National Park
Mount Rainier National Park
The park around the 14,410-foot volcano was founded in 1899 as the fifth US National Park. In Paradise and Sunrise, hiking trails lead through wildflower meadows right up to the glaciers.
United States
Washington (Federal State)
Region
The state of Washington in the far northwestern USA connects the major city of Seattle with three national parks, which you can reach from there in just a few hours by car.
The state of Washington in the far northwestern USA connects the major city of Seattle with three national parks, which you can reach from there in just a few hours by car. Glacier-covered volcanoes, temperate rainforest, fjord landscapes along Puget Sound, and islands on the border with Canada lie surprisingly close to one another here.Mount Rainier, with 14,410 feet (around 4,392 m), the most heavily glaciated peak in the lower 48 states, towers above everything. West of Puget Sound, Olympic National Park protects nearly one million acres of glaciated peaks, ancient rainforests, and over 70 miles of wild coastline. To the north rise the North Cascades with more than 300 glaciers, and the San Juan Islands are located in the Salish Sea.It's best to plan a round trip in summer and early autumn, when all mountain passes are open. Mount St. Helens to the south serves as a reminder of the 1980 eruption and can be easily combined with an onward journey to Oregon.
Washington, at approximately 185,000 square kilometers, is about half the size of Germany and is divided into two very different halves by the Cascade Range. To its west lie the green, humid Seattle, Puget Sound, the Olympic Peninsula, and the San Juan Islands; to its east is the dry Columbia Valley with vineyards and fruit orchards. Almost all journeys begin at Seattle-Tacoma Airport, from where you can reach Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades by car. Plan two to three days for Seattle itself, and at least as many more for the national parks.
More places in Washington (Federal State)
Seattle is the largest city in Washington state, situated between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, with Mount Rainier as a backdrop on the horizon. You come for the Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, a strong music and coffee culture, and because national parks like Mount Rainier and Olympic are just a few hours' drive away.The city is hilly and shaped by water: ferries depart directly from Downtown, locks connect the lakes to the sea, and from viewpoints like Kerry Park, you see the skyline, bay, and volcano in one picture. Neighborhoods like Ballard, Fremont, and Capitol Hill each have their own character.
Sights in Washington (Federal State)
Discover the most important sights and attractions
National Park
Olympic National Park
Nearly a million acres of glacier-capped peaks around Mount Olympus, moss-draped rainforests like the Hoh Rain Forest, and over 70 miles of wild Pacific coastline. For Hurricane Ridge, the park plans a new building after the 2023 visitor center fire.
National Park
North Cascades National Park
Jagged peaks with over 300 glaciers, less than a three-hour drive from Seattle. The main route is the North Cascades Highway (SR 20), which is closed in winter.
National Park
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
The volcano whose 1980 eruption reshaped the landscape in southern Washington. The Johnston Ridge Observatory is expected to be closed until 2027 due to a landslide on SR 504, according to the Forest Service; trails like those at Coldwater Lake are accessible.
Historic Landmark
San Juan Island National Historical Park
On San Juan Island, English Camp and American Camp mark the 1859 Pig War, when the US and Britain almost fought over a shot pig. Reach the island by Washington State Ferry from Anacortes.
Eating and Drinking
Washington is one of the USA's great orchards, leading in apples, pears, sweet cherries, and hops. And then there's wine from the sunny east and Seattle's coffee culture.
Apple
No state harvests more apples than Washington. In autumn, you'll find varieties at farm stands and markets that are rare in Europe, along with cider made from local fruits.
Rainier Cherries
The golden-yellow cherries with pink to red blush were crossed in 1952 at the Washington State University research station in Prosser from Bing and Van, and released in 1960. Named after Mount Rainier, their season is in early summer.
Wine
Washington is the second-largest wine producer in the USA, with nearly 1,000 wineries and over 80 grape varieties. Most vines grow in the Columbia Valley, where only 150 to 200 millimeters of rain fall annually in the rain shadow of the Cascades.
Coffee
Seattle is considered the coffee capital of the USA. In April 1971, the first Starbucks opened at Pike Place Market, then just a small store with one employee. Beyond the classic, the city's many independent roasteries are well worth a visit.
History and Culture
Long before settlers arrived, numerous Indigenous peoples lived along the coast, Puget Sound, and in the arid interior. Today, Washington is home to 29 federally recognized tribes, including the Yakama Nation, the Lummi Nation, the Quinault Indian Nation, and the Tulalip Tribes. Conflicts began with the arrival of missionaries: in 1847, Cayuse killed missionaries Marcus and Narcissa Whitman and other settlers, triggering the Cayuse War.On November 11, 1889, Washington became a state, unique as the only U.S. state named after a president. In the same year, on June 6, a major fire destroyed large parts of Seattle. The 1962 World's Fair left the city its landmark, the Space Needle.Today, aerospace, technology, and coffee shape the state's identity. Boeing's plant in Everett is considered the world's largest building by volume, and Starbucks has its headquarters in Washington. Additionally, a strong outdoor culture thrives here: on weekends, many locals are drawn to the mountains or the water.
Arrival and Beyond
AirportThe main hub is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) south of Seattle. From there, the Link Light Rail takes about 40 minutes to Downtown Seattle.Train and FerryAmtrak connects Seattle with Portland and Vancouver (Amtrak Cascades), with Los Angeles (Coast Starlight), and with Chicago (Empire Builder). Washington State Ferries serve Puget Sound, for example from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, and from Anacortes to the San Juan Islands.CarFor the National Parks, you need a car. The North Cascades Highway (SR 20) is closed in winter, and on the Olympic Peninsula, there can also be closures on US 101, for instance at the Hoh River Bridge. Before driving, check the latest updates from WSDOT and the National Parks.
