Washington Travel Guide
Washington State packs an incredible range of landscapes into one destination, from glacier-covered volcanoes and alpine lakes to wild Pacific coastline and dense rainforests. If you love hiking, scenic drives, and national park adventures, Washington is one of the best outdoor destinations in the United States.
We explored Washington on a three-week road trip through the state’s national parks, hiking iconic trails like the Skyline Trail in Mount Rainier, Maple Pass Loop in the North Cascades, Mount Storm King in Olympic National Park, and the Enchantments.
In this guide, we’ll help you plan your Washington trip with links to our detailed itineraries, hiking guides, and travel tips.
Top Experiences in Washington
Mount Rainier National Park. Mount Rainier is a glacier-capped, active volcano that can be seen from hundreds of miles away. In the summer months, the lower slopes are carpeted with wildflowers. With its old growth forests and network of hiking trails, this is an outdoor paradise for many travelers. Learn how to plan your visit in our Mount Rainier Travel Guide.
Olympic National Park. Olympic National Park, with its mountain ranges, temperate rainforests, and rugged coastline, is one of the most diverse national parks in the United States. Hikers will enjoy traversing Olympic’s high peaks and various ecosystems, and vacationers will long to stop along Olympic’s unique Pacific coastline. In our Olympic National Park Travel Guide, we cover exactly how to plan your visit.
North Cascades National Park. Wild, rugged, remote…North Cascades National Park is a highly underrated park, especially for hikers and backpackers. The scenic drives and overlooks give you a glimpse of the beauty of this place, but to truly discover the majesty of the North Cascades, you’ll have to hit the hiking trails. Learn how to plan your trip to North Cascades National Park.
Mount Baker. Mount Baker lies to the north of North Cascades National Park. In the summer it is a hiking destination and in the winter it is a skiing destination. Even if you are not an avid hiker, the area’s scenic drives and short hikes will attract visitors to Mount Baker’s stunning views.
Mount St. Helens National Monument. Mount St. Helens is one of traveler’s favorite Washington excursions. Made famous from its infamous explosion over 4 decades ago, visitors flock to the still-steaming volcano to catch sight of this destructive force. Hiking trails bring visitors to its summit, and viewpoints and educational resources surround the blasted peak.
Leavenworth. Leavenworth is a small but picturesque town modeled after a Bavarian village. Sadly, it has become populated with tourists and can often feel more like a theme park than a traditional town, however it is still an adorable place to visit and has many renowned restaurants and German culture. Leavenworth is the perfect place to stay if you plan to hike the Enchantments.
The Enchantments. If you are an avid hiker, the Enchantments is a destination that belongs at the top of your list. Turquoise, emerald, and aquamarine alpine lakes are scattered through the jagged, snow-capped mountain peaks. Wildflowers bloom along the edges of the trail, mountain goats graze on the grasses, and the larches turn brilliantly yellow in the fall months. This hike is not easy, but every view will feel like a fairytale. See our hiking guide to the Enchantments.
Lake Chelan. Lake Chelan is a scenic lake at the southeast end of North Cascades National Park. The lake is a common vacation spot, and is best known for its watersports, fishing, and wine tastings. Travelers can cruise on the Lady of the Lake ferry to Stehekin valley, a remote gateway to North Cascades National Park.
Ride a Seaplane over the Puget Sound. The Puget Sound extends along Washington’s urban core, and its waters boast a variety of islands and small state parks to explore. But the best experience to be had here is to ride a seaplane on the open waters and sight orcas, humpbacks, and minke whales.
Seattle. Home to the Space Needle, birthplace of Starbucks, and headquarters to many major tech hubs: Seattle is a fascinating city to explore. Experience Seattle’s vibrant music scene at the Museum of Pop Culture, visit the Seattle Center to capture the city’s love for science, and stroll through Pikes Place Market for authentic meals.
Snoqualmie Falls. Snoqualmie Falls, a top attraction in Washington, lies just outside of Seattle. This remarkable natural wonder showcases an impressive 268ft waterfall cascading down a horseshoe canyon. Awe-inspiring views are accessible through a brief hike to its upper and lower observation decks.
Deception Pass State Park. Deception Pass invites you to embrace the rugged beauty of Washington’s coastline. This park covers Fidalgo Island and Whidbey Island, with the iconic Deception Pass bridge connecting the two. You’ll find a range of activities including hiking, kayaking, relaxing on the beach, wildlife spotting, and camping opportunities.
How to Plan a Washington Road Trip
Most first-time visitors structure their Washington trip around the state’s three national parks:
- Mount Rainier National Park
- Olympic National Park
- North Cascades National Park
These parks are connected by scenic drives and small mountain towns, making them perfect for a road trip.
Washington Road Trip Itinerary: Olympic, Rainier & North Cascades (7–14 Days)
This Washington itinerary is geared to visiting the three national parks in Washington state: Olympic, Mount Rainier, and North Cascades. But you also have enough time to visit Leavenworth, a Bavarian-themed town, go wine tasting at Lake Chelan, visit Mount Baker, and go on a day hike in the Enchantments.
Mount Rainier National Park
From the top things to do in the park, to the best trails to hike, and sample itineraries to help you plan your time, here are our articles about Mount Rainier National Park.
Mount Rainier National Park Travel Guide: How to Plan Your Visit
In our Guide to Mount Rainier National Park, learn about the best things to do, the best hiking trails, where to eat, and where to stay.
The Perfect Mount Rainier National Park Itinerary (2 to 6 Days)
Planning a trip to Mount Rainier National Park and not sure how to structure your time? We’ve got you covered, and we’re speaking from experience. We’ve visited Mount Rainier twice: once on a six-day trip where we hiked extensively through every corner of the park, from Paradise and Sunrise to the quieter trails of the […]
Skyline Trail Loop: A Step-by-Step Guide to Rainier’s Most Iconic Views
The Skyline Trail Loop is the most iconic hike in Mount Rainier National Park, and we’ve hiked it twice in both directions to figure out exactly which way is better. Here’s everything you need to know, from snow crossings and trail conditions to the best direction for views of Mount Rainier. For jaw-dropping alpine scenery, […]
15 Best Hikes in Mount Rainier (Ranked by Difficulty & Area)
Mount Rainier is one of the most spectacular hiking destinations in the United States. From wildflower-covered alpine meadows to glacier viewpoints and fire lookout summits, the variety here is incredible. We’ve hiked in more than 50 U.S. national parks and on trails around the world, from Everest Base Camp in Nepal to the Dolomites, and […]
Best Things to Do in Mount Rainier National Park (2026 Guide)
Discover the best things to do in Mount Rainier National Park, from iconic hikes like the Skyline Trail and Mount Fremont Fire Lookout to scenic viewpoints, waterfalls, and easy walks that are perfect for first-time visitors. We’ve visited Mount Rainier National Park twice: once on a 6-day deep dive where we hiked trail after trail […]
Tolmie Peak Lookout Hike & Its Jaw-Dropping View of Mount Rainier
One of the best views of Mount Rainier isn’t from Paradise or Sunrise, it’s from a small historic fire lookout high above Eunice Lake. The Tolmie Peak Lookout hike delivers one of the most spectacular perspectives of the mountain, from one of the quietest corners of the park. Tolmie Peak Lookout is one of our […]
Mount Fremont Lookout Trail Guide | Mount Rainier National Park
Few hikes in Mount Rainier National Park deliver so much scenery for so little effort. The Mount Fremont Fire Lookout Trail offers nearly nonstop views of Mount Rainier, sweeping alpine landscapes, and the chance to stand on one of the park’s historic fire lookout towers. This was the very first hike we did in Mount […]
Silver Falls Loop Trail: An Underrated Hike in Mount Rainier
If you’re looking for a hike that quietly exceeds expectations, the Silver Falls Loop Trail is it. We hiked the Silver Falls Loop on our first trip to Mount Rainier at the end of July. The trail was wonderfully quiet even during peak summer; the old-growth forest along the Ohanapecosh River was stunning, and Silver […]
Summerland Trail to Panhandle Gap Hike | Mount Rainier National Park
The Summerland Trail to Panhandle Gap is a strenuous 12-mile adventure into the quieter side of Mount Rainier National Park. With panoramic views of Mount Rainier and fewer hikers than Paradise or Sunrise, it’s ideal for those craving a bigger, more rugged day on the trail. Hiking the Summerland Trail to Panhandle Gap is one […]
Olympic National Park
From the top things to do in the park, to the best hikes to do, and sample itineraries, here are our articles about Olympic National Park.
Olympic National Park Travel Guide: How to Plan Your Visit
In our Olympic National Park Travel Guide, see all of our articles on the park, plus helpful planning information.
Best Hikes in Olympic National Park: Ranked by Area and Difficulty
Olympic National Park offers some of the most diverse hiking in the United States. Where else can you hike through a moss-covered temperate rainforest in the morning, walk along a wild Pacific coastline in the afternoon, and look out over glacier-capped mountain peaks from an alpine ridge? We spent four days in Olympic National Park, […]
Best Things to Do in Olympic National Park (2026 Guide)
Discover the best things to do in Olympic National Park, from Hurricane Ridge to the amazing Hoh Rainforest to the wild and rugged Pacific coast. Olympic National Park might be the most diverse national park in the United States. In a single visit, you can stand on a windswept alpine ridge looking out over snowcapped […]
Klahhane Ridge Trail to Mount Angeles: A Complete Hiking Guide
Not every hike makes you work for the view, but the ones that do are always the most memorable. The Klahhane Ridge Trail to Mount Angeles is that kind of hike. The Klahhane Ridge Trail to Mount Angeles was the very first hike we did in Olympic National Park, and it ended up being our […]
Mount Storm King Hike: Is It Worth the Brutal Climb?
Mount Storm King earns its dramatic name. This short but relentlessly steep trail in Olympic National Park climbs over 2,000 feet in just over two miles, ending with a rope-assisted scramble to a rocky outcropping with sweeping views over the impossibly blue waters of Lake Crescent. We hiked this in July on a clear summer […]
Olympic National Park Itinerary: How to Spend 2 to 3 Days in the Park
Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse and logistically complex national parks in the United States and figuring out how to structure your time here can feel overwhelming. This Olympic National Park itinerary combines the best of the park into one easy-to-plan trip, and we’re sharing it from experience. We spent four days […]
Staircase Rapids Loop: A Hidden Gem Hike in Olympic National Park
The Staircase Rapids Loop is an underrated trail in Olympic National Park. On this short, easy hike, you will walk along the North Fork of the Skokomish River, through a temperate rainforest, with views of waterfalls and rapids. Just under 3 miles long, this trail loops up and around Staircase Rapids. With waterfalls, dense forests, […]
North Cascades National Park
Everything you need to know to plan your visit to plan your visit to North Cascades National Park.
North Cascades National Park: How to Plan Your Visit
In our Guide to North Cascades National Park, learn about the best things to do, the best hiking trails, where to eat, and where to stay.
Maple Pass Loop Hiking Guide 2026 | North Cascades, WA
The Maple Pass Loop, also known as the Heather-Maple Pass Loop, is one of the best day hikes in the North Cascades, and one that’s surprisingly accessible for the views it delivers. In early August, Tim, Kara, and I completed this hike and came away genuinely impressed. It’s not our favorite hike in the area […]
Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm: The Best Day Hike in North Cascades
We’ve hiked in more than 50 national parks across the United States, and the Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm hike is one that still stands out. We did this hike as part of a six-week road trip through the national parks of Colorado and Washington, and it was the perfect way to end the trip. […]
9 Amazing Things to Do in North Cascades National Park
Discover the best things to do in North Cascades National Park, from the stunning drive along Highway 20 to Diablo Lake, Washington Pass Overlook, and world-class hiking trails. North Cascades National Park gets a fraction of the visitors that flock to Olympic and Mount Rainier, and that’s exactly what makes it so good. We visited […]
12 Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park (Ranked by Difficulty & Area)
North Cascades National Park is not a place that easily reveals itself. Sure, the drive along Highway 20 is lovely. And the viewpoints over the lakes and mountain passes are gorgeous. But to really see this park, you are going to have to invest some time on the hiking trails. We spent three weeks hiking […]
Enchantments Thru Hike
This is one of the most beautiful (and toughest) day hikes we’ve done.
Hiking the Enchantments in One Day: A Step-By-Step Trail Guide
Over 19.25 miles, climb Aasgard Pass, wander through a surreal landscape of turquoise alpine lakes and jagged peaks, then descend nearly 7,000 feet to the Snow Lakes trailhead. Hiking the Enchantments in one day is a long, hard challenge, but one you’ll never forget. If you are a hiker, the Enchantments are a destination that […]
The Enchantments Thru Hike: Complete Planning Guide
The Enchantments are a slice of hiking paradise. Located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of Washington state, this is a wonderland of alpine lakes, jagged mountains, and waterfalls. If you’ve done any research on the Enchantments, you already know it’s one of the best day hikes in the United States. What you might not know yet is […]
Best Time to Visit Washington
The best time to visit Washington is in the summer months July through September, when the roads in all three of the national parks are open. Outside of these months, you risk encountering road closures, especially in Mount Rainier and North Cascades National Parks.
If you wish to see wildflower blooms, plan your visit around mid July to mid August.
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Ultimate US National Parks List for 2026 (+ Printable Checklist)
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Our 15 Favorite US National Parks: A Few May Surprise You
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The Ultimate Guide to the 63 US National Parks
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