Day Trippin' › Washington
189 places worth the drive, region by region. Want to know what's within 2 hours of home?
Enter your ZIPState park · Pacific County
Two lighthouses, a Lewis and Clark center and huge waves at the Columbia's mouth.
Viewpoint · Clallam County
Boardwalk trail to cliffs at the far northwest tip of the lower 48, with sea caves and Tatoosh Island.
Wildlife refuge · Clallam County
One of the world's longest sand spits, with birds, seals and a lighthouse at the end.
Forest · Jefferson County
Walk through the Hall of Mosses, one of the wettest, greenest forests in the country.
Viewpoint · Clallam County
Drive right up into the Olympic Mountains for meadow walks, deer and big views across to Canada.
Beach · Jefferson County
Coastal beaches and a spruce clinging to an eroded bluff by its roots.
Lake · Clallam County
A deep, clear glacier-carved lake with a lodge, paddling and easy shoreline walks.
Trail · Clallam County
Boardwalk loop to wild beaches and ancient Makah rock carvings.
Lake · Grays Harbor County
A rainforest lake with a historic lodge, big-tree trails and a scenic loop drive.
Town · Pacific County
A long beach boardwalk, kite flying, oysters and historic Oysterville.
Waterfall · Clallam County
A short old-growth forest walk to a 90-foot ribbon of a waterfall near Lake Crescent.
Town · Clallam County
Gateway town with a waterfront trail, the ferry to Victoria and good food before or after the park.
Beach · Clallam County
A wild, rocky beach; walk north at low tide to the Hole-in-the-Wall arch.
Beach · Jefferson County
Sea stacks, driftwood and tide pools on a short walk down from US 101.
Beach · Clallam County
Tide pools, WWII bunkers and views of the Strait at a county park.
Beach · Clallam County
A short forest trail opens onto a beach of sea stacks near La Push.
Farm · Clallam County
Purple fields, farm stands and lavender everything in the rain shadow of the Olympics.
Waterfall · Clallam County
A mossy rainforest trail to a falls that splits into several channels; pair it with the hot springs resort.
Trail · Mason County
Old-growth walks along the clear North Fork Skokomish River on the quiet east side of the park.
Town · Grays Harbor County
A working fishing town with a tall lighthouse, an observation tower and a surf beach.
Town · Skagit County
A loop road and trails along rocky headlands with island views.
Garden · Kitsap County
Quiet gardens and forest on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle.
Scenic drive · Whatcom County
A cliffside road over Samish Bay with tide pools and trails at the state park.
Historic site · Island County
Bluff trail over farmland and the sea, then a historic waterfront town with mussels.
State park · Skagit County
The famous bridge, swirling tide currents, beaches and forest trails.
Park · King County
Seattle's biggest park, with bluffs, beaches and a lighthouse.
Town · San Juan County
Ferry ride through the islands to a walkable harbor town with a whale museum.
Town · Skagit County
A waterfront town of shops and museums on the Swinomish Channel.
Town · Island County
A small Whidbey Island village with galleries, a seawall walk and gray whales in spring.
State park · San Juan County
One of the best shore spots in the world to see orcas, with a little lighthouse.
State park · San Juan County
Drive to a stone tower on Orcas Island's highest point for a 360-degree view of the islands.
Museum · Pierce County
Watch glassblowers at work and walk the Chihuly Bridge of Glass in Tacoma.
Wildlife refuge · Thurston County
A boardwalk out over the delta with herons, eagles and huge flocks of ducks.
Market · King County
Seattle's busy public market with fish throwers, produce stalls and the waterfront below.
Park · Pierce County
A huge Tacoma park with old forest, beaches, gardens, a zoo and an aquarium.
Town · Jefferson County
A Victorian seaport town plus a fort with bunkers, beaches and a lighthouse.
Town · Kitsap County
A Scandinavian-themed harbor town with bakeries and a waterfront park.
Farm · Skagit County
Miles of tulip and daffodil fields in bloom.
Waterfall · Thurston County
A short loop past a series of falls on the Deschutes River, with salmon in the fall.
Island · King County
A rural island a ferry ride away, with farm stands, beaches and a lighthouse.
Viewpoint · Whatcom County
Drive to the end of the Mount Baker Highway for close views of Baker and Shuksan.
Lake · Whatcom County
A big lake with campgrounds, paddling and views of Mount Baker.
Lake · Chelan County
A steady climb to an alpine lake under granite spires.
Trail · Skagit County
Switchbacks to a high pass with glaciers and peaks all around.
Town · Skagit County
A small town with old cement silos, a historic theater and eagles on the Skagit.
Viewpoint · Whatcom County
Pull off Hwy 20 to see the lake's unreal turquoise water under jagged peaks.
Trail · Chelan County
One of the state's best loops: alpine lakes, larches and ridge-top views.
Town · Okanogan County
A tiny upper Methow hub with a famous country store and trails.
Town · Whatcom County
A company town with a short cedar forest loop and the lit-up Ladder Creek Falls garden.
Waterfall · Whatcom County
A powerful falls dropping into a gorge, a minute from the road.
State park · Okanogan County
A warm swimming lake in the sagebrush hills above Winthrop.
Lake · Whatcom County
The classic reflection of Mount Shuksan in a small lake, with an easy loop.
Lake · Chelan County
A paved trail to a mountain lake with a waterfall, right off Hwy 20.
Lake · Whatcom County
A short steep trail down to the dam with views up the long mountain lake.
Trail · Skagit County
A switchbacking trail to a summit with views of the Skagit and the Cascades.
Wildlife · Skagit County
Hundreds of bald eagles gather along the river to feed on salmon.
Trail · Whatcom County
A family-friendly hike with views over Diablo Lake.
Town · Okanogan County
An artsy Methow Valley town with galleries and a river park.
Viewpoint · Chelan County
A short paved walk to a view of Liberty Bell Mountain and the hairpin highway below.
Town · Okanogan County
An Old West-style town with river walks, bakeries and mountain views.
Trail · Snohomish County
An easy trail to caves of snow at the foot of a huge mountain wall.
Trail · Snohomish County
Waterfall spur trail and a steep climb to a lake under Mount Index.
Town · Kittitas County
A western college town with a historic downtown and the Labor Day rodeo.
Waterfall · King County
A short trail to a 70-foot falls near Snoqualmie Pass.
State park · Kittitas County
Petrified logs and a view over the Columbia at Vantage.
Lake · Kittitas County
A flat paved loop around a pond with mountain views at Snoqualmie Pass.
Town · Snohomish County
A tiny town under granite walls, with river views and climbing.
Trail · King County
Old Great Northern railway grade with snow sheds near Stevens Pass.
Trail · King County
A shorter, kid-friendly climb past mossy boulders to a rocky top.
Trail · King County
A classic training climb to big views over the Snoqualmie Valley.
Scenic drive · Snohomish County
A forest drive past rivers, trailheads and an old mining area.
Trail · King County
A popular climb to a rock ledge above Rattlesnake Lake.
Town · Kittitas County
A historic coal town with old cemeteries and a TV-famous main street.
Waterfall · King County
A 268-foot falls with an overlook a short walk from the parking lot.
Pass · Kittitas County
Ski area in winter, hiking and huckleberries in summer, an hour from Seattle.
Trail · King County
Walk or bike a 2.3-mile old railroad tunnel under the pass.
Museum · King County
Ride a vintage train and see the old depot in the town from Twin Peaks.
Waterfall · King County
A riverside trail to a tall falls and a footbridge over the gorge.
Waterfall · Snohomish County
A forest trail to a string of waterfalls above Gold Bar.
Cave · Skamania County
Walk through a lava tube more than two miles long on Mount St. Helens.
Town · Pierce County
The last stop for food and gas before the Nisqually Entrance.
Forest · Pierce County
An inland rainforest on the park's northwest side, walked or biked on an old road.
Waterfall · Pierce County
A falls framed by a stone bridge, seen from a pullout.
Waterfall · Pierce County
A steep hike to one of the tallest falls in the park.
Viewpoint · Pierce County
Ride the gondola to a summit restaurant with a close-up view of Rainier.
Historic district · Pierce County
Historic village with a museum and a short loop past mineral springs.
Train · Pierce County
A vintage logging train ride from Elbe through the forest.
Trail · Pierce County
A trail past Eunice Lake to a fire lookout facing Rainier.
Waterfall · Lewis County
A short steep path to a big falls right off the Paradise road.
Zoo · Pierce County
Tram tours past bison, elk and moose roaming free near Eatonville.
Town · Lewis County
A small mountain town near the park's southeast side with a big flea market.
Viewpoint · Pierce County
Wildflower meadows and glaciers on Mount Rainier's south side, with a visitor center.
Lake · Lewis County
Famous mirror views of Mount Rainier, right by the road.
Waterfall · Lewis County
A forest loop to a blue-green falls near Ohanapecosh.
Viewpoint · Pierce County
The highest point you can drive to in the park, with huge views of the mountain.
Lake · Pierce County
A small lake at Chinook Pass with Rainier reflections and wildflowers.
Viewpoint · Skamania County
The east-side view into Mount St. Helens' crater and over Spirit Lake's log mats.
State park · Skamania County
A switchback trail up a huge rock core over the Columbia River.
Trail · Skamania County
A loop with Gorge viewpoints and a waterfall you walk behind on the low side.
Trail · Klickitat County
Easy paths through spring wildflowers and a rock arch in the eastern Gorge.
Town · Wahkiakum County
A quiet river town and a flat island loop, linked to Oregon by a tiny ferry.
Viewpoint · Skamania County
The west-side view straight into Mount St. Helens' blast zone.
State park · Klickitat County
Petroglyphs and the She Who Watches rock image, with guided tours.
Trail · Skamania County
A steep climb to famous yellow wildflower meadows over the Gorge.
Historic site · Clark County
A rebuilt fur-trading fort with costumed staff and a garden.
Waterfall · Skamania County
Wide, stepped waterfalls along a forest trail.
Museum · Klickitat County
A mansion museum on a bluff above the river with Rodin pieces and gardens.
Historic site · Klickitat County
A full-size concrete Stonehenge built as a WWI memorial.
Waterfall · Clark County
A tall arch bridge over the East Fork Lewis River, with swimming holes.
Museum · Cowlitz County
Exhibits on the eruption, plus a lakeside wetland trail.
Waterfall · Skamania County
A lacy falls viewed from a platform after a short walk.
Wildlife refuge · Clark County
Drive or walk past wetlands full of ducks, cranes and herons.
Trail · Skamania County
Ridge-top wildflowers with views of four volcanoes.
Town · Skamania County
A river town with a brewery and a museum of the Gorge's history.
Town · Klickitat County
A farm valley at the foot of Mount Adams, with huckleberries and wildflowers.
Park · Clark County
A riverfront park with a cable-stayed pier, restaurants and wine bars.
Trail · Chelan County
A paved riverside loop in Wenatchee with parks and bridges.
Town · Chelan County
A small orchard town with a candy factory and a pioneer village museum.
Town · Chelan County
A lakefront town with wineries, beaches and a riverwalk.
Viewpoint · Chelan County
A drive up to a lookout where paragliders launch over Lake Chelan.
Lake · Chelan County
A tough climb to a stunning turquoise lake under granite peaks.
Trail · Chelan County
A flat forest loop along a roaring creek near Leavenworth.
State park · Chelan County
Swimming and picnics on a 50-mile-long mountain lake.
State park · Chelan County
A glacial lake with beaches and mountain views.
Town · Chelan County
A Bavarian-style village with river walks and mountain views.
Town · Chelan County
Orchards and lakeside tasting rooms on the north shore of Lake Chelan.
Ski area · Chelan County
A sunny ski area above Wenatchee.
Garden · Chelan County
Alpine-style gardens on a rocky bluff above Wenatchee.
State park · Chelan County
Sandstone spires with a short trail and orchard views.
Market · Chelan County
A food hall in an old steel warehouse on the Wenatchee riverfront.
Dam · Chelan County
A dam with a fish-viewing window, gardens and a museum of the Columbia.
Trail · Chelan County
A steep short climb to a rock outcrop over Wenatchee.
Town · Chelan County
Take the boat up Lake Chelan to a village with no road in, a bakery and Rainbow Falls.
Scenic drive · Chelan County
A drive along the Wenatchee River's rapids, glowing in fall color.
Town · Douglas County
A historic wheat-country town with a classic hotel and old buildings.
Trail · Benton County
Short climbs to views over the Tri-Cities and the rivers.
Wildlife refuge · Grant County
Scablands lakes and cliffs full of birds south of Potholes.
Park · Benton County
A long riverfront park with trails, a family fishing pond and playgrounds.
Waterfall · Grant County
A cliff once home to a waterfall five times wider than Niagara, from the Ice Age floods.
Historic site · Yakima County
Restored 1850s army post buildings under old oaks.
Canyon · Grant County
Basalt columns, a seasonal waterfall and climbing near the Gorge Amphitheatre.
Dam · Okanogan County
One of the biggest concrete structures on Earth, with a summer night laser show.
National monument · Benton County
The last free-flowing stretch of the Columbia, under tall white bluffs.
Cave · Grant County
A short trail to shallow caves used by early peoples above a coulee lake.
State park · Grant County
Sand dunes, lakes and birds in the desert.
Town · Benton County
Wine village tasting rooms and a big hot air balloon rally in fall.
Museum · Benton County
A museum on the region's natural and Hanford history in Richland.
Winery · Benton County
A small, famous wine area of big reds near Benton City.
Town · Grant County
A mineral lake people have soaked in for a century.
State park · Grant County
A huge basalt butte in Banks Lake with a trail to the top.
Town · Yakima County
Dozens of outdoor murals of the town's history.
Landmark · Grant County
Steel horse sculptures running along a ridge above the Columbia.
Park · Spokane County
A swinging bridge over big river rocks and rapids in Riverside State Park.
Town · Okanogan County
A small lake town with a state park in the hills.
Cave · Pend Oreille County
A limestone cave near the Canadian border.
State park · Ferry County
A lake for swimming and fishing in the Okanogan Highlands.
Historic site · Lincoln County
An 1880s army post where the Spokane River meets Lake Roosevelt.
Farm · Spokane County
U-pick berries, apples and pumpkins on a hill of family farms.
Lake · Stevens County
A long lake behind Grand Coulee Dam with beaches and an old mill.
Lake · Stevens County
A chain of small lakes in the forest east of Colville.
Park · Spokane County
A slow river paddle or trail past herons and rock paintings.
Garden · Spokane County
Free gardens with a Japanese garden, a rose hill and a greenhouse.
Town · Pend Oreille County
A tiny border town with a historic theater on the Pend Oreille River.
Ghost town · Okanogan County
Old buildings and farm machinery at a near-empty border town.
State park · Spokane County
A summit stone hut with views into Idaho; skiing in winter.
Museum · Spokane County
Regional history and art, next to a historic mansion.
Town · Ferry County
Dig for 50-million-year-old leaf fossils in an old gold town.
Park · Spokane County
The downtown falls, a gondola over the rapids and a carousel.
Lake · Pend Oreille County
A quiet mountain lake with campgrounds and bighorn sheep.
Wildlife refuge · Spokane County
Pine woods and wetlands near Cheney, great for birds and elk.
Ski area · Columbia County
A small, high ski area in the Blue Mountains.
Park · Asotin County
A park on an island in the Snake River near Clarkston.
Town · Whitman County
A farm town with the Codger Pole, a giant chainsaw carving.
Town · Columbia County
A historic town with the state's oldest train depot.
State park · Asotin County
A short climb to Puffer Butte with views of three states.
Museum · Walla Walla County
A pioneer village and museum with a big mule-team display.
Tour · Asotin County
Ride a jet boat up the Snake River into the deepest gorge in North America.
Trail · Whitman County
A pine-forest loop with views over the farmland.
State park · Columbia County
Old-growth riverside forest on the Touchet River near Waitsburg.
State park · Franklin County
A riverside park where the Palouse meets the Snake, near the falls.
Town · Whitman County
A small brick main street on the Palouse River.
Waterfall · Franklin County
A 198-foot falls into a deep basalt canyon, the state's official waterfall.
Scenic drive · Whitman County
Rolling wheat hills, red barns and small towns.
Town · Whitman County
A college town with Ferdinand's ice cream and campus museums.
Lake · Whitman County
A long scabland lake with cliffs and quiet fishing.
Viewpoint · Whitman County
Drive to the top of a butte for a 360-degree view of rolling Palouse hills.
Town · Walla Walla County
A small historic town known for its restaurants.
Town · Walla Walla County
A tree-lined downtown with more than 100 wineries nearby.
Historic site · Walla Walla County
A national historic site on a dark chapter of the Oregon Trail era.
Facts checked against official sites; each spot shows when. Passes and hours change, so check before you go.