By Alex Day, Director of Marketing, Communications, and Database

If Washington had a state hobby, I’m pretty sure it would be hiking. And who could blame us when the options for incredible hikes are nearly endless! From the sandy shores of the Olympic peninsula to idyllic glacial lakes, misty old growth forests, tidepools full of sea life, panoramic peaks with 360-degree views of volcanic mountains, and so much more – our state offers hiking adventures like no other. With all the options, it’s clear why hiking is such a popular pastime – and the national parks are premier destinations for hikers of all abilities.

It can sometimes feel like a challenge to locate a trail that offers the quiet, calm, and solitude that so many of us go hiking to find. To help you find the perfect trail this summer, we asked our friends at Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks which trails they would recommend to a hiker interested in the path less traveled (but just as rewarding).

If you’re one of those park visitors interested in the less well-known and loved park destinations, check out these top hikes to avoid the crowds in Washington’s national parks.

Best Summer Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park

With over 260 miles of diverse maintained trails, Mount Rainier National Park is truly a hiker’s paradise, offering something for hikers of any level and views that will awe and inspire. It’s no wonder it attracts nearly two million visitors each year – many of whom come for Paradise and its subalpine meadows. If you’re looking to get away from the crowds, start with a visit to Mount Rainier’s Wilderness Camping & Hiking resource page and then check out these hikes recommended by our friends at the park.

NOTE: Usually trails above 4,000′ are still snow-covered into July, with unique hazards related to the late-season snow. We recommend that you save higher-elevation hikes, such as those around Reflection Lakes and Gobblers Knob, for later in the summer. If you choose to hike in an area that still has snow, be sure to review Mount Rainier’s Spring Hiking Safety page for important safety information on hiking in late-season snow.

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Reflection Lakes: Named for the stunning subalpine lakes that reflect views of Mount Rainier, the Reflection Lakes area is located about 1.3 miles east of Paradise Road along Stevens Canyon Road* and is home to several trailheads. Some favorite alternates to the crowds on Skyline or the Wonderland Trail include:

• The Lakes Loop, a loop just over five miles with a little over 1,500’ of vertical gain and stunning views, beginning and ending at Paradise Ranger Station.
• High Lakes Loop, a short-but-sweet three-mile roundtrip hike that only climbs 600’ and offers an incredible cliffside view of the lakes and the Tatoosh range.
• Mazama Ridge Trail to Faraway Rock is a 5.2-mile out-and-back that climbs more than 1,180’ and also serves as a fun snowshoe route in the winter months.

Trails along SR 123 (Cayuse Pass) and SR 410 (Chinook Pass): Another great option for less busy (but equally impressive) trails is on the east side of the park. Along state routes 123 and 410, Cayuse and Chinook passes, you’ll find enormous trees, rushing waterfalls, and plenty of tranquility on the trails. From south to north, look for:

• Silver Falls Loop Trail, a three-mile, relatively level trail that journeys along the Ohanapecosh River and over Silver Falls.
• Three Lakes Trail, a more robust 12-mile adventure that starts off at a gentle grade but steadily gains 2,700′ on the way up to Three Lakes.
• Eastside Trail, a 26.2-mile adventure that gains more than 3,530′, taking you through unique forest ecosystems, wildflower meadows, and many waterfalls. There is a wilderness camp at Deer Creek, but keep in mind that you’ll need a permit to stay overnight.
• Shriner Peak Trail is a burner, gaining 3,434′ in just eight miles with little shade. Still, the views of the park’s eastern wilderness from the top of the ridge make it well worth your effort.
• Crystal Lakes Trail, a six-mile series of switchbacks through the forest on a trail that provides a good look at Mount Rainier before reaching the two lakes. You’ll gain 2,300′ on this one.

Both SR 410 (Chinook) and SR 123 (Cayuse) Passes have opened and are available for travel this Memorial Day weekend.

Safe travels this summer, and please continue to monitor @MountRainierNPS and its website for recreation updates 🗻 https://t.co/HvifPltzOQ

— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) May 26, 2023

Westside Road: Located in the southwest corner of the park, Westside Road was originally envisioned as part of an “around-the-mountain” network of roads encircling Mount Rainier but was never completed. It’s one of only two roads closed to vehicles that remains open to bicycling, and several trails branch off of it.

• Our friends at Mount Rainier suggest hiking or biking Westside Road from the closure to the Gobblers Knob trailhead, leaving your bike at the trailhead, and hiking to the lookout to enjoy awe-inspiring views of Mount Rainier. 

*Keep in mind that Stevens Canyon Road is only open to vehicles during the summer season (typically June-September).

Best Summer Hikes in North Cascades National Park

A rugged wilderness sanctuary that’s home to over 300 glaciers and over 400 miles of trails, North Cascades National Park preserves some of the finest mountain country in North America. It’s also a premier destination for those who are in search of solitude in nature, with more than 90% of its land designated as wilderness. Check out all the resources to help plan your hike on North Cascades National Park’s Hiking page, and then beat the crowds by exploring these hikes suggested by park staff:

State Route 20: Right off State Route 20 (SR20), or the North Cascades Highway, you’ll find any number of trails with fabulous views. Because the highway is the easiest way to access the park, it tends to draw the majority of visitors, especially to popular locations like Diablo Lake overlook.

• Thunder Knob Trail: At 3.6 miles roundtrip and only 425’ of elevation gain, Thunder Knob is perfect for an afternoon hike or an easy hike with children. (Or a furry friend: leashed pets are allowed!) It offers views of both Diablo Lake and the peaks of the Cascades. This hike is one you might want to do again in late fall, or even winter if the snow isn’t too deep.

• Happy Creek Forest Walk: This is a gem for those who prefer a shorter hike, or those with young ones along. The loop itself is accessible, with a boardwalk winding through a stand of old-growth forest located along SR 20. Hikers can also opt for a longer hike to Happy Creek Falls, the site of an old sawmill from the late 1800s.

In the North-Western part of the park, bordering the Mount Baker Wilderness and Mount Baker Recreation Area (managed by the Forest Service), you’ll find a number of quieter trails. View the park map to orient yourself. Here’s one hike you’ll definitely want to check out:

• Baker River Trail: This low-elevation hike takes you through stands of old growth trees and past beaver ponds teeming with wildlife, ending at Sulphide Creek and Camp. The deeply carved river valley engulfs you as the trail passes massive cedars and giant moss-covered boulders. (Note that it starts in the national forest before entering the park.) And a pro tip from the park’s Chief of Natural and Cultural Resources: It’s a great route to see sockeye salmon spawning.

Stehekin Valley: Located on the northernmost tip of Lake Chelan, Stehekin is a truly unique national park location. It’s only accessible by boat, plane, or foot, making it one of the least visited parts of North Cascades National Park and an ideal choice for those hikers in search of true solitude.

• Stehekin River Trail: If you find yourself out in the Stehekin Valley, this trail is an excellent option for gradual rises and falls as it winds through the forest. It’s also a great place to see kokanee salmon spawning, according to the park’s Chief of Natural and Cultural Resources.

• Agnes Gorge Trail: Another great Stehekin Valley hike is the Agnes Gorge Trail, a five-mile out-and-back that offers a rich variety of wildflowers for early-season hikers and beautiful views of Agnes Mountain and the Chickamin Glacier. At the end of the trail, hikers are rewarded with views of the dramatic gorge and cascading waterfall.

• Imus Creek Trail: Also in Stehekin, this easy one-mile hike takes you on a gradual climb through a forest for views of the surrounding hills and peaks as well as Lake Chelan. The trail ends at Purple Point Campground where you can continue along the road to complete the loop and return to Stehekin Landing.

Best Summer Hikes in Olympic National Park

With more than 611 miles of trail and 64 distinct trailheads, Olympic National Park attracts hikers of all abilities to its diverse ecosystems. Where else can you hike through lush rain forest, rocky coastlines, subalpine meadows, and towering mountain peaks? Its incredible diversity also makes it incredibly popular. Our friends at the park offered up these recommendations for a less-crowded hiking destination:

Sol Duc Valley: Located in the northwest region of the park, just 40 minutes west of Port Angeles, the Sol Duc River valley is covered with old growth forest. The Sol Duc River serves as a key highway for coho salmon, running through the valley and ascending to the lakes and headwaters in the surrounding mountains.

• Salmon Cascades overlook: This popular destination is a very short walk from the parking area. Visitors come to watch the determined coho salmon leap over the falls on their way to spawn upstream in the river during the fall.
• Ancient Groves Trail: This hike takes you on a ½-mile loop in the impressive old-growth forest. The trailhead is right off the Sol Duc Road past the Salmon Cascades stop, making it a perfect follow-up after checking out the salmon jumping.
• Lover’s Lane Loop Trail: This six-mile loop through old growth forest is a great option for those seeking a longer hike. The trail follows the Sol Duc river upstream, connecting Sol Duc campground, Sol Duc Falls and the resort.

Heart O’ the Hills: Up in the northern part of the park, Heart O’ the Hills Campground is a popular destination for visitors seeking the quiet calm of old growth forests. Visitors often encounter elusive banana slugs, Olympic torrent salamanders, and rough-skinned newts, and extra lucky visitors might even hear the call of a marbled murrelet, a sea bird that spends the winter months in the open ocean and summer months nesting in old growth forests. (Be sure to check the park’s website on this area, as it has ongoing construction efforts.)

• Heart O’ the Forest Trail: This easy four-mile roundtrip hike takes you through pristine old growth forest. This is the closest old-growth forest hike from the Olympic National Park Visitor Center, so it makes for a good option for those short on time.

Quinault Rain Forest: In the southwestern area of the park, about a three-hour drive from Port Angeles and one hour from Forks, visitors can find a pristine example of temperate rain forest in the Quinault Valley. The Maple Glade loop and the Kestner Homestead can be combined on a visit to this rain forest, with a great picnic option waiting for you at July Creek.

• Maple Glade Rain Forest Trail: Hike a half-mile loop through a mossy bigleaf maple grove. This trail begins just across the bridge from the Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station.
• Kestner Homestead: Learn about homestead life on this flat, self-guided 1.3-mile loop from the Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station.

Take A Hike

Ready to get out there? As you plan your trip and pack your sunscreen and lots of water, keep in mind that it’s important to Leave No Trace to preserve these special places. While it may be tempting to get “off the beaten path” to avoid crowds, you shouldn’t actually hike off-trail as you risk trampling fragile meadows during their brief growing season over the summer.

You can learn about Mount Rainier National Park’s meadow restoration efforts – a project supported by WNPF donors – in our project update.

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 last updated May 30, 2023. Cover photo: Olympic National Park by Elizabeth Gonzalez.