Hike through the mountains, enjoy the rugged coastline, and bask in the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. 😍 Find out the very best way to spend a week on a Washington road trip exploring all three of the national parks!
My husband and I have been to 49 states in our van, but Washington remains our favorite place to visit. Its landscapes are absolutely astounding from the rainforests on the Olympic Peninsula to the rugged mountains in the North Cascades to the iconic Mount Rainier. There’s truly nothing that compares.
Find out everything you need to know to plan the perfect Washington road trip. This post includes a detailed itinerary for a week’s trip, a packing guide, and tips on the best time to go! I hope you enjoy your adventure.
You Might Also Like These Posts:
- Guide to Visiting Mount Rainier in October
- 5 Trails Olympic National Park That You Can’t Miss
- Hiking the North Cascades in June
Disclaimer: There are affiliate links in this post. I may get a small commission if you use them at no extra charge to you. Thanks for your support!
Don’t forget to get your America the Beautiful Pass to save money on your entry to all of the National Parks!
Table of Contents
Planning Your Washington State Road Trip
How to Get to Washington
This itinerary is great if you are coming on a road trip from a different state or if you’re flying into Seattle and renting a car 🚗. Seattle-Tacoma Airport is a great hub with tons of flights in and out every day. So, it’s a convenient location to visit and another reason why this Washington road trip is perfect!
Best Time To Go on a Washington State Road Trip
You can visit Washington throughout the entire year and there will always be amazing things to explore! In the winter, experience the beauty of the snowfall in the mountains or the moody rain in other parts. While in the summer, you can enjoy the sunshine, open trails, and great temperatures.
That being said, this itinerary is really best from summer through early Fall!
Spring 🌸
Spring in Washington is a beautiful time if you want to see some of the blooms, avoid crowds, and experience nice mild temperatures around Seattle. Visit the Cherry Blossoms and the tulips throughout the state.
Although there is less rain than winter, you can still expect to see some precipitation when you visit. Many of the mountains will still be covered in snow, so you can focus your time instead on the sights that are at lower elevations!
Summer ☀️
Summer in Washington is seriously something I wish I experienced every single year! Spending weeks there over the summer one year is what truly made me fall in love with the state. The snow melts from the trails, the sun shines over the area, and the alpine lakes are finally accessible!
July and August are the ultimate months to visit Washington if you want to be able to access all of the mountains. Plus, in late July and early August the wildflowers begin to bloom and it is absolutely stunning! They’re truly is nothing better.
Washington is really a beautiful place to visit year round. But, this itinerary would be the best from mid-summer though early October.
Fall 🍁
Honestly, experiencing Washington in the Fall will always be one of my favorite memories! Bright reds and yellows cover the gorgeous areas by the mountains and there truly is nothing more beautiful than Mount Rainier surrounded by Fall colors.
Also, Washington is well known for having larches, which are golden yellow trees. You can find these stunning trees in places like the Enchantments and the North Cascades. Fall is a fantastic time to visit and I highly recommend it!
Winter ❄️
Winter is a beautiful time to go if you enjoy the snow in the mountains or you want to get that moody PNW vibe! There are plenty of options for snowshoeing around the state, including at Mount Rainier, or going skiing in the Mt Baker area. But, many things in this itinerary will be closed, so just keep that in mind when planning!
Places You Could Add with More Time
If you have longer than one week to explore the beautiful state of Washington, then there are plenty of places you could add to your itinerary! Below are some of my other favorite destinations in Washington.
Leavenworth
Leavenworth is a beautiful Bavarian style town just two hours from Seattle. It’s got adorable shops, beer gardens, and it’s home to the gorgeous Enchantments area. If you spend time in this town then you can hike to Colchuck Lake (8 miles), walk through the adorable town, and grab a pretzel 🥨, sausage and beer at Munchenhaus.
Things to do in Leavenworth
- Hike to Colchuck Lake
- Visit the Reindeer Farm
- Walk around the Bavarian style town
- Get a pretzel at Munchenhaus
- Visit for the annual Oktoberfest
Mount Baker
Mount Baker is one of the most beautiful areas in Washington. Again, it’s about 2.5 hours from Seattle so it makes for another wonderful addition if you have the time. I would add this stop to visit Artist’s Point and see sunrise at Picture Lake. You can also complete one of the other fantastic trails up at the top or go skiing ⛷ if you visit in the winter!
Things to Do in Mt Baker
- Go Skiing
- Visit Picture Lake at sunrise
- Take one of the fantastic hiking trails
San Juan Islands
Are you trying to see more of the beautiful rugged coastline and gorgeous islands of Washington? Then you can add a trip to one of the San Juan Islands in Puget Sound. There are ferries that you can take from Bellingham, Washington over to the islands. We visited Orcas Island, which was a highlight of our time in Washington and I highly recommend if you want to do something a little different!
Washington State Packing Guide
No matter what time of year you are visiting, you should always be prepared for some rainfall or precipitation 🌧 in the state of Washington. Make sure to pack plenty of waterproof layers, so that you can still enjoy the gorgeous outdoor settings!
Packing List for Washington
- Comfortable Hiking Boots
- Small Pack
- Hiking Poles
- First Aid Kit
- Bear Spray
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Sunglasses
- Hat to block sun
- Shelter
- Quality Layers!
- Rain Pants
- Rain jacket or light winter jacket
- Satellite phone
- National Park Pass
Washington Road Trip Itinerary
Quick Itinerary Breakdown
Day 1 -2: Arrive in Seattle & Spend Time in Olympic
Day 3-4: Mount Rainier National Park
Day 4-5: Seattle
Day 6-7: North Cascades National Park
Olympic National Park
Venture up to the Olympic Peninsula and immerse yourself in the moody vibes of the Pacific Northwest. Olympic National Park is one of the most unique parks in the entire country.
The park and peninsula are fairly large, so I recommend spending at least 2-3 days exploring this area. You can read a detailed itinerary for Olympic here, but below you’ll find the highlights I recommend visiting!
In two days I recommend spending one day doing Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent. Then, spending the other day exploring the Washington coastline at Rialto Beach and walking through the trees in the Hoh Rainforest.
Don’t worry I have you covered if it rains!
Hurricane Ridge
Visit the Hurricane Ridge area of Olympic National Park, which sits 5200 feet above sea level. This area is a wonderful place to take in panoramic views over the Olympic mountains area and get a lay of the land.
From late Spring to early Fall, you can go on one of the incredible hiking trails around the mountain. While, you can go skiing or tubing if you visit on a weekend in winter. *Note: Hurricane Ridge is closed on weekdays in the winter.*
If you only have time for one hike, I recommend doing Hurricane Hill. It’s a paved 3 mile trail and you get 360 degree views over the area. You’ll be able to see Mt Baker, Victoria, and beyond.
Hurricane Hill Hikes
- Hurricane Hill– 3.2 miles, 700 feet (wheelchair accessible)
- Cirque Rim – 1.3 mile, 200 feet
- High Ridge– 1 mile, 250 feet
- Klahane Ridge – 12.6 miles, 4500feet
- Little River– 14.7 miles, 4500 feet
Lake Crescent
Lake Crescent is a large glacially carved lake that is one of the most iconic lakes in all of Washington. It feels as if the lake just goes on and on, so there are plenty of Lake Crescent activities to enjoy.
You’ll be mesmerized by the deep blues and turquoise colors 💙💙. In the summer, you can spend time swimming in the water! Otherwise, there are a bunch of fabulous hikes in the area. I highly recommend hiking to Marymere Falls and for the more adventurous trekking to the top of Mount Storm King.
Hikes in Lake Crescent Area:
- Madison Falls – .6 miles
- Marymere Falls – 1.8 miles, 400 ft
- Mount Storm King – 4.4 miles, 2000 ft
- Pyramid Peak – 7 miles, 2600 ft
- Aurora Creek – 8.9 miles, 4300 ft
Sol Duc Falls
On your way out to the coastline, you can take a detour to the Sol Duc Falls trail if you have the time. The round trip drive from the main road is about an hour, so that’s just something to consider. It is one of my favorite waterfalls in the entire park, so I definitely think it’s worth it!
It’s a beautiful 1.6 mile hike (round trip) through the forest to this waterfall that looks like it’s something out of a fairytale. I’m always reminded of Tuck Everlasting when I visit this waterfall. No matter the weather, it’s a gorgeous way to spend a few hours in Olympic.
Rialto Beach
Another area of the park that you do not want to miss is the unique and rugged Washington coastline. Rialto Beach is one of the most Northwestern areas of the entire park and it’s known for it’s large rock formations, gorgeous driftwood, and gorgeous landscape.
One of the highlights of visiting Rialto Beach is hiking out to the Hole in the Wall formation 🪨. However, you have to do this at low tide, so make sure to research the tide times before you go. I have never visited on a day with a low enough tide, so I haven’t been able to visit yet!
Hoh Rainforest
I don’t think any visit to Olympic National Park is complete without a stop in the Hoh Rainforest. It’s such a captivating landscape to wander and explore. Wander through the old growth rainforest and marvel at this incredible ecosystem. The trails through the forest are level and easy. So, it’s a great place to bring the whole family!
My biggest recommendation is to get there early!! Otherwise, you’ll be stuck waiting in line to get in, because they have very limited parking. The first time we went we waited for more than an hour 😮.
Things to See in the Hoh Rainforest:
- Hall of Mosses – .8 mile loop
- Spruce Nature Trail – 1.2 miles
- Hoh River Trail – Go for as long as you want, if you go all the way it’s 17.3 miles one way. Other good turn around spots (all distances are round trip):
- First River Creek– 2 miles
- Mineral Creek Falls – 5.4 miles
- Cedar Grove – 8 miles
Lake Quinault
Lake Quinault is another beautiful rainforest area that surrounds a large lake. It’s a beautiful and quiet area of the park. So, it’s a wonderful place to set up home base and go on a few trails through the serene forest.
Lake Quinault Sights:
- Merriman Falls
- World’s Tallest Sitka Spruce Tree
- Rainforest Trail
- Bunch Falls
Where to Stay in Olympic National Park
Figuring out where to stay in Olympic can get very complicated. The park is incredibly large and it can take hours to drive from one side of the park to another. So, you may want to switch locations as you explore.
Driving Times in Olympic National Park
- Port Angeles to Hurricane Ridge – 40 minutes
- Port Angeles to Lake Crescent – 30 minutes
- Hurricane Ridge to Lake Crescent – 1 hour
- Lake Crescent to Rialto Beach – 1 hour
- Rialto Beach to Hoh Rainforest – 1 hour 10 minutes
- Port Angeles to Hoh Rainforest– 2 hours
- Port Angeles to Lake Quinault- 2 hours 25 minutes
Best Hotels in Olympic National Park
Mt Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier is a necessary stop on any Washington road trip! 🗻 This mountain is the tallest mountain in the state as well as one of the most iconic in the entire United States. On a clear day, you can see it from Seattle, but nothing compares to exploring the park. Spend a couple of days seeing what the highlights this park has to offer.
If you are visiting from mid-summer to early fall then I recommend spending a day in Paradise and a day in the gorgeous Sunrise area of the park. If you’re visiting when there is still snow on the ground you can focus more time on the Longmire and Paradise regions!
Mt Rainier now requires time entry reservations during the summer. You can learn more about the system here!
Longmire
Longmire used to be the gateway to Mount Rainier back in the day, it was the very first visitor center back in the late 1800s! Travelers visited this destination to view the beautiful mountain.
Now, you can still go to the gift shop, stay at the National Park Inn, visit the gift shop or take one of the great trails that leaves from this area. The trails in Longmire are at a lower elevation, so they are open throughout October. We stayed at the inn for a couple nights and it was a great home base to explore!
Best Things to see in Longmire:
- Narada Falls
- Christine Falls
- Trail of the Shadows (.7 miles, easy)
- Rampart Ridge Trail (4.8 miles, 1400 ft elevation, moderate)
- Comet Falls (3.5 miles, 1200 ft, moderate)
Paradise
Paradise is the true gateway to Mount Rainier. This visitor center is located at 5400 feet above sea level and is just at the base of the mountain. There are tons of trails that leave directly from the Paradise area!
It’s the best placed to really start exploring the mountain and getting up close to the base of it. Also, there is a gift shop and cafe 🍔 at the visitor center if you need to pick up anything on your trip. You’ll be in awe of the beauty and understand why it’s called Paradise.
On your trip to Paradise, you can go on a hiking trail or simply drive to the scenic lookouts. Make sure to not miss the view of Mt Rainier at Reflection Lakes, which is right off the road!
Best Hikes in Paradise
- Skyline Loop– 5.7 miles, 1700 feet, Hard
- Panorama Point– 3.8 miles, 1322 feet, Hard
- Myrtle Falls– .7 miles, 150 feet, Easy
- Bench and Snow Lakes– 2.2 miles, 450 feet, Moderate
- Alta Vista– 1.6 miles, 550 feet, Moderate
Sunrise
For visitors that plan on heading to Mount Rainier during the peak season, you’ll have the chance to visit the Sunrise area. The road to Sunrise often shuts down in late Fall and opens again in mid-summer. But, it’s one of the prettiest areas of the park and you’ll definitely want to see it!
Sunrise is the highest point in the park that you can access by driving and at Sunrise Point you can get 360 degree views 👀 over the area including Mt Rainier, the Cascades, and the valleys below. It’s an incredible area to visit!
Best Things to See in Sunrise:
- Sunrise Point
- Tipsoo Lake
- The meadows of Yakima Park
- Naches Peak Loop (3.5 miles, 650 feet, moderate)
- Mount Fremont Lookout (5.6 miles, 1100 feet, moderate)
- Sourdough Ridge (2.9 miles, 557 feet, easy)
- Burroughs Mountain (9.4 miles, 2500 feet, hard)
Where to Stay in Mount Rainier
Although Mount Rainier is just a couple of hours from Seattle, I highly recommend staying closer to the park. There are a couple lodges within the park and campgrounds that book up quickly. So, you can plan ahead to get those.
If you can’t get any of the lodging within the park then I recommend staying in the Packwood or Ashford areas. These are adjacent to the entrances and they have a few good hotels to choose from!
Best Hotels Near Mount Rainier
Seattle
Although this itinerary is mostly focused on the outdoors, I think that you should definitely spend a couple of days in Seattle. Seattle is one of my favorite cities in the country- it has incredible food 😋, great neighborhoods, and it’s surrounded by the mountains! What more could you ask for?
I would either stop in Seattle between Mount Rainier and the North Cascades or in the end before you leave Washington. Spend a couple of days to try some of the best restaurants and find out what this city is all about.
Pike Place
Pike Place is an iconic farmer’s market in Seattle and it gets more than 10 million visitors a year! There are a ton of farmers, craftspeople, florists and food vendors that sell amazing things throughout the market. It’s also located right off the water of Puget Sound.
Visit the market to shop at the numerous vendors, get the famous clam chowder, and see fish get thrown in the air at the center of it all. It’s one of the places that you truly can’t miss!
If you’re willing to wait in line for a while, then you can also stop into the original Starbucks location!
Space Needle & Chihuly Museum
The Space Needle may be the most recognizable landmark in all of Seattle. This tower stands at 600 feet above sea level and can be viewed from many areas throughout the city. If you don’t mind spending a good chunk of change, then you can even pay to get up to the top for amazing views from the Observation Deck.
Luckily, on your visit to the Space Needle you can also visit the Chihuly Museum of Glass next door. Chihuly is one of the most incredible glass artists and he has incredible rooms, gardens, and displays of his work. This was one of my favorite museums I’ve ever perused.
Museum of Pop Culture
Pop culture fans, media moguls, and music listeners 🎶 will delight in this fantastic museum in downtown Seattle. Learn about media movements that have happened throughout the years and icons from the Seattle area. It’s such a fun place to see!
Olympic Sculpture Park
If you’re looking for a great free activity, then this is one of the best! Walk through the outdoor Olympic Sculpture Park. It is full of intricately designed statues that line an outdoor space right on the water. It’s a fantastic spot to take a stroll.
Fremont
Fremont is one of the quirkiest neighborhoods in Seattle and there are plenty of reasons to explore this area. One of them, is the various statues that stand throughout the streets including Lenin and the Fremont Troll.
It’s a very artsy area of town so there are tons of wonderful bars, shops, and restaurants to stop in. Plus, you can visit Gas Works Park, which sits on the shores of Lake Union and is a very unique sight to see!
Take a hot tub boat around Lake Union for an incredibly unique experience!
Kerry Park
Kerry Park may have the most incredible panoramic views of Seattle that you can possibly see. On a sunny day, you can see Mount Rainier, downtown Seattle, and Puget Sound from the park’s edge 😮. If it’s a clear day, then you should definitely consider visiting for sunset! But, just note it does get incredibly crowded.
Museum of Flight
Venture a little South of downtown or stop on your way from Mount Rainier to see the Museum of Flight. Learn all about flying and aircrafts at this incredibly informative institution. This museum boasts a large warehouse of airplanes from history including Airforce One!
Where to Stay in Seattle
If it’s your first time in Seattle, then I highly recommend staying in the downtown area. It’s central to everything and walkable to Pike’s Place, Puget Sound, and the Space Needle! My parents and I stayed at the Marriott Waterfront and loved it.
However, if you want to stay somewhere a little bit outside of the downtown, then you can check out the Capitol Hill area or the Ballard area. Both of these neighborhoods are fantastic with good restaurants and shops!
Great Seattle Hotels:
North Cascades
Even though the North Cascades are just a few hours from Seattle, they are one of the least visited National Parks in the country. This fact always blows my mind, because the Cascade Mountains are also stunningly beautiful with tall mountains, bright blue lakes, and incredible hiking trails! 🥾
Although the park is accessible all year round, the mountains and trails are covered by snow for much of the year. Park services are also usually closed from late Fall to late Spring, so you will have to be self sufficient. The best time to visit and hike are from early July to mid-September!
If you have two days in the North Cascades I recommend spending one day driving up the Newhalem area driving to Mt Washington, seeing Diablo Lake, and doing a hike in that area of the park. Then, entering the park in the Marblemount area and trekking to Cascade Pass.
Diablo Lake
No trip to the North Cascades is complete without stopping at Diablo Lake! This bright turquoise lake is a stunning sight to behold with rugged mountains surrounding it. This lake gets its bright color from glaciers that feed into it!
One of the best parts about seeing this lake is that it is right off of the road, so it’s easy to access. While it’s gorgeous year round, the brightest turquoise appears from July to September.
Washington Pass
Drive up the scenic road and stop along the way to see the Mount Washington Overlook. There’s parking here with a short quarter mile trail to the viewpoint. Once you get there you will be amazed at the incredible sights of Mount Washington with the winding road below it!
Scenic Drive
The North Cascades scenic byway cuts through the park meandering through rugged mountains, passing gorgeous lakes, and lush woods. It’s one of the very best ways to see the overwhelming beauty of the Cascade Mountains.
Snow tends to cover this road starting in mid-November, so you will have to get out there in peak season if you want to see it all! Stop along the way at gorgeous viewpoints like Diablo Lake, Thornton Gap, Gorge Creek Falls, and Mazama!
Go Hiking in North the Cascades
There are truly so many incredible trails to choose from in the North Cascades. If you only have a couple of days, then I recommend choosing one in the Newhalem area of the park and another in the Marblemount area. That way you get to see incredible landscapes throughout the park!
My husband and I have done the Blue Lake, Thunder Knob, and the Cascade Pass trail. They were so incredible that we can’t wait to go back to the park and hike throughout more of the beautiful terrain!
Best Hikes in the North Cascades
- Rainy Lake – 2 miles, 100 feet, easy
- Blue Lakes – 4.6 miles, 915 feet, moderate
- Thunder Knob – 3.6 miles, 425 feet, moderate
- Maple Pass– 6.5 miles, 2100 feet, Hard
- Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm– 11.6 miles, 3900 feet, hard
- Hidden Lake– 8.8 miles, 3700 feet, hard
Where to Stay in the North Cascades
There are several campgrounds in the North Cascades that are fantastic places to stay. You can book most of them in advance during the peak season on recreation.gov. Otherwise, you will have to stay a bit outside of the park, but you can look at towns like Winthrop, Mazama, and Marblemount.
Great Hotels Near the North Cascades:
Final Tips for Your Washington Road Trip
Road tripping through Washington will seriously take your breath away! After visiting this state a couple years in a row, I truly believe that it is one of the most beautiful in the entire country.
Just make sure to keep a couple things in mind: have flexible plans in case of inclement weather and check to make sure things are open before you go. If you are visiting during the peak season, remember that these parks get incredibly busy! Plan ahead and get places early to maximize your time. I hope you fall in love 💕 with the Washington National Parks like I have.
Let me know if you enjoyed this road trip itinerary in the comments!
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