Planning to go out for a trip? How about a trip to see the national parks in Washington state? A trip to the most beautiful national parks in Washington state would be worth remembering.
There are 3 national parks in Washington state, and these National parks have a diversified breathtaking landscape, lush green flora and abundant wildlife. Apart from these, National Parks in Washington state has beautiful lakes that you can drench yourself in.
This post lists the best 3 National Parks in Washington state that you can visit with your family on a trip.
Without further due, let’s hop on the train of exploration.’
National Parks in Washington State
1. Mount Rainier National Park
The Mount rainier national park is at the top of Washington state’s National parks list. The national park stands 14,400 feet above sea level. It is considered to be the most iconic peak in the state.
Mount Rainier National Park is situated near an active volcano, making it a tourist attraction. No matter which season it is, you can always find visitors in the subalpine meadows.
The park is spread over 350 square miles. Ever wondered how people explore a place like this? Hiking is the answer.
Hiking is considered the best way to explore the natural areas of the rainier national park. Rainier national park has a dedicated 260 miles of hiking trails.
No matter which level are your hiking skills, there is always a hiking trail available to you on Mount Rainier.
Various trails are considered to be popular and are famous for various reasons. Some of the trails are:
Skyline Loop Trail is famous for its impressive views.
Naches Peak Loop on the east side of the park is famous for its wildflowers that bloom.
Wonderland Trail is an extremely popular hiking trail. This trail encircles the entire base of Mount Rainier.
If you are not a fan of hiking, you could always use a bicycle. September and October are considered the best months to ride a bicycle if you’re just a beginner. You can always see visitors bicycling on the park roads.
Now, are you wondering if mountain biking is allowed? Then my friend, sadly, in Mount Rainier National Park, mountain biking isn’t allowed.
Other than hiking, biking, and exploring views, at Mount Rainier, you can always pitch a tent. If you are lucky and planning to camp in the month of summer, then it would be hard to get a spot, as the places get filled with visitors. There are four designated campgrounds.
2. Olympic National Park
The Olympic National park is situated in the Olympic Peninsula of port Angeles in Western Washington. This National Park in Washington state is best known for its large temperate rainforest regions. The Olympic National Park is spread across nearly a million acres of jungle.
You can find ample opportunities to do a wide variety of things in the national parks in Washington state. The Olympic National Park has glaciated mountain peaks and a coastline. It is also home to a diversified ecosystem.
If you are into fishing and boating, then Olympic National park should be your top priority. This National park has alpine lakes and rivers where you can fish your hunger for boating.
No worries if you are a land lover. The Olympic National park offers backpacking and hiking trails too. Move your fingers up and swing your feet because it’s a lifetime opportunity.
If you are wondering which is the most accessible mountain area in the park, Hurricane Ridge is the most accessible mountain area within the National park.
The glaciated mountain peaks are accessible on the Hoh River Trail, and Visitors can do an overnight backpacking trip on this trail. In Olympic National Park, backpacking is generally considered as the national park has lots of extensive trails that you can pick.
There are a few best campgrounds in Olympic National Park. They are the Kalaloch Campground and the Heart O’ the Hills Campground. This park has boundaries that indicate the end of a camping site. Do not worry; you wouldn’t get lost unless you plan to get yourself lost.
Olympic National Park offers lodges like the other national parks in Washington state. These lodges are equipped with scenic beauties that could fill your stomach at a glance.
Visit Olympic national park and let your inner self discover the true beauty of the natural world.
Tip: I am afraid, but I guess you will need to pack up an umbrella as the weather in Olympic National park can change any minute, and you wouldn’t see it coming. The diversified ecosystem is the main reason.
3. North Cascades National Park
One of the National parks in Washington state is The North Cascades National Park which shares its boundaries with Ross Lake and Lake Chelan.
These public areas are spread over two million acres of a mountain range and eye feasting scenery. These ranges are located in Western Washington.
Lake Chelan State Park in the North Cascades National Park is known for its long sandy beach and peaceful lagoons. Generally, visitors’ top priority is not swimming, but you can always dip yourself in with proper safety.
The Lake Chelan State Park is a national recreation area covering about 140 acres on the southwest shore of Lake Chelan in Chelan County.
Around 90 per cent of the North Cascades National Park is reserved as the Stephen Mather Wilderness, which is done to protect the forest area from the mining industry.
The North Cascades National Park is the main reason for the many scenic and eye feasting attractions, but these attractions are a little harder to access by the common public.
The famous multi-day hiking and boat riding into the North Cascades National Park are worth the effort; the mountain ranges can be filled with dramatic scenes of beauty that one can see in their lifetime.
North Cascades National Park provides its visitors with two options to access the North Cascades National Park. These include driving along highway 20 for those who love scenic beauty and are often called North Cascades Scenic Byway.
While the other way is a thorough ferry-boat ride, the visitors need to catch the Lady of the Lake Ferry across Lake Chelan. Both the travel options give you a glimpse into the cascade range’s real beauty.
Visitors can experience the roadside attractions on Highway 20. North Cascades National Park also offers extensive hiking trails, including the northern terminus, which is a 2,600-mile also known Pacific Crest Trail.
If you plan for a family types hike, the paved quarter-mile Washington Pass Overlook Trail is the best trail you can get.
You get a glimpse of Liberty Bell Mountain. The Maple Pass Loop provides a different scenic and awestruck views throughout the year, such as the wild blossoming of flowers.
So, these 3 are the national parks in Washington State. Now, let’s take a look at the state parks in Washington.
State Parks in Washington
4. Deception Pass State Park
Deception Pass State Park has more than two million visitors each year, and this State Park is the most popular in Washington. This State Park is spread over the northern tip of Whidbey Island and Fidalgo Island.
An iconic high bridge connects this park. The Deception Pass State Park offers a lot of outlets to explore the nearby spots. This park protects wildlife along its wild coastline, thanks to the CCC ( Civilian Conservation Corps ).
With the help of CCC, visitors have now access to the Deception Pass State Park. Visitors can also learn about the the history and contribution of the CCC at the Civilian Conservation Corps Interpretive Center at the park.
Fun Fact: There is a crowd at Deception Pass State Park throughout the year. The history of CCC is worth knowing, and the State Park also provides its visitors with recreational activities.
The park is home to eye-catching inland landscapes. The park is a marine and camping park. Cranberry Lake is best known for its fishing within the park, and Cornet Bay provides boating facilities.
There are fantastic hiking trails; one of them is the Sand Dunes Interpretive Trail and the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail.
Deception Pass State Park offers different campsites, and lucky for you, they even offer you camping sites and a working power outlet.
There is no shortage of campgrounds at deception pass state park. You can always find the availability of campgrounds at Cranberry Lake Campgrounds.
If you are not a night owl and prefer spending nights indoors, then Cornet Bay Retreat Center is the place you can rest yourself.
You can also plan for more adventures outings, and a cabin is provided at Ben Ure Island within the state park. You can access the cabin by boat. Sounds fun, doesn’t it ???
5. Lake Wenatchee State Park
Only twelve miles far from the Bavarian-themed city of Leavenworth, Lake Wenatchee State Park could be a style destination for Washington residents and tourists.
It is not simply the scenic views of Lake Wenatchee but the spectacular Dirtyface Peak high waters that lure the crowd. However, the wide access to recreational activities brings in more visitors.
In the winter months, you get the dedicated ski trails. If you are a ski lover, this place is a must-visit place. The state park lures the visitors in the summer months, offering swimming and boating facilities.
You can put on your swimsuit and dive and quench your thirst for swimming in a lake. Apart from these, the park also offers cycling, hiking, and horseback riding.
The Lake Wenatchee State Park has more than 150 tent sites. The State Park offers these camping sites at two different camping grounds.
Wondering about winter camping, talk no more. The state park offers winter camping for those who love to tackle the cold.
The breathtaking views can be viewed from the parking spots that Lake Wenatchee State Park has offered.
6. Palouse Falls State Park
As the name suggests, the Palouse Falls State Park is situated in the southeast corner of Washington. The State Park is known for its Palouse Falls waterfalls. The Palouse Waterfalls is the main attraction that lures the visitors to the park.
Most of the visitors are nature lovers, and they don’t miss a chance to surround themselves with nature. If you are among nature lovers, you shouldn’t miss the chance.
The Palouse Falls State Park is not so busy. This State Park offers its visitors tent-only camping sites.
The Hiking trail in this area is combined with markers that explain the falls’ rich geological and cultural history.
Not so famous state park in Washington, but you can always find peace, harmony and private family time in the high-desert landscapes of Southeastern Washington.
7. Lime Kiln Point State Park
The Lime Kiln Point State Park is referred to as the “Whale Watch Park,” If you are an animal lover and wish to see the magnificent sea creatures such as the orcas and the whales, then hop and book your tickets to the Lime Kiln Point State Park.
This park throws in plenty of orca-spotting opportunities. Apart from the majestic sea creatures, you can also enjoy the scenic beauties.
This Park is located on the west side of San Juan Island. The best place and spot to watch whales and orcas are Lime Kiln Point.
Exploring this state park and fascinating coastline, it’s hard to miss the old lighthouse that stands tall at the shore.
The Lime Kiln Point Interpretive Center offers you information that can stick with the minds forever.
The information could identify the wildlife you are bound to see while exploring the state park.
8. Gingko Petrified Forest State Park
The Gingko petrified forest state park is located on the shores of the Wanapum Reservoir along the Columbia River.
The Eastern part of Washington State Park contains unique and diverse collections of petrified wood. These petrified forests are the one of a kind majestic beauties.
The state park is also a National Natural Landmark. The state park was created after the discovery of these majestic beauties.
The explorers to the Gingko Petrified Forest State Park witness the wide and amazing collection of petrified forests in the park. The entire park offers excellent views of the Columbia River.
You get the opportunity of camping near the Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park. You shouldn’t miss the Gorge Amphitheater concert season throughout the summer months.
It gets hard for visitors to find a camping site in this state park with the season, but you will get a spot if you are lucky. These campsites are located mostly near Wanapum Lake.
9. Cape Disappointment State Park
The Cape Disappointment is known to be a great place to explore. You can explore the Washington coast and learn the significance of the cultural history here.
Back story, the park was named after an unsuccessful voyage. Captain James Meares set out to find the Columbia River but was unsuccessful.
You would be surprised that this park doesn’t live up to its name. The park features two eye-catching scenic beauties. These scenic beauties comprise two scenic lighthouses, including the photogenic North Head Lighthouse.
You get plenty of whales watching opportunities. If you are bored watching the whales, you can always stop by Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. With an abundance of hiking trails at Cape Disappointment State Park, you will never be disappointed.
This Interpretive centre helps you visualize the U.S Corps of Discovery. Also, It showcases the incredible voyage of the U.S Crops voyage to the Pacific Ocean.
10. Birch Bay State Park
Located on the Canadian borders, the Birch Bay State Park is 20 miles north the Bellingham. It’s one of the small state parks with just 194 acres in Washington State. Don’t worry; you can grab a fishing net in this state park and get ready to harvest some clams.
The Birch Bay park offers you an opportunity to explore the seashore and the coastline along which it’s situated. The Cascade Mountains and the Canadian Gulf Islands offer you eye-catching views.
You can always have a picnic along the seashore. The Birch Bay state park has abundant benches installed specially for visitors to have picnics alongside the seashore. This facility helps the visitors sit back and relax to enjoy the scenic beauty.
Thinking to bring your trailer along with you? Don’t worry. The park provides you with a trailer dump station. With more than 140 sites, the park facilitates camping amenities to have a hassle-free camp.
Start Now!
With many temperate rain forests to high-desert plains, National Parks in Washington state has one of the nation’s foremost adventure-endowed areas.
In its several state and national parks in Washington state, you will find nature at its best, like frozen mountains, active volcanoes, accessible hot springs, alpine lakes, and an abundance of wildlife.
Whether or not you are looking for a bit of a journey or even a multi-day excursion, National Parks in Washington state can be the mantra for stress-busting.
If you want to know about the best camping grounds or the 5 best things to do on Cades Cove camping ground, click here.
I hope you had a good time reading this article!!
Last Updated on by Sathi
