Awe-Inspiring Itinerary and Tips for a Washington National Park Road Trip

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If you’re looking for a great place to explore nature, the beautiful national parks in the state of Washington are calling. It is a gorgeous area with diverse landscapes, beautiful mountains, and dramatic coastlines. There are three national parks you can visit, along with fun cities.

The national parks are spread out throughout the state, so the best way to see all three is on a Washington national park road trip. Taking an RV is a great way to enjoy this road trip because you don’t have to worry about packing your things in and out of a hotel. You have everything all set and ready to go each morning and evening. Plus, there are lots of beautiful campgrounds you can enjoy along this route.

Whether you’re RVing, camping, or staying in hotels, this 5 day Washington national park itinerary covers all the best things to do and tips to make your trip memorable and successful!

When is the best time to visit the national parks in Washington?

The best time to visit Washington National Parks is in the summer. The summer months are great in Washington because you get excellent weather and lots of sun, but it is not too hot. While other destinations have immense heat in the summer, Washington is amazing to visit in the summer because you won’t get too hot. The national parks in Washington are a perfect road trip for the summer months.  

The seasons outside of summer can get very chilly and snowy, especially near Mount Rainier. In the spring, you can expect lots of rain, especially around the Seattle area, Skagit Valley, and the Olympic Peninsula.

Related read >> Best places in the US to visit in summer

How long do you need to visit Washington’s national parks?

How long do you need to visit the Washington national parks can vary greatly. Each national park is unique and offers great scenery. You can spend five days exploring North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park, and Mount Rainier.

A 5-day trip to visit these three places would mean you would be going fairly quickly but not too fast. If you like to take your time and relax, taking in the campground or where you are lodging, you might want to spread those five days out a little longer. Some people recommend taking at least three days at Mount Rainier, at least three days at the Olympic National Park, and two days at the North Cascades National Park.

Five days will give you a brief overview of the area. If you want to go at a slower pace or do more hiking, we recommend increasing your trip to seven days.

How do you get to the starting point?

If you are going to be flying in, there are multiple options, but the easiest and most economical option will generally be by flying into the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also known as Sea-Tac (SEA for short). The airport is about 120 miles from North Cascades National Park and takes about two hours to drive.

If you have time to visit Seattle, there’s lots to do including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and a number of fantastic museums.

Related read >> Weekend in Seattle itinerary

Washington National Parks Itinerary Map

Day 1: North Cascades National Park

Day 1 is all about exploring North Cascades National Park. This park has some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire state, with stunning mountain vistas and pristine waterfalls. Whether you’re hiking or just driving through, there are plenty of amazing sights to enjoy.

Some recommended activities include:

• scenic drive along Diablo Lake Vista Point
• hiking to Cascade Pass and Sahale Glacier
• exploring the impressive Washington Pass Overlook

A few great places to stay while in the North Cascades National Park are the Rivers Edge Resort, Sun Mountain Lodge, and Abbycreek Inn.

If you are camping in an RV, you can stay at the Gorge Lake Campground or Colonial Creek North Campground.

Day 2: Drive to Mount Rainier and Explore the Park

On Day 2, you’ll head south to explore Mount Rainier National Park. The drive from North Cascades to Mount Rainier takes about four hours. You will drive south back through Seattle to get to Mount Rainier.

We recommend leaving early in the morning so you have the afternoon to explore Mount Rainier.

Mount Rainier is renowned for its stunning landscapes, with mountain vistas that seem to stretch endlessly. There are dozens of hiking trails to explore, each with its own unique features and breathtaking views.

Some recommended activities include:

• a scenic drive along the Nisqually Vista Trail and stopping at Longmire for some great photo opportunities
• Skyline Trail for unbeatable mountain views
• Paradise Point for incredible panoramic views of the park

Campsites in Mount Rainier National Park include Cougar Rock, Ohanapecosh, and White River, but are only open during the summer season (May-September). If you’re opting for a hotel, Alexander’s Lodge is a historic property in Ashford worth checking out.

Day 3: Mount Rainier National Park and Drive to Olympic National Park

On Day 3, you should finish up on anything you wanted to see at Mount Rainier and then head down to Olympic National Park on the coast. The drive will take you east through Olympia and takes about three hours.

This park is a huge area with lots of diverse terrains, from old-growth forests and alpine meadows to rugged coastlines and sandy beaches. There are countless hiking trails to explore, each with its own unique features and breathtaking views.

Some of the best things to do include:

• hiking along the Many Trails Loop
• driving up Hurricane Ridge for stunning mountain vistas
• visiting Kalaloch Beach to see some pristine coastal scenery

Olympic National Park is very large, so we have found the beach approach is to stay in two different cities to cut down on your driving time. Port Angeles and Forks are two cities to consider staying at overnight while you explore the Olympic Peninsula.

In Port Angeles, you can stay at Olympic Lodge or Emerald Valley Inn, both budget-friendly but highly rated options. Some recommended campgrounds for RVs are Sol Duc Hot Springs and Hoh Rainforest Campground in Forks, WA.

Day 4: Explore Olympic National Park

On your first full day at Olympic National Park, you should check out Hurricane Ridge and the surrounding area. Hurricane Ridge is a popular hiking area with stunning mountain views, making it a great place to take in the beauty of the park.

After Hurricane Ridge, you can also explore other nearby areas like Lake Crescent and Sol Duc Falls, both of which offer excellent photo opportunities. After hiking Sol Duc Falls, be sure to stop by Sol Duc Falls Hot Springs Resort for a nice and relaxing soak in the natural hot springs.

Day 5: Explore Olympic National Park

If you are headed counter-clockwise around the peninsula, you will want to start your day out exploring the coast. You can stop by Ruby Beach, Rialto Beach, and La Push for some incredible views of the rugged Pacific coastline.

After you are done at the beach, head inland to the Hoh Rainforest. The Hoh Rainforest is one of the most popular areas in the park, with lush old-growth forests and towering conifer trees. It’s a great area to explore on foot or by bike, offering miles of trails and plenty of photo opportunities.

Related read → Top 45+ things to do on the West Coast (Hoh Rainforest is on the list!)

Overall, a 5-day trip to explore Washington’s national parks is the perfect way to experience all the beauty and natural wonders that this state has to offer. Whether you’re hiking through dense forests or admiring massive mountain vistas, you’ll find yourself fully immersed in the stunning natural beauty of Washington.

Tips for Driving this Route in an RV

If you are new to RVing, don’t worry! There are so many great online resources to help you get started on your journey. If you need to rent an RV, you can check out rentals through Cruise America or Outdoorsy.

Cruise America rents mostly motorhomes but also has a small pull-behind option.

Outdoorsy is like AirBnB or VRBO but for RVs. You can rent an RV from an individual to use on your trip. Outdoorsy has a large variety of RVs ranging from motorhomes to pull-behind RVs.

It is important to keep in mind if you are taking a motorhome, you will need to find parking for it in the national parks. The smaller your motorhome, the easier it will be to find parking spots for it. If you are pulling a trailer, the same thing applies. The smaller your overall length, the easier it will be to find parking.

When you are ready to start looking for campsites, there are lots of great online resources. A simple Google search will usually bring up lots of good campsites.

Campsites within the national parks will book up sooner because they are much more convenient and less expensive than private campgrounds. However, private campgrounds usually offer way more amenities like swimming pools, game rooms, laundry, showers, and more.

Another option to look for campsites is HipCamp. It is a site where people with extra land open up their space for campers. Amenities like hookups and showers vary by listing, so make sure you carefully read each description to see what is available. For example, some may not have power hook-ups, so you will want to make sure your boondocking RV batteries are charged.

Related read → 41+ helpful apps you need for traveling

How to Save Money on your Washington National Park Road Trip

We have generally found that exploring national parks is a great activity if you are budget-conscious. You can purchase the America the Beautiful Pass for $80, which is a year-long pass that will get you into the national parks as well as lots of federally managed sites across the country.

The national parks have lots of really fun and cost-effective activities. All three of these national parks have great hiking trails. Once you get over to the Olympic Peninsula, you can spend the day exploring the beautiful beaches in the area for free.

Camping or RVing is also another great way to save money. Hotels can be expensive, and if you have a tent or your own RV, you can save a lot of money. If you are renting an RV, it isn’t quite as cost-effective but can still be cheaper than a hotel, depending on your price point for your overnight accommodations at a hotel.

You can also plan on packing lunches and making your own dinners to help cut back on expenses. Some of our favorite go-to meals in the national parks are meat, cheese, and crackers, pasta salad, and wraps.

Related read → Other tips for a budget-friendly trip

Washington National Park Road Trip Essentials

Since you are going to be doing a decent amount of driving on this road trip, it is a good idea to bring an emergency kit for your car. Make sure it has jumper cables and a flashlight. You may also consider a roadside assistance membership depending on your comfort level with car maintenance and repair.

There are lots of great hiking trails, so make sure to bring proper hiking gear. Some items to include would be a hiking backpack, water bottle, and good hiking shoes. Make sure to have some snacks and meals you can take out on the trail with you or eat in the car as you are exploring the national parks.

If you’re going on this road trip with smaller kids, it is a good idea to bring a hiking backpack. Also, don’t forget some great road trip toys to keep them entertained during the drive.

With any road trip, make sure to bring a good camera. The landscapes and views in these national parks are incredible, and you want to make sure you can capture those memories. In our opinion, Washington and the Pacific Coast have some of the prettiest landscapes in the country.

Tips for a Successful Trip

1. Stick to an itinerary

You’re going to be covering a lot of ground in a short period of time. You will want to have a loose itinerary put together of where you want to be and when. This will help you stay on track and help prevent you from getting to your hotel really late.

2. Use Google Maps to Calculate Driving Time

Put everything into Google Maps to calculate your driving time. The Olympic National Park is really large, and driving between stops can take a while. This is especially true if you are staying at just one place on the peninsula and driving. Having a good idea of how far apart things are will help you better plan what you want to see each day.

3. Book accommodations early

Book your accommodations as early as you can. This is especially true if you are going to be camping. Campgrounds can fill up during the peak summer season. You will find more convenient and less-expensive accommodation options if you book sooner rather than later. Staying close to the national parks is great because it really helps cut down on your driving time.

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