Washington has perhaps the most varied landscape of any state in the United States. Glacier-covered mountains, ancient forests, wildflower meadows, lush rainforests, a wild Pacific coast, islands, pristine rivers and lakes as well as miles of fertile farmland with wheat, apples, cherries, raspberries, hops, grapes and much more.
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The state has 30 scenic scenic roads, including eight National Scenic Byways. No matter where you go, you will discover incomparably beautiful and diverse landscapes – from mountain ranges to rolling hills. They stretch from east to west and from north to south and reflect the diversity of the state’s cultural, scenic and historical features.
Washington’s “backyard” is full of little-known destinations and natural wonders just waiting to be explored. A road trip has never been as inviting and exciting as it is today! And of course you shouldn’t miss the “highlights”: Olympic National Park, North Cascades National Park and Mt. Rainier National Park.
Washington’s newest National Scenic Byway
The 724 km long Cascade Loop, advertised as “Washington’s Ultimate Road Trip”, takes visitors through nine different regions, where all of Washington’s typical experiences can be found.
Begin in Seattle North Country and travel to the port town of Mukilteo, where you will take the Washington State Ferry to the Salish Sea beaches on Whidbey Island for whale watching and kayaking. You’ll be reluctant to leave, but there’s so much more to see as you head north to cross the famous Deception Pass Bridge and reach the beautiful Skagit Valley. Fertile farmland offers an abundance of fresh food and flowers almost every month of the year. The valley eventually narrows and heads east where the landscape turns into lush, dense, evergreen forests. The road leads up to emerald green lakes and towering cliffs in North Cascades National Park, which offers endless hiking and selfie opportunities.
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After crossing the Washington Pass, the highest point of the loop at almost 1,676 km, the road flows gracefully down into the Methow Valley, where you can meet real cowboys in Winthrop and take a look at pine trees, real ranch life and livestock in Twisp (along with Artists inspired by the rugged beauty of the west).
The loop continues along the mighty Columbia River and through the Chelan County area, which grows grapes and fruits that become wine and cider! Travelers will be amazed by the clear, refreshing waters of Lake Chelan, the largest lake in Washington state. A night or two is a must in this region. Just 112 km away, the popular Bavarian-style village of Leavenworth invites you to pick up a pitcher and spend an evening.
For the brave adventurer, whitewater rafting and multi-day backpacking tours are available as you travel the second pass through the Cascade Mountains. The Stevens Pass region also takes travelers west through charming small towns where you can linger, shop and dine, and back to Everett, where you can take a guided tour of the Boeing factory and watch the plane go by that you fly home with was made!
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Since it is the Cascade “Loop”, you can drive in both directions – clockwise or counter-clockwise. Both routes offer the same locations and attractions, but with slightly different views. One more reason to take your time and soak up everything. We recommend a trip of five or more nights in order to enjoy the route in peace. Once you have experienced the Cascade Loop, you will understand why this could soon be “THE American road trip”!
A road trip across Washington State
With so many scenic back roads and so little time, the question arises, how should one decide? With the unstoppable splendor around every corner, that’s a serious question. Here are a few routes to consider.
Along the rugged coastal mountains, on long – sometimes misty beaches – and on the edge of the Olympic rainforests, there are countless beautiful sights and charming small towns to discover on the Hidden Coast.
On the Lewis & Clark Trail, travelers can retrace the steps of two famous American explorers, Lewis and Clark, on their search for the Pacific Ocean along the magnificent Columbia River.
Discover the island that is reminiscent of a simpler America. With small towns lined up with shops on the seafront, you can get away from it all on Whidbey Scenic Isle Way.
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Much of the Yakama Scenic Byway passes through the Yakama Indian Reservation, whose members have lived in harmony with this land for thousands of years.
Walking and cycling
Nearly 1,126 km of incredible hiking trails can be explored across the state, from short nature walks to challenging long distance hikes. The paths lead through forests and groves, over plateaus with tremendous views, along mist-shrouded coasts and around freshwater lakes. Many of the walking areas are home to the resident indigenous tribes of the Pacific Northwest, while others are owned and administered by the government. Contact the Washington Trails Association for a list of walks and maps.
One of the most famous hikes is the Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches 4,265 km from Mexico to the Canadian border and 167 km through Washington. It offers beautiful views of the volcanic peaks of the Cascade Mountain Range. The trail gained huge popularity when the book “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed was published and later filmed with Reese Witherspoon in the role of Strayed.
Another popular trail is the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, which begins at the continental divide in Glacier National Park in Montana, traverses Idaho and Washington, and finally reaches the Pacific near Cape Alava on the Olympic Peninsula.
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The Olympic Discovery Trail is the western terminus of the Great American Rail Trail, which extends 217 km from the east side of the Olympic Peninsula to the Pacific Ocean. It is particularly suitable for cyclists.
Washington has two centennial bike paths. The first is the Snohomish County Centennial Trail, a 49 km paved trail that starts in Snohomish and heads north to Arlington. The second is the Spokane River Centennial Trail, which extends 40 miles along the Spokane River from Nine Mile Falls through Spokane along the river east to the Idaho border.
Tips for traveling with the motorhome
Washington’s scenic back roads are the heart and soul of the state. They are just breathtaking and spectacular! A great way to explore them, RV tours. Find rental companies in or near Seattle here: Cruise America, El Monte, Road Bear RV, and Britz.
Campsites and RV sites near Seattle include the Vasa Park Resort in Bellevue, Lake Pleasant RV Park in Bothell, or the Seattle / Tacoma KOA in Kent. And if you’re looking to travel across the state beyond the metropolitan area, some of the finest RV sites and campsites can be found in Washington State Parks
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Chasing sunsets across the state
When the magical painter strokes a brush with gold and purple stripes across the horizon in the sky, it is difficult not to pause the work and freeze in awe. Here are tips for great places to see these wonders. We hope you are in the right place at the right time. When the lights appear downtown, go to Kerry Park. This is the best place to see Seattle being bathed in a warm, orange light by the rays of the setting sun over the Olympic Mountains. If you’re in the right place at the right time, you might even be able to see Mt. Rainier wrapped in bright rose and lavender hues.
Other magical Washington sunset destinations include the Deception Pass Bridge, which connects Whidbey Island to Fidalgo Island, the Lime Kiln Lighthouse on San Juan Island, the Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine, just south of the Canadian border, and the Kalaloch Lodge on the Olympic Peninsula .
Vaping. Slurping. Taste good. Oysters.
There is a Northwest saying that the table is set when the tide is out – an indication of the importance of seafood in coastal Washington’s cuisine. The Oyster Trail is a route that runs from Bellingham in the north through Puget Sound south to the Hood Canal and on to the Long Beach Peninsula on the Pacific Ocean in the southwest of the state. A variety of shellfish are featured along the way, from Penn Cove clams on the Whidbey Island coast to Hama Hama oysters on the Hood Canal and Dungeness crabs, whose history you can learn on the farms. The seasons and the shellfish shape the unique personality of each community. Everyone can also harvest oysters themselves, dig for clams or catch crabs.
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Family-friendly fun “on the road”
With its kaleidoscope of diverse, breathtaking landscapes, cultures and entertaining experiences, Washington is ideal for multi-generation travel. What child doesn’t love a road trip that squeaks with joy because there is an adventure around every corner.
Seattle is the perfect start as a starting point for a so-called “Star Tour”. You stay in a hotel and take various excursions from there. With a CityPASS, the family can soar to the skies in the Space Needle or go underwater in the Seattle Aquarium. Ride the monorail or the Ferris wheel and learn about the city’s pop culture at the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). Explore the iconic Pike Place Market and watch fish flying.
Head north to Bellingham, the next location on your trip, from where there will be other day trips. Travel on Chuckanut Drive, another scenic back road in the state. Downtown, kids will love the Spark Museum of Electrical Invention. Take a whale watching tour and hold your breath as the family watches whales rise majestically from the ocean into the air. Then explore the Mt. Baker Scenic Highway with its lush, ancient forests.
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Learn about Washington’s history at the State Capitol in Olympia and spend time with wolves who have been relocated to safe homes. Get to know the biologically rich and diverse area of the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge by spending the morning at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park and the afternoon at majestic Mount Rainier National Park.
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