By Alex Day, Marketing/Communications & Database Director

It’s no secret that summer is one of the most popular times to experience Washington state’s beloved national parks. Subalpine wildflowers are beginning to bloom, taking advantage of the brief window of time when they’re not covered in feet of snow; snowmelt is feeding hundreds of waterfalls, creating incredible views and sounds alike; and wildlife from butterflies to marmots, pikas, black bears, red foxes and more are out and about.

There’s no better time to get out and experience Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks – but for many, the thought of competing with crowds of other outdoors seekers can be off-putting. Don’t worry! We’ve gone to the experts – the staff at each of the parks – for their top tips on getting the most out of your park visit despite the crowds.

Get the Most out of Mount Rainier National Park

🛑 Travel Alerts: As of April 14, 2025, the Carbon River entrance to Mount Rainier National Park is closed until further notice due to the closure of the Fairfax bridge. Read more about this closure from WSDOT. Additionally, between July 11 – September 1, 2025, a timed-entry permit is required for the Sunrise Corridor of Mount Rainier. Visit the park’s page for more details.

The fifth national park established, Mount Rainier, referred to affectionately as “the Mountain,” hosts nearly two million visitors annually and is home to over 280 species of wildlife. Our friends at Mount Rainier offered up these tips to get your visit started off on the right foot:

• New to the park? Know that Mount Rainier has five developed areas: Longmire, Paradise, Ohanapecosh*, Sunrise, and Carbon River & Mowich. Whether you’re planning a day trip or a multi-day excursion, the “Plan Your Visit” page is a great place to start if you’re not sure where you’d like to go. Paradise and Sunrise are the only areas in the park that require a timed-entry permit, see note above for timed-entry information. It’s also good to note that Mount Rainier is now a cashless park (learn more in the 2023 press release here).

• Sunny days on summer weekends are extremely busy. To avoid congestion, plan to visit on weekdays and arrive early or late in the day. You can also check @MountRainierNPS on Twitter for wait times at the Nisqually Entrance (you can access the page without a Twitter account).
• Before starting your hike, stop by a wilderness information center or visitor center for the latest trail conditions. Rangers are happy to answer questions about what is open and what isn’t and can even provide recommendations if you’re new to the park.
• Know what to expect. Snow-covered trails at popular, higher-elevation destinations such as Sunrise and Paradise are common well into summer. Many have arrived at the park expecting to see wildflower meadows in bloom, only to be confronted with several feet of snow. Plan ahead of time so you’ll have a backup option if the hike or activity you wanted to do isn’t possible. The ranger stations also have daily updated maps to inform visitors on which hikes are snow-free – be sure to stop by before you start hiking!

• Play it safe. Keep safety in mind; always know your limits, and only attempt activities that are within your skill level. You should be prepared to turn back if necessary to reduce the risk of injury – nothing ruins a trip faster than a twisted ankle or broken arm!
• Consider seeing the park after dark. It’s no secret that Paradise’s subalpine meadows are some of the most visited areas in Mount Rainier. Consider visiting later in the afternoon when the crowds have lessened, and take in a night sky program. Check the park calendar for dates and details. And learn how WNPF supporters enable the popular astronomy program, bringing the awe of dark night skies to thousands of visitors each year, while providing a foot in the door to a National Park Service career by funding internships for young people in our blog.

Experiencing the Best of North Cascades National Park

NOTE: Fires around Washington State may affect your trip, especially to the North Cascades. Be sure to check the park’s Fire Closures and overall Current Conditions for the status of roads, trails, and campgrounds.

Established in 1968, the North Cascades National Park Service Complex boasts over 300 glaciers, making it the most heavily glaciated area in the United States outside of Alaska. This rugged wilderness sanctuary offers many opportunities for exploration, recreation, and rejuvenation. Be sure to keep these tips from the North Cascades team in mind:

• Plan for busy summer days. To avoid crowds, consider visiting the park complex mid-week, rather than on the busier weekend days, if possible. Plan your trip in advance using the NPS App and find trip-planning information and current conditions on the park’s website.
  • Planning to hike? Check out less crowded trails, such as Stetattle Creek and Pyramid Lake and start your hike before 9 am to ensure you have a parking spot at the trailhead. If Diablo Lake is on your itinerary, consider stopping by in the evening rather than during the day – not only will you avoid crowds, you’ll also beat the heat and be able to bask in the alpenglow!

• Be bear aware! For both day use and overnight visitors, keep and store food properly when not in use, it helps protect bears. Remember: a fed bear is a dead bear. Learn about the bear education program our donors support in the park.
• Consider limitations and abilities when choosing hike locations. Pack snacks, plenty of water, and plan for possible changes in weather by bringing layers. Small trail running gaiters keep small rocks, pine needles, and grass seeds out of your boots and socks.
• Rangers are there to help! If rain is in the forecast, ask when getting your permit if the trail is brushy. Pro tip: Umbrellas are an underappreciated accessory. Pack a small travel size if rain is forecasted.

• For overnight visitors, unpack new items at home and only bring what is needed for your trip. This helps with trash collection in campgrounds and visitors don’t need to pack anything extra.
• Before you leave, be sure to check conditions and closures on the park’s website. Case in point? Earlier this summer, the popular Cascade River Road was closed at milepost 6 (U.S. Forest Service boundary) due to a rock slide. It’s always good to know before you go and come prepared with a backup plan.

Tips for Your Trip to Olympic National Park

At more than 1,400 square miles, Olympic National Park boasts a diverse variety of terrain for visitors to experience. From the Hoh Rain Forest to the Pacific coast and into the peaks of the Olympics, this vast wilderness offers something for everyone. These tips from Olympic National Park staff will help you make the most of your time in the park:

• Give yourself time to explore. Olympic National Park protects very diverse landscapes and there’s lots to explore. But keep in mind that Olympic is different from many national parks because there are no roads that go all the way across the park. This means that you can expect to do a lot of driving to travel to different areas of the park.
  • If you have a few days to spend at Olympic, you can break up the driving by finding lodging closer to the areas you plan to visit and staying a night or two at each location. For example, the rain forests and coastal areas of Olympic are located on the western side of the Olympic Peninsula and the largest town is Forks. Areas like Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, and the Sol Duc Valley are on the northern side and the largest communities are Port Angeles and Sequim. You can find more information on lodging inside and outside the park on the park website.
  • Be aware of possible closures, and come with a backup plan. Check the park’s Conditions & Alerts page before you head out. NOTE: The historic Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge was destroyed in a fire in 2023. This area of the park has been reopened to visitors but those interested in visiting should keep in mind that parking spaces will be limited and there are no indoor spaces to protect visitors from inclement weather. Learn more from the park here.

• If you want to see it all, try to sample destinations within each of the park’s major ecosystems: subalpine, coast, temperate rain forest, and lowland old-growth forest. But you’ll need time to do it! So plan your visit by getting to know the park map, exploring some trip ideas, and checking the mileage and driving times between destinations. Olympic’s website has information about each area of the park, including how to get there, recreational opportunities, and popular trails.
• Pack your patience and be flexible! Millions of people visit Olympic each year, and the busiest months range from June through September. To avoid the crowds, arrive early (before 10am) or in mid-afternoon or later, when lines are shortest and parking lots are less busy. Take advantage of the long, summer days and you’ll find fewer crowds as dinnertime approaches.
• It’s also a big place: traffic and road construction, inside and outside of the park, can make drive times longer than expected. Have a backup plan in case parking lots are already full (temporarily restricting access) when you arrive.

• Join in on a ranger program. In the summer, there are ranger-led programs including guided nature walks and talks at popular destinations and campgrounds throughout Olympic National Park. This is a great way for visitors of all ages to learn more through ranger-guided interpretive walks, campfire programs and more. You can check the Calendar for these and other park events, or refer to Olympic’s official newspaper, The Bugler.
  • Consider a night sky program and take in the awe of Olympic’s dark skies. With 95% of the park designated as wilderness and an absence of human-caused light, Olympic is a perfect place to experience natural darkness and the splendor of our natural lightscape. Spend an evening on a mountain peak, along the coast, or at your campsite leisurely viewing the night sky or join in one of the park’s night sky programs* offered during the summer.

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*Washington’s National Park Fund is proud to provide support for night sky programs in both Olympic and Mount Rainier National Parks thanks to generous donors. Learn how donors make the Olympic night sky program possible and meet the incredible volunteers and rangers who bring the night skies to visitors.

Get Out There

Now that you’ve got the parks’ top tips to make the most of your trip, what are you waiting for? Get out there, and be sure to tag Washington’s National Park Fund in your social media posts so we can follow along on your adventures.

See you on the trails!

Washington’s National Park Fund is the official philanthropic partner to Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks. We raise private support to fund scientific research, youth and family experiences, and projects that will keep our parks strong and vital now and forever, for everyone. Learn how you can give back to the parks at wnpf.org/projects.

Article was last updated in June of 2024. Cover photo: Sahale Arm Trail in North Cascades National Park by John Donofrio.