This summer I am planning on a NP tour in Washington state. Maybe spending 2-3 days at each park. Which one would be considered the best to spend the most time in? I will have a 1 year old, a 7 year old and a 14 year old. Thanks!
Washington State National Parks, best one?
- Thread starter TheSiege
- Start date
NuclearNed
Raconteur
- May 18, 2001
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Rainier, hands down. Olympic is great also, and requires a lot of time to adequately see... but Rainier is still the best. I've been to almost all national parks in the lower 48, and Olympic falls into my "top 1/3 of all parks category". Rainier falls into my "top 3 parks" category... on any given day I might even decide it is my favorite of all parks. North Cascades is awesome in its own right, but is difficult to see if you are time constrained and don't have much time to hike. St. Helens is a great park, but unless you are into hiking/climbing, you can pretty much see it in a single day.
EDIT: since you have kids, Olympic has more variety of things to see & do than Rainier. The problem with Olympic is that it is spread out over such a large space, so you end up driving a lot.
EDIT: since you have kids, Olympic has more variety of things to see & do than Rainier. The problem with Olympic is that it is spread out over such a large space, so you end up driving a lot.
MrSquished
Lifer
- Jan 14, 2013
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dainthomas
Lifer
- Dec 7, 2004
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LOVE Rainier. Been camping up there a few times. So many people though (especially in the summer). If you could push the trip out to September, it would be a lot better. We went for the 4th of July one year, and the crowds were nuts and the hiking trails above Paradise were still snowed in. With the heavy snow this year you may have similar issues.
I'd say the scenery at North Cascades is nearly as stunning, but the crowds are much smaller.
If you decide on Olympic, a nice side trip is up to Cape Flattery. A bit of a drive but WELL worth it.
I'd say the scenery at North Cascades is nearly as stunning, but the crowds are much smaller.
If you decide on Olympic, a nice side trip is up to Cape Flattery. A bit of a drive but WELL worth it.
dainthomas
Lifer
- Dec 7, 2004
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I've only stayed at Cougar Rock. It's not as big as Ohanapecosh, but it's probably less than half the distance to Paradise.
MagnusTheBrewer
IN MEMORIAM
- Jun 19, 2004
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Pick one park and spend all your time there. Trying to visit multiple parks with a limited time schedule does justice to none. Contact the park service to find out services and tours during the time of your proposed visit.
Cerpin Taxt
Lifer
- Feb 23, 2005
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I'd say Olympic for the proximity to the coast. Kalaloch is amazing but it can be hard to get a camp site. The reserveable ones book up really quick once they open it up at the start of the season. Then its first come/serve for the rest.
What time of year are you going? In mid-July there could still be snow covering all the trails at Mt Rainier (no reason not to go though!).
I go to each of them 2-3 times a year. For me it's North Cascades (free!), but probably not great for kids at that age range. I mostly agree with the other comments, but don't worry about "doing them justice" - a couple days in a park is pretty good.
Rainier: Spend a few days. Paradise is most people's favorite and has a web of trails. If the wildflowers are blooming it's awesome. The Sunrise area is cool too. You'll probably also have fun driving the windy roads south of the mountain. Carbon river / Mowich entrances are not worth the time. I actually haven't camped at the drive-in campgrounds at Rainier.
North Cascades: At a minimum you could drive along highway 20. It is my favorite road. There are tons of pull-outs. If you're up for a stellar hike (and there's no snow), google pictures of Cascade Pass. Some people, for a scenic drive, go south after that to Wenatchee, then west on highway 2, but that's a long day and I don't think highway 2 adds much.
Olympics: It's all about the coast. The mountains aren't are interesting as NCNP/Rainier and they're not connected to the coast. The Olympic coast is perhaps the most untouched coast in the 48 states and is pretty rugged. Unfortunately, it's quite a drive to the coast - it's the only place I don't day-trip from Seattle.
Other things: St. Helens is interesting (where else can you see a huge mountain blown in half?), but a long drive. The view you see from the visitor center isn't as great as if you climb it. There's nothing else to do other than view the mountain since
I go to each of them 2-3 times a year. For me it's North Cascades (free!), but probably not great for kids at that age range. I mostly agree with the other comments, but don't worry about "doing them justice" - a couple days in a park is pretty good.
Rainier: Spend a few days. Paradise is most people's favorite and has a web of trails. If the wildflowers are blooming it's awesome. The Sunrise area is cool too. You'll probably also have fun driving the windy roads south of the mountain. Carbon river / Mowich entrances are not worth the time. I actually haven't camped at the drive-in campgrounds at Rainier.
North Cascades: At a minimum you could drive along highway 20. It is my favorite road. There are tons of pull-outs. If you're up for a stellar hike (and there's no snow), google pictures of Cascade Pass. Some people, for a scenic drive, go south after that to Wenatchee, then west on highway 2, but that's a long day and I don't think highway 2 adds much.
Olympics: It's all about the coast. The mountains aren't are interesting as NCNP/Rainier and they're not connected to the coast. The Olympic coast is perhaps the most untouched coast in the 48 states and is pretty rugged. Unfortunately, it's quite a drive to the coast - it's the only place I don't day-trip from Seattle.
Other things: St. Helens is interesting (where else can you see a huge mountain blown in half?), but a long drive. The view you see from the visitor center isn't as great as if you climb it. There's nothing else to do other than view the mountain since
BoomerD
No Lifer
- Feb 26, 2006
- 66,704
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We camped at Kalalock a couple of years ago. We were lucky enough to get a spot overlooking the ocean...but we cut the stay short because it rained and rained and rained the entire time we were there. Not just a little drizzle...but DOWNPOURS. (might be why we were lucky enough to get the spot we did) 
Beautiful place though. We might make the drive over again this summer.
Beautiful place though. We might make the drive over again this summer.
Cerpin Taxt
Lifer
- Feb 23, 2005
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I've been to Kalaloch during downpours. It is a real thing. What're you gonna do? The only true rain forest in the lower 48 is like 40 miles away. When it's nice it's spectacular, though.
Its a 2 week vacation. So really I will be in each park probably 4 days. Maybe just 3 in North Cascades. I am coming from Utah, so looking at mountains isnt a big deal, ours are the greatest anyway Probably the last 2 weeks in July is when I will be going. My kids love the coast and we love the forest. Hiking is what my GF and I love, but the kids kind of complain. But they have gone on 5+ mile hikes in Glacier and they dont mind steep trails. Last year they hiked crater lake with me with no problem...mostly. Obviously water features on hikes is always a plus. Our tent is a Kodiak and rain shouldn't be an issue at all. And just for fun I was thinking of staying in a cabin when going to N. Cascades. I was thinking doing Rainier first, then Olympic, and end it with N. Cascades.
Probably the last 2 weeks in July is when I will be going. My kids love the coast and we love the forest. Hiking is what my GF and I love, but the kids kind of complain. But they have gone on 5+ mile hikes in Glacier and they dont mind steep trails. Last year they hiked crater lake with me with no problem...mostly. Obviously water features on hikes is always a plus. Our tent is a Kodiak and rain shouldn't be an issue at all. And just for fun I was thinking of staying in a cabin when going to N. Cascades. I was thinking doing Rainier first, then Olympic, and end it with N. Cascades.
OutHouse
Lifer
- Jun 5, 2000
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ultimatebob
Lifer
- Jul 1, 2001
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I liked Olympic. I drove the Jeep trails in a old Ford Taurus rental car once... I don't recommend that with a car that you actually own
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