There’s so much to see in Washington that choosing where to go quickly becomes a daunting task. The sea-stacks and temperate rainforest of Olympic National Park? The famous Skyline trail at Mount Rainier? Maybe even the remote peaks of the North Cascades? If you’re on a time-crunch and struggling to choose, you’re not alone. Read on to discover the park that best suits what you’re looking for.
Olympic National Park
No other park here is so diverse as Olympic National Park, so if you want a little bit of everything, this is the place to be. The 300 mile loop road encompasses numerous mountains, waterfalls, old-growth forests and popular beaches such as Rialto Beach, Second Beach, and Ruby Beach. There are paved and unpaved-trail hikes suitable for all fitness levels, and while it isn’t my personal favorite park, Mount Ellinor (technically part of nearby Olympic National Forest) remains one of my favorite hikes of all time and an extremely underrated trail.
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier may lack the beaches and forests of Olympic National Park, but it still has some great waterfalls, the most well-known being Myrtle Falls along the iconic Skyline Trail, and pristine lakes like Reflection Lake and Snow Lake. It also, in my opinion, boasts better mountain trails & views, is closer to Seattle and its airport, and is significantly faster to drive around, being a smaller park. Circling the entire Olympic Peninsula along the loop road takes about 8 hours, while the circuit around Rainier clocks in at around 5 hours and 150 miles.
North Cascades National Park
Located near the Canadian border, North Cascades National Park is the ultimate choice for travelers seeking rugged terrain and true wilderness. While there are a few shorter trails and accessible viewpoints, most of the hikes are longer and significantly more strenuous than you’ll find in Washington’s more popular national parks and forests. Visitor services, infrastructure and ranger presence are limited here, so if you’re looking for a more backcountry and less tourist-y experience, this is the one to go for. This park is my personal favorite, and one I hope to explore more on my next visit to Washington.
Bonus: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
What if the best choice isn’t a national park, but a national forest? Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is more accessible than the North Cascades, with better infrastructure and a wider variety of hike lengths, but is less crowded than Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier. In terms of the overall views and vibe I’d go so far as to call it North Cascades-lite, and it would be my second choice for a return visit to Washington. A highly underrated park.
Summary
What’s the best park to visit in Washington state? That’s a trick question, since they all have their unique charms and are worth seeing. If you want the most possible variety, go to Olympic National Park for its stunning beaches, rainforests and relatively accessible mountain views. If you’re seeking a true backcountry experience with lengthy and difficult hikes, go to North Cascades National Park, or maybe Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest for a somewhat toned-down but still rugged adventure. If you’re short on time, Mount Rainier National Park is the smallest and most drivable park of the bunch and is the closest to the Seattle airport, all while still having epic mountain views & a variety of trail lengths. See you on the trail!