animal Shelter to coincide with this trip. They're located right across the street from where you'd park for this hike.

See a longer write up on this trail here by Christopher Bragg.

Japanese Gulch

This hidden gem lies just north of the Everett airport and contains four miles of trails. The trails are well maintained and have many branches for you to choose between as you go. Interestingly, this park exists because the community of Mukilteo stood together against it becoming an industrial park in 2007 and bought it, turning it into the public land it is today.

There are wooden stairs, gravel and dirt roads, and a whole lot of beauty kept hidden away in this emerald gem.

See a longer write up on this trail here by Christopher Bragg.

Lowell Riverfront Trail

Another hidden gem is the Lowell Riverfront Trail which contains over 3 miles of trails, some of which circle around the Overlook neighborhood. The trails are a mix of packed gravel and pavement, depending on where you're exploring. Plenty of options here! Almost every time I've gone on this trail, I've seen a large fluffle of bunnies munching on the grass along the river. Many humans and dogs have stopped to take in the sight of these wild bunnies.

Henry J did a write up here on Live in Everett on the Lowell neighborhood that gives some historical context to this out of the way park.

More Options to Explore

If you're looking for even more variety this winter, here are a few other nearby trails worth checking out:

Forest Park

Everett's largest park at 197 acres is a hidden treasure that most people drive right past. Built by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s, Forest Park sits on a terraced hillside in North Everett with several miles of wooded trails to explore. The mix of soft trails, moss-lined stairs, and old service roads gives you plenty of options depending on your mood. The tree cover here is excellent for rainy days, and you can design your own route or follow one of the 13 hill climb courses marked throughout the park. If you want a workout, you can rack up nearly 1,100 feet of elevation gain. If you just want a peaceful forest walk, stick to the upper ridge trail.

Interurban Trail (Scriber Creek to McCollum Pioneer Park)

Stretching nearly 20 miles from Seattle to Everett, the Interurban Trail runs north-south through several communities and is perfect for those days when you want a longer walk without leaving pavement. For a shorter jaunt, check out the 8-mile stretch between Scriber Creek and McCollum Park. The trail is well-maintained and completely flat, making it ideal for umbrellas, strollers, or just an easy stride. You'll cross a few roads along the way, so keep your eyes open, but overall it's a straightforward route that connects neighborhoods and parks throughout the area.

McCollum Pioneer Park Forest Loop

Sometimes you just need a quick escape from the city without actually leaving it. This short loop in McCollum Pioneer Park takes you through a lush forested area on well-maintained paths. It's a great option when you only have 30-45 minutes but still want to feel like you've been somewhere. Fair warning: the trail can get muddy and the leaves can be slick in winter, so wear appropriate footwear.

*Taking the pup for a walk through Lord Hill Park // Image: Sean Straub*

Lord Hill Regional Park

For those willing to drive a bit further (about 15 miles east of Everett near Snohomish), Lord Hill Regional Park offers over 30 miles of trails spread across 1,463 acres of wetland and forest. This park is a real gem with trails leading through the woods, down to the Snohomish River, and up to viewpoints of the Cascades and Snohomish Valley. With so many trail options—from short loops around ponds like Beaver Lake and Temple Pond to longer wilderness explorations—you could visit multiple times and have a different experience each trip. The trails range from easy to moderate, and on clear winter days, the mountain views are absolutely stunning.

Have a favorite hike or stroll that we missed? Contact us or reach out via IG.

James works for a local Everett-based company and enjoys board games, hiking, and food. You can find him playing Kubb at a local park or getting lost in the woods.