Article Summary: National Parks Near Seattle
National Parks near Seattle. There’s so much more to Seattle than the Space Needle and Amazon’s Biosphere.
In this article, we’ll familiarize you with the incredible national parks that are within a day’s drive of Seattle.
Seattle is known for being the coffee capital, a home base of big technology companies, and the origin of grunge music. It is home to iconic landmarks like the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. Seattle is also famous for its lush greenery as the emerald city and the delicious food, beer, and wine on offer.
But this bustling metropolis also has access to three incredible national parks, which we’re excited to tell you all about.
So, What Is A National Park?
We get asked that question a lot because there’s a difference between a “national park” and a “national park site.” To help you understand that difference you might want to check out our article titled: What Is A National Park Really?
Now let’s go ahead and share those 3 reasons why you’ll want to make that day’s drive from Seattle to one of these amazing places.
Table Of Contents: National Parks Near Seattle
National Parks Near Seattle
1. Mount Rainier National Park
Distance from Seattle: One hour and 53 minutes [via I-5 S & WA-7 S].
My Favorite Resources: Map / Guidebook / Hikes / Things to Do / Paradise / Facts / Where to Stay
Located in the state of Washington, America’s fifth oldest national park is the most heavily glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S. In fact, it’s downright mesmerizing. Similar to that feeling one gets when looking into the Grand Canyon.
The park is named after its centerpiece, the 14,411-foot (4,392 m) Mount Rainier, an active stratovolcano and the highest peak in the Cascade Range.
The park offers diverse landscapes including glaciers, forests, alpine meadows, and wildflowers, as well as opportunities for outdoor recreation like hiking, camping, climbing, and skiing.
Additionally, it’s home to various wildlife such as bears, elks, and marmots. It was established as the fifth national park in the United States in 1899.
RELATED: 15 AMAZING Mount Rainier Facts
2. North Cascades National Park
Distance from Seattle: One hour and 58 minutes (106.8 miles) along I-5 N & WA 530 E/ State RTE 530 NE.
My Favorite Resources: Map / Guidebook / Where to Stay
Less than two hours from Seattle, you can immerse yourself in an Alpine landscape. And, while you’re at it, explore jagged peaks crowned by more than 300 glaciers and listen to cascading waters in forested valleys. North Cascades National Park is all of that and more.
North Cascades National Park is known for its rugged, glaciated peaks and diverse landscapes that include forests, lakes, and alpine meadows. The park is home to over 300 glaciers, making it one of the largest concentrations of glaciers in the lower 48 states.
It also offers a diverse array of recreational activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and backpacking. In addition, the park is home to a rich array of wildlife, including black bears, mountain goats, and various species of birds. North Cascades National Park was established in 1968 and covers an area of over 500,000 acres.
3. Olympic National Park
Distance from Seattle: Two hours and 6 minutes (111 miles) via I-5 S & U.S. 101 N.
My Favorite Resources: Guide / Map / Guidebook / Hikes / Where to Stay
Olympic National Park is the most diverse national park in America, hands down. This park has everything from lowland forests, glaciated mountain ranges, pristine alpine lakes, sparkling rivers, temperate rain forests (the largest in North America), iconic wildlife, and over 50 miles of rugged wilderness coastline!
Located in the northwestern-most corner of the lower 48 states, Olympic National Park encompasses nearly a million acres of an incredible diversity of terrain. The park is comprised of glaciated mountain peaks, old-growth temperate rain forest, lush river valleys and over seventy miles of wilderness coast – all within a day’s drive.
Wildlife abounds in Olympic with a grand array of wildlife species. Some of the most notable (or at least beloved by park-goers) include sea otters, black bears, olympic marmots, elk, deer, mountain lions, orcas, and so many more.
The best hiking trails in the park include: Obstruction Point, Hall of Mosses, Hole In The Wall, Hurricane Hill, Blue Mountain, Lake Crescent, Sol Duc Falls, Marymere Falls, and Staircase Rapids Loop.
RELATED: 9 EPIC Hikes In Olympic National Park
Watch Our Award-Winning Olympic Video
Related: Olympic National Park-An EPIC Guide To The Best Park In America
National Parks Near Seattle FAQ
The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in Washington state is located little more than an hour’s drive from the Seattle-metro area. Come fish the clear streams and enjoy the craggy, snow-capped peaks.
Mount Rainier National Park. Mount Rainier National Park is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist destinations in Washington State.
Why Trust Us About National Parks Near Seattle?
We’re Jim Pattiz and Will Pattiz, collectively known as the Pattiz Brothers (and sometimes the Parks Brothers) and we absolutely LOVE the national parks.
You should probably know that we don’t just make this stuff up out of thin air. We’ve spent our entire adult lives exploring and filming America’s national parks and public lands.
We’ve worked with the National Park Service, the Department of Interior, USDA, and the U.S. Forest Service for years creating films on important places and issues. Our work has been featured in leading publications all over the world and even some people outside of our immediate family call us experts on the national parks.
Meet The Parks Brothers
Map Of National Parks Near Seattle
List Of National Parks Near Seattle
- Mount Rainier National Park
- North Cascades National Park
- Olympic National Park
We Hope You’ll Follow Our Journey
Our goal here at More Than Just Parks is to share the beauty of America’s national parks and public lands through stunning short films in an effort to get Americans and the world to see the true value in land conservation.
We hope you’ll follow our journey through the parks and help us to keep them the incredible places that they are. If you’re interested in joining the adventure then please sign up below!
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