It’s time to start planning your best summer yet! Yes, I know it’s still dark, wet, and cold outside. Summer may feel like it’s a million miles away. Yet, as more people move to the northwest, it gets harder and harder to be spontaneous about summer fun. It requires advance planning to get the best camping, backpacking, reservations, tickets, etc. And there’s no better time than now (or maybe last month) to start booking your summer activities! Here’s where to start:
Middle Fork Campground, North Bend, WA
CAMPING
The best campgrounds are already getting booked out, so start making those reservations! I secured a campsite in one of my favorite spots, Deception Pass State Park, for this June. You can reserve a site in national parks through www.recreation.gov and Washington State Parks via https://washington.goingtocamp.com. Reservations can be made 6-12 months in advance, depending on the specific campground.
Colchuck Lake, Chelan County, WA
BACKPACKING
The lottery for permits into the Enchantments runs from February 15 until March 01, 2023. Results will be available March 17th. The Enchantments is an area of pristine alpine wilderness which attracts visitors from around the world. If you are lucky enough to win a permit, kick up your training regime. All the hikes in the Enchantments are difficult, but the payoff is incredible.
Mount Rainier National Park also requires permits for backpacking, hiking the Wonderland Trail, or high use climbing trails. Last winter there was a lottery from late February until early March for early access to reservations. There are no dates released yet so keep an eye out for a lottery announcement.
Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA
CONCERTS
It’s best not to wait on purchasing your tickets for upcoming concerts and music festivals. Whether it’s Blink 182 at the Gorge, Foo Fighters at T-Mobile Park, or Alanis Morissette at White River Amphitheater, there’s no time like the present to lock those tickets down.
Vancouver USA Marathon, Vancouver, WA
MARATHONS AND OTHER RUNS
Time to start training and registering for your summertime runs! Here are some of the most popular running events this summer:
Ragnar Northwest Passage- Blaine to Langley, WA July 12-13, 2024
Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon in North Bend, WA June 9, 2024
Whistler Half Marathon- June 1, 2024
Solstice Parade, Seattle, WA
BIKING
Whenever I hear people talk about STP, my first thought is the band Stone Temple Pilots. But in the Pacific Northwest, STP usually means Seattle to Portland. This is a huge event where over 10,000 bikes make the trek to Portland in either one or two days. Registration usually opens in January or February. Cascade Bicycle Club, the organizer of the event, also has several other rides over the summer. Visit www.cascade.org for more info. If you are interested in mountain biking, registration will open this month (December) for mountain biking camps in Whistler, BC. Visit https://summergravitycamps.com/ for details.
Columbia River Gorge, WA/OR border
LODGING
Dreaming of a summer escape to Lake Chelan? How about the San Juan Islands in the prime whale watching months of June and July? Fancy a cabin in Mount Rainier National Park? Cannon Beach is lovely in the summer and Crater Lake’s Rim Loop scenic drive opens in June. Whatever your plans, now is a perfect time to make arrangements.
Northwest and the Rest 
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