The Best Washington Road Trip: 7-Day Washington National Park Road Trip
Welcome to your guide to the ultimate 7-day Washington road trip itinerary through Washington’s national parks! Washington has three incredible national parks that have everything from rainforests to beaches to mountains.
When we visited Washington, we wanted to see all three national parks in one week. We created an epic itinerary that allowed us to see everything the national parks offered in seven days!
This guide will review everything you need to know to plan the best Washington road trip, including the best Washington itinerary to North Cascades National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, and Olympic National Park!
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Tips for Planning a Washington National Park Road Trip
Give yourself time to drive to each park. The only thing that is not the best about a Washington road trip through Washington’s national parks is each national park is about 5 hours from each other. When you are planning your Washington state road trip, I recommend allocating about 6-7 hours of driving time to each national park to cover traffic and any stops along the way. I would also try to avoid driving through Seattle during rush hour. A road trip to Washington’s national parks is one of the most popular road trips from Seattle, so expect traffic if visiting on the weekends.
Arrive at the national parks early. The national park entrances can have long wait lines, so I recommend arriving before 9:00 AM or after 2:00 PM. Usually, the park entrances are most crowded from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM. You can always check the national park webcams to see how traffic is getting into the park as well.
Get your permit for Mount Rainier National Park in advance. Mount Rainier National Park now has a timed entry reservation system for entering the park between 7 AM to 3 PM during May through September for Paradise and July through September for Sunrise. You should get these as far in advance as possible since Mount Rainier National Park is a busy park. If you do not have a permit, you can still enter the park before 7 AM and after 3 PM.
Pack food and water for your days in each national park. Washington’s national parks do not have many grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants nearby, so I recommend getting everything you need before you head into the national park.
Get the America the Beautiful Annual Pass if you are visiting North Cascades National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, and Olympic National Park in one trip. The America the Beautiful Annual Pass will allow you into any national park and federal recreation land for a year!
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some of these spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
What to Pack for a Washington Road Trip
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.
Day 1 of the Washington National Park Road Trip
I recommend flying into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to begin your epic week-long Washington road trip through Washington’s National Parks.
Once you arrive, you can pick up your car rental or campervan for the week before beginning one of the best road trips from Seattle. I recommend getting your grocery shopping done before leaving Seattle because there are not many grocery stores near the national parks. Safeway is a great grocery store that has the most variety of food and other products you will need.
Once you have everything ready to go, it is time to make the 3-hour drive to North Cascades National Park. North Cascades National Park does not require an entrance fee, but it does require a Northwest Forest Pass to park at trailheads. The America the Beautiful Annual Pass allows you to park at the trailheads without an additional fee.
As you drive towards North Cascades National Park, you will be in awe of the incredible mountains in front of you. Get ready for some of the most beautiful places in Washington and one of the most scenic drives in Washington state!
Note: North Cascades National Park can have winter conditions on its trails through July. The trails that have winter conditions in North Cascades National Parks will have snow and ice. It is very important to read trail reviews before planning a hike and pack the proper hiking gear.
The Gorge Lake Overlook is one of the first sights to stop at once you are in North Cascades National Park. The 0.5-mile paved trail provides incredible views of the bright blue waters of Gorge Lake. Before heading back to the car, I recommend crossing the street to the bridge to see the Gorge Creek Falls.
Thunder Knob Trail is a beautiful and easy 3.6-mile trail that has multiple viewpoints overlooking Colonial Peak and Diablo Lake.
Diablo Lake Overlook is one of the most popular spots in North Cascades National Park and is known to be one of the most beautiful places in Washington. The beautiful overlook doesn’t require a hike and provides incredible views of the turquoise waters of Diablo Lake. I highly recommend visiting Diablo Lake Overlook during sunset. Fun fact: Diablo Lake is actually a man-made reservoir, and Diablo Dam provides electricity to Seattle.
WHERE TO STAY:
North Cascades National Park does not have many hotel options in the national park, so if you aren’t staying in a campground, you will have to find accommodation an hour outside of the park. Marblemount and Winthrop are two small towns that have hotels, gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores nearby.
Ross Lake Resort, Colonial Creek Campground, and Gorge Lake Campground are great places to stay near Diablo Lake. Klipchuck Campground, Lone Fir Campground, and Early Winters Campground are great places to stay near the hikes for Day 2 of the Washington state road trip. Winthrop also has hotels and is the closest town.
Day 2 of the Washington National Park Road Trip
I hope Day 1 of your Washington road trip made you excited for what is to come! Today will be a day filled with as much hiking as you want in North Cascades National Park and a long drive to Olympic National Park, so I recommend waking up as early as you can to start your day.
Washington Pass Overlook is one of the most accessible trails in North Cascades National Park. An easy half-mile paved path leads you to an incredible view of Liberty Bell and Washington Pass. After the first overlook, the trail becomes steep and unpaved and brings you to a higher viewpoint.
Heather-Maple Pass will be one of your favorite hikes in North Cascades National Park because, in my opinion, it is one of the most beautiful places in Washington! The beautiful 7.2-mile trail brings you over two passes that offer endless views. I recommend hiking the Heather-Maple Pass Loop counterclockwise and heading to Heather Pass first. I highly recommend taking the time to visit both Lake Ann and Rainy Lake, which have trails off of the Heather-Maple Pass Lop!
If you have extra time in North Cascades National Park, you can add the below to your trip, as well.
Cascades Pass and Sahale Arm is a strenuous but beautiful hike. The 12-mile hike gains over 4,000 feet of elevation but is worth every step to get the stunning views of mountains, glaciers, and valleys.
Blue Lake is an incredible alpine lake surrounded by wildflowers, mountains, and meadows. And the best part? Blue Lake only requires an easy 4.4-mile hike!
After a long day of hiking, it is time to make the 5+ hour drive to Port Angeles in Olympic National Park. There are multiple ferries you can take to get to Olympic National Park, or you can drive the entire way. Both take about the same amount of time.
Pro tip: Check the ferry webcams before deciding what you want to do. Sometimes, the wait to take the ferry can be over an hour because Olympic National Park is one of the most popular road trips from Seattle.
If you have time once you arrive in Olympic National Park, I highly recommend watching the sunset on Hurricane Ridge. Hurricane Ridge is a beautiful 17-mile scenic drive in Washington state that leads to the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, which has beautiful views overlooking the mountains of Olympic National Park.
Day 3 of the Washington National Park Road Trip
Today you are waking up in the beautiful Olympic National Park! I suggest setting an early alarm because you have had a long but incredible day of adventuring every corner of the Olympic Peninsula.
Note: Olympic National Park is the most visited national park in Washington, with over 3 million visitors per year. It can be very crowded, and sometimes traffic will be stopped at park entrances if the parking lots are overflowing, so I recommend starting your day early. Most of the must-see sights in Olympic National Park are about an hour from each other, so I recommend including the driving time in your itinerary to accurately plan your trip!
If you weren’t able to visit Hurricane Ridge for sunset, I highly recommend going for sunrise. The views from the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center’s parking lot will not disappoint. There also is an easy 3.2-mile trail to Hurricane Hill if you are looking for something to wake you up!
Mount Storm King is one of the most popular hikes in Olympic National Park. The strenuous 4-mile trail provides beautiful views overlooking Lake Crescent. Note: This is a strenuous hike and gains over 2,000 feet of elevation. Just before the lookout, multiple sections require you to use your full body and a rope to climb up the trail. There is a long dropoff next to the trail, so it is crucial to be very careful hiking this section. If you are afraid of heights or it has recently rained, I recommend skipping this hike. I also recommend wearing hiking boots that have a good grip.
Marymere Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Washington. The easy 1.8-mile trail begins on the same trail as Mount Storm King and leads you to an upper viewpoint and lower viewpoint. In my opinion, the lower viewpoint provides the best views. If you hike Mount Storm King, you can add this to your hike before heading back to the parking lot.
If you visit in the summer and are hot from the hikes, I highly recommend taking a dip in Lake Crescent. There are a few small beach areas across from the Storm King Ranger Station.
Rialto Beach is one of several incredible beaches in Olympic National Park and is a great place to watch the sunset. The beach has large pieces of driftwood on the beach and sea stacks in the ocean. You can also hike to the infamous Hole-in-the-Wall. The easy 1.5-mile trail to the Hole-in-the-Wall travels along Rialto Beach to a beautiful sea stack with a hole in it. People come here to take the classic photo of standing in the sea stack. Note: Make sure to check the tide schedule posted before the trail near the restrooms before hiking to the Hole-in-the-Wall. It is a classic spot to watch the sunset, but high tide makes it nearly impossible to hike along the beach because the water comes up to the stacks of driftwood.
Once you have watched the beautiful sunset on Rialto Beach, it is time to head to your accommodation and get a good night’s rest to prepare for the next day of your Washington state road trip.
WHERE TO STAY:
Olympic National Park is huge, so there are a few different towns you can find accommodations while visiting, with the most common being Port Angeles and Forks. Both towns have hotels, gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores.
Mora Campground, Riverview RV Park, and Three Rivers Resort are great campgrounds near Rialto Beach.
Day 4 of the Washington National Park Road Trip
Are you rested and ready to explore some beaches and rainforests? Today is going to be a fun-filled day in Olympic National Park before beginning the drive to Mount Rainier National Park.
If you are feeling up for it, you could get up for the early morning golden hour on Third Beach, Second Beach, or First Beach. Third Beach is the most accessible of the three, only requiring a short walk from the parking lot to the beach. Second Beach is the most beautiful, in my opinion, and requires an easy 2-mile hike. First Beach requires an easy 3-mile hike. No matter which beach you choose to visit, you will have stunning ocean views.
After taking in the ocean air, it is time to visit Olympic National Park’s most popular rainforest! Hoh Rainforest is considered one of the most beautiful places in Washington and is a stunning rainforest that used to be a part of a larger one, spanning from California to Alaska. The Hall of Mosses is an incredible 0.8-mile trail that leads you through huge moss-draped trees in an old-growth forest. The Spruce Nature Trail is an easy 1.2-mile trail that loops through new-growth and old-growth forests along the Hoh River. You will be in awe of the beauty of the Hoh Rainforest!
Ruby Beach is yet another beautiful beach in Olympic National Park. There are multiple areas along Ruby Beach that all offer incredible views of sea stacks in the ocean.
Did you know Olympic National Park has another rainforest?! Quinault Rainforest isn’t as well-known as Hoh Rainforest but is just as beautiful. The Quinault Rainforest Nature Trail is a 0.5-mile loop that travels under stunning moss-draped trees and connects with many other trails that travel along creeks and to waterfalls.
Once you are finished exploring Olympic National Park, it is time to begin the 5-hour drive towards the Paradise section of Mount Rainier National Park. The drive does not include a ferry ride, so you don’t have to worry about that.
WHERE TO STAY:
The most common place to stay near Mount Rainier National Park is in Ashford. The small town has hotels, gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores.
Ashford is 45 minutes from Paradise and 2 hours from the Sunrise Visitor Center. If you can stay at campgrounds, I highly recommend it because the campgrounds are closer to the must-see sights.
Day 5 of the Washington National Park Road Trip
Today is your first day in Mount Rainier National Park! Mount Rainier is considered one of the most beautiful places in Washington, and you will be seeing it for the next few days!
Mount Rainier has five sections: Longmire, Paradise, Ohanapecosh, Sunrise, and Carbon River/Mowich Lake. Sunrise and Paradise are the most popular and can become very crowded early in the day. Hotels and campgrounds near Sunrise and Paradise book up quickly, so I highly recommend planning out your trip and booking your accommodations as early as you can.
Note: Mount Rainier National Park is the second most visited national park in Washington, with over 2 million visitors per year. The most popular sights become very crowded, so I recommend arriving at those spots before 8:00 AM or after 4:00 PM. Most of the parking lots are large and have overflow parking, but they fill up quickly, especially on weekends.
Comet Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Washington, standing at 300 feet tall. A 3.8-mile trail leads you to the stunning falls. The trail gains over 1,000 feet of elevation, most of which is gained as you climb a ladder on a rock face. Once you are past that section of the trail, you are rewarded with the first of many viewpoints of Comet Falls. The best view is at the very end of the trail where you have an up-close and personal experience with the falls.
The Skyline Trail will quickly become your favorite trail in Paradise. The 6-mile trail loops you through wildflowers, past glaciers, and near waterfalls while providing incredible views of Mount Rainier. It also brings you to Panorama Point, which offers incredible views of Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Hood on clear days. The Skyline Trail connects with a large trail system, so it is very important to pay close attention to every trail sign to make sure you are on the correct trail.
If you are looking for a short but rewarding hike, the Alta Vista Trail is perfect. The 1.8-mile trail travels through meadows of wildflowers while providing incredible views of Mount Rainier.
Myrtle Falls is another beautiful waterfall in Washington that is perfectly positioned underneath a view of Mount Rainier. You will see many photographers with tripods hiking the 0.8 miles to get the classic shot!
Paradise can become very crowded, so if you are looking to escape the crowds, the hike to Plummer Peak and Pinnacle Saddle is perfect! The 3-mile trail gains over 1,500 feet of elevation, so it is steep, but it is well worth the effort for the beautiful views! I highly recommend hiking to Plummer Peak and Pinnacle Saddle for sunset if you feel comfortable.
Looking for a beautiful sunset spot that doesn’t require a hike? Reflection Lake is the perfect spot! When the water is calm, you can capture a beautiful reflection of Mount Rainier in Reflection Lake.
What an amazing day exploring everything the Paradise section of Mount Rainier National Park has to offer! You can either stay in the same hotel or campground you had the previous night or spend the night at the Ohanapecosh Campground.
Day 6 of the Washington National Park Road Trip
Today is your last full day in Mount Rainier National Park, so you are going to make the most of it! The day will be filled with the most hiking you will do on your Washington state road trip, so make sure to fuel up and pack a lot of food before heading out for the day!
Grove of the Patriarchs (NOTE: Currently closed due to trail damage. Read more here.) is a classic hike in Mount Rainier National Park. The easy 1.5-mile trail travels past some of the largest trees you will ever see! Grove of the Patriarchs is home to cedars, hemlocks, and Douglas-firs that are 40 feet wide and 300 feet tall! The trail will leave you feeling small in a good way.
If you are feeling up to adding a short but sweet hike to your day before heading to the Sunrise section of Mount Rainier National Park, the Naches Peak Loop is perfect! The easy 3.2-mile trail brings you through beautiful wildflower fields and provides incredible views of Mount Rainier.
It’s now time to drive to the Sunrise section of Mount Rainier National Park, and Burroughs Mountain will be your first of two hikes there! Burroughs Mountain Trail is a strenuous 9-mile hike beginning at the Sunrise Visitor Center. The trail travels over three mountains: First Burroughs, Second Burroughs, and Third Burroughs. If you aren’t up to hike the entire trail to Third Burroughs, you can turn around at First Burroughs or Second Burroughs. All three peaks have incredible views of Mount Rainier!
Now it’s time to relax before your sunset hike to Fremont Lookout! Fremont Lookout is a classic hike to a cabin on Mount Fremont that was built in 1934 and is considered one of the most beautiful places in Washington. The trail to Fremont Lookout is 5.6 miles and gains over 1,200 feet of elevation. The final stretch of the trail leading to the lookout is the steepest section, but it is worth the final push for the 360° views of Mount Rainier, Berkeley Park, and Grand Park.
WHERE TO STAY:
What a long but incredible day! Can you believe it is the last night of your Washington state road trip through Washington’s national parks? The only thing I didn’t enjoy about the Sunrise section in Mount Rainier National Park is the lack of accommodation options. You can continue staying in the same accommodation in Ashford or move closer to the Sunrise section.
White River Campground and Silver Springs Campground are great options for campgrounds. The closest hotel is the Alta Crystal Resort, but it can be pricey. There are also a few hotels near Enumclaw in the northern section of Mount Rainier National Park.
Day 7 of the Washington National Park Road Trip
It’s the last day of your incredible Washington road trip through Washington’s national parks! What an epic week exploring Washington, but it isn’t over, yet! Depending on when your flight is and where you stayed the previous night, there are a few other things you can do.
Suntop Lookout is an incredible way to say goodbye to Mount Rainier. If the gate near the top is open, you can drive to the top of Suntop Lookout, but if it is closed, you will have to 1 mile to the top. Either way, you have incredible views of Mount Rainier.
Tolmie Peak Lookout has one of the four remaining historic fire towers in Mount Rainier National Park. The 6.5-mile trail travels along the largest lake in the national park, Mowich Lake, through an old-growth grove, and under basalt columns before leading you to stunning views of Mount Rainier.
If you want to do something more relaxing, you can explore Seattle! There is so much to do and see, including a tour of the Seattle Underground. The Seattle Underground is a series of basements and hallways of the old city that the new city was built over. It’s pretty cool to learn about it!
Wow! What an incredible Washington road trip through Washington’s national parks! This guide is a great starting point to plan and build an incredible Washington road trip itinerary to North Cascades National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, and Olympic National Park.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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