Washington State Ferry at sunset, Mukilteo-Clinton passage, Puget Sound, United States
© Mike Reid Photography/Moment/Getty Images
Ferry tale
Washington State Ferries is the largest ferry system in the United States, with a yearly ridership of almost 20 million people. Its eight routes across Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands are designated as part of the state highway system, and its largest vessels can hold more than 200 vehicles and 1,700 passengers. Seen here as sunset washes over the distant Olympic Mountains, the Mukilteo-Clinton passage is the busiest WSF route by number of vehicles transported, linking Seattle's northerly suburbs with rural Whidbey Island.
Navigating these same waters, the Washington State Ferries system plays a central role in the regional transportation network, connecting residents and visitors across the intricate waterways of Puget Sound. This large fjord system, formed by glacial action, flows into the Pacific Ocean and supports a complex marine ecosystem. The continuous movement of these ferries underscores their importance to both the environment and the daily lives of those living on the islands and along the mainland shores.
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