Mountain, city and sea. The South Sound has it all, and there’s no better time than summer to get out and explore.

Here’s a sampling of some outdoor summer adventures – right in our own backyard:

• Get high on Mount Rainier. Why just enjoy it from a distance? Mount Rainier offers a plethora of summer adventures. Hike a wildflower trail, camp under a canopy of trees, climb an alpine peak, hop a gondola ride, soar in a hot air balloon, and top off it all off with an evening of stargazing.
• Talk to the animals at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park or the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium.
• Experience Gig Harbor from the water. Schedule a harbor cruise or enjoy a Venetian escape on the Gig Harbor Gondola. If an eco-adventure is more to your liking, check out the electric boat rentals.
• Catch some rays. The South Sound is a haven for beach lovers. Grab the sunscreen and head to Owen Beach, Sunnyside Beach Park in Steilacoom, or American Lake Park and Harry Todd Park in Lakewood.
• Watch the sunset at Chambers Creek Regional Park. With breathtaking views of Puget Sound and Mount Rainier, you can’t go wrong. Arrive early to enjoy a beach or trail walk, or golf and dinner at Chambers Bay.
• Hop a ferry to Anderson Island. Pierce County’s secret island community is a great day destination for hiking, cycling, swimming and more.
• Go jump in a lake. You’ll find loads of water fun at American Lake (Lakewood) , Alder Lake (Eatonville), North Lake Tapps, Spanaway Lake…just to name a few.
• Slay your thirst for adventure on a Dragon Boat. Grab a paddle join the Tacoma Dragon Boat Association at their weekly practices on the Thea Foss.
• Take an urban hike (or bike ride). You don’t have to go far to commune with nature. EDB staff picks include: Sequalitchew Creek Trail, Chambers Creek Regional Park, Puyallup Loop Trail, Bresemann Forest, Foothills Trail and the more than 40 miles of trails at Tehaleh.
• Take flight. Kenmore Air and the Puyallup Tribe have partnered to bring seaplane flights to the South Sound. The 30-minute narrated South Sound Scenic Flight departs from Ruston Way and highlights a variety of landmarks.

That’s just a taste of what’s out there. Check out the Pierce County Parks Digital Adventure Guide, Visit Tacoma Pierce County, Metro Parks Tacoma, Visit Rainier and city websites for more adventures.