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REI Seattle Flagship Store

A massive 80,000-square-foot monument to outdoor recreation, this architectural icon features a world-renowned indoor climbing wall and serves as a hub for Seattle's hiking, biking, and camping community.

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What is the REI Seattle Flagship Store known for?

It is a premier outdoor gear and sporting goods store and a complete bike shop offering professional services. It is also an architectural icon featuring a 65-foot rock pinnacle, which is the world's third-largest indoor rock-climbing wall.

What are the hours?

The store is open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 9pm, and Sunday from 10am to 7pm.

How much does it cost to climb the rock wall?

Single climbs can be reserved in 15- or 30-minute slots, costing $15 for members and $25 for nonmembers.

Is it good for kids?

Yes, the store includes a treehouse play area for children.

What other amenities are available on-site?

The location features a small café, a mountain bike test track, and hiking and biking trails around the site. It also houses the Outdoor Recreation Information Center / Ranger Station.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

Located at 222 Yale Ave N, the REI Seattle Flagship Store is an immersive retail destination sprawling over 80,000 square feet. Designed by Mithun, the building utilizes Northwest utilitarian materials and pioneering sustainability strategies, such as stormwater harvesting and daylighting, to reflect the regional ethic of connecting people with nature. The store's most striking feature is its signature spire, a 65-foot rock pinnacle that stands as the world’s third-largest indoor rock-climbing wall. Visitors can engage with this landmark by reserving 15- or 30-minute climbing slots, which cost $15 for members and $25 for nonmembers. Beyond climbing, the site functions as a complete Seattle-area bike shop providing professional services. The experience extends outdoors with a mountain bike test track and hiking and biking trails that wrap around the store's perimeter. Adding to its community value, the facility houses the National Park Service's Outdoor Recreation Information Center, also known as the Ranger Station. This center provides expert guidance to outdoor enthusiasts visiting the region, operating Thursday through Monday from 10am to 6pm.

Visitor tips

  • Visit the Ranger Station Thursday through Monday between 10am and 6pm for National Park Service advice.
  • Book your climbing slot in advance to experience the 65-foot rock pinnacle.
  • Bring the kids to explore the treehouse play area located inside the store.

Nearby context

Situated in a region that has seen urban revitalization catalyzed by the store's design, this flagship serves as a gateway between the city's urban fabric and the rugged wilderness of the Pacific Northwest.

Sources

Evidence and links