Sunrise or Sunset Flight? Guide To Selecting A Hot Air Balloon Ride In Seattle

Hot air balloon rides in Auburn and Enumclaw are incredible. Flying over lakes and rivers with amazing views of Mt. Rainer. Should you book a sunrise or sunset flight?

Sunrise hot air balloon flight in Seattle Washington by Mt. Rainier

Where to you take off from?

We choose our launch location based on the wind speed and wind direction the day of the hot air balloon ride. Typically in the morning for sunrise flights, we launch from the center of the Enumclaw Valley or on the North side of the valley near Evergreen Sky Ranch Airport. We have five different private properties that allow us to launch from their manicured lawns.

In the evening for our sunset hot air balloon flights, we either launch just North of the Muckleshoot Casino in a local park or from some private properties located on the NorthWest side of the Valley. The wind typically allows us to either fly over the White River for the entire flight or fly over Lake Tapps.

Where do you land?

Auburn and Enumclaw is filled with large properties and farmland that are very advantageous to landing hot air balloons. Sometimes we will land on properties where we are friends with the land owners, and other times we use the opportunity to make new friends. We look for landing spots that have easy access for vehicles, and areas that are not fenced in containing livestock. Last Saturday we met an awesome family when we landed on their front lawn.

Hot air balloon lands in Auburn Washington

Is sunrise or sunset better for a hot air balloon flight?

Both sunrise and sunset hot air balloon flights are amazing. In Auburn where we usually fly, mornings typically have winds that go North on the surface allowing us to fly over the Green River. After playing in the river, we ascend up to 3000ft and fly south back into the valley. Morning flights also typically have slower winds and softer landings. These flights are great for people of all ages. Click here to book a hot air balloon ride today!

Hot air balloon ride over Green River in Auburn Washington sunrise flight

Sunset hot air balloon rides are beautiful and often allow us to cover more ground due to the faster winds. Sometimes we have the opportunity to fly over the White River, and other times get to fly near or over part of Lake Tapps. As the wind is faster in the afternoons, the landings can be a little harder as well. Watching the sunset by Mt. Rainier makes it totally worth it.

Hot air balloon sunset flight over Auburn Washington looking at Mt. Rainier

What makes you different than the other hot air balloon ride companies near Seattle?

We only provide private and semi-private hot air balloon flights. You can choose to have the basket to yourselves, or you can choose to share your experience with just one other couple. All the other companies around Seattle fly large balloons that carry 8-12 people at a time. We also believe that hot air ballooning should be a luxury experience from start to finish. That’s why we finish our flights with a white table cloth champagne toast!

Hot air balloon champagne toast

To book a sunrise or sunset flight click here. We look forward to taking you on an adventure of a lifetime.

Hot Air Balloon Pilot Eliav C.
About the Author

Chief pilot of Seattle Ballooning. I get the opportunity to provide luxury hot air balloon rides just South of Seattle in front of Mt. Rainier. When you do what you love, it’s not considered work.

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