Washington is one of the top states in the country when it comes to available options for adventure. And even though there are many great things to do in Seattle, we'll focus here more on the nature the state has to offer. More precisely, we'll explore the national parks in Washington, as well as state parks.
In this state, the terrain ranges from high-desert plains to temperate rain forests. You can come across active volcanoes and hot springs, as well as frozen mountains and mountain lakes.
You can look for a short adventure or a month-long experience. Either way, the parks here will keep you busy. As months are needed even to scratch the surface of exploring nature here, you'll need to make some hard decisions if you don't have a lot of time.
 | This mountain scenery will take your breath away. |
However, regardless of how much time you have on your hands, this selection will satisfy all your needs for the breathtaking beauty of national parks in Washington.
1. Mount Rainier National Park
This national park is definitely one of the most beautiful in the country. And Mount Rainier is the most iconic peak in Washington, visible from much of the state. It's actually an active volcano, standing 14,400 feet above sea level, enchanting anyone looking at it.
Every month of the year will allow you to explore the breathtaking scenery on a different level. With the mountainous lakes, subalpine meadows, and 25 glaciers on the mountain itself, the real question is, where to begin. With six different hiking regions, there's a great diversity of hiking trails.
Skyline Trail is a popular option in this national park, as well as the world-famous 93-mile long Wonderland Trail. Christine and Comet Falls and Reflection Lakes are also sights you don't want to visit. If you'd like to explore the peak that's not so popular, consider choosing Pinnacle Peak, with a hike around a mile across from Reflection Lakes.
Bicycling is a great choice, especially during fall, when park roads are not so busy. However, keep in mind that mountain biking is not an option here. You can also pitch a tent in designated campgrounds.
One of the best outcomes of visiting this national park is its effect on the quality of your life. Mount Rainier's environment will make you want to get in touch with PortaBox Storage Seattle and find a storage solution to remove clutter from your home. By eliminating unnecessary material possessions from your surroundings, you'll have a better chance of experiencing the clarity of mind that nature can offer.
This area is certainly a little bit of Paradise. Located on the south-facing slopes of Mt. Rainer, wildflowers grow in abundance. You'll want to visit in late summer for the best of the wildflower season. The views of the 14,410-foot mountain giant are also spectacular.
2. Olympic National Park
Located on the Olympic Peninsula, Olympic National Park has large regions of the rainforest, glaciated mountains, and a great variety of wildlife. With many lakes and rivers in the park, visitors can take part in a lot of activities. Perhaps the most accessible and the most famous mountain region is Hurricane Ridge.
Olympic National Park in Washington is known for its biodiversity and vast wilderness. It's one of the best places to visit in Washington state. Here, you can find rainforests, a beach, and glacier-capped mountains. This park offers great opportunities for tide-pooling in warmer months and skiing in the winter. The main attractions are Hurricane Ridge - for best panoramic views of Mount Olympus, Lake Crescent - for water sports, and the Hoh Rainforest.
Rialto and Ruby Beach are popular spots in the park as well. Also, Hoh River Trail is an excellent choice if you want to access the glaciated peak of Mount Olympus. It is a loop of 1.1 mile on totally level ground and the place looks like a crew of Japanese gardeners just went off shift.
There is a stretch of Olympic National Park that sits along the coast. Here, you'll find mystical sea stacks rising from sandy beaches. Explore tidepools teeming with colorful sea stars, anemones, barnacles and crabs. Don't forget your prescription sunglasses as you watch the sun sink over the ocean.
Fill your picnic basket and drive out to La Push for a great ocean view complete with sea stacks. Don’t miss the Chimacum Cafe for American-style dining at its finest—plus a dozen kinds of pie!
Port Townsend has a beautiful Victorian district. DO NOT miss sampling fresh-shucked Olympia oysters, they are some of the world's finest. As noted, Hurricane Ridge has a spectacular view of the Olympic Mountains but is in the middle of nowhere with a one hour uphill drive to get there.
3. North Cascades National Park
The lush meadows surrounding Tipsoo Lake rival Paradise for wildflower viewing, but the lake itself is also worth the time to stop and ponder its tranquil beauty. As you walk the trail around the lake, look up once in a while to take in the sight of Mt. Rainer rising in the background.
The 11-mile hike from the trailhead to the Jade Lake is worth the effort for the avid hiker. You'll pass through some amazing scenery along the way, including Marmot Lake. Runoff from the Lynch Glacier feeds Jade Lake, giving it its vibrant and surreal color.
The attractions of North Cascades National Park are hard to access due to the park's rugged nature. Even though it takes a couple of days of hiking or ferry-boat riding to reach certain spots, it's absolutely worth it. You just need to get ready for days in nature properly and make sure you have all the gear you need.
The amazing mountain scenery might be the most beautiful thing you'll see in your life. While there are family-friendly trails, such as Washington Pass Overlook Trail, there are many more challenging options you can explore here.
4. Deception Pass State Park
Deception Pass is the most popular state park in Washington. Its most recognizable spot is perhaps the iconic high bridge that connects Whidbey Island and Fidalgo Island. What attracts many visitors is the wide range of recreational activities. Cranberry Lake is an excellent spot for fishing, while Rosario Beach is a great place for exploring tide pools.
Old forests have many fantastic hiking trails, and you'll be able to see the abundant wildlife in the area while hiking. If you've decided to spend a night in the park, there are three campsites here, but Cranberry Lake Campground has the biggest capacity. If you're feeling more adventurous, consider going to a primitive cabin on Ben Ure Island.
5. Lake Wenatchee State Park
It's the impressive views of Lake Wenatchee and Dirtyface Peak that attract the crowd. But in addition to that, this park is one of the places for adventure, with many recreational activities.
In winter, visitors enjoy skiing, but during summer is when Lake Wenatchee State Park gets the most visitors. Visitors can enjoy so many activities, from hiking and bicycling to horseback riding and swimming and boating on the lake. Two camping grounds have more than 150 tent sites, as well as dozens of spots for motorhome or RV. But, if you're feeling really adventurous, winter camping is one of the options to consider.
6. Palouse Falls State Park
With almost 200 feet of height, Palouse Falls is the most famous attraction of the state park with the same name. However, even though it's the most iconic attraction, nature here offers much more. There's a hiking trail throughout the park to keep you busy and camping sites to spend the night.
Despite the geological and cultural history, this might not be the most popular park in the state. This is precisely the reason why Palouse Falls State Park is a great choice if you want to have some time away from people to enjoy beautiful landscapes.
National parks in Washington will spark your interest in nature
If you liked this selection of national parks in Washington, you should look for other destinations to satisfy your new passion. We hope that these locations sparked your interest in beautiful nature, and now it's up to you to explore it.
