If you’re craving a road trip with epic views, mossy forests, crashing waterfalls, and a few places that straight-up feel like another planet, this one’s for you.
Washington is packed with wild, weird, and totally magical spots that most people don’t even know exist.
We’re talking cliffs that drop into the ocean, spooky stone monuments, misty trails, and even a secret beach with sparkling sand.
This road trip takes you to 9 of the most mystical places in the state so get ready because you’re about to see Washington like never before.
1. Cape Flattery
Cape Flattery is the northwesternmost point in the continental U.S., located on the Makah Reservation in Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.
It’s famous for its jaw-dropping sea cliffs, hidden sea caves, and epic views of Tatoosh Island and the Pacific Ocean.
You’ll need to walk a 1.5-mile round-trip boardwalk trail through lush coastal forest to reach the lookout spots, where you can spot puffins, seals, and even gray whales.
Fun fact: The Cape Flattery Lighthouse on nearby Tatoosh Island has been guiding ships since 1857 and is still standing strong!
2. Ruby Beach
Next up is Ruby Beach, one of the most photogenic spots on the entire Washington coast.
It’s located along Highway 101 in Olympic National Park and is known for its wild sea stacks, driftwood-covered shore, and tide pools filled with starfish.
Adding to the magic, the beach gets its name from tiny garnet-colored crystals in the sand that sparkle in the sunlight.
The best time to visit is at low tide, especially if you want to walk out to the sea stacks or explore arches shaped by the waves.
3. Hoh Rain Forest
Just a short drive inland from Ruby Beach, the Hoh Rain Forest looks like a page from a fairytale but with more moss and fewer fairies.
Because this area gets up to 12 feet of rain a year, the entire landscape is dripping in green, from towering Sitka spruce to thick layers of ferns.
You can take the easy Hall of Mosses Trail to see trees so big you can walk through them, plus hanging lichen that look like nature’s version of spaghetti.
The Hoh Rain Forest is also part of Olympic National Park and is also one of the largest temperate rainforests in the U.S.
4. Ebey’s Landing
From the rainforest, head to Ebey’s Landing on Whidbey Island which offers a whole new kind of scenery.
The bluff trail gives you sweeping panoramas of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and sometimes even Mount Baker on a clear day.
The full loop is about 5.6 miles with around 260 feet of elevation gain, and part of the trail follows a beach lined with piles of driftwood.
You’ll also pass through one of the first places in Washington settled by non-Native homesteaders, where old farmhouses still stand in the fields.
5. Deception Pass Bridge
Just when you think the views can’t get better, Deception Pass Bridge hits you with stunning cliffs and swirling turquoise water.
Stretching 1,487 feet over a fast-moving channel, this steel bridge connects Whidbey and Fidalgo Island.
You can walk across it using the pedestrian path and look down at the strong tidal currents below (it’s not for the faint of heart, though).
For the best experience, visit nearby Deception Pass State Park which is Washington’s most popular state park with sandy beaches and forest trails.
6. Wallace Falls State Park
It’s time to head inland for some incredible waterfall action at Wallace Falls State Park.
This spot is well-known for its triple-tiered waterfall, with the main drop crashing 265 feet into the valley below.
The most popular hike covers 5.6 miles round-trip with 1,300 feet of elevation gain and leads past nine waterfalls.
Pro tip: Bring snacks and good shoes, because once you hit the Upper Falls viewpoint, you’re gonna want to sit down and take it all in.
7. North Bend
Once your legs have recovered from the Wallace Falls hike, roll into North Bend for small-town charm with lovely mountain views.
This town sits at the base of Mount Si, one of the most popular hikes in the state.
If you want a challenging but rewarding experience, take the 8-mile round-trip trail with 3,150 feet of elevation gain.
For fans of cult TV, North Bend is where Twin Peaks was filmed, and you can still grab cherry pie and coffee at Twede’s Cafe (the show’s famous diner).
Whether you’re here to hike, eat, or just stare at the massive peaks all around you, this place makes a lasting impression.
8. Stonehenge Memorial, Maryhill
Ready for something completely unexpected?
Out in Maryhill, you’ll find a full-scale concrete replica of England’s Stonehenge, set right in the Columbia River Gorge.
It’s called the Stonehenge Memorial, and it was built in 1929 as a tribute to local soldiers who lost their lives in World War I.
The spot is super quiet and totally photogenic, especially at sunset when the stones light up in gold.
9. Palouse Falls
Last but definitely not least, say hello to Palouse Falls—a 200-foot waterfall plunging into a dramatic, rocky canyon.
It’s located in a remote corner of southeastern Washington, but the drive is 100% worth it once the cliffs and rushing water come into view.
For the best vantage point, head to the overlook right next to the parking area and enjoy the gorgeous scene from above.
With its power and beauty, it’s easy to see why Palouse Falls was named Washington’s official state waterfall.
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