9-Day Adventure Through Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks in Washington

If you've been following my journey for a while, you might remember my travel posts about my visit to one of Washington's stunning national parks—Mount Rainier. That trip took place a few years ago in a camper van, making this travel blog a fresh experience!

For starters, my previous adventure was with my ex-husband, while this new journey is alongside my current partner. Planning this trip has brought a sense of novelty and excitement as we aim to explore different sights, including attractions he hasn't yet experienced. Fortunately, this gives you the opportunity to explore fresh perspectives beyond the camper van experience. You’ll also receive tips and healthy food suggestions for planning a 9-day journey dedicated exclusively to Washington's national parks—Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades. Let’s get started!

DAY 1: TRAVEL DAY

We arrived at Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to kick off our adventure! After picking up our rental car—essential for reaching all three national parks—we headed straight toward the Mount Olympic area, which is about a 2-3 hour drive from Seattle. Along the way, we stopped for dinner at a fantastic healthy restaurant Yodelin and then settled into our cozy Airbnb.

🚙 For your journey, you can choose to drive the whole way or take the Bainbridge ferry, which I highly recommend as it’s much quicker!

🏠 Our Airbnb was located on the west side of the peninsula (Forks area), making it a convenient base for exploring the Olympic Peninsula. We absolutely loved our stay; it was super affordable!

DAY 2: Hoh Rainforest + Rialto Beach

Located about an hour from our Airbnb, the Hoh Rainforest was our destination for the morning and early afternoon. You can easily spend 1-2 hours exploring, as there are several short hiking trails available, such as the Hall of Mosses Trail (0.8 miles round trip) and the Spruce Nature Trail (1.2 miles).

Despite the persistent rain during our entire stay on the Olympic Peninsula, this enchanting place is a must-visit, even if you only have a few hours. The Hoh Rainforest is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the United States, where you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a fairy tale, surrounded by trees draped in vibrant green moss alongside the river.

After enjoying lunch at the renowned Sully’s Drive-In in Forks, WA, we headed out to Rialto Beach.

🍔 If you’re gluten-free, their gluten-free burger bun is absolutely the best! I was honestly amazed!

Before visiting Rialto Beach, be sure to go during low tide (low tide resource). If you're planning to walk to the Hole in the Wall and back, timing is key, as you can only do this during low tide, so plan accordingly! Since my partner had never visited the PNW beaches before, it was a wonderful opportunity for us to share this experience together! If you're short on time or can't make it at low tide, Second Beach is a great alternative. We aimed to enjoy the sunset hour, as we had heard it was the ideal spot, but sadly, it rained and stayed chilly for the rest of the afternoon into the evening!

DAY 3: Sol Duc Falls , Mount Storm King, Lake Crescent Lodge + Devil’s Punchbowl

As you can tell from the description, it was a LONG day! Haha! But we’re committed to making the most of every moment, so let’s dive in. Beginning our adventure at the stunning Sol Duc Falls, we enjoyed an easy 1.6-mile roundtrip hike with just a 200-foot elevation gain. We were genuinely amazed by the breathtaking beauty of this waterfall!

Once we crossed this must-see off our list, we headed up toward the Lake Crescent area, where we took on the challenge of Mount Storm King. A quick heads-up: this hike is quite challenging, covering 4.7 miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 2,106 ft. During our summer visit, we hoped for clear skies, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case! We missed out on the stunning views depicted in photos, but the challenge made for an excellent bonding experience for us. Haha!

🪨 Be cautious of narrow sections with drop-offs where ropes are needed for assistance, and keep an eye on the weather if you're not accustomed to this type of terrain.

🐦‍⬛ We enjoyed our packed lunches at the mountain's summit, where we had to fend off hungry birds trying to snatch our food! So be sure to keep your meals secure up there!

Afterwards, we embarked on shorter hikes that led us to the Lake Crescent Lodge Restaurant, where we treated ourselves to refreshing cocktails – a well-deserved break before heading down to the Devil’s Punchbowl! We accessed the Devil’s Punchbowl via the Spruce Railroad Trail, which was an easy out-and-back journey of 2.4 miles with just a 137 ft elevation gain.

👙 If you plan to take a dip, remember to bring your swimsuit! I jumped in wearing my hiking clothes, and my partner leaped off both the bridge and the cliff into the water! (Check out the reel for his jumps!) This was the perfect way to wrap up a long but rewarding day!

DAY 4: Morning coffee at Lake Crescent Lodge, Hurricane Ridge + driving back to Seattle

We enjoyed our time at Lake Crescent Lodge so much that we stopped by for coffee, hoping to rent a kayak for a morning ride. Sadly, the waves were too rough and the wind too strong, so instead we strolled around the area with our coffee. After that, we headed straight to Hurricane Ridge. However, if you've been following our weather luck, you know it was still cold, rainy, and windy, which meant we missed out on the most popular hike known for its stunning views of the Olympic Mountain range. Haha! This hike ended up being my least favorite, purely because of the weather! But if the skies are clear, I definitely recommend it!

💲It costs $30 per car to reach the top of Hurricane Ridge, but it's FREE with the America the Beautiful Pass.

From there, we made our way directly to downtown Seattle, taking the ferry right into the heart of the city! We stayed at a lovely hotel - Kimpton near Pike Place Market, making it easy to visit the next morning. For dinner, we had reservations at Elliott’s Oyster House to celebrate our one-year anniversary! Once again, we hoped for better weather, as we had planned to ride The Seattle Great Wheel, but unfortunately, it was still dreary. Instead, we wandered around the pier before returning to our hotel to wind down for the night.

Candids

DAY 5: Exploring Seattle's Attractions and Journeying Towards the North Cascades Region

Since my partner had never visited the Pike Place Market area, we made it our first stop for coffee and breakfast. As we were heading to our new Airbnb, we decided to pick up some fresh salmon, produce, and other supplies at the market. If you want to learn more about Seattle, be sure to check out my camper van blog post here. After strolling around and enjoying more coffee and matcha, I couldn't resist stopping by my favorite spot, Frankie & Jo’s in Capitol Hill, where I indulged in a scoop each of Salty Caramel Ash and Supercookies & Cream on a gluten-free waffle cone. It truly is the best ice cream, even if you’re not dairy or gluten-free!

In the afternoon, we arrived at our Airbnb, where we made a quick grocery stop before grilling our fish and other provisions. It was absolutely delicious!

DAY 6: North Cascades Visitor Center, Lake Ann + Heather-Maple Pass Loop

During our time in the Seattle area, some locals cautioned us about potential fire closures. To be on the safe side, we visited the North Cascades Visitor Center for the latest updates. We're glad we did; there were several hikes we couldn't do, such as the Sourdough Mountain trail, so we had to revise our plans. Fortunately, the Heather-Maple Pass Loop was open, and we decided to explore that for the day.

About 1.25 miles into the Heather-Maple Pass Loop, a trail veers left towards Lake Ann, a beautiful gem nestled within a talus bowl. This charming detour is a relatively flat 0.6 miles round trip. Stopping by the shores of Lake Ann provides a stunning view of the pass you’re headed to! Continuing on the main trail, this hike totals approximately 7.2 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 2,000 feet. It definitely ranks among our top hikes in Washington! The vista from the summit is breathtaking, showcasing endless mountain peaks and the lake below.

⛰️ If you hike clockwise, you can tackle the steep section of the trail early in the day, allowing for a more gradual descent later on. Conversely, a counter-clockwise hike offers increasingly dramatic views of Black Peak and North Cascades National Park as you ascend to the pass. Regardless of your choice, you will be in awe of the scenery.

To wrap up our day, we treated ourselves to dinner and drinks at Upriver Grill & Taproom, which offers gluten-free and dairy-free options!

DAY 7: Diablo Lake Trail + driving to Mount Rainer

The day before, we visited Diablo Lake Vista Point and instantly decided that would be our destination for the following day! Bright and early, we set off on the Diablo Lake Trail. This moderate trail spans 7.6 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 1,300 feet. Navigating it can be a bit tricky, so here are a few tips: Look for signs along SR 20 that lead to the road crossing the top of Diablo Dam. Cross the dam and follow the access road to the parking area near the trailhead. We hoped to time our hike to catch a ride on the Diablo Lake Ferry, but we missed it. If you're aiming for that, try to arrive a few minutes before 9 AM or 3:30 PM.

After our hike, we drove through the park, stopping at various overlooks and lakes before heading down to Mount Rainier!

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DAY 8: Paradise (South Side) - Skyline Trail Loop, Narada Falls + Pinnacle Peak Trail

☑️ Starting in 2024, timed entry reservations will be mandatory during peak seasons. From May 24th to September 2nd at select locations and peak times, a reservation will be required. Make sure to secure your reservations and find out more before your visit.

We kicked off our first day at Mount Rainier by exploring one of the park's most popular trails - The Skyline Trail. This 6-mile round trip offers an elevation gain of 1,794 feet. Numerous trails branch off from the Skyline Trail, making this area perfect for a full or half-day adventure! Unfortunately, the weather wasn't in our favor; however, on a sunny day, you can expect breathtaking views of majestic mountains and Paradise Valley.

After our hike, we enjoyed lunch at the Paradise Guest Service station located in the parking area, which offers cafeteria-style meals. *Gluten-free and dairy-free options are available!

Known for its stunning waterfalls, we made a stop at Narada Falls, where we were treated to a beautiful rainbow. To get there, drive 14 miles from the Nisqually Entrance to a designated viewpoint and parking area. Follow the short trail for amazing views!

Eager to fit in one last hike before heading to our Airbnb, we tackled the Pinnacle Peak Saddle Trail, which is a 2.4-mile round trip with a 1,056-foot elevation gain. It’s a good workout, but the views at the top – including Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, the Nisqually River Valley, and Reflection Lake – make it all worthwhile!

For dinner, we stumbled upon a charming and somewhat unexpected Ukrainian restaurant, where I had the pleasure of trying borscht for the first time!

DAY 9: (Sunrise area) - Mount Fremont Fire Lookout, Burroughs Mountain Trail + Sunrise Rim Trail + (Paradise area) Skyline Trail Loop redo + Reflection Lake

This day was another long one, but since it was our last full day, we had to make it memorable! As a former firefighter, I couldn't miss the chance to conquer the Mount Fremont Lookout! Spanning 5.7 miles with an elevation gain of 1,151 feet, this hike quickly became a personal favorite. It begins on the Sourdough Ridge Trail and branches off to the Mount Fremont Trail, just beyond Frozen Lake. We took some time to explore the Mount Fremont Lookout, built in 1934 to monitor the forest for wildfires.

Since this hike shares the Burroughs Mountain Loop Trail, we decided to merge the two with just an additional 2.6 miles of hiking. The Burroughs Mountain trail itself is 9.4 miles long, featuring a 2,562-foot elevation gain. At the third Burroughs, we paused for a snack break and were delighted by the company of chipmunks. We then made our way back towards the Sunrise Rim Trail, which led us directly to the Sunrise Parking Lot.

As you can imagine, after covering roughly 15 miles before 1 PM, we were both exhausted and hungry! Unfortunately, the visitor center at the Sunrise parking area offered only concession-style food, so we headed back to the Paradise area for a proper meal. This worked out perfectly, as my partner wanted to tackle the Skyline Trail Loop again with the clear skies, while I ventured toward Reflection Lake to “reflect” on our trip! We both concluded our day with stunning views, enjoying the ideal hikes that suited us as individuals to wrap up our adventure!

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Our Best Tips from Visiting Washington's National Parks

Plan in Advance

• Each park has its own set of rules, pricing, and reservation processes, so it’s essential to plan ahead! For example, since Mount Rainier is the most popular of the three parks, I realized we would need reservations. Be sure to visit each National Park's website for the latest information and resources!

Check Weather Conditions

• Before heading to the Pacific Northwest, it’s wise to manage your expectations regarding rain and cloudy days. During our ten-day trip (the last day was for travel), we enjoyed perfect weather on about three days, even though we visited at the peak summer season. While summer months offer the best opportunities to see stunning viewpoints, remember that the weather is unpredictable. Be sure to plan for it by packing appropriate rain and winter gear, even in summer! Learn from my experience and avoid making a last-minute stop at REI in Seattle for better rain gear!

Provisions

• Always ensure you have plenty of food, snacks, and water. As someone who is gluten and dairy-free, I encountered few issues finding suitable options, except around Mount Rainier. However, to be prepared, I always brought extra provisions in case we found ourselves in areas without accessible food. Staying in Airbnbs at all three national parks was incredibly beneficial; we usually enjoyed breakfast there and packed lunches and snacks for our hikes throughout the day.

Note: Feel free to visit my Amazon storefront for all your hiking gear and food needs!

Download Offline Maps

• While we didn't encounter significant issues without offline maps, having them would have simplified our experience. Additionally, it's worth mentioning that we used a Garmin device, which proved to be invaluable since many parks and the roads leading to them have limited cell reception.

💬 I hope you found this guide on a 9-Day Adventure Through Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks in Washington to be helpful! Feel free to share your thoughts, tips, or experiences at these parks in the comments section below!

Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip in a Camper Van Part 1

The Pacific Coast Highway road trip has been on my bucket list for quite some time! The inner hippie in me has always wanted to rent a camper van (or live in one) and travel down highway 1 and see what the beautiful scenic route had to offer me. 

And that is just what I did this past summer. Flew into Seattle, rented a camper van, and drove down the beautiful scenic highway all the way down to Los Angeles. Now, I understand that the Pacific Northwest has amazing food, tourist spots, etc but if you are wanting a hippie version that is chock full of hiking adventures, living/lodging in a camper van, and getting lost in the beauty of the pacific coast, then you are in the right place! 

Before we get started on our road trip, let me spill the beans on the camper van company that I used. Since this was a one-way road trip, I went with Escape Campervans. After shopping around and speaking with friends that have rented a camper van in the past, this was the best option for us. We were able to pick up the camper van in Seattle and drop it off in Los Angeles. For two people, the Mavericks was the best choice to rent in my opinion. This model included a functional kitchen, “dining room” table and benches that converted into a big comfy queen-sized bed, and seats/sleeps up to 5 people. Bedding, basic kitchen essentials, lawn chairs, and curtains for privacy are included. Information on this specific model is here.

One Week Itinerary

Day 1: Seattle, WA

Day 2: Mt. Rainer, WA and Cannon Beach, OR

Day 3: Portland and Crater Lake, OR

Day 4: Redwoods National Park and Fort Bragg, CA

Day 5: San Francisco, CA

Day 6: Carmel-By-The-Sea, Big Sur, Pfeiffer Beach, CA

Day 7: Los Angeles, CA

We stopped at many other spots along the way, so here are the google map locations that you can use when planning your one-week road trip!

Pacific Northwest Road Trip

Day 1

When planning a road trip on the PCH, I highly recommend driving from north to south because your vehicle is closer to the ocean. That is why our road trip begins in Seattle! Spent the entire day in Seattle, and I am so glad we did! There are so many things that you can do, especially during the summertime! 

Seattle deserves a separate blog post on its own, but to recap the day:

• Pike Place Market - First place to visit to beat the crowd. Grab a coffee at the first Starbucks and eat breakfast by sampling everything from the smoked salmon to the famous clam chowder. This is also where we grabbed food provisions to stock the camper van. 

• Gum wall at Pike Place - I’m sure you will have gum on hand since you have been eating seafood all morning. Located right below Pike Place Market, can’t miss it!

• The afternoon was spent grabbing the camper van and shopping for provisions. 

• Salty’s on Alki: Amazing views of downtown and great seafood! You need to make dinner reservations beforehand if you want a table! Time to kill before your dinner reservation? Alki Beach is the perfect spot to walk along the water, watch beach volleyball games, or to watch the most picturesque sunsets.

• Frankie & Jo’s ice cream: Why not end a perfect day with the best plant-based ice cream you have ever eaten! 

Day 2

Now that we got the city life behind us, why not let our hair down and officially start this road trip, shall we!? About two hours south of Seattle is our first stop, Mt. Rainier National Park. Get ready for big mountain snow capped views because Mt. Rainier does not disappoint! Fingers crossed the weather cooperates for your visit though! 

Regardless of what time of the year it is, dress appropriately, as there will be snow in the mountains. Fun fact: Mount Rainier is actually a volcano standing 14,411 feet in elevation. Great spot for hiking, picnicking, and snowshoeing. If you want to make a full day here, the park offers great lodging accommodations. We made reservations to camp inside the park but had to cancel due to temporary closures so make sure you check on park alerts. 

Due to the campsite cancellation in Mt. Rainier, we had to get back on the road and drive south to Cannon Beach which takes about five hours. Cannon Beach is a quaint town located on the beautiful Oregon Coast. To be honest, other than seeing Big Sur, it was my favorite beach of all time and possibly a future place to live! 

If you bypass Mt. Rainier, it’s about 4 hours from Seattle and 1.5-hour drive to Portland (where we will be in the morning!). Unfortunately, we only had the evening in this area so the only thing that made sense during the sunset hour is to check out Haystack Rock aka “Goonies Rock”! There are many RV/camping options around the area. We camped at this spot for the night. 

Goonies Never Say Die. 

Day 3

Unless you want to get morning views in Cannon Beach, we are driving to Portland, baby! Honestly, you could do both since Portland is less than two hours from the coast! I wish we had a few days in the city because like their slogan “Keep Portland Weird”, the city did not disappoint! But if you only have half a day, here are a few things you must do:

• Grab a donut or two at Voodoo Donut.

• Wash your donut down with a delicious coffee brew at Stumptown. 

• Stroll around downtown and visit Powell’s Books, Portland Saturday Markets, and Japanese Gardens. 

• Nosh on amazing Thai food from Pok Pok (make reservations beforehand or you will wait in line!)

Back on the road again. (Did I mention that you will be driving a lot!) This time, we are heading to Crater Lake National Park. We are packing this road trip full of experiences so taking travel time into account, we have two hours of hiking time at Crater Lake. Luckily, Crater Lake is very accessible and you can drive around the perimeter of the lake (Rim Drive). Fun fact: Crater Lake is one of the deepest lakes in the USA and quite possibly the most pristine on Earth! The lake is fed entirely by rain and snow (not from rivers), making the water as blue and clear as it’s going to get! 

Want to see the clear waters yourself? Hike the 1.1 mile Cleetwood Cove trail that will give you access to the shore. You can also take a boat tour around the lake. Make sure you make reservations in advance! This area offers great RV spots. We stayed here for the night - favorite RV spot! 

Tip: Make sure you check to see if the park is open since the park’s roads, trails, and facilities are closed seasonally due to snow. 

Bonus Tip: If you decide to park by a stagnant lake or dense forest of trees during the summer, make sure you purchase bug spray or a mosquito net! When we opened the back of the van to cook, a swarm of mosquitoes came charging in. Needless to say, we became close friends for the entire week! Here is a great post on proper mosquito netting for your camper van! 

Day 4

Just below the Oregon border is the Redwood National and State Parks. They are made up of the National Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (check out this map to see their locations.) Since the parks are spread out, the struggle was real as far as which one to visit. 

Well, I’m a coastal girl so Del Norte Coast it is! Here are things to do in the park:

• Hike Damnation Creek Trail (4-mile hike) - This hike is great for the adventurer since it’s challenging but very rewarding! The ability to see the Redwoods along the coast is a combination you can’t beat! 

• Hike to Hidden Beach, which is a secluded beach, lined with tide pools, piles of driftwood and weathered rock formations. 

• If you are traveling with family, visit the Trees of Mystery and soar through the trees. 

Next stop, Prairie Creek! Like Del Norte Coast, you get a mixture of redwood and beaches, but one thing that sets this park apart from the rest is their Roosevelt Elk. We had the chance to spot some Elk on the Elk Prairie Trail (2.8-mile hike). 

Another thing you must do is explore the beautiful Fern Canyon. Fun fact: Portions of The Lost World: Jurassic Park were filmed in Fern Canyon! 

If you have more time in this park, I highly suggest hiking the Miner’s Ridge and James Irvine Trail (12.4-mile hike) It takes about five hours to complete but if you want to see the best views of Fern Canyon and Gold Bluffs Beach, then this is the hike for you! 

Like most of the locations we have visited thus far, you could easily spend a week/weekend visiting all the parks. But alas, we have a lot of miles to get through so to end the day, we are heading four hours down the coast to Fort Bragg! Since we got in late, we passed by Glass Beach on the way to our RV spot for the night. 

Part 2 will include the second half of the itinerary, essentials for first-timers, and the best road trip apps/resources!