By Alex Day, WNPF Marketing/Communications & Database Director

Whether you’re simply visiting for the summer or live here in Washington state, you’ll probably agree: summer in this part of the country is pretty spectacular. That’s even more true in Washington’s three national parks — Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic — as the winter snow is melting out and subalpine wildflower meadows are beginning to re-appear.

One of my personal favorite activities in our national parks is packing up a lunch and enjoying it somewhere with a view. There’s just nothing that doesn’t taste better with fresh air on the side. And the best part of living in Washington? Whatever sort of destination you’re into — whether that’s the surreal silence of a misty temperate rain forest, the powerful roar of a rushing snowmelt-fed waterfall, the crash of ocean waves on the rocky coast, or the subtle insect hum of a bustling subalpine wildflower meadow — you’ll find the perfect picnic backdrop in the national parks.

Whether you’re embarking on a multi-day backpacking trip or planning a national park road trip and want to add in a spectacular lunch view, we’ve got you covered with the top picnic locations in Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks.

Mount Rainier’s Top Picnic Spots

Mount Rainier National Park, affectionately referred to as “the Mountain,” was the fifth national park established and hosts nearly two million visitors every year. It’s also home to over 280 species of wildlife, making it an excellent destination for lunch with a view. The team at Mount Rainier offered up their top choices for a picnic location:

• Mowich Lake: Visitors to Mount Rainier can’t go wrong with a stop by Mowich Lake in the northwest corner of the park off state route 165. Set in a glacial basin surrounded by fragile wildflower meadows, picnic here and admire the view surrounding the deepest and largest lake in the park. This part of the park also features popular trails like Tolmie Peak Trail and Spray Park Trail. Be sure to check the road status before you go as it often isn’t plowed until a little later in the summer.

• Sunrise Picnic Area: Enjoy lunch with a view of the Mountain in Sunrise. Located at 6,400′ elevation, many people are surprised to learn that Sunrise is the highest point that can be reached by vehicle at Mount Rainier National Park, with incredible wildflower meadows that rival the panoramic views. Tables are scattered around the area above the visitor center. Be sure to check the road status, as Sunrise Road usually opens in late June or early July and closes sometime in late September to early October. And keep in mind that in years with elevated snow levels, this site could be under snow until early to mid-July.

• Ohanapecosh Campground: Picnic while overlooking the Ohanapecosh River from the tables at the far end of Loop C. This campground is located in the southeast corner of the park and hosts Douglas-firs, western red cedars, and western hemlocks. For those who wish to picnic in the midst of an incredibly tranquil old-growth forest, Ohanapecosh is for you. (Just keep in mind that Grove of the Patriarchs is closed.) Be sure to check the road status for current conditions.

NOTE: Starting on May 24, 2024, the Paradise Corridor will require a timed entry reservation and the Sunrise Corridor timed entry reservations will start on July 4, 2024. Reservations are required until September 2, 2024. Learn more about timed entry here.

Picnicking in North Cascades National Park

A rugged wilderness sanctuary with over 300 glaciers, the North Cascades National Park Service Complex is one of the most heavily glaciated areas in the United States outside of Alaska. With more than 90% of its land designated as wilderness, this park has tons of incredible picnic destinations for those who want to escape to the outdoors. According to our friends at North Cascades National Park, these are some of the top picnic sites:

• Happy Creek Nature Trail: Located along the short but memorable Happy Creek Nature Trail, loop through a stand of old-growth forest located along State Route 20, a bench makes for a wonderful picnic spot if you’re so inclined. Most of the trail is on a boardwalk that winds through a forest of primordial trees that tower over hikers, while the creek bubbles alongside the southern half of the loop on its way to Ross Lake and the Skagit River. “My fave!” says the park’s Chief of Visitor Services.

• Colonial Creek South Campground: Colonial Creek South Campground is just off of SR20 near mile marker 130. Find the picnic area near the raft launch for sweeping views of Diablo Lake, then hop on the Thunder Creek trail after your picnic!
• Gorge Lake: Near the Gorge Lake Campground and to the west of the boat launch, this quiet picnic spot on the isthmus offers spectacular views. Escape the hustle and bustle for a little while and enjoy your lunch while taking in the sights and sounds of the lake.
• Old Wagon Trail: Part of the Pacific Crest Trail, the Old Wagon Trail connects the lower and upper Stehekin Valley. The trail passes through a wide variety of forest types, including old-growth western red cedars and impact from the Shady Fire of 2005. Look for the burned area halfway between the trailhead and Bridge Creek where there’s an obvious rock knob that stands out as a favorite stopping point for the park’s Chief of Natural and Cultural Resources. A picnic here offers great views up and down the valley!

• Buckner Orchard: A trip to Buckner Orchard requires a little extra planning, but if you can make it here you’re sure to have a truly spectacular picnic experience. Located off the Stehekin Valley Road about 3.5 miles from Stehekin Landing, visiting this part of the park likely requires a trip upriver on the ferry. It’s worth the trip to see the National Park Service-maintained working apple orchard – and if you’re visiting during late summer, you can pick a ripe apple for your post-picnic dessert.

Olympic’s Premier Picnic Spots

Olympic National Park protects more than 1,400 square miles of diverse terrain from the Hoh Rain Forest to the Pacific coast and into the peaks of the Olympics. This vast wilderness offers something for everyone. With so many different places worth visiting in the park, it can be hard to choose just one picnic site but the team at Olympic is here to help narrow down the list:

• July Creek Picnic Area: On the North Shore Road near Lake Quinault, this site is open year-round. It’s located in the temperate rain forest of the Quinault River Valley and offers beautiful views of Lake Quinault. Fancy a post-lunch hike with a furry friend? Leashed pets are allowed on the July Creek Loop Trail.

• La Poel: Located off Highway 101, west of Storm King Ranger Station and Lake Crescent Lodge, here you can picnic in the shady forest along the shore of Lake Crescent. Nestled in the northern foothills of the Olympic Mountains, the pristine waters of this deep lake make it an ideal destination for those in search of natural beauty. This picnic site features picnic tables, firepits, and a vault toilet, but keep in mind that it’s only open in the summer and is not suitable for RVs due to the narrow road.

• Picnic A: This site is located at Hurricane Ridge. Head approximately ¾ of a mile beyond the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center on Hurricane Hill Road for expansive views of the Olympic Mountains and subalpine meadows and forest. Described as “A for Amazing!” by the Public Affairs Specialist at Olympic, this is one picnic spot you won’t forget. NOTE: The historic Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge was recently destroyed in a fire. In June this area of the park was 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.

A Picnic in the Park

With so many incredible picnic sites to choose from in Washington’s national parks, we can’t wait to get out there! The only question left is: what’s for lunch?

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.

Editor’s Note: Article last updated May 10, 2024. Cover photo: Hikers experience Mount Rainier from Sunrise, by Kristen Oliphant.