Expert Tip for National Parks in Washington and What to Know Before You Go
One of my favorite things about living in Washington is being close to some of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful national parks in the country.
The state of Washington is filled with outdoor adventures to be had, and some of the most memorable of those are found at Washington’s three national parks. These family-friendly recreation sites allow for hiking, camping, kayaking, and other fun activities year-round.
If you’ve never been to a national park in the Pacific Northwest, it’s time to add Washington’s national parks to your bucket list (plus Crater Lake, the lone Oregon national park!).
Since there’s so much to do at each park, it would be difficult to visit more than one during a trip to Washington unless you’ve got a week or two. This guide will show you the best trails, activities, and ecological features at three national parks to help you decide which one to visit first. Each one brings something different to the table, and each national park in Washington is stunningly beautiful in its own way.
Olympic National Park
Let’s start with the first Washington national park I visited: Olympic National Park. Truth be told, this one is still my favorite, but I’m a beach girl and I absolutely love that Olympic is a national park that has incredible coastal beaches in addition to mountain scenery. And that’s not all you’ll find there.
From rainforests to mountains to beaches, you’ll find a variety of landscapes at Olympic National Park. With close to a million acres to explore, there’s no shortage of fun things to do here. This UNESCO World Heritage Site sees a couple million visitors annually in recent years and for a good reason: there’s something different to see at the park year-round and in every part of the park.
Entrances and Getting There From Seattle
The Olympic National Park Visitor Center is about two and a half hours away from Seattle. Since there is no single entrance to the park, your travel time may differ. You can drive the entire way there, and you can also board a ferry for part of your journey. Keep in mind that the ferries out of Seattle won’t bring you all the way to the park — you’ll still be 70 miles away from the Visitor Center if you take the Bainbridge Island ferry.
The main Visitor Center is near the Hurricane Ridge park entrance, but this isn’t your only access point to Olympic National Park. The Hoh Rainforest has its own visitor center on the southwest side of the park plus indoor exhibits, accessible from its own entrance. You can see even more rainforests near the Lake Quinault entrance, and you’ll find the popular Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort by Lake Crescent.
Since Olympic is such a large national park, many of the most popular entrances are far from each other. Before beginning your trip, consider which entrances each of your itinerary items are near.
Hiking in Olympic National Park
A gorgeous hike in this area is the Sol Duc Hike that takes you to Sol Duc Falls, a roaring series of waterfalls cascading over rocks and trees down the mountainside. The trail is under two miles long round trip with few changes in elevation. After your hike, relax at the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, open during every season except for winter.
You can also try the Hoh River Trail, a longer trail that can be a multi-day hike. Those who don’t complete the trail hike to Five Mile Island, and those who plan on finishing it camp at Lewis Meadows. Overall, this is a difficult hike that starts off flat, so beginners should only plan on hiking a few miles out and back.
Olympic National Park has trails for hikers of all skill levels, so even if you aren’t able to climb steep mountains, you can still take in the gorgeous views at this park.
Olympic National Park Beaches
On the southwestern side of the park, you’ll come to the incredible, remote beaches of Olympic National Park. Ruby Beach and Rialto Beach both require a hike to get down to, but they should not be missed if you can make the hike due to the photo-worthy sea stacks and driftwood that will await you.
—> Read More! Click here to read our article for the 10 Best Hikes in Olympic National Park.
Olympic National Park Rain Forests
Head a bit inland from these beaches and you’ll soon come to the temperate rain forest part of Olympic National Park. No Olympic National Park Itinerary is complete without a visit to Washington’s rain forests, a wonderland of bright green moss and foliage with incredible hiking trails going through them.
Stay at the historic Quinault Lodge for serene views of Quinault Lake and easy access to both Quinault Rain Forest and Hoh Rain Forest, the latter of which is home to the must-do Hall of Mosses hike.
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park gets its name from the massive stratovolcano in its midst: Mt. Rainier, which rises 14,411 feet into the sky.
Experienced hikers love to take on Mount Rainier National Park, known for its mountain climb summit that only about 50% of people reach who begin the climb.
Mt. Rainier National Park is more than just its famous peak, though. Within this 236,000-acre park, you’ll find Mount Rainier, trails, and even some indoor attractions.
Entrances & Getting There From Seattle
Mount Rainier National Park has four entrances, each a different distance from Seattle. You can reach the popular Nisqually entrance in two hours. The closest entrance is the Carbon River entrance, which is just 40 minutes away from Seattle; however, it is privy to flooding so check before leaving that it’s open (a good idea for all roads and entrances in national parks!). Other seasonal entrances include the White River entrance in the northeast section of the park off SR 410, and the Stevens Canyon Road entrance on the southeast side.
The most popular attractions in Mt. Rainier National Park are closest to the Nisqually and White River entrances, though there are campgrounds or lodging near all four.
Entrance fee for Mt. Rainier National Park is $30 per vehicle for seven consecutive days. If biking or walking in, the fee drops to $15.
Hiking in Mt. Rainier National Park
During the winter, most trails at Mount Rainier National Park are difficult and require experience, so come prepared with the proper gear. If you’re visiting during the summer, though, you’ll have an easier time hiking with trails to be discovered for every level of hiker.
The Naches Peak Loop and Silver Falls Trail are great for families, and the Grove of the Patriarchs is accessible for strollers.
Some of the most challenging hikes in the park include Camp Muir and the Skyline Loop Trail. For those seeking a happy medium, try the Bench and Snow Lakes Trail or Sourdough Ridge Trail. Like at any national park, always check the trail conditions before attempting a hike, especially since some trails close seasonally.
Other Things to Do in Mount Rainier National Park
One of the most popular spots at Mt. Rainier National Park is Paradise, home to the main visitors’ center. When other parts of Mount Rainier close for the winter, this area stays open for sledding and skiing.
From July through December, you can also visit the Longmire Museum to learn more about the park, including its history and wildlife. Rangers are also usually onsite to answer questions.
North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park (also known as “The American Alps”) has more glaciers than any national park in the contiguous United States. This park plus two other recreation sites make up the North Cascades National Park Complex, but we’ll only be focusing on the Washington national park itself in this guide.
With viewpoints overlooking lakes, mountain hikes, and scenic drives, the 500,000-acre beauty of North Cascades National Park is one you can’t miss. It’s situated right within the mountain range separating the eastern suburbs of Seattle from the valleys and plains of eastern Washington.
Entrances and Getting There From Seattle
This park is a little under two hours away from Seattle, heading east, with an access point from Highway 20. Unlike other national parks, North Cascades only has one main road (that would be Highway 20) and it cuts horizontally through the middle of the park.
The highway through the park is one of the main attractions in itself. It’s an absolutely gorgeous drive, which is why this stretch of Hwy 20 is referred to as the North Cascades Scenic Highway.
The main visitor center, North Cascades Visitor Center, is located on the western end of the park by the town of Newhalem and the Newhalem Creek Campground.
In order to access any areas north of North Cascades Scenic Highway, you’ll need to hike or take a water taxi on Ross Lake to the trailhead.
Ross Lake is also where you’ll find the stunning, boat-access only Ross Lake Resort, which has cabins floating right on top of the water. This resort books up fast, but unlike most national parks, there’s a waitlist. Add your name to it here to increase your chances of getting a booking.
To the south of the highway, again it is mostly only accessible via hiking trails, though there is a ferry along Lake Chelan to the Golden West Visitor Center on the southern tip of North Cascades National Park. You can also get there via float plane.
Unlike most national parks, there are no entry fees for North Cascades, but you may need a Northwest Forest Pass for certain trailheads. These only cost $5 per day or $30 for the year, so don’t let this stop you from hiking the trails that appeal to you the most.
Hiking in North Cascades National Park
For an easy hike, check out the Gorge Lake overlook, which includes a half-mile hike.
Catch more great views by hiking the moderately difficult Diablo Lake Trail, the strenuous Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail, or the 17-mile-long Stiletto Lake Trail.
Since this national park is less frequented than the other national parks in Washington, you may want to carry a map with you – there will be fewer hikers to help guide you if you get turned around.
Other Adventures in North Cascades
Before you begin your hikes in North Cascades National Park, take a walk down the Sterling Munro boardwalk to see Picket Range. Don’t forget your camera for this fantastic landscape – many other viewpoints require hikes, whereas this trail has virtually no elevation.
For an incredible view of the famous turquoise water of Diablo Lake, drive to the Diablo Lake Overlook where there’s a large parking lot right by a viewing platform.
Have an Epic Time Exploring Washington’s National Parks!
Whether you have a few days to spend at a park or an entire week, Washington’s national parks are worthwhile trip destinations. The views, hikes, and outdoor experiences will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.