Best Parks & Green Spaces in Washington, United States

1. Olympic National Park

Covering a vast area of Olympic Peninsula, it boasts various landscapes from rainforests, coastlines to mountains.

Rainforest Hike: Offers a unique opportunity for exploring the world's largest temperate rainforests.
Marine Wildlife: Provides an excellent chance to spot gray whales, sea otters, and seals along its coastline.
Mountain Peaks: Includes Mount Olympus, one of the highest peaks in the Olympic Range.

Featuring the towering active volcano Mount Rainier, it offers numerous hiking trails and scenic views.

Glacier Climbing: Allows for challenging glacier climbs on Mount Rainier.
Alpine Meadows: Showcases stunning alpine meadows covered in wildflowers during the summer months.
Wildlife Spotting: Offers chances to see various wildlife such as black bears, elk, and mountain goats.

Protecting the rugged peaks of the North Cascade Range, it offers a serene wilderness experience.

Glacier Views: Provides breathtaking views of over 300 glaciers and snow-capped peaks.
Wild River Rafting: Offers exciting opportunities for whitewater rafting on the Skagit and Ross rivers.
Backcountry Camping: Allows for backcountry camping in a pristine, untouched wilderness setting.

Comprising of diverse landscapes including mountains, lakes, and forests, it offers a variety of outdoor activities.

Mountain Biking Trails: Provides numerous mountain biking trails for all skill levels.
Lake Activities: Offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming in various lakes throughout the forest.
Cross-country Skiing: Features numerous cross-country ski trails during winter months.

Featuring the mighty Columbia River, it offers stunning waterfalls, hiking trails, and panoramic views.

Waterfall Hikes: Offers numerous hiking trails leading to beautiful waterfalls such as Multnomah Falls.
Gorgeous Viewpoints: Provides several viewpoints offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Columbia River and surrounding landscapes.
Windsurfing and Kitesurfing: Known for its favorable wind conditions, it's a popular spot for windsurfing and kitesurfing.

A Bavarian-style town nestled in the Cascade Mountains, it offers charming architecture and scenic outdoor activities.

Scenic Hiking Trails: Provides a variety of hiking trails leading to picturesque waterfalls and mountain vistas.
Bavarian Festivals: Hosts numerous Bavarian-themed festivals throughout the year, providing a unique cultural experience.
Wine Tasting: Features several wineries and wine tasting rooms in the town.

A scenic drive around Olympic Peninsula, it offers breathtaking coastal and mountain views.

Coastal Views: Provides stunning coastal views along the Pacific Ocean.
Historical Landmarks: Features various historical landmarks such as Fort Flagler and the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center.
Scenic Byway Drive: Offers a picturesque drive through the diverse landscapes of the Olympic Peninsula.

Featuring Palouse River and its stunning waterfall, it offers hiking trails, camping sites, and scenic views.

Waterfall Views: Offers beautiful views of the Palouse Falls waterfall.
Scenic Hiking Trails: Provides hiking trails for exploring the surrounding area and scenic overlooks.
Camping Sites: Features camping sites for an overnight stay in a peaceful natural setting.

Featuring Deception Pass and its connecting bridges, it offers hiking trails, beaches, and boat launches.

Bridges Views: Offers stunning views of the two bridges connecting Deception Pass.
Hiking Trails: Provides a variety of hiking trails for exploring the park's diverse landscapes.
Water Activities: Features boat launches and numerous beaches for water activities such as swimming, kayaking, and fishing.

Featuring historical sites related to the Pig War, it offers hiking trails, marine wildlife viewing, and cultural experiences.

Historical Sites: Offers a chance to explore historical sites related to the Pig War.
Marine Wildlife Viewing: Provides opportunities for viewing various marine wildlife such as gray whales and orcas.
Scenic Hiking Trails: Features scenic hiking trails with beautiful views of the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound.

Featuring a vast collection of wisteria vines, it offers a picturesque and fragrant walking trail.

Wisteria Vines: Offers a chance to walk under the beautiful blooming wisteria vines.
Fragrant Walking Trail: Features a fragrant walking trail that's especially beautiful during the spring bloom season.
Peaceful Setting: Provides a peaceful and serene setting for relaxation and reflection.

Featuring the Steptoe Butte, it offers panoramic views of the surrounding Palouse countryside.

Panoramic Views: Offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Palouse countryside.
Hiking Trails: Provides hiking trails leading to the summit of Steptoe Butte for even better views.
Geological Formation: Features a unique geological formation created by erosion and wind over millions of years.

A paved trail following the Spokane River, it offers a peaceful urban escape and scenic views.

Urban Escape: Provides a peaceful urban escape within city limits.
Scenic Views: Offers beautiful scenic views of the Spokane River and surrounding landscapes.
Length and Accessibility: Features over 37 miles of paved trail, making it accessible for a variety of activities such as biking, running, or walking.

Featuring a long, sandy beach and campgrounds, it offers opportunities for swimming, fishing, and bird watching.

Long Sand Beach: Offers a long, sandy beach perfect for various activities such as swimming, sunbathing, or picnicking.
Campgrounds: Features campgrounds for overnight stays with access to restrooms and showers.
Bird Watching: Provides opportunities for bird watching, as various species can be spotted throughout the park.

Featuring a large lake and surrounding forest, it offers opportunities for boating, fishing, camping, and hiking.

Boating and Fishing: Offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water activities on Lake Sammamish.
Camping Sites: Features camping sites for overnight stays with access to restrooms, showers, and picnic areas.
Hiking Trails: Provides hiking trails leading through the surrounding forest for exploring the park's natural beauty.