One Week in Washington State: Exploring the National Parks- There is so much to be explored in the State of Washington. We started with the National Parks, which we were there for one week an a half, about 10 days. We had 10 full days to make our itinerary and schedule for the Pacific Northwest. This schedule is for the summer months of May, June, July or August schedule for Washington due to the long daylight hours and less snow on the mountain tops for higher elevation hikes.

This itinerary is best for the person would loves hiking (both short and long), scenic views, and doesn’t mind moving quickly to see a lot. If you can get a rental car or campervan (like we did with Campervan North America) it would be best for this itinerary as well. You can read about our experience renting a campervan in Washington. Staying in the National parks, tent or campervan will put you in a spot to make the best use of your time in these area. This schedule is possible with a rental car and staying in AirBnB’s or hotels, I listed suggested options below.

*I had a sprained ankle, so we did a lot of the shorter hikes in the National Parks.

Check out my post on What To Pack For Washington State in the Summer.

Overview

On this route you will get to see the following highlights of Washington, Blue Lakes, mountains, small towns, the best of the National Parks and more!

North Cascades National Parks
Diablo Lake
Blue Lakes and Mountain Tops
Winthrop
Wineries and Breweries
Leavenworth
Mt. Rainier National Park
Olympic National Park
Beaches
Lavender Fields
Fremont and Seattle

A Short Outline By Day

1: Arrive, Drive to North Cascades National Park
2: NCNP, Small Hikes, Diablo Lake
3: NCNP, Blue Lake Hikes, Winthrop town
4: Drive to Mt Rainer, stopping in Chelan and Leavenworth
5: Mt. Rainier, Paradise side
6: Mt. Rainier, Sunrise side
7: Drive to Olympic National Park, beach and rain-forest stops
8: Olympic National Park, Hurricane Ridge and Lakes
9: Drive to Seattle, downtown
10: Explore Seattle

Days 1-3 (Arrive and North Cascades National Park)

Day 1: Pick Up Car and Drive

Our first day was dedicated to just arriving, picking up our van and heading to our first National Park, the North Cascades. We got lucky with an early flight and Campervan North America being flexible to let us pick up our campervan early.

Once we got the van we made some stops at Trader Joes and REI to pick up some freeze dried meals and fresh food to cook during our first stop. From there it took us about 2 hours to drive to our first stop.

On the way into the park we stopped at the Visitors Center at North Cascades. Here we took in some information on hikes for the next day, history of the park and even took the Sterling Munro Trail a short 300 feet boardwalk stroll to the Pickett Range Viewpoint. This could be easily skipped if tight on time.

From here we went ahead and stopped at the popular Diablo Lake Lookout before checking into our campsite to see it at sunset.

We stayed at Colonial Creek Campground, make sure to book ahead of time as it is often sold out.

Another option of a place to stay if not camping would be in Winthrop. This park is hard to explore if not camping, you just have to make long drives in the morning or evening.

If planning to visit the North Cascades National Park be sure to check out The Best AirBnB Rentals for the North Cascades all these cabins look so cozy!

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Day 2: Diablo Lake Area

Thunderknob Trail

Thunder Knob Trail is a mild 3.6 mile round trip trail right off of the Colonial Creek Campground. The trailhead has a parking lot, but the campground entrance is right across the street, so we walked from our campsite. We choose this as it was short and brought you to some overlook views of mountains and the blue Diablo Lake. This trail takes you on the other side of the lake, from the main car park viewpoint.

Ross Lake Overlook

Another main viewpoint off the main road is called the Ross Lake Overlook. This overlook is just down the road from the Diablo Lake Vista Point, a 6 minute drive. So we headed there first then turned around to go back to Diablo Lake Overlook.

Diablo Lake Vista Point

This viewpoint is probably the most famous and widely visited in the North Cascades National Park. And there’s a reason why. Just right off the parking lot there is many viewpoints to stare at this majestic blue lake. We actually went as sunset the night before, and before lunch on this day.

Thunder Creek Trail

After lunch at our campsite we walked to the next trail connected inside the campground, Thunder Creek Trail. This trail is actually a 12 mile round trip hike but we only went a few miles to a bridge crossing the Thunder Creek. I liked cutting down the the creek bed to watch and listen to the water.

Diablo Lake Beach

After our hike we took our camping chairs down to the lake to enjoyed reading a book, hearing the sounds of the lake and even stuck our feet in the water to heal from our hikes. Then headed back to our site to cook dinner.

Stay at: Colonial Creek Campground again or Winthrop.

Day 3: Blue Lake and Washington Pass

Rainy Lake

We did this route a little backwards, we drove past Rainy Lake to hike the Blue Lake first. We did this so we were not hiking the longer hike in the heat, and to get a parking spot at Blue Lake as it is more limited. They are only a 4 minute drive apart so we didn’t have to back track too much.

Rainy Lake Hike is 2 miles round trip. Most of this path is paved, so it is suitable to any type of traveler. But will bring you to another gorgeous view of a blue lake with a mountain backdrop.

The Blue Lake Hike

This might have been one of my favorite hikes in all of Washington, and as a plus one the shorter hikes as well! The Blue Lake Hike is a 4.5 mile round trip hike near the Washington Pass. The hike will bring you through the woods, into fields and eventually to a clear blue mountain lake. My favorite scene, clear blue lakes with snow dusted mountains as the back drops. Read all about this hike on my post The Blue Lake Hike in Washington State.

Washington Pass

A short 2 minute drive from Blue Lake next up is Washington Pass. Washington Pass is a must see, and can be a pretty short stop along this route. I loved how every changing this state can be. The colors of reds, oranges, greens and blue skies makes this overlook breathtaking.

Western Town of Winthrop

From here we headed to our final destination for the night, Winthrop. Winthrop is the cutest little Western inspired town. We ate and had some craft beers at the Old SchoolHouse Brewery. I loved this quaint little spot so much.

Stay at: Pine Near RV Park (a short walk from the town, very clean, and we did a load of laundry here!)

Or other non-camping options:

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Day 4 (Driving to Mt. Rainier National Park):

Day 4 was considered a transfer and rest day. We had a total of 6.5 hours of driving. We wanted to break of the drive with some fun activities and stops along the way. Our two major stops were Chelan and Leavenworth.

Chelan Wineries

My husband was driving so I got to splurge on one of my favorite things to do, wine tasting!

We first stopped at Nefarious Cellars. They were so friendly here and I love sitting in the adirondack chairs taking in the lake views. We even got a bottle of wine here to take for a campground fireside drink.

The next winery stop was for a tasting and lunch at Karma Vineyards. I absolutely loved their mussels, the broth was incredible!

Leavenworth

If you can squeeze Leavenworth into to your schedule do it! I do have a weak spot for German inspired architecture, food and culture. I always tell my husband I want to move to Bavaria! So of course I love this little Baverian-style village nestled in the mountains.

In Leavenworth we got to check out a few boutique shops. Made a stop at Icicle Brewing Company. Tried a small flight at Blue Spirits Distillery. And then ate dinner of a few bratwursts at Munchen Haus.

From here is was about a 4.5 hour drive to our campground for the night.

Stay at: Ohanapecosh Campground

Or if not camping stay right outside the park (limited options):

**Check out this article on the Cutest Cabins for Rent in Mt. Rainier National Park.***

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Days 5-6 (Mt.Rainier National Park)

Day 5:

Paradise Skyline Trail

The Paradise side of Mt. Rainier is incredibly stunning. It is worth the drive even if from one day from Seattle. Mt. Rainier can be seen very easily from the Visitor Parking Lot. But the Skyline Trail will bring you even closer. I advise getting their as early as you can to secure a place in the parking lot. By the time we left in the early afternoon there were cars parked all along the side of the road.

The Skyline Trail can be completed a few different ways, and out and back trip (going as far as you want to go) or completing the 5-6 mile trail as a loop. You can read all about the trail and the different routes and viewpoints on my post about The Skyline Trail in Paradise.

Ending after lunch we decided to start heading back to our campsite since the Skyline Trail took you through most of this side of the park

Grove of the Patriarchs & Silver Falls

Since we finished early we made quick stops at Grove of the Patriarchs Trail and a quick 4 mile hike to the Silver Falls waterfall. The Grove of the Patriarchs Trail is very family oriented 1.5 mile loop, and has lots of signs with information about the 3 and 4 story tall trees in the area. Plus a fun bridge to cross! These two stops are across the street from each other, so no need to move your car for these two stops. The waterfall hike can also be completed from the campground as well.

Stay: Ohanapecosh Campground again.

Day 6:

Sunrise Hiking Area

This day was dedicated to exploring the Sunrise area of Mt. Rainier National Park. I wish that you have better weather than we had, it was pretty foggy and rainy during our time there. We only got to see Mt. Rainier’s peak and blue lakes a few times during our hike here as it was too foggy. Still a wonderful hike and park to visit.

On this day we walked the Sourdough Ridge Trail it brought us through some beautiful flowered meadows. And it also took us to see Rainier and some blue lakes.

Stay: Ohanapecosh Campground again.

Days 7-8 (Olympic National Park)

Day 7:

This day is dedicated to driving and exploring the Olympic area of Washington State. If camping, you cannot reserve ahead of time at the National Parks in Olympic. We booked campsites outside of the parks ahead of time, I listed them below. But we did get lucky at Hurricane Ridge and got a site in the park, calling to cancel our reserved site.

Quinault Rain Forest

From the Ohanapecosh campground it took us about 3.5 hours to get to our first stop at the Quinault Rain Forest. This spot we decided to do the small .5 mile loop through the rain forest, parking at the Visitors Center.

If you have more time you can also drive the 31 mile loop around the lake. Most say this takes 2 hours with stops.

Hoh Rainforest

Another 1.5 hour drive we arrived at the Hoh Rainforest. Here we parked and went on the quick path of The Hall of Mosses . This loop is 0.8 miles long. We also added on the Spruce Nature Trail with another 1.2 miles. I am glad we ended up here later in the day as I could see the small walking trails and parking lots becoming very busy and crowded.

Kalalock Beach

Kalalock Beach was a quick stop. We parked and walked down to the beach hoping to catch the low tide pools. This is where you can see the sea creatures attached to the big rocks on the beach and in the sand. We missed it. But this place looked so cute and relaxing for a family trip. Small cabins, fire pits, the beach, I would love to stay at this resort area.

Ruby Beach

Ruby Beach is a well known stop along the coastline. It has the classic Pacific coast lines, sandy beaches, huge rock formations. But I found it a little too crowded to be enjoyable. We enjoyed La Push the next day even more. It could of been the time of day we went as well.

Stay at: Riverview RV Park

Or other great non-camping options:

Check out my post on The Best AirBnB’s Near Olympic National Park.

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Day 8:

La Push Beach

Just down the street from our campsite we checked out La Push Beach (second beach trail). We arrived early and it seemed to be hard to find a parking spot at first, we later realized a lot of people arrive here late at night, set up a tent, make a fire and spend the night. Many people were packing up their tent and leaving at we went in. The hike down to the beach from the lot is about 0.7 miles one way.

Here we got lucky and got to see the low tide. This was my favorite part about the beach, so if you can try to go at low tide, checking the tide schedule before you go.

Rialto Beach

We actually stopped at Rialto Beach in the town of La Push. We didn’t stay here long. I believe we should have went to the this entrance. Instead we were more in town. It was foggy and we moved on quickly.

Lake Crescent & Maymere Falls

Next was a 50 minute drive to the Lake Crescent area. Here we parked to hike to Maymere Falls first. I pretty easy and flat trail, and quite popular. This trail is 1.8 miles round trip.

On our way back we stopped at to walk along the beach of Lake Crescent. Here a lot of people were swimming, with their dogs, and pulling out kayaks and canoes.

Brewery for Lunch

After our stop at Crescent Lake was the town of Port Angeles. We grabbed lunch at Barhop Brewing and Pizza. After lunch we picked up some groceries for dinner at the campground.

Hurricane Ridge

It is hard to find short trails along Hurricane Ridge. So we went with the Hurricane Hill Trail. The trail walks you along a ridge, you can see many mountain ridges miles out. And eventually ends you at a 360 view of of the mountains and water views.

Stay at: Elwha Dam RV Park if needing a reservation. We ended up being able to stay at Heart O’ the Hills Campground inside Hurricane Ridge, canceling our reservation before.

Or other great non-camping options:

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Days 9-10 (Fremont/Seattle)

Leave for Seattle

Purple Haze

I knew we might have some time to kill today, I was on the hunt to find some unique places to stop along our drive to Seattle. Purple Haze lavender fields was the cutest little farm along our drive. It hardly took extra time as it wasn’t far off the highway. Here they serve everything Lavender! Lavender ice cream is a must! We got ice cream, so delicious! I loved smelling the fresh scents here and watching the bees pollinate from plant to plant! Support this local business and buy something here if you stop by!

Trying to kill some more time before we could check into our hotel we stopped at 7 Seas Brewery along our drive in.

Seattle

I have listed our entire Seattle Itinerary on my blog for our remainder of our time here. We packed a lot in but we got to see a lot of the main sites, visit some hidden gems and eat and drink some great foods. If looking for Seattle tips make sure you read my post on 24 hours in Seattle.

Stay at: Hotel Hotel Fremont

Other great options:

Check out my post on The Best AirBnB’s Near Olympic National Park.

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