Easy hikes and walks in Samish Wildlife Area

Magnificent views over Anacortes and the islands extending into the northern Cascades.

You can leave the bland roadside trail and ride along the waterfront, behind Anthony's. Just watch out for peds!

Oyster Dome, located in Blanchard State Forest, is the highest point at 2,025 feet. Starting from Chuckanut Drive, the trail passes through old forests and former logging areas with abandoned equipment. It offers a steep hike to stunning views of the Salish Sea.

Anacortes is a base for recreational boating and has a marina. A brewery and a small regional airport are also part of this small town.

The Spanish and the British were the first Europeans to explore Fidalgo Island at the end of the 18th century. Around 1860, American and European settlers discovered the island for themselves and settled here. For thousands of years, the area had previously been home to the Samish and Swinomish, two indigenous groups of the Coast Salish peoples. Anacortes was officially founded in 1879 by Amos Bowman with the opening of a post office. It was named after his wife Anna, née Curtis. The idea of building the terminus of the transcontinental railroad in their town and the associated prospect of good earning opportunities caused the number of residents to quickly rise to over 2,000. The town was then granted city status on May 19, 1891. Due to various construction and financing problems and not least due to uneconomical reasons, the realization of a railway line to Anacortes was abandoned. Soon, professional groups such as fishermen, fish processors, farmers, sawmill operators and others were driving the development of the city forward. In 1962, it received the "All-American City Award", an award for communities that are committed to strong cooperation in all areas in order to successfully tackle local problems.

Cap Sante Park is a 37 acre forested promontory at the eastern edge of Anacortes. It is primarily a viewpoint overlooking the marina, the City of Anacortes, March Point, Fidalgo Bay and the Cascades. A remnant of an amphitheater is located on the east bank of the park.

Cap Sante Park is a 37 acre forested promontory at the eastern edge of Anacortes. It is primarily a viewpoint overlooking the marina, the City of Anacortes, March Point, Fidalgo Bay and the Cascades. A remnant of an amphitheater is located on the east bank of the park.

The Padilla Bay Shore Trail, a 2.25-mile gravel path atop dikes, invites cyclists to a journey of beauty. Embrace the stunning vistas and the vibrant estuary life. This haven is a sanctuary for 10 raptor species during the winter, making it a bird-watcher's dream.