By Kacee Saturay, WNPF Donor Stewardship & Social Media Manager
Spring in Washington’s national parks is a special sight. Roads are opening, wildflowers are blooming, trails are emerging under the snow, and park visitation increases.
As the person behind WNPF’s social media pages, I get the unique perspective of seeing the photos and videos of park visitors’ experiences and adventures that are shared every day.
I often find new and creative ways to experience our parks thanks to our community, so I decided to crowdsource spring park recommendations from our creative partners, park concessionaires, and social media followers for you, too.
These spring recommendations were made for you: everyday park users, first-timers, seasoned visitors, and everyone in between. Whether this is your first or fiftieth park visit, our hope is that you can find an activity in the park that suits your interests or introduces a new opportunity for you.
Take a walk on the quiet side.
As one of the snowiest places in the U.S., spring takes on a different meaning at Mount Rainier National Park. While the park transitions between winter and spring operations, be sure to keep tabs on the Alerts and Conditions page for up-to-date road statuses and more.
Lower elevation hikes at Mount Rainier will be your best friend for snow-free trails! The Carbon River and Mowich areas are the quiet, less-visited corner of the park. Dare we say…a hidden gem?
We recommend taking a stroll down the Carbon River Road Trail, then breaking off and venturing on to the Green Lake Trail if you want to extend your trip. Many adventurers bike the Carbon River Road Trail to access the Green Lake Trailhead, which is a fun way to make it a multi-sport trip!
Another reason to visit this northwest corner of the park? You can explore this area during peak season without a timed entry reservation! Ohanapecosh and Tipsoo Lake are other areas that don’t require a timed entry reservation this summer. Learn more about timed entry here.
A spring scramble, snowy side up.
For an adventure-packed hike in Olympic National Park, we of course had to ask our creative partner Nate Brown (@natebbrown) for a recommendation. After completing the 30 peaks in his Olympic Mountain Project, we knew he had at least one suggestion to add to your to-do list! Looking to try out Nate’s adventure? Be sure to visit the park’s Alerts and Conditions page before heading out. Winter park operations and travel requirements may still be in place even after spring has started.
“Hurricane Ridge is one of the most accessible ways into the high alpine of the Olympics. Mount Angeles is one of my favorite early spring summit scrambles, with only six miles and 3,000 feet of elevation gain. But don’t let those relatively low numbers trick you into complacency; getting to the summit requires steep snow and rock skills and knowledge about avalanche terrain.”
The weather in the higher elevations of Olympic National Park can vary in early spring. There is a good chance that you will encounter snow so be sure to check conditions, pack the essential gear, and ensure you’re prepared for any situation in the mountains. Check out this page from the park service about climbing in Olympic National Park’s wilderness.
Visit the Coastal Side of Olympic
Spring is a great season to offer a helping hand in the parks leading up to their peak visitation days. Join other passionate park goers in cleaning up the coastal beaches in Olympic National Park. On April 20th, the park is hosting beach cleanups at Mora, Ozette, and Kalaloch beaches. Sign up by here April 12. We hope to “sea” you there! Get a taste of what a beach cleanup is like in this blog from last summer.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Olympic National Park (@olympic_nps)
A post shared by Olympic National Park (@olympic_nps)
Looking to spend more than just a day on the coast? Amy Neil, the general manager at the Kalaloch Lodge, has the ideal weekend in mind. If you find yourself in the Kalaloch area of the park, consider adding this to your itinerary:
“The Tree of Life walk is nature at its finest. The tree is magnificent as it hangs onto the cliffs around it for dear life, exposing its roots and showing off its beauty. The walk to the tree is equally stunning with the dense rainforest leading to the dramatic driftwood beach. It is one of the most magnificent sights to see while visiting the lodge. We recommend taking the trail to the tree, enjoying the beach, coming back to the lodge, and enjoying our lawn games along with a delicious meal!”
We are proud to have the Kalaloch Lodge as one of our partners participating in our guest donation program. By spending the night, you’re able to support the park even in your sleep! Learn more about the program and other lodges.
BYOB: Bring Your Own Bike
Our final recommendation is a real leg burner, but we think it’s the best possible way to get your legs moving as North Cascades begins to open more roads and trails. Our staff member, Kristen Oliphant, recounts what it’s like to ride one of the most beautiful highways in Washington.
The North Cascades Highway (also known as SR 20) is a scenic gem in Washington state and if you are looking for a challenge, then cycling the highway should be on your to-do list this spring. Within 57 miles, traveling west to east, you will ascend a total of 7,000 feet with views of glacial lakes, scents of Douglas-fir forests, and the cool air of the mountains.
Learn more about cycling on the North Cascades Highway this spring from our friends at North Cascades National Park.
Just remember: there is a chance that the road is still being cleared of snow in early spring, so stay up to date with WSDOT to get a status on road conditions.
These tips are just a taste of what Washington’s national parks offer in the spring months – we hope you’ve found some inspiration. And remember: if we love these places, we have to care for them, too.
We hope you will join us in helping the parks to thrive for many, many springs to come. There are so many ways to give back, from volunteering your time to donating in support of a park priority project.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on April 19, 2022 and updated on March 21, 2024