National Parks in Washington State Road Trip Guide
We spent nearly 10 exploring the three National Parks in Washington State and it was one of the best places we’ve ever been.
The Pacific Northwest had long been on our bucket list (we often wonder why we didn’t honeymoon there), and when we finally made the time to visit, it lived up to every single hype.
From the rugged coastline of Olympic National Park to the snow-capped views of Rainier, this guide will help you plan the perfect journey through all the National Parks in Washington State!
Why You Should Visit: National Parks in Washington State
Olympic, Rainier, and North Cascades are some of the most visited national parks in the country. Olympic and Rainier specifically are often rated as some of the best national parks in the US. And since they are so close to Seattle, you can realistically take a day trip to each park over the course of a few weeks.
Olympic National Park is known for its rugged coastline and temperate rain forest. North Cascades National Park features jagged peaks, glaciers, and cascading waterfalls. And Mount Rainier National Park is home to the iconic Mount Rainier, an active volcano surrounded by subalpine meadows and ancient forests.
The National Park Service established Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades in 1899, 1938, and 1968 respectively.
The Best Time to Visit Washington’s Three National Parks
The best time to visit the national parks in Washington state depends on what you want to see and do. We chose late springtime to visit because we wanted to avoid peak summer crowds. However, we did run into some regions of the parks that were still snow covered.
In general, spring and fall are great times to visit to see wildflowers bloom and waterfalls rushing at their fullest. In summer, you really get the best of it all. It’s the best for wildlife viewing and some of the best hikes in Washington. The downside is you will definitely run into the busiest season of the year. Winter brings challenges to every national park visit because of the unpredictable weather.
Our Exact Road Trip Route
We spent 10 days exploring the Washington National Parks.
- Seattle to Mount Rainier: We flew into Seattle and made our way to Mount Rainier first. We spent about 3 days mesmerized by the incredible view of Mount Rainier.
- Mount Rainier to Olympic: From there, we drove from Mount Rainier to Port Angeles, – the north side of Olympic National Park. You really need a few days to explore Olympic National Park’s wide range of regions.
- Olympic to North Cascades: Then we drove up to North Cascades. We spent the least amount of time here because it’s a park meant for more extreme hikers (and we’re still newbies!)
- North Cascades to Anacortes, WA: Lastly, we drove up to Anacortes in the upper west corner of Washington. Although we did not get a chance to visit, you could easily access the San Juan Islands National Historical Park
We could have spent another 10 days exploring these amazing national parks in Washington. Our favorite part of the experience was realizing how how diverse these parks are. You could realistically be in the mountains, hike in a forest, and relax by ocean all in one day.
Mount Rainier National Park
Located in the central part of the state, this park boasts the iconic Mount Rainier, an active volcano standing at 14,410 feet. The park offers magnificent scenery, making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Park Overview and Highlights
Our favorite part of the park was exploring the Sunrise visitor center and surrounding area. In this section of Mount Rainier National Park, you get a stunning view of the mountain. The mountain looms over all of the Seattle area, but when you are up close, you truly grasp its enormous size. Rainier is home to more than 260 miles of hiking trails, scenic drives, and incredible vistas. The park covers 236,000 acres of forests, meadows, and glaciers. Some of the park’s highlights include:
- Paradise: A popular destination for winter sports and summer wildflower displays.
- Sunrise: This was our absolute favorite side of the park! You get the most picturesque view of Mt. Rainier from here!
- Ohanapecosh: An area with ancient forests and hot springs.
- Longmire: A historic district with a museum, hot springs, and hiking trails.
Best Activities at Mt. Rainier
Mount Rainier National Park offers visitors a wide range of activities to enjoy. Here are a few of the best activities to do during your visit:
- Hiking: There are trails for all skill levels, from easy nature walks to challenging summit climbs.
- Wildlife watching: Keep an eye out for elk, black bears, and mountain goats.
- Scenic driving: Take a drive on the Paradise Loop or the Sunrise Road for panoramic views.
Hiking in Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is a hiker’s paradise, with trails ranging from easy nature walks to challenging summit climbs. Here are a few of the best hiking trails to explore:
| Trail Name | Distance | Difficulty Level |
| Skyline Trail | 5.5 miles | Moderate |
| Naches Peak Loop | 3.5 miles | Moderate |
| Tolmie Peak | 7.5 miles | Moderate |
| Wonderland | 93 miles | Hard |
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is truly spectacular. It spans over 1,400 square miles. There are three distinct regions of Olympic National Park: mountains, forests, and beaches. Because the park is so diverse, the best time to visit Olympic National Park is any time of the year!
Park Overview and Highlights
Our favorite part of the park was exploring Hurricane Ridge and hiking Hurricane Hill. It was one of the best hikes we took on our entire trip. It was a moderate hike with incredible views of the Olympic Mountain Range.
Another notable spot is the Hoh Rain Forest – the most popular rainforest in Olympic National Park. The park is also home to several stunning beaches, including Ruby Beach and Kalaloch Beach, which are perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and exploring tidal pools.
We stayed at the Fairholme Campground on Lake Crescent, which we would argue is on of the best campgrounds in Olympic National Park.
Best Activities At Olympic
- Hiking: Olympic National Park boasts over 600 miles of trails, ranging from easy nature walks to challenging mountain treks. Some of the most popular hiking trails include Hurricane Ridge, the Hoh River Trail, and the Ozette Loop.
- Camping: There are several campgrounds located throughout the park, offering visitors the chance to sleep under the stars and wake up to breathtaking views.
- Wildlife watching: Olympic National Park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including black bears, mountain goats, and elk. (we ran into an elk during our walk in the Hoh Rain Forest!)
Best Hikes in Olympic National Park
| Trail Name | Distance | Difficulty Level |
| Hurricane Ridge Trail | 3 miles | Moderate |
| Hoh River Trail | 17.3 miles | Moderate |
| Ozette Loop | 9.4 miles | Moderate |
North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park is a stunning wilderness area located in the north-central region of Washington State. The park is known for its rugged mountains and intense hiking paths.
North Cascades National Park is the least visited national park in Washington. We only spent one day there.
Park Overview and Highlights
This park is known as the North Cascades National Park complex. As you can see on the map below, there are several different sections of the park. There’s the North Cascades North and South Units. Wedged between is the Ross Lake National Recreation Area. And to the south we have the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.
Cutting through the middle of the park is State Route 20, also known as the North Cascades Highway. This stunning highway is one of the most stunning drives in the entire state of Washington. It takes you from eastern Washington to western Washington, right through North Cascades. We stopped at the Diablo Lake Overlook and Ross Lake Overlooks.
Best Activities at North Cascades
North Cascades National Park offers a wide range of activities for visitors of all ages and interests. Here are some of the best things to do in the park:
- Hiking: With over 400 miles of trails, North Cascades National Park offers endless opportunities for hiking. Some of best hikes in North Cascades are the Cascade Pass Trail, the Sahale Arm Trail, and the Diablo Lake Trail.
- Fishing: The park’s many lakes and streams provide excellent fishing opportunities for anglers. Visitors can catch trout, salmon, and steelhead.
- Boating: Visitors can explore Ross Lake and Lake Chelan by boat or kayak.
- Camping: The park offers a variety of camping options, including backcountry camping, car camping, and RV camping.
Hiking Trails in North Cascades
North Cascades National Park is a hiker’s paradise, with over 400 miles of trails to explore. Here are some of the best hiking trails in the park:
| Trail Name | Distance | Elevation Gain |
| Cascade Pass Trail | 7.4 miles | 1,800 feet |
| Sahale Arm Trail | 12 miles | 3,200 feet |
| Diablo Lake Trail | 7.6 miles | 1,200 feet |
It’s Your Turn to Visit the Best National Parks in Washington!
The National Parks in Washington State will hold a special place in our hearts and memories for a long time (and we didn’t even write about how spectacular Anacortes was!). Home to three National Parks, we feel jealous of how close these wonderful places are for folks in the Seattle area.
We hope this guide provides you with the information you need to start planning your Washington State National Park road trip! We guarantee it will be an unforgettable experience.
