How to Plan an Amazing Washington State Road Trip

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 How Many Days Do You Need for This Road Trip?

The brief version of the more comprehensive response below is at least 14 days, if wanting to see all three national parks in the state. With less time, a great trip can still be planned, but some choices will need to be made and focus a bit.

There will be significant driving (places are more distant than anticipated), but planning carefully and spending at minimum two days across all the parks will create a magical experience.

If planning to visit Washington’s three national parks – Olympic, Mount Rainier, and North Cascades – you`ll need at minimum two weeks.

Adjusting the itinerary to 11 or 12 days seems feasible by omitting the North Cascades, which involves a lengthy drive from the other destinations listed.

Each park merits two to three days at minimum to warrant the quantity of driving you’ll require to connect them.

If you have anything less than 10 days, we’d strongly recommend cutting the North Cascades (a shame, we know) and focusing on Olympic, Mount Rainier, and the Seattle area.

You could still head over to Leavenworth for a day and hike Colchuck Lake trail, but the North Cascades are going to be too distant to justify the travel time.

With 7 days, you can follow a loop itinerary covering the Olympic Peninsula and Mount Rainier. This trip mainly follows the first seven days outlined below. It involves spending around three days exploring Olympic National Park ( a guide is here), three days at Rainier, and one day in Seattle.

While climbing is no longer permitted, one can hike around the base and if remaining for sunset, will be amply rewarded with a breathtaking view.

With more than two weeks available, we’d recommend selecting two places to add a couple extra days each.

The locations we’d consider between are the San Juan Islands,Seattle, and Mount Baker, and we have a “More Time” section below the main itinerary covering what to see, do and where to stay in each place.

The Best Time to Plan a Road Trip in Washington State

This is an extremely important section in this guide, which is why it’s one of the first things we’re discussing.

If hiking in the Cascades region is of interest to you – specifically near Mount Rainier National Park and in North Cascades National Park – your trip timing would need to fall somewhere between late July and mid-October.

Otherwise, high elevation hiking trails (like the ones in both of those parks) will be covered in snow, and some roads and sections of the parks will be closed.

You can still access certain parts of the parks – Paradise at Rainier is open year round (except in notable snow storms) and the North Cascades Highway is usually open up to Ross Dam in the winter and spring (same caveat about storms here), but that’s about it.

The precise timing relies on variables like the year, precipitation levels, and spring temperatures (among other factors), but making your visit in August or September provides the most safety.

The latter portion of July and October could rely on the specific year, but we`ve been to both Rainier and the North Cascades in late July and saw a little snowfall, but nothing serious.

Assess road conditions for Rainier here, and the North Cascades here.

Where to Start and End Your Road Trip

The road trip route below initiates and concludes in Seattle. The most convenient location to fly into is going to be Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), referred to by most local inhabitants of Seattle and its environs as “SeaTac”.

You could restructure this road trip to begin in Seattle and conclude in Portland, if interested in exploring the Portland area towards the end of your travels. As locals, we highly recommend it (naturally, since we reside in Portland).

How to Plan a Perfect 14 Day Washington Road Trip Itinerary

Here is the route that we’d suggest with 14 days in Washington – which highlights all three of the National Parks in Washington State, and forms a large loop around the state starting and ending in Seattle.

• Day 1: Arrival in Seattle, drive to Olympic National Park
• Day 2:Olympic National Park (Hurricane Ridge + Lake Crescent)
• Day 3: Olympic National Park (Around Forks – Rainforests + Beaches)
• Day 4: Olympic National Park (Around Forks – Rainforests + Beaches)
• Day 5: Mount Rainier National Park (Paradise)
• Day 6: Mount Rainier National Park (Paradise)
• Day 7: Mount Rainier National Park (Sunrise)
• Day 8: Bellingham
• Day 9: North Cascades National Park
• Day 10: North Cascades National Park
• Day 11: Leavenworth
• Day 12: Leavenworth
• Day 13: Seattle
• Day 14: Seattle & Fly Home

Of course, that’s just the basic itinerary that we’d recommend. The exact route you take is going to depend on your particular interests, what time of year you’re visiting, and more factors than we can possibly account for here.

We offer plans for shorter and lengthier schedules under the primary itinerary if you have extra or less time.

We’ll do our best to provide you with all the information you need to plan YOUR road trip in Washington, but if we miss something or you have more questions, leave us a comment below and we’ll do our best to either answer your question, or point you to someone who can.

Now that we`ve gone over the important details, let`s delve into the thorough itinerary!

Days 1-4: Olympic National Park

Before delving into the best areas to explore in Olympic National Park, the author felt it sensible to first briefly cover the geography.

Olympic National Park is truly immense. It’s also incredibly diverse – you’ll see everything from towering rock stacks rising from the sandy shoreline on the Pacific Ocean, to the most spectacular temperate rainforest in the United States, with waterfalls everywhere.

To make the most of your time here, you’ll want to follow a counter-clockwise route starting with Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent, shifting west to Forks and the Pacific coastline, and concluding with a southward drive along the shore, incorporating several beach stops along the way.

It also makes practical sense to divide your time in terms of where you lodge, staying two nights in the northern section of the park, and two nights out on the coast near Forks.

You’ll want to spend your initial pair of nights nearPort Angeles, a good base for Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent, then devote the following next couple of nights inForks (yes, that Forks) to explore the Hoh Rainforest and Pacific Beaches.

One other thing: There are no two ways about it – getting from the Olympic Peninsula to Mount Rainier National Recreation Area requires some driving, so be prepared for a long drive at the end of this leg.

Getting to Olympic National Park

On your first day, rent a vehicle and drive out to the Port Angeles area, which makes an ideal home base for Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent.

This is a multi-roaster cafe… ish (more on that in a moment), and when we visited they had coffees from Onyx (the USA), Gardelli (Italy), and Hatch (Canada) available to try.

If you’re arriving from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, you’re already about 30 minutes south of the city, and traffic entering the city is basically a nightmare at all hours nowadays.

We’d opt for the long (and complimentary) route around, because it means you don’t have to deal with navigating into Seattle (which can be a genuine nightmare) and you don’t have to pay the ferry fare (which can be expensive transporting a car).

The drive from SeaTac to Port Angeles should take around two and a half hours, depending on traffic flow.

What to Do in Olympic National Park

Here are some of our favorite activities to engage in within Olympic National Park. Again, it’s a vastly extensive park, so we’ve included the region in parentheses to help you organize your plans.

We’ll also begin from the northern edge around Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent and make our way counter-clockwise, just as we’ve recommended you do, so these places will be mostly in chronological order regarding when you’ll encounter them.

Hike Hurricane Hill (Hurricane Ridge): A pleasant, paved route takes you to the top of Hurricane Hill. From the summit on a clear day, sweeping views extend in all directions, such as Vancouver Island and the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the north, Mount Baker and the San Juan Islands to the west, and the Olympic Range to the south. It’s a relatively easy hike. 3.2 miles / 650 feet elevation gain. More trail information here.

Explore Around Lake Crescent (Lake Crescent): Lake Crescent is a sizable lake on the northern edge of the park. There`s a pleasant trail through the woodlands to the historic Lake Crescent Lodge, which would make a good spot for lunch (if you didn`t pack your own), or a drink alongside the lakeshore. After a break, do the short hike over to Marymere Falls, an effortless stroll through the woods to a beautiful waterfall that is 90 feet tall. If you`re feeling up for an adventure, hike up to Mount Storm King for sweeping views overlooking the lake (it`s a tough hike, and we think there are better options in the park).

Sol Duc Falls (Lake Crescent): A woodland stroll of modest distance results in Sol Duc Falls, a lovely cascade seen from overhead through the means of a timber bridge spanning the river. It is a brief and effortless hike presenting one of our favorite waterfalls in Washington State.

Shi Shi Beach and Cape Flattery (Pacific Coast): The northern Pacific Coast is the more rugged, less frequented stretch of coastline. It takes slightly longer to arrive there (about an hour from the junction on Highway 101), but the scenic drive winds along the northern coast through Neah Bay. It is worth stopping at the Makah Museum to learn about the indigenous tribe inhabiting this area, and obtain a recreation pass needed to park at both locations. Cape Flattery represents the northwestern tip of the contiguous United States, where a short boardwalk leads to fine coastal views. Shi Shi Beach is one of the finest beaches in the park, and also among the least visited. It is a short, relatively easy hike to reach the beach, then you can walk for miles along the shoreline (we’d go to Point of Arches at the southern end of the beach).

Rialto Beach and Hole-in-the-Wall (Pacific Coast): This scenic walk along the beach in Olympic National Park takes you about a mile to a unique rock formation known as Hole-in-the-Wall. Along the way, imposing sea stacks rise up from the water and bald eagles watch from trees above. On our first visit here on a warm summer evening with some clouds, we were amazed by the near-perfect weather, which is rare in this area. Visitors can see towering cliffs and walk through an arch-like opening in the rocks if timing the visit for low tide. Always check tide tables before going.

The other La Push Beaches (Pacific Coast): In our opinion, two of the best beaches near La Push and Forks are Second Beach and Ruby Beach. Second Beach ( link) requires a small amount of hiking to reach, but it`s only a round trip distance of two or three miles, including exploring on the beach. Ruby Beach is directly accessible from the road (near the turnoff to the Hoh Rainforest). Once at either beach, you can enjoy sea stacks just offshore, various driftwood along the water, crashing waves, and towering trees above. There are two additional beaches near Second Beach, First Beach and Third Beach, that are worth visiting if you have extra time available.

The Hoh Rainforest (Hoh Rainforest): The Hoh Rainforest is highly regarded within the park because the coastal temperate rainforest that makes it renowned necessitates very particular conditions to thrive (and it only thrives in a few locations in North America). One of the key aspects? An immense amount of rain. As soon as you enter the rainforest, you’ll comprehend why. Thick moss and a forest floor of ferns cover every inch of the forest here. Definitely do the Hall of Mosses and Spruce Nature Trail, two brief hikes from the parking lot. If you really want to venture farther into the rainforest (and away from the crowds), head out along the Hoh River Trail, which follows the river out into the wilderness (you can go a few miles to Mount Tom Creek where the trail meets the river).

We have an entire guide dedicated to the best activities in Olympic National Park, along with a detailed itinerary for Olympic National Park that will help you plan and organize your time in the park.

Where to Stay in Olympic National Park

As noted above, it makes sense to divide your four nights here into two stints on the northern side of the park and on the coast, which will save you literal hours of travel time.

There are some pretty incredible accommodations in Olympic National Park, ranging from four historic national park lodges (we think they’re cool, but waaaayyy overpriced), to unique treehouses, cozy cabins, and coastal camping.

If you’re interested in outdoor exploration, there are 14 campground areas inside Olympic National Park (along with quite a few along the boundaries).

Just a few campgrounds allow reservations ahead of time, like Sol Duc(ok) , Mora(best campground in the park, 5 minutes from Rialto Beach), and Kalaloch (on the beach, but very busy and crowded).

There are a few additional ones, but those are ones that are in good locations that place you near the places we recommend staying above.

These experiences fill up early, particularly on hot summer weekends and holidays. Visitors should book well in advance.

All other campgrounds within the park operate on a first-arrived, first-served basis, and they certainly fill up on summer weekends (if you show up on a Friday evening expecting an open site, we`ve got some unfortunate news for you).

More details about camping in the park can be found here.

We make frequent trips to Mount Rainier from our home in Portland, usually once or twice each year in early summer. This allows us to see the beautiful wildflower displays that bloom at that time.

There are five (or six, depending on who you ask) areas within Mount Rainier National Park, but realistically you’re unlikely to be able to experience them all with a brief visit to Washington.

With restricted time, we’re going to propose you concentrate on two regions: Paradise and Sunrise.

Your general route for exploring Mount Rainier National Park will be a counter-clockwise semi-loop.

Start in Paradise, the most visited area on the south side of the Mountain, you’ll head east to Ohanapecosh, in the southeast corner of the park, then north to Sunrise, on the eastern side of Rainier.

These three regions – which are among the most popular in the park – will provide some of the best hiking, waterfalls, and dramatic landscapes that make this national park one of the finest on the west coast.

It takes a long, long time to get from Ashford (the town at the southwest entrance to the park, where you’ll be coming in) to Sunrise, and the road is closed until June or July most years.

For that reason, you’ll want to break up your three nights at the park, staying two in Ashford to tour Paradise, and one near Sunrise (minor spoiler: lodging options are limited in that area!) to explore that section of the park and set yourself up for a slightly shorter drive north the next day.

While Pike Place Market is intriguing, the coffee scene is great, and there are some excellent neighborhoods worth exploring. What truly makes Seattle stand out is the natural beauty located just outside the city center.

What to Do in Mount Rainier National Park

Below are some of our favorite activities offered in Mount Rainier National Park.

We`ll commence from the southern edge around Paradise and progress counter-clockwise, matching what we`ve advised you to accomplish, so these things will generally be encountered in the chronological order relating to when you`ll come across them.

The Skyline Trail (Paradise): A highly recommended hike is the Skyline Trail, which along with the Maple – Heather Pass Loop in the North Cascades, tops our list of favorite hikes in Washington State. The hike begins from the main parking area at Paradise, just outside the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center (located here on Google Maps), which is a good spot to check with park rangers about trail conditions before embarking. An early start is best to secure a parking spot, and to enjoy some solitude on the trail. Keep an eye out for marmots, the medium-sized rodent animals that inhabit the rocky high elevations. They’re rather appealing. The hike climbs to Panorama Point, where sweeping 360-degree views include one of the best perspectives of Mount Rainier in the park, and far-reaching scenery taking in the Tatoosh Range, Mount Adams, and Mount St. Helens to the south. We have an entire guide focused on hiking the Skyline Trail, with far more details (including the parking situation, direction to hike, and additional information).

Majestic Cascades (Heavenly): If you hiked the Skyline Trail, you previously viewed Myrtle Falls, which could possibly be the finest waterfall in the park thanks to the outlook of Rainier looming in the background. Two other cascades in the vicinity may virtually be reached by vehicle – Narada Falls ( here on Google Maps) and Christine Falls ( here on Google Maps). Comet Falls, which could potentially be the most impressive of the four regarding the cascade itself, is a steep four mile hike from the trailhead near Christine Falls, which may possibly be a bit much if you`ve already completed the Skyline Trail that day (here’s a guide to hiking to Comet Falls).

Tipsoo Lake and Naches Peak (Sunrise): From the road above Tipsoo, there exists a picture perfect perspective of the lake in the foreground with the glowing peak of Rainier visible in the distance. The light is superb at both sunset and sunrise, which is when we’ve been here, and the peak obtains a brilliant pink glow. This place also serves as the starting point for the Naches Peak Trail, which is one of the best easy hikes in Washington and potentially the greatest value hike in the entire state.

Trekking at Sunrise: The Sunrise section of the park is paradise on earth for hikers who relish alpine terrain and stunning mountain vistas. Which is us. This region is where you’ll find the highest density of the finest treks in Mount Rainier National Park (spoiler alert: they all depart from the same parking area here on Google Maps). Here are three walks we adore, and think you will too. All three of these treks follow a comparable basic route along Sourdough Ridge, where you’ll have astounding perspectives of Rainier and the White River Valley, before diverging at Frozen Lake, heading in three diverse directions.

• The Burroughs Mountain Trail: This trail is one I especially recommend, as it offers views of Mount Rainier truly feeling close enough to touch. Three Burroughs are reached with the first two being relatively easy to access. Reaching the third requires a steep and lengthy climb, but I feel the scenic reward makes the effort worthwhile. More details on the route can be found in my guide to the Burroughs Mountain Trail.
• The Mount Fremont Observation Area: This trail offers impressive scenery from the decommissioned fire observation tower, with a sweeping vista of the surrounding landscape that includes Rainier. The path heads directly at Frozen Lake then climbs up to a ridge that is followed out to the observation area. Keep watch for rock squirrels and pack insect repellent in early summer, as we`ve never encountered more mosquitoes than at the top of this hike. Additional trail details here.
• Berkeley Park: This hike is ideal for experiencing an incredible wildflower display in summer (we had success around the final week of July). The trail heads directly to Frozen Lake, descending into an idyllic meadow full of blankets of wildflowers, bubbling brooks, and… black bears. It`s easy to see why this area is a favorite haunt of the park`s black bear population. Keep aware of your surroundings, make noise along the trail, and you`ll be fine. Further trail information here.

Where to Stay in Mount Rainier National Park

Similar to Olympic National Park, the three nights will be best split between two locations in the park to make the most of the experience. Spending two nights near Paradise, which is a favorite area, and one night at Sunrise, the highest point accessible by road, allow visits to both.

Day 8: Bellingham

Travel time and distance: 3 hours 30 minutes // 165 miles

By this point in the itinerary, you’ve likely logged many hiking miles over the first week, and Bellingham serves as a great place to rest your legs, catch your breath, and reset for the second half which SPOILER ALERT promises even more hiking adventures.

Bellingham possesses a charming small-town quality at its core as the home of Western Washington University. During the summer months when many students are absent, it takes on a quieter atmosphere.

Still, between its location on the water and its quality food and drink scene (thanks to the student population, we`d argue), it’s worth a stop.

What to Do in Bellingham

Bellingham itself is a fairly compact city, though there are some intriguing places to see just outside the municipal boundaries too that should be included, if feasible.

It also has two of the most scenic drives in Washington nearby –Chuckanut Drive, which is a coastal drive south of Bellingham, and Highway 542 or Mt. Baker Highway. While you’re in Bellingham, you should do one of them.

Chuckanut Drive is unequivocally more accessible and would be our top selection– it fits nicely on your route into Bellingham (we have Mount Baker in the “with more time” section).

If an extra day presents itself, then the drive up to Picture Lake and Artist Point along the Mt. Baker Highway is the first thing we’d add. It’s spectacular.

Here is a mapped route along Chuckanut Drive from south to north in the area, ending in Bellingham. This tour includes some noteworthy stops along the journey.

Here are some other places worth visiting, in no explicit order.

Bellewood Farms and Distillery: This is worth traveling northward for. They have an apple orchard that you can wander through, and make all of their spirits solely from apples (so they’re all gluten free!). It’s intriguing to stroll the orchard and see all the various kinds of apples, and the shop has all kinds of apple creations. If you’re there during the fall harvest, stop in for a pick-your-own apples experience.

Frelard Tamales: We are familiar with Frelard from their location in Seattle, and we tend to stop by each time we find ourselves within 10 miles due to their excellent (and sizable) tamales. The area in Seattle is essentially just a pickup window (with a larger, more developed space coming soon!), but their place in Bellingham is bigger with a more extensive menu selection. Plus, they share the space with a brewery, which makes it a perfect spot for lunch or dinner in Bellingham. P.S. the chorizo and cheese tamale reigns supreme.

Camber Coffee: Is Camber one of the top coffee roasters in Washington? It’s in close competition, and I struggle to think of a more steadfast roaster in the state. They have a charming flagship location on a sunny corner downtown in Bellingham with ample indoor and outdoor seating, and it’s worthwhile stopping by for a cup of coffee. They offer pour overs, usually have a couple unique coffees available as espresso, and rotate a menu of quality seasonal lattes that change with the seasons.

Sample some local cider: If you enjoy cider, I have some good news for you. Given all the apples grown nearby, Bellingham is paradise for cider lovers. Be sure to grab a drink at Lost Giants Cider, the finest cidery in town (followed by Bellingham Cider Company) . Even if you`ve never had cider before, it`s worth trying. When in Rome, right?

Where to Stay in Bellingham

We don’t have any strong perspectives on transportation logistics here. With a single night stay, it probably makes sense to locate lodging downtown so you can access all areas on foot. We`ve been considering the Hotel Leo as a weekend getaway option for some time now.

It experiences the least visitors chiefly because it`s the most difficult to access owing to winding mountain roads that close for significant portions of the year and hiking trails covered in snow from October to July (sometimes late July!).

If you enjoy outdoor activities like us (versus, say, beach activities), then the North Cascades are essentially paradise.

The crystal clear alpine lakes surrounded by rugged rocky peaks with views of the Cascades in the background are unmatched, and you should spend most of your time here hiking and exploring the abundant outdoor activities.

The park is located just south of the Canadian border, approximately two hours north of Seattle.

The North Cascades Scenic Highway runs through the park, connecting the wet, moderate areas in western Washington to the drier, more arid climate found east of the Cascades.

They’re all slightly different shades of green and blue, and there are several pools available.

In addition to hiking, other highlights of the park include the stunning turquoise waters of Diablo Lake, the sweeping shores of Ross Lake (only accessible by boat), and scenic views along the road climbing to Washington Pass, the high point on the route between western and eastern Washington.

Spending two days exploring the area would allow one to participate in a couple of the highly rated hiking trails in North Cascades National Park and take in the truly amazing views. If lucky, mountain goats may also be seen. However, they can act aggressively!

One critical note concerning logistics: There are very, extremely few lodgings on the western part of the park (the side closer to Bellingham). Unless you’re camping, we HIGHLY advise staying in the eastern foothills of the Cascades, which positions you closer to the trailheads for our favorite hikes AND closer to your next destination, Leavenworth.

Consider lodging near the charming town of Winthrop. Devote your first day to traveling the full length of the park, stopping for an afternoon hike and scenic views, then spend your second day on the trail (more below).

What to Do in North Cascades National Park

Below are some of our favorite activities to partake in at North Cascades National Park (a hint – hiking is a major part of it!).

The scenic Heather-Maple Pass trail (Trailhead here)– 7.2 miles / 2,000 ft. elevation gain: This hiking route in Washington offers excellent return for modest effort expended. It incorporates appealing natural features like an alpine lake, attaining the summit of a mountain pass affording cardiovascular benefit, and splendid vistas for nearly the whole journey. Wildflowers abound in summer and larches gleam golden in October, quintessentially Washingtonian. At a gentle 7.2 miles loop gaining 2,000 feet, it presents little hardship. We advise the counter-clockwise direction for a more leisurely ascent and steeper yet shorter descent. Hiking poles will spare knees strain. Our guide to traversing the Heather-Maple Pass Loop details the experience.

Cobalt Lake (Trailhead here) – 4.5 miles / 1,100 ft. elevation gain: Another excellent hike that isn’t extremely long or difficult. It takes you to a scenic lake, set between a couple sets of rocky peaks. You’ll climb through the forest, with a little elevation gain along the way. Definitely explore the trail up the hill on the right side of the lake. It’s a 4.4 mile out-and-back hike, with just 1,000 feet of elevation gain.

Hidden Lake Scenic Vista (starting point here) – 8 mile / 3,300 foot elevation climb: This was our initial hike in the North Cascades Mountains, and it certainly set a high benchmark for all future treks. Accessing the trail necessitated a demanding road, so it was fortunate we borrowed my mother`s SUV as our van would never have made the journey (although astonishingly, we saw a Prius at the trailhead). The hike itself was equally taxing – 8 miles in length with a 3,300 foot altitude increase. And it seemed like constant uphill the whole way. But the panoramic views of the nestled lake backed by the Cascade Range at the summit more than compensated for the sore thigh and calf muscles in the days that followed. Overnight stays are possible at the fire lookout tower there, but it`s first come first served and extremely in demand nowadays due to its popularity on social media.”

Park Butte (Trailhead here) – 7.5 miles / 2,200 ft. elevation gain: Although the road to the starting point is a little rough, we managed to access it in our minivan, so most passenger cars should also be able to traverse it. This hike lies outside the park but brings you up to an old fire lookout tower providing an incredible vista of Mount Baker`s southern aspect. Throughout summer, the meadows guiding you to the lookout become blanketed with wildflowers like lupine, and the views of Baker continue improving. Additional trail details here.

From the Washington Pass Overlook, it`s a downhill drive to your base for the evening in the eastern Cascade foothills area.

Where to Stay in North Cascades National Park

If camping isn’t your preference, there really aren’t many good lodging options on the western side of the park, which is the direction you’ll be arriving from.

Which is part of the reason we’d recommend doing the road trip across the Cascades, so that you can stay in Winthrop for the night, which is a beautiful small town in the foothills of the mountains.

There are some great places to stay in Winthrop – including hotels, resorts, and cool cabins. Here are three of our top selects.

• River’s Edge Resort: Situated just off of the main street in town along the Chewuch River, this collection of cottages has options for various group sizes, all with some sort of kitchen amenities.
• Alpine Woods Cabin: Roughly 10 miles to the northwest of Winthrop – meaning 10 minutes nearer to the park – you’ll locate a comfortable cabin encompassed by forests with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an accessible floor scheme with an abundance of windows and natural light.
• Artemisia – Zero Energy Home with a View: Situated at the crest of a hill above the town of Winthrop (yet in near proximity to walk into the village), this four bedroom eco-friendly property powered solely by solar energy is magnificent. It overflows with natural light, offers wonderful views of the surrounding landscapes, and has ample room for larger groups to stay.

If you are up for camping outdoors, stay at Colonial Creek Campground (our top choice, having stayed at both main camping grounds in the park) right on the shores of Diablo Lake, or at Newhalem Campground closer to the western edge of the park.

For whatever worth, we`ve camped at both locations, and we considerably preferred Colonial Creek.

It’s not worth the hassle or expense to rent a car. Public transportation is usually faster, and driving can be perplexing for initial visitors.

In 1925, the railway departed from Tieton, leaving the town with fewer transportation options. After some decades of decline, a community group wanted to revitalize the area. They discussed ways to reignite economic activity.

The winning idea was transforming it into a Bavarian-themed town to attract tourists, which commenced in the 1960’s and has resulted in Leavenworth firmly being on the tourist map sixty years later.

Especially around Christmas, when the town glows with Christmas lights, with carolers singing and mulled wine flowing freely.

For what it’s worth, we’ve been to plenty of kitschy towns that were built up around a theme to attract tourists, and Leavenworth is our favorite of them all, and pulls it off the best.

Everything from the Starbucks branch in town has been built according to strict rules to fully immerse visitors in the Bavarian feel.

We enjoy spending time in Leavenworth due to its good mixture of outdoor activities and city amenities, which is why we`ve chosen to stop there during this road trip. It also serves as a base for a couple excellent nearby hikes, which I`ll discuss later.

What to Do in Leavenworth

Some of our favorite things to do in Leavenworth can be seen here.

Sail downstream on the water: There are few things better on a scorching summer day than diving into the waterway and casually moving with the flow downstream. Here you have two river possibilities! You`ll need to go with a business that can take you northward near the beginning point so you can float southward on the river and exit in the city. Check out Leavenworth Outdoor Center for more details.

Hike to Colchuck Lake: We undertook this spectacular hike as part of our longer backpacking trip in the Enchantments, but the hike to Colchuck Lake is one that should be on your Washington hiking must-do list. It’s an 8 mile return hike that climbs 2,300 feet in elevation, and ends at a crystal clear blue-green gem of a lake. It also makes a great overnight backpacking trip, and serves as the gateway for backpacking in the Enchantments (but to get there, you have to climb Aasgard Pass, which climbs 2,900 feet in less than a mile. Whoof).

Partake in the Beverages of Wine, Beer, and Cider: For reasons unknown, Leavenworth has numerous alcohol beverage creators who have tasting rooms along the town streets. For wine, visit Icicle Ridge Winery or Archibald James (who also crafts great cider), for local beer go to Icicle Brewing Company (who has a wonderful outside area, perfect for an afternoon drink), and for cider go to Leavenworth Cider House or Bushel & Bee Taproom.

Consume a Sausage or Three: One of the first things that comes to mind when considering German cuisine (specifically, Bavarian) tends to be items like beer, sausage, and pork knuckle – and that`s what we recommend sampling in Leavenworth! The Leavenworth Sausage Garten is a top choice for post-hike sausage and beer or cider intake, though München Haus across the street offers a close second option with pretzels, sausages, beer mugs, and additional German-style snack and drink selections. Be sure to make a stop at Whistlepunk Ice Cream (a favorite of Alysha!) afterwards for a well-earned post-hike dessert!

Wine Tasting: Although unexpected, this region is known for producing wine. There are tasting facilities located within the town as well as just outside to the east. Head to Icicle Ridge Winery or Silvara Cellars to browse a vineyard with superb views over the surrounding scenery and Wenatchee River, or simply check out one of the numerous tasting rooms in Leavenworth itself. Go to Bergdorf during winter for their gluhwein, a German flavored wine that is best when warm. My younger brother and I drank our body weight in it every night while exploring the Christmas markets in Germany.

Whitewater Rafting on the Wenatchee River: For a few weeks between June and late July, the Wenatchee River provides some of the most convenient whitewater rafting located in Washington. It ranges from class II to III difficulty, making it an ideal spot for your initial whitewater rafting experience. I`ve personally rafted there multiple times since I once worked for a company operating in that region. You should understand that your visit will vary tremendously depending on water levels for that year, which are impossible to foresee. Don`t make arrangements too far in advance or you risk having to transport the raft by foot for parts of the excursion. Typically the best timeframe is June through early July. Go with Blue Sky Outfitters (full disclosure – I was an employee there during my college years long ago).

Permits are required to camp on the shore, and bear vaults must be brought.

Where to Stay in Leavenworth

As a prominent tourist location, the town of Leavenworth has plenty of great lodging options.

I am fond of Loge Hotel Company whose environmentally-focused accommodations include a centrally located Leavenworth property, as well as a collection of riverfront cabins that I have personally stayed at and enjoyed.

Another choice we’d suggest is the Bavarian Lodge, which is as central as it gets and consistently receives shining reviews.

If you’re camping, stay at Eightmile Campground (we’ve camped there!), which is a nice shaded area about 15 minutes outside of town, positioning you excellently to tackle Colchuck and the entrance to the Enchantments on your second morning, if you’re up for the hike.

Seattle has transformed significantly in recent decades, with some parts of the city now entirely unrecognizable from when Matt was earlier in college.

The influx of money, mostly from the thriving tech industry, has had a significant impact on the form and feel of the city that Matt comments on every time we’re in Seattle.

For us, Seattle is at its best in areas outside downtown like Fremont, Ballard, and Capitol Hill (among others). That`s where we tend to find ourselves drawn to when visiting.

With a couple of days in Seattle (really about a day and a half), we`d recommend dividing your time equally between exploring the primary sights in Downtown Seattle – Pike Place Market and the Seattle Center – and one or two of those aforementioned neighbourhoods.

Regarding travel between Leavenworth and Seattle: The route connecting Leavenworth to Seattle involves crossing Snoqualmie Pass, home to some of the finest hiking trails near Seattle. Depending on one`s ability and interest, stopping to hike en route could be worthwhile – Snow Lake offers an appealing option.

Regardless, you`ll definitely want to stop by Snoqualmie Falls ( here on Google Maps), a powerful waterfall 40 minutes outside the city (make sure to view both the upper and lower viewpoints).

What to Do in Seattle

You only have a couple of days in Seattle if you include the day you arrive, which is included. You’re going to want to experience the highlights, which is what you’ll find below.

Pike Place Market: A tremendously renowned attraction in Seattle, Pike Place Market lives up to its fame and surpasses expectations. Though the also reputable but generally uninspired gum wall, which when truly focusing on it is wholly unpleasant considering the matter, cannot be stated similarly. In any case, walk through the market and check out the vendors selling everything from candied nuts to flowers, and obviously, the flying salmon. Stop by Rachel’s Ginger Beer,Beecher’s Cheese (their signature cheese is one of my top three favorites ever), and Elleno’s Frozen Greek Yogurt while you’re there. To delve further, take this incredible led tour of Pike Place with a Local Chef, which my family has participated in previously.

Discovery Park: Discovery Park showcases Seattle`s natural splendor through forested areas and shorelines along Puget Sound. One can embark on an leisurely walk to the western edge of Seattle where the Pacific Ocean comes into view. The West Point Lighthouse is rather intriguing and well worth the three mile round trip hike to reach it. As per our recommendation, the loop trail highlighted above offers the finest hiking experience in Seattle.

Discover Capitol Hill: This area remains a favorite of ours! As locals refer to it as “Cap Hill”, it houses the best variety of meals, drinks, and coffee found in the city. It overflows with intriguing spots to briefly visit, regardless of whether you seek plant-based frozen treats or an exclusive boutique with mysterious goods. Some of our favored stops include Espresso Vivace and Victrola Coffee for premier locally roasted coffee. Frankie and Jo’s and Molly Moons offer delightful regional soft serve (Frankie and Jo’s uses entirely plant-based and gluten-free ingredients!). Elliott Bay Books represents the finest independent bookshop in Seattle.

The Underground Tour: A little eccentric and unconventional, somewhat like Seattle, the Underground Tour is worthwhile doing while you’re in Pioneer Square. The tour guides are amusing, and you get to learn about the history of Seattle from a marginally diverse perspective.

Seattle Center: While the views from the top of the Space Needle are appealing, I do not really suggest making a trip there. The scenery can be witnessed (you may want to check out the superb perspectives afforded by Kerry Park situated nearby – its accessible here on Google Maps), but it is expensive and rather underwhelming. Seattle Center does offer some appealing attractions though. MoPopis a must for those interested in music and culture, housing various exceptional and fascinating exhibits about music and pop culture not available anywhere else globally. The Chihuly Garden and Glass provides a one-of-a-kind artistic installation featuring hand blown glass in diverse shapes and sizes. The Pacific Science Center serves as a fantastic activity for children, with interactive exhibits ideal for a perfect rainy afternoon activity in Seattle.

Read More:Details on How to Spend 2 Days Exploring Seattle

Where to Stay in Seattle

If you’re in town for a couple of nights, you’re going to want to stay somewhere relatively central to maximize your time.

The underscored best campsite for the Hurricane Ridge area is Heart o’ Hills Campground (FCFS), though you could also camp at the link to Fairholme Campground on Lake Crescent (reservations).

A note on parking in Seattle: If you possess a vehicle (which you almost undoubtedly do), parking will be either a) expensive or b) a nightmare. Sometimes, both. Our strong suggestion is to pay for parking at your lodging and leave the vehicle there for the bulk of the couple of days in the city. It will be more of an encumbrance than assistance if you try to drive everywhere.

What to Add with More Time in Washington State

If you have extra time while in Washington State, we offer a few suggestions.

Multiple destinations highlighted below – such as the San Juan Islands archipelago and Mount Baker Wilderness vicinity – are included among our favorite areas statewide. However, with more constrained timing, venturing so far may impede fitting all into the itinerary.

If you’re interested in exploring more in and around Seattle, you could easily fill another 1-3 days eating, drinking, and wandering your way through the city (not to mention the great areas just outside of the city).

It’s also worth noting that with a day or two more in each national park, one still wouldn`t run out of sights and activities.

That`s another way to make use of extra free time, and we`d advise reviewing our more detailed guides to each of those parks for additional information about activities for utilizing spare time.

In any case, here are three additional astonishing places in Washington to consider adding to your road outing itinerary.

The San Juan Islands (1-3 Days)

This island chain northwest of Seattle was a beloved summer escape from the city for us.

The temperature is somewhat cooler now, providing an excellent time to explore the islands by kayak (though special care is required due to the hazardous waters, making guided trips necessary for most).

Plus, orca whales! 

The two main islands are San Juan Island, home to Friday Harbor and the Lime Kiln Lighthouse (where to view orcas from shore), and Orcas Island, home to Mount Constitution and some good hiking trails.

One island can be explored in one day or overnight, both would require around three days and two nights. Clearly, more time could easily be spent (we allocated a full week between San Juan Island and Orcas Island last summer).

As you may have presumed, we offer guides to the most enjoyable activities on San Juan Island, where Matt used to devote a week each summer developing as a youth, and directories to Orcas Island.

Mount Baker (1-3 Days)

Mount Baker, specifically the north side along highway 542, is among the most underappreciated hiking destinations in the Pacific Northwest, in our view.

It’s difficult to access, with higher elevation trails covered in snow into August in some years, and the snow creeping back in by early October, but those two months are pure bliss for lovers of alpine scenery.

Additionally, there are significantly fewer individuals on the trails than in any of the national parks, even the North Cascades which is relatively undiscovered compared to Rainier and Olympic.

Definitely explore the Chain Lakes Loop and Yellow Aster Butte, and go to Picture Lake ( here on Google Maps) and Artist Point ( here on Google Maps) for outstanding views

Here’s our guide to hiking near Mount Baker.

Spend Time in Seattle (1-3 Days)

One may have noticed that following the itinerary for Washington as written would result in spending about a day and a half exploring Seattle. While enough time to view major attractions, it is not sufficient to truly experience what defines the city.

We adore Seattle, and it’s well worth an extra day or two at the end of your trip to unwind after days spent hiking and exploring.

There are two possible routes – one that involves driving into Seattle and taking an expensive ferry to Bainbridge Island, and one that involves driving around to the south and taking the Narrows Bridge in Tacoma to get onto the Peninsula.

It’s also worth taking a ferry ride across the water to spend a day trip to Bainbridge Island,which can be anywhere from a half day excursion to a full day, depending on how much time you want to dedicate out there.

See all of our Seattle guides here, covering day trips, activities, hikes, and more.

What to Do with Less Time in Washington State

If you have less than 14 days, you can still definitely plan an amazing trip, and you’ll have plenty of places left to see on a return visit!

For each alternative route, we`ll provide a high-level perspective on how we`d envision your time unfolding, accompanied by a sample condensed itinerary. Then, refer back to previous applicable sections for more planning details.

With 10 Days

As we stated at the beginning, with 10 days in Washington State, we’d reduce the North Cascades and Bellingham and focus on Rainier, Olympic, and Seattle. Here’s what that resembles.

• Day 1: Arrive in Seattle, Travel to Olympic National Park via Bainbridge Island
• Day 2: Olympic National Park
• Day 3: Olympic National Park
• Day 4: Olympic National Park
• Day 5: Mount Rainier National Park (Paradise)
• Day 6: Mount Rainier National Park (Paradise)
• Day 7: Mount Rainier National Park (Sunrise)
• Day 8: Leavenworth
• Day 9: Seattle
• Day 10: Seattle & Fly Home

With 7 Days

With 7 days in Washington State, we strongly feel you should essentially remove the North Cascades from the primary itinerary above and focus your entire trip on Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park.

Depending on your interests, you could trim a day at Rainier to spend in Seattle instead.

Here’s what that looks like. 

• Day 1: Arrive in Seattle, travel to Olympic National Park (Port Angeles)
• Day 2: Olympic National Park – Lake Crescent & Hurricane Ridge
• Day 3: Explore the Rainforest and Pacific Beaches of Olympic National Park
• Day 4: Olympic National Park & drive to Mount Rainier National Park
• Day 5: Mount Rainier National Park (Paradise)
• Day 6: Mount Rainier National Park (Sunrise) & Drive to Seattle
• Day 7: Seattle & Fly Home

With 5 Days

If you really hurry, you can fit both Rainier and Olympic into 5 days. But you’ll have to omit certain sections of both parks to make it work.

Here’s how we’d organize that trip.  

• Day 1: Arrive in Seattle, drive to Olympic National Park (Port Angeles) and Hurricane Ridge
• Day 2: Olympic National Park – Day Trip to Pacific Coast & Hoh Rainforest
• Day 3: Travel to Mount Rainier National Park (Paradise)
• Day 4: Mount Rainier National Park (Paradise & Ohanapecosh) & Drive to Seattle
• Day 5: Seattle & Fly Home

With 3 Days

With 3 days in Washington, you really only have adequate time to experience one national park thoroughly. We’d select one and follow the itinerary in the main section above for that lone park, spending any additional time you end up with in Seattle.

For example, here is an idea focusing on Olympic National Park.

• Day 1: Arrive in Seattle, Travel to Olympic National Park (Forks)
• Day 2: Explore the Rainforest and Pacific Beaches of Olympic National Park
• Day 3: Olympic National Park – Lake Crescent & Hurricane Ridge & Drive to Seattle

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