Drive Along This West Coast Road Trip Route To Hit 3 National Parks
By JOSHUA MEYER
Washington state is the perfect place to start a nature-lovers road trip, as one can easily stay occupied exploring the state's three national parks for a week or two.
The state hosts the beautiful Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, and North Cascades National Park near the Canadian border.
There are more than 300 miles and about six and a half hours of driving time between these three national parks. The route also passes through Seattle.
Olympic National Park offers the chance to see rich marine life, the towering trees of the Hoh Rain Forest, and the relaxing Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort.
Walk among the moss, ferns, and trees of the Hoh Rain Forest or relax at one of the park’s hot springs, which you can enjoy by renting a cabin at the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort.
At Mount Rainier National Park, you can drive the Chinook Scenic Byway, ride the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad, survey the Boulder Cave Natural Area, and rediscover history.
North Cascades has camping, boating, and horseback riding options, and despite its name, Cutthroat Lake is a good option for hiking with kids.
Remember that Mount Rainier is an active volcano, and the park has collapsible ice caves that should be avoided. North Cascades is also dangerous, as many climbers have died there.