These natural wonders in Washington are the absolute must-visit spots that will make your jaw drop.
Giant volcanoes, glowing blue lakes, moss-covered forests, and waterfalls that crash into canyons.
This trip has it all.
This road trip serves up the kind of wow moments that will stay in your mind for decades.
1. Hoh Rain Forest
Hoh Rain Forest, located inside Olympic National Park, gets about 140 inches of rain every year—that’s more than 11 feet of rain!
This place is famous for its massive moss-covered trees, especially the tall Sitka spruce and western hemlocks that make the forest feel magical.
You can hike the easy 0.8-mile Hall of Mosses Trail to see trees draped in moss and maybe even spot a Roosevelt elk in the ferns.
Some of the trees here are over 500 years old, and its unspoiled nature has led to it becoming known as one of the quietest spots in the US.
Fun fact: You can even find a small red-colored stone marking the “One Square Inch of Silence”, symbolizing the quietest spot in the US.
2. Mount Saint Helens
Next up is Mount St. Helens, the famous volcano in southwest Washington that literally blew its top off during a massive eruption in 1980.
The eruption was so big that it caused the largest landslide in Earth’s recorded history.
You can still see the huge crater it left behind, plus miles of blast zone where the landscape was completely reshaped.
The Harmony Trail near Spirit Lake offers front-row views of the volcano’s crater, wildflower-covered hills in the summer, and the log-strewn waters below.
It’s one of the few places in the world where you can see how nature bounces back after a volcanic eruption, and honestly, it’s kind of mind-blowing.
3. Mount Rainier
And let’s not forget Mount Rainier—the iconic snow-covered peak that towers at 14,410 feet, making it the tallest mountain in Washington.
This active volcano is wrapped in over 25 glaciers and is surrounded by wildflower meadows, old-growth forests, and waterfalls at every turn.
For a quick but unforgettable hike, hit the Skyline Trail to Myrtle Falls, where the mountain rises behind fields of lupine and glacier lilies.
Whether you’re here for the alpine views, the wildlife, or just that crisp mountain air, Rainier always delivers.
And let’s be honest, have you really been to Washington if you haven’t got a picture of Rainier in all its glory?
4. Diablo Lake
Just when you think Washington can’t get any cooler, Diablo Lake appears with electric turquoise water that looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie.
Hidden in the North Cascades, this lake gets its bold blue color from glacial rock flour, a super-fine crushed rock from glacial erosion.
You can soak in the views from the overlook just off Highway 20 (milepost 131.7), or take the 7.6-mile Diablo Lake Trail for a hike full of switchbacks.
Paddleboarding or kayaking here feels like floating across a gemstone, and yes, the water will leave you speechless.
5. The Enchantments
If you’re up for a challenge (and some seriously gorgeous scenery), The Enchantments in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness live up to the hype of being one of the most iconic hiking locations in the state.
This high-elevation zone near Leavenworth is packed with sparkling alpine lakes, granite peaks, and mountain goats.
The main hike (The Enchantments Traverse) is a tough 18 miles (if you don’t take any detours) and has around 5,000 feet of elevation gain!
If you want to take it a little bit easier, you can do the 8-mile round trip to Colchuck Lake that still delivers that signature Enchantments beauty.
It’s incredibly tough to get a permit with success rates of around 2%, but if you snag one, you’re in for one of the most epic hikes in Washington (no exaggeration).
6. Dry Falls
Getting away from the mountains for a bit, next up is Dry Falls.
Dry Falls in central Washington used to be a waterfall bigger than Niagara at 400 feet high and 3.5 miles wide.
In fact, it was the largest known waterfall in Earth’s history!
Now dry (hence the name), the falls still features an overlook where you can picture the Ice Age flood that carved the cliffs and valley.
There’s also a Visitor Center with fun exhibits, and you can explore Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park for fishing, kayaking, and lake swimming.
It’s one of those places that makes you feel tiny and awe-inspired, like you’re standing in the leftovers of something so massive it’s almost impossible to comprehend.
7. Palouse Falls
Last but definitely not least, Palouse Falls brings the grand finale with a 200-foot waterfall crashing into a deep canyon out in eastern Washington.
It’s one of the last active waterfalls from the Ice Age floods over 13,000 years ago, and is named the official state waterfall of Washington.
You can catch amazing views from the designated viewing points and trails, and sunset here is unreal, with golden light hitting the basalt cliffs just right.
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