Submitted by SimpleDewd t3_10opf1s in Washington
I’ll (35/M) be staying in my RV, I’m looking at towns like Hoodsport, Elma, Aberdeen/Hoquiam, Westport. I just really want that cozy/quiet small town feel with good access to Hiking, Biking, and close enough for a day trip to the beach. I’m open to anything and everything so please give me your recommendations
Editing this… Id like to remove the beach stipulation and open this up to Eastern Washington also
You’re circling Ocean Shores. I’d suggest it.
Do you have any other suggestions? I’d be happy to check them out if so, thanks also for your reply.
It's a really big state. A lot depends on what you're looking for.
Honestly? You're in an RV, right? Move around. Check out different areas. The climate varies extremely from the coast to the Idaho border.
Have you researched any areas? What made you choose the locations above?
North Bend. Port Townsend.
Both have appealing small town scenes going on with young people being outdoorsy and running businesses. Twede’s Cafe in North Bend is the diner in Twin Peaks. Port Townsend is a good place to be central to the incredible beauty of the Olympic Peninsula. Gorgeous northern views across the strait.
There are many more, just mentioning those two.
Monroe is a cute town and about 1.5 hours to leavenworth with parking and tons of hikes in monroe and there, snohomish also has cute small town vibes by the river
Sequim, Anacortes, whidbey island
I looked at Ocean Shores, I will go back and look some more!
They were small towns with access to water and nature.. That’s really my only stipulation but it would be nice to be around others my age with similar interests. And I am planning on moving around a bit for sure but I would like to maybe find a job for a little while that has something to do with recreation or possibly fishing.
There's lots of access to protected inland waters in the sound area. The coast is very remote, gray and rainy, and rugged. Is walking on the beach, bundled up, what you're after?
Still, just about anywhere, continues to meet your criteria.
Elma isn't a bad choice - an easy day trip to Ocean Shores, and a quick run in to Olympia when you need more shopping than a small town can provide. With the exception of Monroe, that's the big problem with most of the towns people are talking about... They're small towns with all that implies, and not all near enough to a decent sized city.
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/north-kitsap-heritage-park 10 miles of hiking trails, really nice hike.
https://www.kitsap.gov/parks/Pages/PointNoPointPark.aspx has ocean and forest trails.
near by is buck lake too. https://www.kitsap.gov/parks/Pages/BuckLakePark.aspx also has nature trails.
you could lodge in poulsbo , has a charming vibe in the downtown areas.
Eastern WA you have Lake Chelan, or for real remote Stehekin is awesome but look into the ferry. I don’t know the Palouse valley as well but some incredible places out there.
See if you can get up to the Islands, all are amazing but reserve a spot at Moran St Park for a while. The park books out 6-8 months in advance. It’s worth it. Trails, Mt Constitution, swimming at the lake.
Port Townsend was mentioned, defiantly check out the Hoh forest.
Also look at the Columbia River. Starting down at Vancouver WA and winding up east bound. Little towns on both sides of the river. Shout out to Backwoods Brewery and Pizza in Carson WA.
Seriously I would look at traveling around in a circle, either direction and plan out the different areas. With weather these days I’d look at being on the coast for late July/August. Look at eastern wa for fall and nice weather through September start of October. Then maybe islands and peninsula for winter. You’ll get lots or rain but winter storms are also beautiful and cozy if your set up for it.
I’m used to living in small towns so I don’t mind the lack of resources that comes with it most of the time
Thanks for this!
I'd generally check out towns along the Olympic peninsula, like Port Angeles and Forks. There's a highway devoted to going around the peninsula, and the whole thing is beautiful, literally can't go wrong.
the gorge, white salmon if you want to stay in wa. bellingham would be good too
Forks (has the temperate rainforest), Sequim, Sekiu, Port Angeles, Port Townsend
Ocean shores is one of my favorite places to be. Loved watching the sunset today, right after arrival. If you decide to check it out, but not hang around, be sure to come for the Fourth of July.
South Bend/ Raymond
Edit: also Dayton/Waitsburg
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Your edit only make your question even more broad and more difficult to answer.
Most of the state parks that you can camp in have a 10 to q4 day limit. You have the entire state to explore.
Consider Anacortes or perhaps even La Conner. It puts all of Whidbey Island within reach (Rosario Beach, Deception Pass, Fort Ebey State Park, Ebey's Landing) but you could also do day trip drives up Chuckanut to Fairhaven and Bellingham. Good hiking in and around Larrabee State Park and Samish: Oyster Dome, Lizard and Lily Lakes, Fragrance Lake, Pine and Cedar Lake. I believe there is a fair amount of mountain biking around Blanchard Mountain, too.
Anywhere around the highway that circles the Olympic Peninsula, especially the north part of the peninsula.
pala4833 t1_j6g2ikm wrote
Honestly, everywhere in Washington has good access to Nature.
The towns you mention are are all in a rather uninteresting area for when you're not seeking nature. It's a remote location that puts you further away from other outdoor recreation areas.