More than 260 miles of maintained hiking trails wind through Mount Rainier National Park. The trails offer views of wildflower meadows and a network of glaciers. This makes the park a distinctive destination for anyone who wants to discover Washington on foot: here, the trail network and the scenery go hand in hand.
Hiking Trails, Wilderness Coast and Access
Olympic National Park covers nearly one million acres. Its wilderness coast stretches for more than 73 miles—a distinctive feature within this vast protected area. The acreage refers to the park, while the mileage refers to the wilderness coast. If you plan to explore the coast, you should also take access into account: most of it can only be reached on foot; Rialto Beach and the beaches of Kalaloch are accessible by road.
Wilderness Camping Permits are required year-round for all overnight hikes along the Olympic Wilderness Coast. As reservation procedures can change, check the current requirements before planning your trip. This will help you prepare for your hike without confusing the requirements for a day visit with those for an overnight trip.
Another way to experience Olympic National Park is to drive from Port Angeles to the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center. The winding, 17-mile paved road climbs to the visitor center. Road conditions can change seasonally, so check them before you set out. This national park offers different ways to get around: a large stretch of coast that is mostly accessible on foot, certain beaches accessible by road, and a drive up to a visitor center.
The North Cascades National Park Service Complex also conveys a sense of Washington’s landscape diversity: it has more than 300 glaciers. At Mount Rainier, hiking trails offer views of a network of glaciers. When making your selection, it’s worth considering the distinctive features of each area—from Rainier’s trails to the scale of the glacier inventory in the North Cascades.
Scenic Byways with Distinctive Character
The Whidbey Scenic Isle Way connects Deception Pass State Park in the north with the town of Clinton in the south. There are opportunities to kayak along the shoreline. The route and activity give the drive a clear connection to the water, while linking its northern and southern endpoints takes you across the island from north to south.
The White Pass Scenic Byway follows a different course: it connects forested foothills near Interstate 5 with the open landscapes and vineyards of the Yakima Valley. Along the way, the route passes through river valleys and forests before climbing to White Pass. Unlike the Whidbey Scenic Isle Way, with its emphasis on the shoreline, this route is defined by a transition from forested valleys to more open landscapes. You can choose between the two routes based on the kind of scenery that interests you most.
Coastal Defense and Hiking Trails
Washington’s historic sites also bring together different areas of interest. Fort Casey Historical State Park preserves an example of a U.S. Army defense project from the early 20th century. The park also provides access to the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail. This brings together a historical theme and access to a named hiking trail in one place.
Fort Columbia State Park is considered one of the best-preserved historic coastal defense sites in the United States. It also has miles of hiking trails through forested landscapes. Comparing it with Fort Casey reveals two different ways to explore the history of coastal defense: Fort Casey focuses on an example of an early defense project, while Fort Columbia is known for preserving historic coastal defenses and also offers trails through the forest. If you’re including nature and history in your trip plans, these differences between the sites can help guide your choice.
Discover More Destinations
Clark, Yakima, King, Kitsap, Spokane, Snohomish, Okanogan, Skamania, Cowlitz, Lewis, Castle Rock, Pierce, Benton, Whatcom, Walla Walla, Kittitas County, Thurston County, Grant County, Skagit County, Douglas County, Chelan County, Franklin County, Adams County, Grays Harbor County, Whitman County, Clallam County, Island County, Jefferson County, Lincoln County, San Juan County, Pacific County, Asotin, Mason County, Stevens County and Klickitat County.
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