By Kacee Saturay, Donor Stewardship & Social Media Manager
Picture this: the sun just dipped below the horizon, there are silhouettes of rugged nearby peaks, and you’re watching the colors change while you eat your favorite snack at the top of your hike.
If you’re looking for an experience like that, then you’ve come to the right place! Washington’s national parks offer some of the best spots to catch a breathtaking sunset. Whether you’re looking for a short evening stroll or a challenging day hike, the WNPF staff collected their favorite sunset spots for you to check out – some are classics and others might be a little more surprising.
Lace up your boots, have your camera ready, and don’t forget the headlamp because you’ll most likely be hiking back to the car in the dark! Visit our 10 Essentials blog to help you pack.
☀ Are you more of a morning person? Check out these spectacular sunrise spots that you won’t want to miss in Washington’s national parks!
Fire lookouts are a great place to watch sunset at Mount Rainier and luckily, there are four in the park’s boundaries! Mount Fremont and Tolmie Peak Lookouts get a lot of love from hikers. Consider visiting the often-overlooked lookouts: Shriner Peak and Gobblers Knob. Whichever you choose, the sunset will be spectacular when you’re nestled next to a historic lookout.
It’s worth noting that camping isn’t allowed in any of the fire lookouts in the park, and the only place you can camp anywhere near one is at Shriner Peak.
Another fantastic spot to witness sunset is Reflection Lakes. With the reflection of the mountain on the water, the view is so nice that you’ll get it twice! The Lakes Trail is a three-mile loop that takes you along the lake and has opportunities to connect to instersecting trails.
If you prefer to enjoy the view without working up a sweat, you can admire sunset from the comfort of your car since the lake is right next to the parking lot! Be sure to pack a warm beverage, cozy jacket, and watch nature’s show.
📢 NOTE: Certain roads have seasonal closures. Be sure to check the park’s Road Status page for current updates.
Looking to summit Mount Rainier and watch sunset in the alpine? Consider WNPF’s Climb for a Cause program this summer!
Watching sunset at Hurricane Ridge is an absolute no-brainer. There are numerous spots to take in the sunset, but a personal favorite is Hurricane Hill at the end of the road; its views of the nearby peaks give you an interesting perspective on just how grand this park is.
📢 NOTE: A great resource to incorporate into your sunset plans is WNPF’s webcams page! Fun fact: The Hurricane Ridge webcams were restored after the tragic day lodge fire thanks to WNPF donors.
Sunrise in any of Washington’s national parks is magical, but our staff agreed that it’s especially beautiful to witness the sun sinking into the ocean at the end of the day. Luckily at Olympic, there’s 73 miles of coastline for you to find the perfect sunset spot!
The best part of the coast is you can experience the sunset no matter your hiking abilities. Alex, our Director of Marketing and Communications, enjoys backpacking, so one of her favorite (and highly recommended!) sunset locations is backpacking starting in the Ozette Triangle and ending your trek at Rialto Beach. If you can snag a permit to camp on the beach, you’ll get to see the sunrise, too, and there’s nothing like the soothing sound of waves as you drift off to dreamland.
But, if backpacking is not your thing, you can also get a pretty amazing sunset experience in a front-country campground like the one at Kalaloch Campground. Or for an even more comfy sleep, consider a stay at Kalaloch Lodge. You’ll get a room with a view that you can feel good about; $3 per night is donated to Washington’s National Park Fund to support projects in Olympic National Park.
Check out these national park lodges, where a portion of your night’s stay can be donated back to the 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.
Cascade Pass is arguably one of the most popular hikes in the North Cascades National Park boundary. The trail takes you to high elevations, which makes for fantastic, unforgettable sunsets. This area also provides the option to extend your trip to nearby trails, like Sahale Arm Trail, if your legs are up for the challenge. Our Events & Partnerships Manager, Kristen, recently went on a backpacking trip to Sahale Glacier and mentioned that it was one of her highlights of the summer!
The park notes that a backcountry permit is required for all overnight stays; There is no camping allowed directly at Cascade Pass but there are several designated campsites nearby: Pelton Basin, Sahale Glacier, Basin Creek, and Johannesburg. Be sure to chat with a Wilderness Ranger to confirm your plans into the backcountry.
Hoping to visit lower elevations, with less mileage? Take a stroll along the River Loop Trail starting just outside of the Newhalem Visitor Center. The trail takes you into the forest without having to venture too deep into the woods, with peaceful opportunities to sit by the river, listen to the rush of the water, and admire the colors.
We hope you added one or all of these sunset spots to your bucket list. Remember to tag Washington’s National Park Fund (@wanatlparkfund) on your adventures. Happy 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 preserve and protect Washington’s national parks by funding scientific research, youth and family experiences, and projects that will keep these parks strong and vital now and forever, for everyone.
Cover photo taken at Shi Shi Beach by Andy Porter, WNPF Creative Partner.