3 Parks, 5 Days: Be Wowed By Washington

Washington

Washington State is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise with its majestic lakes, rugged coastline, lush woods, and towering peaks.

Not one, not two, but three magnificent national parks in the United States can be found in the northwest of the continent. They are all less than 250 kilometres from Seattle’s busy city centre. You just need five days and a car, which you can rent in downtown Seattle or at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, to fully appreciate the grandeur of Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, and North Cascades National Park.

Home Base: Seattle

Seattle is a great place to start your experience in the Pacific Northwest since it’s cool, quirky, and full of adventure. The city that gave rise to grunge music and Starbucks coffee provides a diverse range of mouthwatering dining options, upscale retail establishments, and exciting nightlife. Nearby downtown, there are several options for hiking, biking, skiing, and boating, and many residents share your enthusiasm for the great outdoors and can provide helpful tips on how to make the most of them.

A stunning evening view of the Space Needle and the Seattle skyline

Day 1: Mount Rainier National Park

Situated 145 km southwest of Seattle, the snowcapped mountain that towers over the city’s skyline is the crown jewel of Mount Rainier National Park. Even though Mount Rainier is an active volcano, its almost 4,400-meter peak is covered with 25 glaciers, giving hikers who go during the milder months the impression that they are experiencing two distinct seasons. The glaciers in this national park feed six separate rivers, simulating winter conditions all year round and making it a popular destination for kayaking and canoeing. To see the vivid wildflowers in full bloom, try to visit the park in the spring.

Hiking a trail on a sunny afternoon in Mount Rainier National Park

Free Winding Trail Among the Mountains of Mount Cook National Park Stock Photo

Days 2 and 3: North Cascades National Park

With more than 600 kilometres of trails, North Cascades National Park, less than 200 kilometres northeast of Seattle, invites hikers. You can choose to work up a sweat on trails that lead to vistas of the park’s more than 300 glaciers, or you can take a leisurely stroll through the valleys framed by mountains. It is advisable to pack multiple layers of clothes and wear supportive hiking shoes, since temperatures might fluctuate significantly as you ascend in height. Considering the vast amount of land (almost 277,000 hectares) to cover, we advise staying a few days here. There are 140 backcountry campsites in the park in addition to three campgrounds that are reachable by boat and five campgrounds that are suitable for automobiles and RVs.

Backpacking along the snowy peaks of the Cascade Range

Days 4 and 5: Olympic National Park

There are many of mountains, lakes, and rivers in Olympic National Park, all of which are well worth spending a day exploring. But spend some time exploring the park’s other noteworthy topography—the coast—after spending four days surrounded by Washington’s peaks. Rock formations rise sharply out of the sand along the park’s Pacific shoreline, about 240 km west of Seattle. The park’s tidal pools, which are home to interesting animals like sea snails and rock crabs that are visible during low tide, can occupy a whole day. (Just be sure not to disturb the wildlife here — touching or removing tide pool critters can affect the ecosystem.) Olympic National Park is home to numerous k, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a place to spend the night.

Crossing a footbridge while backpacking in Olympic National Park

Free Narrow footbridge between green trees Stock Photo

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