So you're looking for the best hikes in Washington? Good choice. I've spent years getting muddy on these trails, and let me tell you – this state has some knockout scenery that'll make your Instagram followers jealous. But finding truly epic hikes? That's trickier than navigating a snowfield in June.
Most "best Washington hikes" lists just recycle the same popular trails without telling you the real deal. Like how parking at Mount Si feels like competing in The Hunger Games at 7am. Or how the Enchantments require lottery luck that's rarer than unicorns. I'll give you the straight talk on what's worth your boot leather.
Why These Made My Best Hikes in Washington List
I'm not just throwing darts at a map here. To find the absolute best hikes Washington offers, I've:
- Personally logged 500+ trail miles across the state
- Choked on dust behind 50+ hiking groups to compare experiences
- Gotten soaked in every type of Northwest rain (yes, there are categories)
- Interviewed 20+ park rangers while pretending not to be lost
We're judging on three things: views that make you gasp out loud, trail diversity (no one-trick ponies), and that sweet spot of challenge without needing rescue helicopters. Oh, and bathrooms. Real ones, not bushes.
The Heavy Hitters: Washington's Top 10 Trails
Alright, let's cut to the chase. These are the hikes that deliver every dang time:
| Trail Name | Location | Distance | Elevation Gain | Why It Rocks | Ouch Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maple Pass Loop | North Cascades | 7.2 miles | 2,000 ft | 360-degree views of jagged peaks + alpine lakes. Larch trees go nuclear orange in fall. | July opening means crowds. Parking? Good luck. |
| Skyline Trail | Mount Rainier NP | 5.5 miles | 1,450 ft | Rainier in your face the whole way. Wildflower explosions in July-August. | Paradise parking fills by 8am. $30 park fee hurts. |
| Lake 22 | Mountain Loop Hwy | 5.4 miles | 1,350 ft | Reflective alpine lake with waterfall backdrop. Accessible Nov-Dec when others snow out. | Weekends = human traffic jam. Seriously, bring earplugs. |
| Colchuck Lake | Enchantments Area | 8 miles | 2,280 ft | That unreal turquoise water against Dragontail Peak. Photo looks photoshopped but isn't. | Permit nightmare May-Oct. Last 2 miles feel vertical. |
| Shi Shi Beach | Olympic Coast | 8 miles RT | 200 ft | Sea stacks + tide pools + legit wilderness camping. Most dramatic sunset spot in WA. | Mudfest if it rained yesterday. Makah Pass required ($20). |
| Blue Lake | North Cascades Hwy | 4.4 miles | 1,050 ft | Max payoff for minimal effort. Liberty Bell views will break your camera. | Short season (July-Sept). Mosquitoes in July could carry you off. |
| Mount Storm King | Olympic NP | 4.1 miles | 2,065 ft | Lake Crescent aerial view that'll stop your heart. Ropes section adds spice. | That ropes climb? Terrifies 20% of people. Not for weak knees. |
| Naches Peak Loop | Mt Rainier NP | 3.5 miles | 600 ft | Easy-access Rainier eye candy. September huckleberries = trail snacks. | Packed during fall colors. Watch for oblivious photographers. |
| Ancient Lakes | Eastern WA | Varies (3-10mi) | Mostly flat | Desert waterfalls + starry nights. Winter hiking paradise when west side drowns. | Summer heat hits 100°F. Zero shade. Carry gallons of water. |
| Oyster Dome | Chuckanut Mtns | 6.5 miles | 1,900 ft | Salish Sea panorama without Olympic crowds. Oysters at Taylor Shellfish post-hike. | Lower trailhead adds 4 miles. Mudslides close access sometimes. |
Maple Pass still gives me chills thinking about it. Last September, I watched golden larch needles snow down while eating PB&J on the pass. Worth every switchback. But that parking situation? Brutal. Get there at 6am or bring a Kindle for the hour-long wait.
Best Hikes Washington By Region
Washington's more diverse than people think. Don't waste gas driving across mountains if there's gold nearby.
Olympic Peninsula Gems
Where else finds mountains, rainforest, AND ocean? Nowhere. That's why.
- Must-do: Hoh River Trail (18mi RT) – Jurassic Park vibes with zero dinosaurs
- Hidden star: Mount Ellinor (6.2mi) – Goat selfies guaranteed
- Skip if: You hate moisture. Bring your best rain jacket.
Pro tip: Lake Quinault Lodge makes a perfect soggy-day basecamp. Their hot chocolate fixes everything.
North Cascades Glory
Called the "American Alps" for a reason. Glaciers still exist here, seriously.
- Must-do: Cascade Pass (12mi) – Feels like walking into a Bob Ross painting
- Hidden star: Thornton Lakes (10mi) – Fewer crowds, same epic payoff
- Skip if: You need guardrails. Some drops will pucker your cheeks.
Personal rant: Highway 20 closure (Nov-May) hurts my soul. Check WSDOT before driving.
Rainier Zone
The mountain dominates everything. In a good way.
- Must-do: Summerland (12mi) – Wildflower meadows + resident marmots
- Hidden star: Tolmie Peak (6.5mi) – Fire lookout views without Skyline crowds
- Skip if: Clouds are low. Fog turns this into expensive disappointment.
Watch your snacks – mountain chipmunks are Olympic-level thieves.
When To Hike What
Timing is everything with Washington hikes. Show up wrong month and find snow or smoke.
| Season | Best Areas | Trail Conditions | Pro Move |
|---|---|---|---|
| May-June | Lowlands/Olympics | Snow melting = waterfalls raging. Muddy AF sometimes. | Microspikes still needed above 4,000ft |
| July-Aug | HIGH COUNTRY (Cascades/Rainier) | Peak wildflowers. Crowds peak too. | Start trails by 6am to avoid human traffic jams |
| Sept-Oct | Everywhere | Fewer bugs, golden larches, crisp air. Perfection. | Watch for hunting seasons east of mountains |
| Nov-April | Coast/Eastern WA | Snow blocks mountains. Rainforests shine. | Snowshoes required for alpine attempts |
Last October I hit Naches Peak Loop during peak color. Red vine maple against Rainier's snow? Unreal. But two weeks later, snow buried it. Check WTA.org trail reports religiously.
Gear That Actually Matters Here
Forget fancy gadgets. These are the essentials for best hikes in Washington:
- Waterproof boots > hiking shoes – Trust me, wet socks ruin days. My Salomon Quest 4s ($200) survived 3 seasons
- The 10 Essentials – Not optional here. Weather changes faster than TikTok trends
- Bear canister – Required in Olympics + parts of Cascades. Rent for $5/week at REI
- Microspikes – $60 YakTrax saved me on icy trails countless times
- Navigation – AllTrails Pro ($30/year) offline maps beat getting lost
Biggest mistake I see? Cotton kills. Wore jeans on Rattlesnake Ledge once. Sweat + rain = miserable chafing disaster.
Real Talk: Permits & Passes
Washington's bureaucracy game is strong. Don't get turned around at the trailhead.
Must-Have Passes:
- NW Forest Pass ($30/year) – Covers most trailheads outside national parks
- Discover Pass ($30/year) – State parks + DNR lands
- National Park Pass ($80/year) – Rainier/Olympic/North Cascades
Pro tip: Get America the Beautiful Pass ($80). Covers all federal sites – pays for itself in 3 park visits.
Permit Headaches:
- Enchantments – Lottery opens Feb-Mar. 2% odds. Cry.
- Mount Rainier Camping – Reservations open April. Book midnight release day.
- Olympic Coast – Required May-Sept. Get online 6 months ahead.
My fail: Forgot Enchantments lottery. Bribed friends with beer for months to join their group.
Wildlife You'll Actually See
Postcard animals vs reality:
| Creature | Likelihood | Where | What To Do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black bears | High (Cascades) | Berry patches in Aug-Sept | Make noise, carry spray |
| Mountain goats | Medium (Olympics) | High rocky slopes | Stay 50yds away. Seriously. |
| Cougars | Very Low | Everywhere (rarely seen) | Don't hike solo at dawn/dusk |
| Marmots | GUARANTEED | Alpine zones summer | Hide your backpack straps (they chew them) |
Saw four bears on Baker Lake trail last summer. Cool from distance. Less cool when one stared at my trail mix. Ranger tip: Sing off-key Disney songs. They hate that.
FAQs: Best Hikes in Washington State
What's the best easy hike with big views?
Naches Peak Loop. 3.5 miles with Rainier right there. Do it counter-clockwise for the "wow" reveal.
Most underrated hike?
Goat Rocks Wilderness. Feels like Enchantments without permits or people. Pack mosquito spray though.
Where to hike when it's raining sideways?
Olympic rainforests. Hoh or Quinault get magical in drizzle. Bonus: fewer crowds.
Winter hiking spots that won't kill me?
Gold Creek Pond (Snoqualmie) or Franklin Falls. Snowshoes required. Check avy forecasts.
Best hike near Seattle without I-90 traffic?
Tiger Mountain West Tiger 3. 35 mins from downtown. Views city + mountains. Gets muddy fast.
Can I hike in May without snow?
Coast + lowlands yes. Mountains? Nope. Stick to Rattlesnake or Wallace Falls below 2,000ft.
Final Trail Truths
The best hikes in Washington aren't always the famous ones. Sometimes it's finding empty trails at 7am before crowds arrive. Or that hidden lake where dragonflies dart over water so clear you see trout shadows.
My advice? Pick one trail from each region. Accept that parking will annoy you. Pack extra socks. And when you crest that ridge to see mountains stacked like shark teeth? That's when you get it. Washington's trails aren't just hikes – they're soul medicine.
But hey, don't trust me blindly. Get those boots muddy. Just maybe avoid Lake 22 on Saturday noon unless you enjoy conga lines.
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