National parks in Washington state: a guide for families

Washington is home to not one but three national parks: Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades. Each one has its unique allure for families, and together, they capture the full range and beauty of the state’s abundant nature.

North Cascades Park is free to enter but Mount Rainier and Olympic National Park require an entrance pass that can be bought online and at park entrances. See more details about Mt. Rainier National Park and kid-friendly hiking here. Passes are $15-30 for one day (depending on if you’re walking, biking, or driving) and $55 for an annual pass.

Hint: If you want to visit multiple national parks and federal recreation sites this year, check out the America the Beautiful pass. It costs $80 (for most) but covers entrance fees at all national parks and national wildlife refuges and standard day-use fees at national forests and grasslands. Got a fourth-grader in your house? They (and their families) are eligible for a free national park pass.

Mount Rainier National Park

Washington’s most iconic park, Mount Rainier, is family-friendly and easily accessible from Seattle. Once there, you’ll find plenty of options for day hikes, which you can learn more about in the park’s comfortable and informative visitor centers. This park is your no-hassle wilderness experience.

This year, Mount Rainier is implementing a timed reservation system. Reservations are required for the peak visiting hours—between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily. From May 24 through September, visitors can enter the park through either the Nisqually Entrance via State Route 706 or the Stevens Canyon Entrance via State Route 123. White River Entrance via State Route 410 will be open July 3 through September 2. Read more about the timed spot program here.

It is also one of Washington’s most popular wilderness experiences. Rainier is so famous that getting in on weekend mornings can be difficult. This is especially true in the summer and fall, when the Nisqually entrance can see traffic backups of an hour or more.

Tips for families visiting Mount Rainier National Park

Become a Mount Rainier Citizen Ranger: Complete four “Quests” to earn the unique Citizen Ranger certificate and patch. Quests vary in topic, location, and length, so pick the right one for your trip.

Join a ranger-led program: If you’re going at the right time of year (typically July to September or late December to March), you may join the Mount Rainier interpretive staff free programs, ranging from informal talks at park visitor centers to junior ranger programs for kids.

Take in the wildflowers: Remember that “peak” bloom heavily depends on the weather. To get an idea of what’s blooming and where visit the Park’s Service website.

Where to stay & eat at Mount Rainier National Park

There are plenty of campgrounds and picnic areas throughout the park, and the park’s guest services department operates two inns, two restaurants, two snack bars, a cafe, and a small general store.

The National Park Inn is located in the Longmire Historic District at an elevation of 2,700 feet. With only 25 guest rooms, this is the smaller of the inns, but it’s open all year round. It operates a full-service dining room and a small general store adjacent to the park.

The Paradise Inn is higher at 5,420 feet and rests on the south side of Rainier. It offers stunning views of wildflower meadows. Generally open mid-May to early October, Paradise also has its full-service dining room, cafe, and gift shop.

If you’d rather stay outside the park, visitrainier.com is “The Official Site of Mount Rainier Tourism” and has plenty of ideas for your family. Whatever side of the mountain you’re on, they’ll help you find where to eat, sleep, and discover other activities around the area.

The scenery in North Cascades National Park is stunning. (National Park Service photo)

North Cascades National Park

North Cascades National Park is a vast mountain wilderness filled with glaciers, lakes, and conifers located in the northwest corner of Washington State, bordering the Canadian border. It offers spectacular, rugged beauty characterized by jagged peaks, deep forested valleys, cascading waterfalls, and over 300 glaciers — more than in any other U.S. park outside of Alaska. The park is managed in conjunction with nearby Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas. From scenic drives to hiking to biking, boating, and camping, this is Washington’s natural beauty at its best.

Things to do at the North Cascades National Park

Hiking: North Cascades National Park is a well-known destination for experienced adventurers who are looking for challenging hikes – several that go to the Canadian border and beyond. However, there are several outstanding kid-friendly hikes in the area too.

Drive the North Cascades Highway: This approximately 30-mile drive across the park (State Route 20) is often described as the most scenic drive in Washington state. To enjoy it best with kids, allow at least an hour for the drive and stop multiple times. The highway closes with the first serious snowfall in late Fall and reopens once the roads are cleared in the Spring so check road conditions for seasonal closures.

Adventure to the Stehekin Valley and town: Stehekin offers families an escape from the hustle of the modern-day world. Nestled at the headwaters of Lake Chelan, the third deepest lake in the United States, the Stehekin community is a quiet oasis. Notes: There’s no cell phone reception; bring cash (no ATMs and credit cards are iffy); pack out your trash; and don’t miss the Stehekin Pastry Company (and lodgings).

Where to stay & eat at North Cascades National Park

Stehekin: The North Cascades Lodge in Stehekin is the only National Park lodging available in the North Cascades National Park. Stehekin is a charming and very remote place “away from it all” at the tip of Lake Chelan. It is accessible via a 4-hour boat ride from the town of Chelan, a 23-mile backpacking trek from Highway 20 over Rainy Pass in the North Cascades, an alternative hike along Lake Chelan, or by chartered plane. The Lodge is nearly the only option, but campgrounds, backcountry camps, and some private lodgings are also available. Make lodging reservations well in advance. Campground reservations can be made online. And be sure to enjoy multiple visits to the Stehekin Pastry Company while you are there!

Ross Lake: Located in the heart of the North Cascades along Highway 20, the Ross Lake Resort offers boating, fishing, and hiking among dense evergreen forests. The resort offers 15 floating cabins and outdoor camping options. Lodging is done by lottery, and you must enter the year you plan to go. Entries for that year are cleared on December 31 and you must reenter each year.

A group of friends starting their hike at Mount Storm King in Olympic National Park. (National Park Service photo)

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park encompasses nearly a million acres in the northwestern corner of Washington state, next to the most remote Pacific Ocean beach in the lower states. It is known for its old-growth rainforest, stunning lakes, rugged beaches, and endless extraordinary hiking opportunities.

Things to do in Olympic National Park

Go hiking! There are endless beautiful hikes to choose from throughout the park. Some more accessible routes for families with younger kids are Sol Duc Falls, Hoh Rainforest, Cape Flattery, and any main beaches. Go here for a helpful introduction to your hiking options

Stargaze: Join a Master Observer at Hurricane Ridge for an evening of astronomy and stargazing. On a clear night, visitors can see thousands of stars, galaxies, constellations, nebulae, and planets. Telescopes are available for close-up views of the night sky. Summer is prime viewing time. Go to the park’s star viewing webpage to see the schedule.

Where to Stay Overnight in Olympic National Park

Lake Quinault Lodge is a family favorite, especially in the summer. It’s eerily disconnected from the modern world. The grand and rustic lodge, built in 1926, feels suspended in time–something kids and parents can enjoy. Among the features are its majestic fireplace, Roosevelt Dining Room, lakeside seating, and a temperate rainforest right outside the door. There’s also a pool and other family-friendly amenities. Reserve early at this popular lodge.

Like the lodge on Lake Quinault, the cabins, main lodge, and other accommodations at Kalaloch Lodge on the Pacific Ocean call out to families every year. The lodge’s Creekside Restaurant offers something for everyone, whether staying as guests or just passing through. Note: there has been considerable erosion at Kalaloch Lodge recently so accommodations may be more limited.

Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort

If you are going all the way to Olympic National Park, consider putting Sol Duc Hot Springs on your list and a night at the rustic Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. Choose a cabin or suite, dip in the springs, and let your family pet (welcome at the resort) get a whiff of nature. Of course, let them know the dog’s coming. Even better, you get to unplug. There’s no phone service or internet access available. The main lodge offers a phone for guests to use.