North Bend

Located just 30 miles east of Seattle, North Bend is the gateway to the North Cascade mountains. It's an outdoor enthusiast's paradise, where year-round recreational opportunities such as hiking, cycling, kayaking, fishing, climbing and skiing abound. The charming historic town sits nestled at the base of Mount Si, with views of Rattlesnake Ridge and the North Cascades.

Once made famous as the filming location for the television series "Twin Peaks," the downtown has an eclectic mix of dining and shopping. North Bend also is home to the Cedar River Watershed Education Center, where one can learn about the complex issues surrounding our region's drinking water, forests and wildlife. (The Cedar River watershed provides drinking water for 70 percent of the 1.4 million people living in the Greater Seattle area.)

North Bend's historic roots include one of the original Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps. East of town, Camp North Bend was constructed in 1935 as part of President Roosevelt's initiative to provide jobs in forestry stabilization, park improvements and soil erosion control. Today it's Camp Waskowitz and houses the Highline School District's outdoor education program.

In August, the annual Festival of Mount Si offers something for everyone to experience the community spirit of North Bend. For more info, visit the City of North Bend website.