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.

Shrub Steppe habitat
Photo by WDFW
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In this section

  • Life Outdoors Report

    WDFW's Life Outdoors Report showcases upcoming fishing, hunting, and other outdoor recreation activities around the state.

  • WDFW event calendar

    WDFW sponsors and attends public events throughout the state.

  • Wildlife areas

    WDFW manages more than 1 million acres of land throughout the state.

  • Water access areas

    WDFW manages hundreds of water access areas throughout Washington, providing recreational access to the state’s lakes, rivers, and marine waters.

  • Clam, mussel, and oyster beaches

    Find information about public clam, mussel, and oyster beaches, including harvest seasons, beach locations, and current Department of Health status.

  • Public fishing piers

    Dozens of fishing piers around Puget Sound let you fish Washington's marine waters, even without a boat.

  • Salmon viewing locations

    Find areas across the state where you can see salmon migrating and/or spawning.

  • Lowland lakes

    Washington's lowland lakes offer some of the best fishing opportunities in the state.

  • High lakes

    Without a doubt, high lakes trout fishing is one of Washington's premier recreational opportunities.

  • Marine areas

    Marine areas offer unique fishing opportunities to the adventurous angler.

  • License dealers

    Want to start your adventure today? Find a license dealer near you.

Places news & important dates

Elk herd in hills with flowers
Photo by WDFW
U.S. Army restricts public access on the Yakima Training Center beginning June 1

WDFW has removed Game Management Unit 371 (Alkali) from the list of hunt choice options for a special hunt permit this season due to the Army's restriction.

Army news release
Gravel parking area next to boat launch. Water in the distance has fog over it.
Photo by WDFW
WDFW buys Sekiu boat launch property in Clallam County

WDFW has finalized its acquisition of the Sekiu boat launch property in Clallam County along the Strait of Juan de Fuca on the northern Olympic Peninsula.

Read the news release
Visit the Newsroom for more news

Visit your WDFW lands

A biologist and group of students dig through a net full of gravel, looking for small species that live in water.
Photo by WDFW
Hands-on learning in the field

A group of Spokane educators and conservationists collaborate to bring in-field learning to Spokane students.

Read the blog
WDFW Chehalis Wildlife Area - Chehalis Unit - ADA Paved Path
Photo by WDFW
Comment on recreation at Olympic, Johns River, and Chehalis wildlife areas

WDFW is seeking public input at the Olympic-Willapa Hills Wildlife Area Complex, which consists of three wildlife areas across Grays Harbor, Clallam and Pacific counties.

Take the survey
A fawn curled up in the grass.
Photo by Dean Seymour
What to do if you encounter young wildlife

Always contact a permitted wildlife rehabilitator before attempting to rescue any wildlife, and follow the tips in this blog for what to do if you encounter common young wildlife on your property or in your community.

Young wildlife blog

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