Mount Rainier National Park

Longmire - Here, visitors can explore the historic log cabin lodge owned by the park, known as The National Park Inn. Relax on its porch, which offers a stunning first full view of Mount Rainier from within the park.

While exploring the historic Longmire area, be sure to visit the General Store for souvenirs. It’s also a great place to stock up on snacks and water for hiking.

In this section of the park, the Trail of the Shadows is a popular path that takes you past historic landmarks and old buildings.

Carter Falls - This waterfall is active during the ice melt season; otherwise, it may be dry. It’s a quick stop, perfect for a photo and a brief look.

Christine Falls Viewpoint - A frequently flowing waterfall, this spot is popular and worth about a 15-minute visit.

Ricksecker Point - A quick stop for the view, requiring only a few minutes.

Narada Falls - Another popular waterfall that is often flowing.

Paradise - One of the park’s most visited areas, where visitors can spend several hours depending on their hiking plans. A short walk to Myrtle Falls, one of the park’s most photogenic waterfalls, is a must.

Visit the main visitor center, The Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center, and explore the Historic Paradise Inn lodge if it’s open.

Two excellent trails in this area are the Alta Vista Trail and the Nisqually Vista Trail. Enjoy the surrounding wildflower meadows in Paradise!

Paradise River - A quick stop for the view.

Inspiration Point - Another quick stop for the view.

Reflection Lakes - A beautiful stop, especially on a clear day when Mount Rainier reflects on the main lake. There are several viewpoints from the lakeshore path and parking lots. Allow at least half an hour to enjoy the views and capture iconic photos.

Bench Lake - For this hike, plan at least an hour for part of the trail, or longer for the entire out-and-back trail.

Box Canyon - A short stop to enjoy the view.

Grove of the Patriarchs - A short and easy hike leading to a pedestrian suspension bridge over a river and a grove of enormous old-growth trees. It’s very popular and worth the stop, taking at least an hour or two if parking is available.

Ohanapecosh Visitor Center - This area features the Silver Falls Loop Trail, a long and lovely trail leading to a waterfall, or a much shorter nature trail starting at the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center.

Time spent here depends on whether you choose the long hike or the short nature trail. Alternatively, spend a few minutes in the Visitor Center and walk to the nearby bridge for river photos.

Tipsoo Lake Loop - Just outside the park, across the road, but managed by Mount Rainier National Park. The lake offers beautiful views of Mount Rainier and is very photogenic. An easy path circles the lake, perfect for an hour or two walk.

Naches Peak Loop Trail - Part of this trail, across from Tipsoo Lake, is on Pacific Crest Trail land but managed by Mount Rainier National Park. This trail offers spectacular views of the Cascade mountain range, Mount Rainier, and wildflower meadows.

Consider taking part of the trail for the views, then turning back if time is limited.

Sunrise Point - This is the most magnificent overlook in Mount Rainier National Park and should not be missed! The drive up is unforgettable, and the views are breathtaking.

Even without hours to hike in the Sunrise area, the road to this overlook is worth the trip. Spend about half an hour enjoying the 360-degree views.

Sunrise Park - The second most popular area of the park, after Paradise. Many visitors don’t drive across the park to reach the east side and Sunrise, but it’s an incredible area.

Here, visitors are as high as they can drive within the park, with a front-and-center view of the largest glacier on the mountain. The Silver Forest Trail is highly recommended, offering views down to the White River thousands of feet below.

White River Campground - After visiting Sunrise, stop at the White River Campground. Walk through the camping loops and down to the river to experience the powerful meltwater from the Emmons glacier up close.

From Loop D, consider hiking part of the Glacier Basin Trail through the forest, leading to the popular Emmons Moraine Trail. Time spent here depends on hiking plans, but the Glacier Basin Trail is recommended.

Crystal Mountain Resort - Open in winter and summer, this ski resort is home to the Mount Rainier Gondola ride. It’s a unique ski lift ride offering views of the volcano.

If passing by this area, across from the Sunrise section, and the ride is open, it’s worth buying a ticket!

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park Visitor Center - Located in Port Angeles, this center offers park information, an NPS gift/bookshop, a park film, and exhibits on Olympic’s natural and cultural history.

There’s a hands-on Discovery Room for kids, two short nature trails, and restroom facilities. Rangers and volunteers are available to answer questions about hiking trails, road conditions, and tide charts.

Strait Of Juan De Fuca Scenic Byway - Stop at this overlook for a sweeping view of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. On clear days, you can see Victoria, Canada, and the Cascades Mountains. Interpretive signs highlight landmarks.

Hurricane Ridge - Known for spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains, Hurricane Ridge is a popular park destination. Enjoy snow-capped peaks, sub-alpine meadows with wildflowers, and wildlife like the Olympic marmot.

Meadow Loop Trails: Accessible from the visitor center parking lot.

Hurricane Hill Trail: A moderate 3-mile hike with parking at the trailhead and overflow parking in picnic areas.

Madison Falls Trailhead - Madison Falls is a beautiful 45-foot cascade, a short distance from the highway and parking area.

Enjoy the peaceful setting and check out the nearby Elwha River, returning to its natural state after dam removal. Nearby is the Sweet Family Homestead, where the park grazes pack animals.

Lake Crescent - Washington’s second deepest and one of the most pristine lakes. The clear water allows visibility up to 70 feet, and when the light hits right, it glows like a sapphire.

The Log Cabin Resort on the east shore and Lake Crescent Lodge on the south shore offer lodging, boating, hiking, and swimming. The Fairholme Campground on the west shore has a store, campground, and beach.

Marymere Falls - The trailhead for this popular hike is near Lake Crescent’s shore. The moderately easy trail is less than two miles roundtrip, winding through lush old-growth forest.

Park near Lake Crescent Lodge to pick up a trail map. The trail follows Barnes Creek, crosses Highway 101, and continues through towering evergreens and maples, with picturesque log bridges leading to a beautiful 90-foot cascade with two viewing platforms.

Salmon Cascades - The Sol Duc River is a busy highway for fish species like Chinook, coho, sockeye salmon, and steelhead trout.

The lookout at Salmon Cascades is perfect for watching migrating salmon leap up the cascades to spawn. Even without jumping salmon, the river view is lovely and a short walk from the parking area.

Interpretive signs tell the dramatic and inspiring story of the salmon’s life.

Sol Duc Hot Springs - The Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort features a freshwater pool and three mineral pools fed by natural hot springs.

Visitors can dine at the Springs Restaurant or relax in the pools. Paid reservations are required for the hour-and-a-half soaking sessions, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sol Duc Falls - One of the most popular and picturesque waterfalls in Olympic National Park!

The moderately easy 1.6-mile trail begins at the end of Sol Duc Hot Springs Road, winding through lovely old-growth forest, past creeks, and over wooden bridges.

The highlight is the breathtaking Sol Duc Falls, featuring three separate cascades plunging dramatically over the cliff. Viewing platforms offer spectacular photo opportunities.

Second Beach Trail - Second Beach at La Push features tide pools, dramatic sea stacks, and a flat, sandy beach.

The 2-mile round-trip trail to this stunning coastal beach meanders through a lovely forest with ferns, moss, and nurse logs—fallen and decaying logs supporting new life.

The hike is relatively easy on the way down but requires a climb back. If the main parking lot is full, overflow parking is available in a gravel lot up the hill.

Rialto Beach - Rialto Beach offers easy access, parking, and vault toilets. With stunning views of James Island, Rialto’s rugged shoreline is known for giant driftwood logs and rough surf.

A highlight is the dramatic rock formation called Hole in the Wall, located at the north end of the beach. It requires a moderate 3.4-mile roundtrip hike along the pebbly shore, with numerous tide pools and stunning sea stacks.

Forks - “Welcome to Forks, Washington—the Rainiest Town in the Contiguous United States!

Forks receives about 10 feet or 120 inches of rain annually, earning its title. Located on the Olympic Peninsula’s west side, Forks was one of America’s last frontiers.

The large prairie was home to the Quileute people. Settlers arrived in the late 1870s, and the area became a booming logging town.

Today, Forks is a popular tourist destination for Olympic National Park visitors and fans of the Twilight book and movie series set in this rainy town.

Forks Welcome Sign - “Visit the Forks Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center at the town’s south end. Get information about local attractions, hiking trails, restaurants, and the self-guided Twilight driving tour.

The Forks Timber Museum next door showcases the rich history of the timber industry.”

Hoh Rain Forest - “From ancient trees draped with moss to thick carpets of fern, the Hoh Rain Forest is magical.

In this primeval forest, watch for majestic Roosevelt elk, iconic banana slugs, and the elusive Bigfoot!

The Hoh Visitor Center offers trail information, restrooms, interactive displays, and two easy trails.

The Trail of Mosses features bigleaf maple trees cloaked in soft, thick moss. This easy trail is less than a mile long.

The slightly longer Spruce Nature Trail loops through forests of red alder and cottonwood, passing by the Hoh River.”

Ruby Beach - Ruby Beach features a spectacular shoreline with dramatic sea stacks, tide pools, driftwood logs, a pretty creek, and a large, pebbly beach.

This popular beach can get busy on weekends and holidays.

A short quarter-mile trail leads from the parking area to the beach. At the end, walk through or climb over large driftwood logs to reach the shore.

Ruby Beach was named after tiny red garnet crystals that occasionally wash onto the shore, giving the beach a pinkish hue.

Big Cedar Tree Kalaloch - “The Big Cedar Tree is a true Olympic giant—or at least it used to be! A storm split the trunk of this massive 1000-year-old Western Red Cedar, but the gnarly giant still inspires awe.

The trailhead is a short drive from the highway, and it’s an easy walk to the tree from the parking area. For those wanting to explore more, the trail goes past the giant cedar and offers views of other impressive trees.”

Kalaloch Beach Trail 4 - For a less-crowded beach with amazing tide pools and a large sandy shore, Kalaloch Beach 4 is ideal!

A short, steep trail leads to the beach with interpretive signs and a cool driftwood bridge. At the end, a short rock scramble down a rope may be challenging for those with mobility issues. The hike is less than a mile round trip and takes about 20 minutes.

Beach 4 is popular for birding, hiking, and walking. Harbor seals can often be seen playing in the surf.

Tree of Life - “The Kalaloch Tree of Life is an iconic symbol of the Olympic coast. Stretched precariously between two cliffs, this unusual Sitka spruce looks like it’s floating in thin air above the ground.

Over time, water eroded the ground beneath its roots, creating a cool, cave-like space. How long the tree will hold on is uncertain. Weather, erosion, and human carelessness (like climbing or hanging onto the roots) are hastening its demise.

Admire this icon from a distance and help keep the Tree of Life alive.”

Kalaloch Lodge at Olympic National Park - The Kalaloch Lodge is the only coastal lodging in Olympic National Park. It’s a great place to enjoy a meal with an ocean view! You can also grab an ice cream cone from the Kalaloch Mercantile next door.

Quinault Rain Forest - The Quinault Rain Forest Nature Trail is at the start of Lake Quinault South Shore Road. The easy half-mile loop includes waterfalls, creeks, and classic moss-covered trees, with interpretive signs. It’s a great way to experience the rainforest without a long hike. Restrooms are at the trailhead.

Lake Quinault Lodge - The historic Lake Quinault Lodge is beautifully situated on Lake Quinault’s south shore. Enjoy a meal in the famous Roosevelt Dining Room overlooking the lake. Wander to the back lawn overlooking the lake and stroll along the shore.

The two-story rustic lodge was built in the summer of 1926 in a record 53 days! Crews lit bonfires and worked around the clock to complete the building before the rains began.

World’s Largest Sitka Spruce - An easy quarter-mile walk leads to the world’s largest Sitka spruce tree. Measuring over 18 feet in diameter and reaching 191 feet in height, this impressive giant is one of many champion trees in the lush Quinault Rainforest, also known as the Valley of Rainforest Giants.

Merriman Falls - Merriman Falls is right next to the road. The lovely 40-foot cascades can be seen from the car but make a nice stop for a photo.

Kestner Homestead Trailhead - “The Kestner Homestead sits on the north shore of the Quinault River in a rugged wilderness. Built around the turn of the 20th century, this historic site testifies to the perseverance and dedication of Anton Kestner, one of the valley’s early pioneers.

The homestead can be accessed two ways: park at the homestead gate and walk a short distance to the buildings, or take the scenic trail from the Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station.

Nearby, the half-mile Maple Glade Rain Forest Trail meanders through the enchanting rainforest for a magical experience.”

July Creek Picnic Area Trailhead - The July Creek Picnic area, on Lake Quinault’s north shore, offers another great lake view. A short path takes you through giant trees to the shore. Restrooms and picnic tables are available.

Crater Lake National Park

Mazama Village Campground & Cabins - Near the park’s south entrance, Mazama Village features a seasonal campground, Annie Creek Restaurant and Gift Shop, Mazama Village Camp Store with groceries, snacks, sundries, and souvenirs, public restrooms, and a gas station.

Access the Annie Creek Trail from the campground. Ask at the camper store for trail details.

Annie Creek Canyon - Entering the park from the south, pull over for a view of Annie Creek Canyon. From the overlook, glimpse one of the park’s mysterious volcanic features—towering pinnacles made of ash and pumice. These fossilized spires formed during Mount Mazama’s catastrophic eruption.

Godfrey Glen Nature Trail - Godfrey Glen is an easy one-mile loop and one of the park’s few accessible and pet-friendly trails. The shady path winds through an old-growth forest along a steep canyon edge, offering views of strange needle-like towers called pinnacles.

Steel Visitor Center - Originally a ranger dormitory, the Steel Information Center now serves as the park’s main visitor center, offering information, exhibits, and a gift shop.

Named after one of the park’s earliest advocates, William Gladstone Steel, the visitor center underwent extensive renovation in the early 2020s and reopened to the public in 2024.

The historic building was updated and strengthened to withstand earthquakes and heavy snow.

Rim Village Café and Gift Shop - Located at the caldera’s edge, Rim Village is the main visitor hub featuring a small visitor center, cafe, gift shop, Crater Lake Lodge, and stunning views of Crater Lake!

Check out the Discovery Point Trail, an easy two-mile round-trip hike along the rim to Discovery Point. For a more challenging hike, try the climb to Garfield Peak, a 3.5-mile round-trip hike with rewarding views.

Get trail maps and information from the visitor center. Don’t miss the dramatic cliffside views from Sinnott Overlook, just below the visitor center.

Crater Lake Lodge - Built in 1915, the historic Crater Lake Lodge sits on the caldera’s edge, offering majestic views of the lake and surrounding sub-alpine meadows. The stone and wood structure retains the original lodge’s charm and character.

Stop in for a meal in their dining room or sit on the veranda and soak in the views.

The lodge is open seasonally from mid-May to early October.

Rim Village Visitor Center - Located in the historic Kiser Studio in Rim Village, the center offers stunning lake views, park information, maps, books, and souvenirs. Get your passport stamped here.

Discovery Point Trailhead - This 2-mile round trip trail along the rim offers amazing views of the lake and Wizard Island. The trail begins at Rim Village and ends at Discovery Point.

Sinnott Memorial Overlook - Don’t miss the Sinnott Memorial Overlook! This cliffside viewpoint features outdoor exhibits and stunning lake views. The overlook is behind the Rim Visitor Center.

Watchman Overlook - From Watchman Overlook, enjoy an unrivaled view of Wizard Island and the crater that named this lake!

Climb nearby Watchman Peak on a steep, 2-mile round trip trail to a historic fire lookout over 8,000 feet above sea level. Enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the lake and surrounding volcanic landscape.

Merriam Point - From Merriam Point, enjoy a spectacular view of Crater Lake and Wizard Island. Look for Mount Scott, the park’s tallest peak, in the distance.

Merriam Point was named after John C. Merriam, a prominent paleontologist instrumental in starting Crater Lake’s nature interpretation program in the early 1900s.

Steel Bay - Near the Grouse Hill Picnic Area, two scenic viewpoints overlook Steel Bay.

Steel Bay was named after William Gladstone Steel, known as “The Father of Crater Lake” for his role in preserving this land as a national park.

Cleetwood Cove Trail - Cleetwood Cove Trail is a two-mile round trip hike with a 700-foot elevation and steep switchbacks.

At the lake, take a guided boat tour. Advance reservations can be made here.

Some tickets are available for same-day bookings and can be purchased up to 2 hours before departure at the:

Mazama Village Cabin/Campground Registration Desk
Crater Lake Lodge Front Desk and
Cleetwood Cove Kiosk

Check the visitor guide for swimming rules and fishing regulations. Restrooms are in the parking area across the road from the trailhead.

Skell Head - Enjoy the view from Skell Head and learn about the ancient spirits connected to this sacred place.

Cloudcap Overlook - As the name suggests, Cloudcap Overlook is the highest overlook on our drive and the highest paved road in Oregon! At Cloudcap, stand around 8,000 feet above sea level with a beautiful lake view below. Take time to soak in the views.

See many hardy whitebark pine trees at Cloudcap. Read interpretive signs to learn why some are called Flag Trees!

Phantom Ship Overlook - One of the best places to see Phantom Ship Island. This jagged volcanic rock formation rises over 170 feet above the lake’s surface, a remnant of the ancient volcanic core that survived Mount Mazama’s eruption.

This mysterious island seems to appear and disappear in the mist, like a ghostly ship.

Plaikni Falls - A short detour from Rim Drive leads to the Plaikni Falls trailhead. This easy, two-mile roundtrip hike takes you through an old-growth forest and along a stream bank bursting with summer wildflowers. At the end, enjoy a picturesque 20-foot waterfall view.

Plaikni is a Klamath word meaning “from the high country,” a fitting name for these lovely falls whose waters originate nearly 7,000 feet above sea level.

Pinnacles Overlook - This easy, one-mile forested trail follows Pinnacle Valley’s rim, offering stunning views of these fairytale towers.

The gray and brown pinnacles formed when pumice and ash filled the valley after Mazama’s big eruption. Hot gasses trapped underneath escaped through cylindrical vents called fumaroles.

The intense heat and chemical action hardened the pumice and ash around these vents.

Later, when water streams cut through the valley, the softer rock eroded away, leaving these fantastic “fossil fumaroles.”

Sun Notch Trail - The Sun Notch Trail is less than a mile long. The loop winds through a meadow to the lake rim, offering a different view of Phantom Ship Island.

Vidae Falls - This lovely waterfall is right next to the road, making it easy to stop for a quick photo.

Castle Crest Wildflower Trail - If summer wildflowers bloom, check out Castle Crest Wildflower Trail. This easy, half-mile walk meanders to an enchanting meadow teeming with colorful wildflowers and butterflies.

North Cascades National Park

North Cascades Visitor Center - The North Cascades Visitor Center in Newhalem features nature exhibits, park information, a gift shop, two short films, and an easy boardwalk offering a magnificent view of the Picket Range in the distance.

Newhalem - Spend a couple of hours in Newhalem, a historic Seattle City Light company town. Visit the Skagit Information Center and Skagit General Store, take photos of the historic Number 6 engine and Gorge Inn, and walk the lovely Trail of Cedars across the river. Enjoy breathtaking views from the suspension bridge.

Gorge Powerhouse - From Newhalem, walk or drive to the Gorge Powerhouse and cross another suspension bridge to access the Ladder Creek Falls Trail. The trail is lit every evening, a tradition from the early 1900s showcasing electric power’s wonders.

Gorge Overlook Trail - Enjoy two spectacular views in one stop. Gorge Lake Overlook offers a stunning view of Gorge Dam and Gorge Lake framed by the rugged North Cascade Mountains. A short, paved trail leads to the overlook. Return the way you came or continue the loop on a graveled trail back to the parking area. From the pedestrian walkway across the bridge, view Gorge Creek Falls, a 242-foot cascade feeding into nearby Gorge Lake.

Thunder Knob Trail - Colonial Creek Campground is the launching point for two popular trails: Thunder Knob and Thunder Creek. The 3.6-mile moderate hike up to Thunder Knob features two viewpoints above Diablo Lake with glimpses of surrounding peaks. The easy 4-mile hike along Thunder Creek meanders through old-growth forests to a suspension bridge.

Diablo Lake - A must-see stop along Highway 20! This overlook features breathtaking views of Diablo Lake with stunning turquoise water and the majestic North Cascades towering above.

Ross Dam Trailhead - The 1.5-mile roundtrip trail to Ross Dam offers a unique opportunity to hike down to the Skagit Hydroelectric Project’s largest dam and view this amazing engineering structure up close. From the dam’s top, see the southern end of Ross Lake stretching northward. The moderate trail has a 500-foot elevation gain.

Happy Creek Trailhead - The Happy Creek Forest Walk is an easy and accessible .3-mile loop through old-growth forest. Most of the trail is on a wooden boardwalk winding through impressively tall trees along Happy Creek.

Ross Lake Overlook - Two Ross Lake overlooks along the highway offer partial views of the southern end of this lake visible through the trees. Although Ross Lake is the largest of the three reservoirs along Highway 20, this is the only place to view it from the road.

Rainy Pass - Rainy Pass features a picnic area, restrooms, and two beautiful trails. The easy 2-mile round trip hike to Rainy Lake meanders through lush, mossy forests on a narrow, paved trail to a stunningly beautiful alpine lake surrounded by mountains. For a more challenging hike with breathtaking panoramic views, consider the 6.5-mile Maple Pass Trail. This loop trail gains over 2,000 feet in elevation. It’s one of the best places to view stunning golden larches in the fall.

Blue Lake Trail - The Blue Lake Trail is a moderately strenuous 4.5-mile climb with a 1000-foot elevation gain, but the payoff is worth it. Trek through a beautiful subalpine forest to a crystal-clear mountain lake surrounded by towering granite peaks and teeming with cutthroat trout.

Washington Pass Overlook - A must-see stop on the North Cascades Highway is Washington Pass Overlook. Sitting at 5,500 feet, it’s the road’s highest point and the dividing line between eastern and western Washington. A short interpretive trail offers multiple views of the majestic North Cascades peaks, including Liberty Bell Mountain, Early Winters Spires, and Kangaroo Ridge. Although partially paved, the trail is narrow and includes rock stairs.

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Set off on an unforgettable adventure through the Pacific Northwest with our self-guided audio tour package, which includes Mount Rainier, Olympic, Crater Lake, and North Cascades National Parks!

Wander through lush rainforests, admire volcanic summits, and discover tranquil alpine lakes—all at your own pace.

Our GPS-activated narration provides expert insights, local folklore, and hidden treasures, enhancing your journey without the limitations of group tours. With offline maps and hands-free navigation, you can fully engage with the natural splendor and rich history of these iconic parks.

Join the thousands of travelers who have turned their road trips into enriching experiences—download now and let the Pacific Northwest enchant you!

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