Best Parks in the Pacific Northwest

The PNW, as it’s called, has some of the nation’s most beautiful scenery, and many of these breathtaking vistas are found in the state and national parks of the region.

Mount Rainier National Park

In Puget Sound, the majestic 14,400+ foot peak of Mount Rainier scrapes against the sky. On clear days, you won’t see a more impressive sight. Due to its size, there aren’t many places in the region where you can’t see this behemoth, but at the national park that shares its name, you can get intimate with this snow-capped peak. In summer, the surrounding valleys are blanketed by wildflowers in all colors and, on a hike, you’ll find waterfalls around every turn in the trail. The trail system at Mount Rainier National Park is an avid hiker’s dream, but all fitness levels and ages can enjoy the short out-and-back loop around Tipsoo Lake.

Olympic National Park

Mount Olympus in Olympic National Park offers waterfalls throughout the temperate rainforest of its surroundings. Pristine lakes that sparkle in the sun meet rugged shorelines of sandy coastal beaches. From Hurricane Ridge, you can view the entirety of Olympus in all its grandeur, as well as the valley below, the Salish Sea (named for a language spoken by indigenous tribes of the state), the San Juan Islands, and even into Canada. While trekking, you’re likely to see some marmots, white-tailed deer, and even mountain goats. At Lake Crescent, the water takes on the emerald hues of the surrounding rainforest and offer a chance for some alpine water sports. Kids will have fun playing investigators in the tide pools where starfish and hermit crabs enjoy spending their time.

Cape Disappointment State Park

For this next park, it’s a popular state park in Washington, so don’t let its name fool you. Cape Disappointment State Park is at the southernmost westerly tip of the coast where Washington meets Oregon. It was the last stop on Lewis and Clark’s epic journey in 1805. There’s fantastic old growth trees and several freshwater alpine lakes, tidelands, and fresh and saltwater marshlands. For those who love old lighthouses, this park hosts two: North Head Lighthouse and the state’s moniker, Cape Disappointment Lighthouse. The park’s namesake lighthouse was built in the mid-1860s and is the west coast’s oldest still-functioning lighthouse.

For a getaway to beat all before it, plan a few weeks to explore all of these PNW state and national parks.