Washington isn't usually seen as the biggest vacation destination, but for the outdoorsy person, it's the perfect one. If you're willing to rough it with some camping on a road trip, and some long days hiking you'll be rewarded with amazing views and some wonderful mornings in the trees. Washington has it all, from beautiful mountain passes, to waterfalls, to amazing city markets, to ocean views. Washington really has it all for everyone, making it a perfect road trip destination!
With three National Parks and eight National Forests, there are plenty of places to hide out among the trees. The eight National Forests allow for a lot of free camping all over the state. There is dispersed camping throughout these National Forests on forest service roads. The rule of thumb is that if there is a preexisting fire ring then the campsite is fair game for 14 days! Camping in National Parks requires a bit more planning. Some of the parks require reservations just for entry, and pretty much every campground within them requires reservations. With all of this access to camping in the outdoors throughout the state, it leaves the option to see all of the great things Washington has to offer, while pitching a tent on a budget (if you want to!)
Now that you know a bit about how to explore Washington in a convenient way, I'm sure you want to know what there is to explore.
Washington's forests aren't just convenient to camp in; they are also very diverse. There are four different diverse forest regions, all containing their own climate, plant life, tree species, and wildlife. These four regions make up almost half of the state's land, mostly further west in the state. About two-thirds of that land is publicly owned, which makes it great and easy to find camping on several different types of public land! The coastal forest region extends much further than Washington but features low elevations with mild temperatures and a lot of rain.
Moving inland from the Pacific Ocean is the lowland forest region, which extends to the base of the Cascade Mountain Range. They also have mild temperatures and get (while less than the coastal region) a lot of rainfall. Once you reach the Cascades you also reach the mountain region. This region is much higher in elevation, reaching 7,000 ft in areas, and therefore known to have cooler temperatures than the others. This region has lots of tree species and the most variation in climate for one region! The last forest region is the farthest east, which is not shocking based off of its name- the eastside forest range. This range is known to have extreme temperature fluctuations, and also being very hot and dry. This makes for some hardy plant life.
Coastal Forest Region
What is known as the Cranberry Coast has a lot of rich history and amazing ocean views to check out. There is a byway named after it, actually, called the Cranberry Coast Scenic Byway, that winds from Westport to South Bend, named after the cranberries that used to grow wild in the region.
The Washington Coast delivers a rich history. You can visit many museums on the byway and learn all about the history of the northwest coast. A stop at the cranberry museum would teach you about the phases of producing them, from the bogs to what you buy in the grocery store, and also some history of the previously wild berries in the area. The Northwest Carriage Museum will leave you amazed by the horse-powered vehicles. One of the finest horse-drawn transportation museums in the country will make you rethink that car you're driving.
Heading south of the Cranberry Coast byway you'll find "World's Longest Beach". When driving into the town you quickly learn that the beach is probably not actually the world's largest, sitting at 28 miles long. It is a very small, and isolated town. The community thrives on tourism and even with the isolation welcome visitors. With an amazing boardwalk, this is a great place to visit, even if it is off the beaten path.
Lowland Forest Region
With two out of three National Parks and major cities, the lowland forest region is the region with the most diversity and the most to do. There's hiking, biking, ferry rides, swimming, city exploring, and pretty much anything else you could think of to do.
Starting in the Northern part of the region my first destination would be the San Juan Islands. It's a beautiful ferry ride from Bellingham and there is so much to do. Camping on Orcas Island makes for a cozy night in the forest while hearing the waves crash against the rocks. The collision of forest and ocean on the islands makes for breathtaking views and experiences you couldn't have anywhere else.
Moving south there is so much more to do. Whale watching in Port Townsend is great. In the right season, they're easy to spot and more in the water than you can imagine. After whale watching head to hike to the glass beach. A long walk along the sand reveals more sea glass than you could imagine in a concentrated area. While taking a piece is okay, please leave some for the next people.
Now, heading to Seattle it's time to switch off the outdoorsy things and switch to some city exploring. Everyone knows about the Space Needle, but a ride up in it gives you an unimaginable view of the city. Head to the planetarium at UW and enjoy a one-hour show of the universe. Unlike any other planetarium experience, this one is mind-blowing, with real images from real telescopes. Last, stop at Pikes Place Market for some fresh fish, and anything else you can imagine. This huge, diverse public market is a staple of Seattle and worth the visit even if you're not making any purchases.
After heading out of the city there are two of the state's most beautiful parks. Olympia National Park is where the mountains meet the ocean. With 70 miles of coastline and over glacial capped mountains, this park allows for a very diverse ecosystem within. While reservations are not required to enter the park they are required for camping and wilderness permits, so just be sure to plan ahead!
Next, it's time to head to Mount Rainier National Park. While this park is busier and does require a permit in the summer it is definitely one worthy of being on the bucket list. The gorgeous views of Mount Rainier are incomparable. Just ask a ranger at these parks about some of the best hikes and I'm sure you'll see some of the most beautiful views of your life.
Mountain Forest Region
This region's claim to fame is North Cascades National Park. While this National Park is actually one of the less traveled in the country, and definitely the least traveled in Washington. The park is one of the most surprising for many, as it is beautiful with over 300 glaciers, bright blue alpine lakes, and extremely diverse wildlife. There are hundreds of miles of hiking, biking, and scenic drives to choose from in this National Park, making it a wonderful outdoor destination.
Mount Baker National Forest also lands mostly in this region. This National Forest is home to amazing plant life, intense hiking, amazing skiing and snowboarding, and so much more. Any outdoor enthusiast is in heaven here. It's also a great place to check out for some quiet camping deep into the forest. The lush greenery from rivers created by runoff makes for a beautiful backdrop to lay in a hammock and read a book.
Washington has it all, and I want to see it all. Road-tripping around Washington is the best way to vacation there, in my opinion. It allows you to see all of the amazing scenery and activities. If a walk on the beach, hike in the mountains, bike around the city, ferry rides, or a day exploring the city is your cup of tea then a Washington road trip will have you covered! Happy vacationing!