What You Need to Know While Planning A Trip to Washington State
Tons of travelers seek adventure that can only be found in evergreen forests, enchanting mountains, and refreshing ocean beaches. If this sounds familiar, then you’re likely wondering what you need to know while planning a trip to Washington State.
Let’s trade some of that research time for exploring time.
To help, here is a guide with ALL the information I share with out-of-state friends when asked “What should I know before visiting Washington?”
How to save time planning and be prepared for your first trip to Washington State:
- Read the frequently asked questions.
- Leave questions in the comments.
- Bookmark this post for easy access later!
FAQs on Washington State Travel Planning
- When is the best time to visit Washington State? July through September. If you want to hike in high elevation areas like Paradise or Sunrise at Mt. Rainier National Park, I can’t recommend these months enough. This is the peak of wildflower season and (contrary to popular belief) we many, many sunshine-filled days in the 70s and 80s. Unfortunately, if you come earlier in the year areas like this will be snow-covered – meaning that even if the roads are open then you’ll need snowshoes, micro spikes, or skis.
- Which places should I go in Washington State? Imagine a vertical line dividing the state. We have that – it’s the Cascade Mountain range! Because of this, the western and eastern sides are very different. Major cities like Seattle, Olympia (the capitol), and Tacoma are on the west, where it tends to be cooler and wetter. Generally, I recommend spending most of your time on this side of the state because there’s access to the Puget Sound (the large saltwater inlet that skirts the cities above) and the ocean beaches, and there’s simply more attractions. That being said, spending a day or two traveling in eastern Washington is worthwhile. You’ll get the full Washington experience – seeing a totally different landscape, wildlife like bighorn sheep, and our agriculture areas.
- What is it like to visit the city of Forks, Washington, a.k.a the home of Twilight? Sorry to break it to you, but honestly there is not much to see there, as most of filming took place elsewhere. In reality, Forks is a small town with a population of 4,000. When I visited a few years ago, the highlights were a few photo spot with an orange Ford truck resembling Bella’s and a tiny exhibit with wardrobes. If you’re headed to the Olympic Peninsula anyway, then maybe stop here for lunch. Otherwise, I would not recommend a designated trip or scheduling mulitple days there.
- Where are good hiking places in Washington State? For the top 3 most unforgettable hikes, click here. General areas you can’t go wrong with are Sunrise and Paradise at Mt. Rainier and North Bend (close to Seattle). All have trails for varying difficulty levels. In addition, be sure to follow @thekarebear on Instagram for weekly hiking ideas.
- Do I need to rent a car? Unless you are staying in downtown Seattle and plan on staying within the city, YES. There’s an easy-to-use light rail system (called the Link) and buses. But, to get to the ocean beaches or mountains you will need a car. It is 100% worth it!
- What are the most beautiful road trips to take from Seattle? Drive to the Bavarian-themed city of Leavenworth, on North Cascades Highway all the way through North Cascades National Park, to Olympic National Park (stopping at Hurricane Ridge), to Paradise at Mt. Rainier National Park, and on Chuckanut Drive to Bellingham.
- How much does it cost to visit Washington parks? These are the main types of natural areas: state parks, city parks, and national parks. State parks are $10 a day to visit or $30 for an annual Discover Pass. Often, you’ll find camping sites, cabins, and yurts available at an additional cost. City parks are free! Lastly, entrance to national parks is $30 (covers 1 week) or $80 for an annual pass that covers ALL national parks and is called the America the Beautiful Pass. To save time and hassle, I recommend purchasing these online before your trip.
- Do I need to pack rain gear even in the summer? If you visit the mountains or coast, then you should bring layers like a jacket, long sleeve, and pants. It can be chilly and windy in places like this. Regardless of destination, waterproof hiking boots are always a good idea. Our hiking trails may be wet anytime.
- What are the current COVID-19 travel restrictions in Washington State? Check out the latest travel advisories from the Washington State Department of Health here.
Have any other questions? Leave them in the comments and I’ll respond as soon as I can.
Don’t forget to bookmark this post and share it with anyone who is planning a trip to Washington State!
Hope you enjoy exploring Washington!
