Post by @katieandjoeonthego

📌 Save this post so you have it ready when you’re planning a Washington National Parks trip. Here’s what we learned visiting all three: ⏰ Budget 4-5 days if you’re moving fast, like we did in our camper van, but give yourself at least 3 days per park if you can. There’s too much to see to rush it. 🗒️ These three parks cover completely different ecosystems: alpine peaks, wild coastline, and temperate rainforest. Pack layers and be ready for snow, sun, and heavy rain, sometimes all in the same day. 🌦 Late summer (July through September) is the sweet spot. High elevation trails like Skyline and Maple Pass are snow free, roads are fully open, and the coastal sunsets are unreal. 🚐 Driving the loop is easy. Start in Seattle, head north to North Cascades, west to Olympic, and south to Mount Rainier. Expect scenic highways, mountain passes, and small towns worth a stop along the way. 🎟️ Some trails and areas need reservations or timed entry, and popular trailhead parking fills up early. Start your days ahead of the crowds. Our favorite highlights from each park (+ a few side quests): ⛰ Mount Rainier: Skyline Trail to Panorama Point and the Sunrise Corridor views 🏞 North Cascades: Diablo Lake Overlook and the Maple Pass Loop 🌲 Olympic: Hurricane Ridge, Sol Duc Falls, Rialto Beach, and the Hoh Rain Forest 📖 Side Quests: Forks (yes, Twilight) and Cape Flattery, the northwesternmost point in the U.S. 👋 We are Katie and Joe (@katieandjoeonthego), full time Colorado travel creators on a mission to visit all 63 U.S. National Parks. When we are not out hiking, we are exploring new cities and new countries around the globe... and are usually just ‘on the go.’ We’re at 47 so far, and Washington’s three are some of the most beautiful in the system. We can’t wait to go back. #visitwashingtonstate #washingtonstate #usnationalparks #nationalparks #nationalparkservice