Advice regarding our long side yard..gravel, cement or sod? (new house, crawl space)

[Tealcup]

We moved into a new house that has a long 5x60 side yard. It is very shaded and drains well. It also has a drain in the middle. We are wondering if we should put down river rock, gravel or use concrete. I was leaning more towards small rainbow river rock and 12x12 flagstone stepped stones. Since the dirt always seems damp I am wondering if the gravel or rock would hold moisture in the soil. My main concern is our foundation. We have a crawl space type.

[StealthRabbit]

Consider...
1) will leaves, fir needles, moss fill your gravel?
2) how often will you use it? (Only way to backyard?)
3) will equipment or machinery need to enter?
4) any buried utilities? (including drain lines)
5) future fencing?
6) landscape/ house maint access?
7) easiest solution for above requirements

Before doing the final solution.... Run a couple buried 3-4 " pipes to fish wires or plumbing under your entire finished area.

[CalWorth]

You said the area is shaded & ground feels damp. In Washington, that means that the concrete is going to get slimy & slippery & a hazard to walk on. Or, it could start sinking & accumulated rain water pooling toward the house & foundation. Have you thought about sod, or bark chips over a weed barrier?