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Road Trip All 3 National Parks in Washington State
With nearly 100 different ecosystems, Washington is one of the most diverse and interesting states to visit. Its national parks – Olympic, Mount Rainier, and the North Cascades, are three of Washington’s top destinations. This blog covers how to see all the best sights at each park in one trip.
Waterfall Tour on the North Umpqua Scenic Byway
The North Umpqua Scenic Byway is our favorite highway in Oregon. It follows the stunning Rogue River between Roseburg and the start of the Crater Lake North Highway, making it the perfect route to travel to or from the Oregon coast. Along the way, you can stop at seven easy-to-reach waterfalls.
Mount Baker Road Trip (Sights, Hikes, and Activities)
The Mount Baker Scenic Byway SR 542 starts in Bellingham, Washington, and goes up 5,100 feet of elevation ending at Artist Point. It is one of the most stunning highways in Washington – comparable to driving through Mount Rainier National Park. It’s a fantastic alternative, or addition to, visiting the North Cascades National Park, and is an ideal destination for hikers of all abilities.
Oregon Coast Road Trip Guide (1-6+ Day Itinerary)
We’ve spent years exploring the Oregon coast, and it’s still a place we go back to at any chance we get. It’s beautiful, fun, and so relaxing. This itinerary is best for those wanting a road trip — seeing ALL the best sights and staying in different towns every night.
How to Camp on the Alvord Desert
It’s surprising that the Alvord Desert isn’t better known. It’s like the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah but located in the Pacific Northwest. Near the southeastern tip of Oregon, the desert is nestled at the base of the Steen Mountains, near natural hot springs, and has miles of desert to explore and camp — truly an overlander’s paradise!
Olympic National Park: Best Hikes, Itinerary, and Sights
Covering 922,641 acres, the Olympic National Park is so large and diverse! The park has seven distinct ecosystems, including glaciated mountains, rainforest, and the coast. There is something for everyone to enjoy here, and there is so much to see. We recommend staying between two and seven days near the park.
The Ultimate Cascade Loop Itinerary
The Cascade Loop is a 440-mile road trip through some of Washington’s most gorgeous scenery. As it circles through the Cascade Mountains, it’s the best way to explore the North Cascades National Park. This trip can be completed in one to five days, with epic hikes, waterfalls, and cute towns along the way.
Mount St. Helens Activities
Mount St. Helens is an incredible, and dare we say, underrated area. The volcano has erupted more frequently than any other volcano in the Cascade Range – most recently in 1980, when the blast and record-breaking landslide drastically changed the landscape. Over the years, the landscape has come back to life. Now, you can relive the eruption at visitor centers, view active seismographs, climb the mountain, and laze about rivers in the area.
Mount Rainier National Park Itinerary (From Locals)
At 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands far above the surrounding Cascade Mountains. It’s so distinct that locals refer to it as “the mountain” and have an unofficial motto: “Live like the mountain is out.” We recommend spending between one and five days near the park and suggest erring on the side of more time if you enjoy hiking and scenic drives.
5 One-Day Washington Waterfall Road Trip Guides
Washington state is known for its stunning natural beauty, and one of our favorite ways to experience it is through a scenic road trip. With many waterfalls scattered throughout the state, a day trip spent exploring them is a must-do activity.
