Our Breathtaking Backyard

Some of the most breathtaking places are right in our very backyard. Seattle is a launching pad to countless outdoor adventures. Our state boasts three national parks. Home to Washington's tallest peak at 14,411 feet—a trip to Mount Rainier National Park is a must. Explore the area’s wild rivers, lush forests, massive glaciers, rushing waterfalls, alpine lakes, sweeping views, convenient campgrounds, and tasty restaurants along our highlighted 5-day journey.

Day 1

The Carlson Block Pizza — Courtesy: The Carlson Block

Hop in the van and head south out of Seattle. Yes, we’re starting out our road trip with food … and for good reason. If at all possible, plan your travels around eating at The Carlson Block in the old mining town of Wilkeson. Truly, it’s some of the most amazing pizza in the state. Our biggest advice: get there early! They can run out of dough fast. Open Thursday through Sunday from 3 to 8 pm, this family-owned joint is housed in a 110-year-old building which served as Wilkeson’s 16-room hotel. Ian and Ashley Galbraith create incredible wood-fired pies with daily house-made dough and mozzarella from scratch (curd sourced from Washington's Ferndale Farmstead). The sausage is made in-house too. Each pie is like a thoughtfully delicious gift for your taste buds. Excuse us while we drool …

If you're traveling when The Carlson Block is closed—step back in time and enjoy a milkshake, burger, and fries at Wally’s Drive-In in Buckley. We love the double nostalgia of a camper van road trip combined with a classic drive-in. And this isn’t your typical fast food stop. Wally’s cooks with quality, locally-sourced ingredients. Their shakes are hand dipped, their fruit is fresh or flash-frozen from Northwest farms, and their fries are hand cut. We think it happens to taste even better devoured right from the van with Jerry Lee Lewis howling from the stereo.

Stretch your legs with a short hike at Federation Forest State Park. Immerse yourself in 1,000-year-old evergreens on several trail loops. With 12 miles of hiking trails through cedar groves, above marshy wetlands, and along the scenic White River—it’s easy to blissfully pass time here.

Camp at Silver Springs Campground, situated on the banks of the White River in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest just outside of the park’s North Arch entrance. The campground is home to one of the most magical occurrences in nature. Each fall, thousands of salmon swim up the springs to spawn. There’s a good chance you’ll spot the fish from late-August to mid-October.

Day 2

You’re exploring a national park, which means ample opportunities to cook meals at camp (and save some cash). For breakfast, we’re partial to oatmeal with walnuts and bananas or omelets with seasonal veggies and goat cheese. For meal options after breakfast check out our recipes for the road.

If you’re traveling with kids (and even if you’re not) we recommend heading to Crystal Mountain and riding the Gondola 2,500 vertical feet up to the summit. Just as the gondola nears the top, you’ll be awe struck by an impressive appearance from Mount Rainier. It’s so close it feels like you could reach out and touch it. Grab lunch at Summit House. At 6,872 feet, it’s Washington’s highest elevation restaurant—and the views are spectacular. You can ride the gondola back, but we prefer to hike down to the parking lot. Take Crystal Mountain Trail and go past Elizabeth Lake and Henskin Lake (excellent for fishing), then onto Silver Creek Trail. You’ll reach the parking lot in about 5 miles. The resort also offers guided horseback riding, a mining sluice, and two disc golf courses.

Head into Mount Rainier National Park and stay the night at White River Campground. Listen to the Sunrise Geology Audio Tour while driving on Sunrise Road to camp. Learn more about the glaciers and moraines visible from the Emmons Glacier Overlooks.

DAy 3

Start your day with a hike directly from the campground on Glacier Basin Trail. Trek the full 7 miles roundtrip or turn around whenever you feel like it (the beauty of an out-and-back trail!). Once an old mining road, the trail follows the White River for 3.5 miles. One mile beyond the trailhead, you’ll hit a junction with the Emmons Moraine Trail. This 1-mile roundtrip spur leads to a viewpoint which overlooks the Emmons Glacier, the largest glacier in the lower 48. Look for mountain goats on the surrounding slopes and climbers ascending the Inter Glacier to Steamboat Prow.

Lucky you! You’ve spent the night at the closest campground to Sunrise and that’s a very strategic choice. We highly recommend taking several hours to explore this area. At an elevation of 6,400 feet, Sunrise is the highest point in the park accessible by car. On clear summer days, soak up breathtaking views of Mount Rainier and Emmons Glacier. Wildflowers dot the subalpine meadows.

For a short hike with big views, opt for the 3.2-mile loop up to Frozen Lake on the Sourdough Ridge Trail and Old Campground Trail. You’ll get up close and personal with the park’s namesake and be wowed by nearly 360-degree views of the surrounding Cascade Range.

If you’re looking for something a little longer, take the 5.6-mile Mount Fremont Lookout Trail that leads to a historic 1930s fire lookout with excellent views of Mount Rainier and its glaciers.

Treat yourself to a post-hike soft-serve ice cream cone at Sunrise Day Lodge (part of the National Historic Landmark District). You’ve earned it.

Drive about an hour (32 miles) to Ohanapecosh Campground. Time to kick up your feet and relax.

Day 4

Next up is a fascinating bit of geology. Box Canyon is a .5-mile loop trail connected on either end by the road bridge and a wooden foot bridge. From either bridge, gaze 180 feet below at water rushing through a narrow slot canyon carved by the Muddy Fork of the Cowlitz River.

On to Paradise! Famous for its glorious views and wildflower meadows—there are several wonderful hikes in the area, including a stop at Reflection Lakes for, you guessed it, a stunning reflection of Mount Rainier in the cool waters. We love a 3-mile loop connecting Nisqually Vista Trail, Deadhorse Creek Trail, Waterfall Trail, and Skyline Trail to Myrtle Falls.

Fuel up at the historic Paradise Inn (dinner reservations recommended). Open since 1917, it’s one of the oldest inns in the national park system. Stop in for a meal and enjoy the ambiance of this historic rustic building. Former President Harry Truman played at the piano on display in 1945. Don’t forget to pop into the Guide House. Built in 1920, it features exhibits on climbing Mount Rainier.

Head to nearby Cougar Rock Campground for the night, but make sure to stop along the road to catch a spectacular sunset vista of Mount Rainier at Ricksecker Point.

day 5

Take a morning stroll on the 93-mile Wonderland Trail right from Cougar Rock Campground to Carter Falls. The Wonderland Trail circumnavigates Mount Rainier, but don’t worry, this section is only 2.8 miles roundtrip.

On your way out of the park, check out Longmire Museum. With the establishment of the Mount Rainier National Park in 1899, Longmire became the park headquarters. The site previously served as James Longmire's homestead, lodging, and mineral springs resort. Although park headquarters are no longer at Longmire, the building houses a museum that tells the story of the park’s early days.

Stop at Wildberry in Ashford for fantastic Himalayan food just outside of the park. Boasting “a taste of two worlds” the restaurant serves up traditional Tibetan and Nepalese dishes alongside American mountain-inspired classics. Owner Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa is quite an accomplished mountaineer. He holds the world speed record on Mount Everest, climbing from base camp to the summit in just 10 hours, 56 minutes, and 46 seconds. He’s reached the summit of Everest 15 times and has scaled many other high peaks around the world. There’s an interesting climbing exhibit that highlights his feats inside the restaurant. As you depart for the 2-hour drive back to Seattle, you may just leave inspired to summit Mount Rainier on your next visit!

*Check with the park for the latest closure info when planning your trip. Grove of the Patriarchs received significant damage from flooding in November 2021 and remains closed as of July 2023.