Washington has been dubbed the Evergreen State for a reason. Visitors will experience the wonder of its national, state, and local parks in vibrant colors and diverse landscapes year-round. From snow-capped mountains to Puget Sound islands, there are abundant natural parks to visit across the state, including great day trips near Seattle. Park activities in Washington are as diverse as the parks themselves. If your schedule only allows for one park visit in Washington, make it Mount Rainier National Park.
Battle Ground Lake State Park
For a fun, quick, respite from the hustle and bustle of being over worked and overloaded with a hectic home life, Battle Ground Lake State Park , is the perfect place to escape to the wilderness.
Cape Disappointment State Park
Cape Disappointment State Park is far from being a “disappointment”. The Columbia River and Pacific Ocean waves collide with one another with a crash.
Conconully State Park
Located in north central Washington, Conconully State Park features a 5,400-foot freshwater shoreline and a 97-acre park making it the ideal place for campers and anglers alike.
Curlew Lake State Park
Known as the “Jewel” of Washington’s State Parks, Curlew Lake State Park is located just 25 miles from the Canadian border with an 87-acre camping area.
Grayland Beach State Park, WA
Featuring 581 acres including 7,400 feet of ocean frontage, Grayland Beach State Park offers year-round camping for RVs as well as their onsite yurts.
Ike Kinswa State Park, Washington
Just a few minutes east of the 5 Freeway, surrounded by farmland and rolling hills, Ike Kinswa State Park is situated on beautiful Mayfield Lake.
Illahee State Park
With over 86-acres, Illahee State Park has become one of the top spots for geocaching enthusiast’s and metal detecting.
Lake Sammamish State Park
With two lakefront beaches, surrounded by trails weaving through transitory forests and wetlands, Lake Sammamish is as unique as its name. Located just outside Seattle, guests will be able to escape the bustle of the city without spending hours in the car. Lake Sammamish State Park offers a wealth of outdoor activities on water and on land such as swimming, kayaking, paddle-boarding, and waterskiing as well as biking and hiking along 1.5 miles of trails.
Lake Wenatchee State Park
Famous for its wildlife, camping at Lake Wenatchee State Park is like sleeping at a safari park as lions, tigers, and bears are ever present here.
Millersylvania State Park
Nestled between Centralia and Olympia, Millersylvania State Park is a popular “Glamping” destination and RV camping site.
Rasar State Park
Rasar State Park is a quaint and quiet, an ideal place to sit and relax and get in touch with nature.
Steamboat Rock State Park
Sculpted by Ice Age floods, Steamboat Rock State Park features an astounding landscape stretching across 600 acres and rising 800 feet from the ground.
Ebey's Landing
Located on Whidbey Island, Ebey's Landing is a historic site that was used during WWII for coastal.
Fort Vancouver
Situated on the northern coast of the Columbia River, Fort Vancouver was first established in 1825, by the notorious Hudson’s Bay Company of London.
Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit
Celebrate the trails, the stories and boomtowns after the discovery of the Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unitwhich reached its peak from 1897-1898 allowing Seattle to flourish after surviving an economic depression and a disastrous fire.
Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
Named after the 32nd President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area features a 130-mile lake that provides a wealth of activities.
Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
With gorgeous coastal views and timeless rainforests, the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park encompasses sites along both the Pacific Coast and the Columbia River.
Hanford B-Reactor Historic Landmark
The creation of the atomic bomb was what put an end to WWII, but before its creation is was simply referred to as the “Manhattan Project.” The development of this weapon of war took place at three locations throughout the U.S. – New Mexico, Tennessee, and Washington. The latter was used to create material for the plutonium bomb and was the site of the Trinity test.
In order to build this site homeowners and Natives were unlawfully removed from their tribal lands and 51,000 people were employed to work at the Hanford Site. Today, visitors can tour the Hanford Hanford B-Reactor Historic Landmark and its Visitor Center to learn about this pivotal moment in history.
2000 Logston Boulevard, Richland, WA, Phone: 509-376-1647
Minidoka Internment National Monument
In February of 1942, President FDR interned over 100,000 Japanese Americans and Japanese by signing an executive order. They were sent to ten isolated areas in the western part of the country.
This heinous act stemmed from the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, which took place of December 7th, 1941. Politician’s felt that because the attack was unprovoked anyone who was of Japanese ancestry, could be a spy and needed to be isolated from the west coast. In January 2001, the Minidoka Internment National Monument became an official National Park System, and became a place to pay homage to the brave, innocent, Japanese Americans sent there during WWII.
4192 Eagle Harbor Drive, Bainbridge Island, WA, Phone: 208-825-4169
Mount Rainier
An active volcano, Mount Rainier is situated 14,400 feet above sea level standing tall as a Washington state icon.
Nez Perce National Historical Park
Considered a non-traditional park due to its 38 different sites, Nez Perce National Historical Park is truly unique.
North Cascades
Just under three hours away from Seattle, the North Cascades feature a gorgeous alpine landscape that’s waiting to be discovered.
Olympic National Park
Featuring an unbelievably wide-range of elevation and precipitation, Olympic National Park is most famous for its diversity.
San Juan Island
Known for its gorgeous vistas, quiet woodlands, saltwater coast, and majestic orca whales, San Juan Island National Historic Park is one of the last native prairies in the Northern Straight/Puget Sound area.
Whitman Mission National Historic Site
Situated west of Walla Walla, Whitman Mission National Historic Site, is a United States National Historic Site. The site commemorates the lives of Dr. Marcus Whitman, his wife Narcissa, and 11 other missionaries and their contributions to establishing the Oregon Trail.
