NPAD: Washington State ItineraryThis isn’t exactly an itinerary, but rather a collection of my favorite places. It’s by no means a complete list of recommendations, but it’s a great starting point for anyone interested in visiting the state and looking for some guidance from a former resident.AuthorsNPADTravel
DestinationsWashingtonItinerary

Mount Rainier NP

Mount Rainier Day Hike
There’s no denying how awe-inspiring this park is. With scarcely a bad view, the Paradise area is my hands-down favorite.
See More
Book
Burroughs Mountain Trail
Burroughs Mountain Trail has quickly become my favorite trail, especially in July and October. It features stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, with wildflowers in bloom during the summer and incredible fall foliage in the autumn. The trail is moderately challenging and spans about 4.5 miles for the round trip.
See More
Skyline Trail
The Skyline Trail is popular and serves as an excellent starting point for exploring the area.
See More

North Cascades NP

North Cascades Scenic Highway
Rugged, remote, and the least visited of the three parks, North Cascades is all about alpine beauty. Much of the park is backcountry, but there is this scenic highway that offers spectacular views of the park.
See More

Olympic NP

The park with the best of all worlds. She’s got coastline, she’s got snowcapped mountains, she’s got lush meadows, and she’s got rainforest. I can’t praise this park enough, and it’s where I would go if I could only visit one.
See More
Lake Crescent
It’s a place that really does live up to every TikTok and Reel hype video, especially this lake!
See More
Enchanted Valley
Is often referred to as the "Valley of 10,000 Waterfalls." This nickname comes from the countless waterfalls that cascade down the towering cliffs surrounding the valley. A "must do" spot on your next visit.
See More
4-Hour Sailing Adventure on The Strait of Juan de Fuca
The Strait offers magnificent views of Vancouver Island, the Olympic Peninsula, and the surrounding mountain ranges. On clear days, visitors can enjoy panoramic vistas of all three mountain ranges.
See More
Book
Ruby Beach
Stop here to check out one of the most scenic beaches on the West Coast! The beach gets its name from almandite garnets in the sand, which give it a subtle ruby hue, adding to its charm.
See More
Hurricane Ridge
Be mesmerized by the breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and, on clear days, even Canada. Hurricane Ridge is accessible year-round, offering stunning vistas and numerous hiking trails.
See More
Hoh Rain Forest
Considered one of the best-preserved temperate rainforests in the United States, it is often described as one of the quietest places in the world. Shh...
See More

Other WA Parks to Visit

Harry's Ridge
I highly recommend reading about Harry Truman before you visit and hiking Harry Truman Ridge while you're there. It’s an incredible experience to place yourself in a location where you can see the undeniable aftermath of such a significant natural disaster while also witnessing nature's remarkable rebound. Just a heads up for mountain lions!
See More

Other Parks

Mount Saint Helens
This is my favorite national monument for sentimental reasons, yet you can’t deny its magic. Currently, Mount St. Helens is an active volcano, with ongoing geological research and visitor opportunities to learn about its eruptions and recovery since the 1980 eruption.
See More
Frenchman Coulee Recreation Area
Western Washington gets most of the hype, but it’s not where all the fun is! This region doesn’t get a whole lot of love, but it is worth visiting. This scenic and geologically significant region in central WA is a rock-climbing mecca that feels very much like “Utah in Washington.” There are plenty of dispersed camping opportunities and BLM land, providing a nice change up with fewer people, a different climate, and more sun!
See More
Lime Kiln Point State Park
This park is on the western shore of San Juan Island, and I could die, wake up there, and think it was heaven. Named after the historical lime kiln that once functioned here, it is one of the best places in the world to whale watch because the sea floor drops so sharply just offshore that marine life gets very close (within 20 feet) to shore. My advice? Bring a blanket, binoculars, and a good book, and post up for the day.
See More

Non-NP Hikes

Colchuck Lake
This is one of the most popular trails in the entire state because it is so stunning, especially during larch season in the fall. The aquamarine lake and jagged, towering mountains are just chef's kiss. Coming in at around 8 miles round trip and 2,300 feet in elevation gain, it’s considered challenging. Not only is this particular trail busy, but the trailhead is even busier, as it serves as the launch point for the Enchantments.
See More
Mailbox Peak Trail
Full transparency: this was one of the toughest hikes I’ve ever done. I was not fully prepared for it, and it showed, but I made it! It’s about 9.5 miles round trip and over 4,000 feet of elevation gain. There is a mailbox at the summit where people leave fun trinkets, and the views are gorgeous (if the sun shows itself). There are “new” and “old” trail options for your ascent and descent—I took the “new” trail up and the “old” trail down, meaning that the 4,000 feet of elevation gain I mentioned was done in about 2.5 miles... yeah, it was something. My advice: do it, but make sure you research and prep fully first! It’s about 45 minutes southwest of Seattle and is considered a bit of a badge-of-honor hike.
See More
Iron Goat Trail
Roughly 6 miles round trip with 700 feet of elevation gain, this one is pretty and also kinda spooky. In 1910, a severe snowstorm caused the Spokane Express to become stranded along the Great Northern Railway. As conditions worsened, an avalanche hit, sweeping away the train station, the Spokane Express, and a mail train, resulting in nearly 100 fatalities. The site of the disaster, now part of the Iron Goat Trail, features remnants of crumbling snow sheds, collapsed tunnels, and metal debris. It’s about 2 hours northeast of Seattle.
See More

Activities

Beneath the Streets
Did you know a lot of Seattle is under your feet? After the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, a large part of the city’s central business district was buried. The city rebuilt by raising the street level by over 20 feet, leaving the ground level of many buildings buried and creating a network of passageways. Over time, they were abandoned, fell into disrepair, and were forgotten. In the '60s, a portion of them was opened to the public for tours, while other portions remain preserved for historical purposes. And of course, they’re haunted. Many of the passageways were the sites of sex work, gambling, and other illegal activities that caused quite a stir.
See More
Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour
I did a paranormal tour in the underground and HIGHLY recommend it. It’s a spooky place!
See More
Book
McMenamins Pub at Elks Temple
If you haven’t heard of McMenamins, please go down a Google rabbit hole. Primarily based in WA and OR, this chain of family-owned bars, hotels, and entertainment venues is located in quirky, unique, and historic places. They are so cool—from old theaters and schools to hotels and more—it’s hard to describe them; you just have to experience them. With over 50 locations, they even have a passport! I have been to several, but the Tacoma Elk Temple was the closest to home!
See More
Long Beach Boardwalk
Long Beach is a coastal city in southwest WA and the entry point I have used to access the Long Beach Peninsula. This peninsula stretches nearly 30 miles along the Pacific coast, making it one of the longest continuous beaches in the country! The hard-packed sand is perfect for driving**,** and I have spent many days letting my dogs run wild here.
See More
Cape Disappointment State Park
Cape Disappointment State Park is close to Long Beach, which has historic lighthouses and really pretty coastal hiking trails. Known as the location of 1,000 shipwrecks, this area of the coastline is rugged but beautiful!
See More

Weekend Away: Forks

Forks Timber Museum
Fun Fact: This museum features a vintage Tangley Calliope, which is a musical instrument often used in parades. The museum's calliope is so loud that it can be heard from five miles away.
See More
John's Beachcombing Museum
Here are a couple of highlights of what to expect: thousands of colorful rubber buoys arranged into giant sculptural installations, Raggedy Ann doll heads from a container spill in the 1970s, and even a juvenile gray whale skull. The museum also showcases items from significant events, such as the 2011 Japanese tsunami and the "Great Shoe Spill" of 1990, when tens of thousands of Nike shoes fell into the Pacific Ocean.
See More

Weekend Away: San Juan Islands

San Juan Island
In three words—an absolute must. A place that feels so perfect it almost seems fake. This collection of islands is one of the most beautiful parts of the state and has so much to offer. Located in the northwest corner of the state in Puget Sound, near the Canadian border, the archipelago consists of over 170 islands, with the main ones being San Juan Island, Orcas Island, Lopez Island, and Shaw Island. With easy-to-navigate ferries that run from the mainland to the islands, visiting is very accessible! With world-class orca watching, seafood restaurants, wineries, killer sunsets, scenic hikes, unique art galleries, and so much more—this isn’t a place to skip.
See More
Anacortes Ferry Terminal
This is your ticket to the San Juan Islands. You can also take a passenger ferry from Port Townsend to Friday Harbor, but the main route departs from Anacortes.
See More

Weekend Away: Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
This is a natural wonder! Stretching along the border between Washington and Oregon, this gorge is dramatic in every way. The cliffs, forests, waterfalls and blankets of wildflowers offer beautiful hiking and photography backdrops.
See More
Columbia River Gorge Kayak Tour
Kayak the Gorge in Cascade Locks offers single and double kayak rentals for all skill levels. Paddle a calm, sheltered cove, enjoy stunning views of cliffs and forests, and spot wildlife like herons, osprey, and otters. Experience peaceful mornings or golden sunsets in the Columbia River Gorge’s spectacular scenery.
See More
Book
Hood River
An amazing, smaller mountain town where we once spent New Year's! This town is an adventure haven, offering countless outdoor opportunities.
See More
Experience a personalized wine tour with Hoodland Shuttle. Enjoy custom itineraries and the freedom to choose wineries. Expert drivers guide you through Oregon’s scenic vineyards for an unforgettable, tailored wine country adventure.
See More