What To Pack For Washington State in the Summer- If looking to go to Washington State in the summer you may be making a packing list and are curious of what to pack. We did a lot of hiking and camping in a campervan in the Washington National Parks, Mt Rainier, North Cascades and Olympic National Park, even a few day stop in Seattle. This packing list would be great if you are visiting Washington State in the months of June, July or August. My list will be geared towards what to pack for short and long hikes in Washington State. Washington State can range in temperature, it’s always hard to judge what to bring. I never want to over pack but I want to be prepared as well. This is my complete list for what to pack for Washington State in the summer months.

***Be sure to check out my post on my 10 Days in Washington State.

Suitcase/Travel Backpack

Travel Backpack

I always travel with my Ebags Mother Lode. It has multiple compartments, an extender and can be used like a backpack, or tuck the straps in to make it a weekend bag. I have always gotten away with using this as a carry on as well. This also made it much easier when traveling in our Campervan North America campervan. It fit very easily in their compartments.

Option 2 Backpack

My husband has a Ebags Mother Lode but recently switched to Osprey Packs as he likes the straps and weight distribution better. This style has many fun compartments to put shoes, toiletries, which he saved the main compartment for his clothes in packing cubes.

Packing Cubes

You don’t need to splurge on fancy or expensive ones. I own this AmazonBasics Brand in small and they have worked wonders. Keeps you organized and helps when unpacking and repacking through a multiple destination trip. Heck I don’t even go on a weekend trip without them now! Lifesaver! This also makes it a lot easier in the campervan to make it easier to grab on the go. We always pack extra for food and campervan stuff.

***one other packing tip is that always bring a few zip-lock bags and garbage bags. Also nice to have something if you happen to have wet/muddy clothes or shoes.

Clothes

Wahington’s temperature range calls for bringing lots of light layers. Don’t worry about bringing a big heavy coat in the summer, but a pop up snow storm high in the mountains is not out of question. Bring layers, and if it’s windy or rainy you can always throw on a rain jacket. Many hikes start out pretty chilly, but by the time the sun comes can get quite warm. Layers are key.

Here are some of my favorites

Hiking Pants

I did love these two hiking pants that I found on sale at REI and Dick’s Sportings Good. They are lightweight and quick drying. They were fantastic for those rainy days, the next day they were always practically dry! These are great pairs and have great reviews as well, Columbia Pants and Camii Mia Outdoor pans.

Leggings

I never travel without at least one pair of black sports leggings. They can be used for hiking and easily worn during a day in town. I prefer the high waist leggings for hiking and other physical activities. My favorites are the high-waisted ones from Fabletics (get a huge discount with this link). These AJISAI High Waisted Yoga Pants are a great pair, and the 90 Degree By Reflex Leggins are as well and are a little bit cheaper.

Rain Jacket

A solid rain jacket is a must on any hiking trip. The weather constantly changes and you never know what it will bring you. I love these Columbia ones for just strolls around the city, it is light weight and pack-able (women’s packable and men’s packable). No need to bring a thick heavy coat if going in the summer

Hiking Shorts

This is another item I never thought was necessary, but do make a difference. I found some pairs at T.J.Maxx and favor them over the standard gym shorts. They don’t ride up and are much more waterproof and breathable. They also are very elastic around the hips to make movement easier. The Columbia Women’s Saturday Trail Shorts is great to have and comes in many colors.

SPF long sleeve shirts

These Women’s SPF Shirts are great. They are light enough to wear a layer underneath and thin enough to put a rain coat. Great to keep you warm on chilly mornings and also light enough to use as sun protection on the hot sunny days. They have some more fun plaid styles for men as well.

Tanks

As I have said many times before layering is key. I always had moisture-wicking sports tanks under my long sleeve shirts. Almost every hike we went on I ended up in just a tank as I worked up a sweat. HLXFHB Workout Tanks are great and come is some fun colors!

Gloves

A little pricey but these North Face gloves are by far my favorite, I didn’t use them too often but maybe once on a very early morning hike. These lightweight enough to be able to move freely and grasp on to things but also warm enough to stop the wind from freezing your hands.

***To help minimize over packing clothes we always try to make sure we book a AirBnB or hotel with laundry at least once a week. This way we only really need to pack one week of clothes. You can tell from my pictures I wear a lot of the same outfits, I promised they are washed! We even pack tide pods so we don’t have to buy a big thing of detergent to lug around.

Shoes/Hiking Socks

As I said before we did mostly hiking in Washington State I bought two pairs of shoes to trek in, this was because if it rained and my shoes became soaked I could let those dry out for the next day and wear my back ups. I did this often, I also believe it helps my feet not be as sore when I change up my shoe.

Hiking Shoes

These Ahnu Montara III are my all time favorite hiking shoe. I used these on all of our longer hikes such as the Skyline Trail and the Blue Lake Hike.

Gym Shoes

I also brought a pair of trail running shoes, these had great traction and worked perfectly to wear on our shorter hikes. I even loved using them on our via ferratas (here and here) as it had more flexibility than my hiking shoe to be able to climb over the rocks.

Socks

I never was one to think I needed hiking socks, I purchased some on a whim at REI and Amazon and I have never looked back. Buy some in multiple thickness and height to wear in different temperatures. I like these taller ones for the colder hikes and these short cut ones for when I am wearing shorts and its warmer.

Others

For the few times we went into some towns I wore my Chacos. They are also great if using campground showers as they are waterproof. They were great for the tourist-y places, comfortable as well! I also think these slip ons would be sufficient, and cute too!

I always throw in a pair of cheap plastic flip flops if I don’t bring my Chaco Sandals. They don’t take up much room and are great to have if using shared shower houses such as in a hostel or campground. Buy a cheap pair like these, that way you can toss them if looking to make room in your suitcase on your way back home.

Hiking Gear

Poles

I brought these travel hiking poles on our hikes in Zion and Bryce and loved them. They are fairly cheap and very pack-able. My husband doesn’t use them as much but I find them to be a lifesaver for my posture and to help my knees on those downhills ( I sound so old).

Day pack

I use two different packs depending on the trip. For hot summer trips I usually use this one, as it is lighter and smaller. But it places like Norway , Ireland and Iceland where I might be wearing more layer to put on and off then I use this North Face one as it has more room yet still it not overly huge.

Water Bottles/Bladder

For hiking trips I always bring two types of water containers. For long hikes I use hydration bladders such (here is a great deal on a pack of two of them!). I don’t worry about bringing a pack for it, just the bladder. It packs very flat and I just throw it in my regular daypack. Which many these days have compartments for water bladders anyways.

The second type of water bottle I bring are these two, here and here. They are both collapsible and perfect for any type of travel, short hikes, city wandering, long car or train rides and airports as well. They are always with me.

Sunglasses:

I bring at least two pairs in case one breaks. I have sensitive eyes.

Hat

I took a hat with me for almost every hike we went on, I wore this one from Target. My skin is pretty light so this not only helped my hair stay out of my face from the wind but also protected my scalp and neck from getting burnt. I like these wide brim ones for extra sun protection. But a stand ball cap like this one would work perfectly fine as well.

Backpack Raincover

This is another thing I never travel without now. It doesn’t take up hardly any room, I pack it in a zip-lock sandwich bag, and has saved our backpacks from getting soaked many times! I own this one but this brand is a little cheaper and has great reviews.

Snacks

Always have some snacks on me for hikes. Read below for what I packed.

Tech Gadgets

These are obviously not necessary but some have come in handy during our travels.

USB car charger

Some rental cars come without or have an extra fee to rent a car charger. We always pack dual charging one like this one one to use, cheap and small so it doesn’t take up much packing space.

Battery Packs

My goodness I love these things. They have come in handy when on long hikes, using GPS to navigate cities and never having to fight for an airport outlet. This one is super cheap and worked better than our more expensive one.

Food

We always make a stop at Trader Joe’s to get some good snacks and meals. But bring some of our favorites that are hard to find when out of town.

Coffee

We packed these amazing coffee pour overs. So cheap and they taste great! They even come with small packets of creamer and sugar if you wish to use. Flat and easy to pack as well. They are great for camping or in an AirBnB.

Granola Bars

I always like to make sure I have my favorite kind with me as I am picky. I like these!

Jerky sticks

Again I am picky about my Jerky Sticks so we were glad we packed them ahead of time. And they make a great hiking snack.

Toiletries

Sleeping Mask

This was one thing I used quite often while in the campervan is a Sleep Mask. While camping we never knew when we might be by a bright light in the campground. Or when AirBnBs and hotels may not have black out curtains, so they came in great use when trying to get a good nights sleep before a long hike or travel day. I really love this mask as it is soft, silky and has an adjustable strap to size how you want it to fit.

Sunscreen

Make sure you pack or pick up some sunscreen. Some of those hikes can get bright without much shade.

Chapstick

I buy a multi- pack like this, I always make sure I put one in my backpack, suitcase, purse and toiletries bag. That way I am never without one. Chap stick is obviously important to me.

Shower Gel Containers

These are a little pricey but I absolutely LOVE them. They are made of silicone which flex during the change in air pressure on flights, I have never had one leak before! They also have suction cups for when you have no where to set your gels in the shower. I also love Lush shampoo bars like these.

Shower Bag

This shower tote bag has quickly become my favorite travel item. I hate putting wet containers from the shower back in my suitcase. This helps everything dry out faster. It is also handy to hang on bathroom doors if needed. They came in handy when using campground showers in Washington State.

Other Information

If going to Washington State on the shoulder season, fall or spring my Iceland Packing List might be more similar to what you might need in the chillier months.

Where To Stay Near the National Parks

These are some of best places to stay near the national park if you are choosing not to camp. Camping will get you closer to the park entrances in most cases. Check out the articles below to find the best place to stay in each area.