And if you know me, Im all about finding those reflections in puddles. Long Beach Peninsula. It has really motivated us to get out and explore our home state, Washington! Photo by trip reporter neverstophiking. Source. Disclaimer: Do we think this is a complete list? > Plan your visit to Cape Disappointment using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: Southwest Washington Columbia River Gorge - WALength:7.2miles, roundtripElevation Gain:1,300 feetHighest Point:1,350 feetBest Season:Year-round. Want another epic Washington Coast adventure? Along the North Cascades Highway, just park the car in the parking lot and get out of your car to have a look at miles of scenery in front of you. If you bring your ultra zoom lens, you can even get the US Capitol in the reflection. The spray and sun create what seems to be an everlasting rainbow. The Palouse River charges over the rocky precipice and plummets 198 feet to the waiting, round salt-rock canyon. From here, its a fairly steady uphill climb to reach the lookout tower and the trail is covered in loose rocks, so watch your footing! This just means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you for helping them promote their product or service. The trail can be, Mount Rainier Area SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon, Mount Rainier Area NE - Sunrise/White River, South Cascades White Pass/Cowlitz River Valley, Southwest Washington Columbia River Gorge - WA, Eastern Washington -- Palouse and Blue Mountains. To sum up the San Juans in a few words, we would say this: ferries, marine life, pristine beaches. There are plenty of nice, easy trails in Washington. There is a big parking lot (with bathrooms) with several viewpoints of the lake below. 7) Beacon Rock State Park: The 848-foot high basalt volcanic plug was stopover point for Lewis & Clark in 1805. Washington has a variety of magical sunsets: beaches, mountains, lakes, etc. Less than an hour's drive outside of Seattle is Mount Rainier National Park, which is focused on the towering peak of Mount Rainier itself, the highest mountain in Washington. Make sure to stop by the Johnston Ridge Observatory, where you can watch a short film about the eruption and see unobstructed views of the mountain right out the window. in Washington. We like to come in the morning or just when the sun sets behind the mountains for that gorgeous PNW golden hour and glassy waters. Learn about hiking the Mount Ellinor Trail in, This serene waterfall is found along the Nooksack River and you can get there by hiking this, This temperate rain forest is also located in the Olympic National Park. Cape Flattery is the most northwest point of the contiguous United States. > Plan your visit to White Bluffs using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: Eastern Washington -- Palouse and Blue MountainsLength: 16 miles, roundtripElevation Gain:1,000 feetHighest Point: 6,401 feetBest Season:spring. The Hoh Rainforest is easily one of the most well-known photography spots in Washington state. Peaceful lakes, snow-capped mountain views, flower-filled ridgelines and more await you here. It really cant get much better than this, until I tell you that theres a good chance youll have this spot all to yourself. When the oranges from the sunrise start to fill the sky and spill over the mountains, the entire view gets a magical glow. Want to discover more Washington waterfalls? From the top, youll have views of Mount Rainier, Sawtooth Ridge, and everything else over the steep drop-off in front of the tower. Stay awhile and receive the best photo tips for your next journey to the PNW. That said, all who make it to the top will be rewarded with unmatched views. The, The Evergreen State is an outdoor playground filled with natural wonders. But if you're in good enough shape to make the journey, the views alone will motivate you to keep going. They may just go to the reflecting pool and call it the end of the day but dont be those people. Deception Pass is a Washington state park located on Whidbey Island in the Puget Sound. From March until November, this 4.8 mile trail is accessible for beautiful sunset hikes. Gothic Basin. > Plan your visit to Lost Lake Lookout using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location:Southwest Washington Long Beach AreaLength:variesElevation Gain:variesHighest Point:200 feetBest Season:Year-round. Flickr / hokyumgrl This warm scenery featuring Lake Washington is especially relaxing! You can see the surrounding trees and the Washington Monument in the black granite. With reservations required and a steep hike ahead of you, only the determined and tough make it up here! Ive pretty much been to every one of these places at least 20 times. Just simple dirt pullouts that often can be a little steep or treacherous to get into. There are signs here, but make sure that youre putting that headlamp to use and paying attention to avoid a wrong turn! This place not only has pristine water and beautiful views from the Storm King and Fairholme docks, but you can also hike up Mt. Youll follow a path that is fairly uphill for almost the entire hike up to the first ledge, which is typically the most popular to stop at. ), 11 Stunning Places To Visit In the Inland Northwest, Travel Photography: 8 Easy Practices To Improve Your Images, Our Favorite Raincoats (For All PNW Seasons), 5 Things To Bring On The Washington Coast. Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline, App of the Week: PITFALL! The 13 Best Scenic Drives In Washington State Picked By Local Experts Eastern Washington Mount Rainier National Park North Cascades National Park olympic national park road trip washington Washington coast Post Summary: The Best Scenic Drives In Washington State, What To See, And How To Get There The park features rock climbing, a trail to the top with many switchbacks, plus . Photo by Woodsy. Plus, its family-friendly and great for those who want to see an epic spot but arent really big hikers. Your Budget-Friendly Guide to Gulhi, Maldives(2023), 3 Underrated Thai Islands: Complete Guide to Koh Libong, Koh Mook, & Koh Kradan, The Ultimate Koh Kood Guide: Thailands Pirate Paradise, Darocotan Islands Isla Experience: Escape the Crowds of El Nido, Epic North Vietnam Motorbike Loop: 3-Week Itinerary & Map. He put the time lapses together using After Effects, and sped and slowed the movement to sync with the music. We suggest coming in the late spring when the water levels are high. Climb up the final ascent and reach the lookout that is longer staffed, but provides one epic viewpoint for hikers. Some of our favorites include the Paradise Area, Nisqually Vista Loop, The Sunrise Area, and the beginning of the trail to summit Mount Rainier. A classic Mount St. Helens hike, leaving from the Johnston Ridge Observatory. This snowshoe trail is good for beginning snowshoe fans, and the view from the top is absolutely breathtaking. This includes the waterfall, walking along the rivers edge, a bridge crossing, and meandering under a canopy of trees. Look up the sunrise or sunset time. We nearly got our van stuck trying to navigate the tight space. You won't be disappointed. Sunrise is spectacular here. Hike Time: Only about 50 minutes to the summit. The wall and the footpath provide great leading lines. Elliott Bay Marina Source Nestled in northeastern downtown Seattle, by the Magnolia Bluff, Elliott Bay Marina gives a whole different feel to the city's shoreline. can be found on Rialto Beach, while on a trail called Hole In The Wall. Plan ahead. Plan to arrive at your viewpoint at least 15 minutes prior to find a nice viewing spot, set up your blanket or tripod, crack open a thermos of hot tea, and put your layers on. Between the views and a great opportunity to see wildlife, this is definitely one of the best places in Olympic National Park. Bonus: seen this bus on Instagram? Near Ranier National Park along the ridge of the Sawtooth Mountains. Weve created an interactive map that you can click on and explore more of these specific spots! While there are options to go on longer hikes (like these ones here and here) you would be satisfied with the views just from around the parking lot. Source. You cant get more Pacific Northwest than Cape Flattery literally! What I think is most interesting about the US Capitol is that a lot of people dont get up close to the building itself. Its a great display of shadows, line and usually totally empty. Youll be blown away by the views in every direction of Mount Rainier, rolling hills, grazing mountain goats, and more. Heres everything you need to know to capture a stunning sunrise in Washington DC: I love the alignment of where the sun rises among the monuments as opposed to where the sun sets from. A stunning view of Diablo Lake and the North Cascades AND its location is just off the highway. Early this year, Berty and I wrote our giant list of things to do in the Pacific Northwestto inspire us to travel more in our own backyard. All other times other than sunrise at any of the memorials, its pretty much out of the question. These hot springs are reservation-only, and they are tucked away in the mountains, so they take some work to get to, but the results are so worth it. Location: Gifford Pinochet National Forest. Dress according to the weather and grab a coffee, you wont regret it. Curt Hedges Former Fenestration Specialist at Hartung Glass Industries Author has 152 answers and 64.3K answer views Updated 3 y Related So if you are interested in seeing more of Washington DC than just the sunrise, click here to check it out. For the most part they are not allowed. If you are looking for a hike to complete in the wintertime, you can check out Skyline Lake Trail in Leavenworth, Washington. The Kettle Crest is a high-country route stretching 44-miles alongsome of the most glorious areas of northeastern Washington. Hope you found this guide useful and if you have any additional questions, feel free to drop them in the comments. While fairly short, the trail presents a moderate challenge. Build your Bucketlist & I'll help take you beyond it. Youll almost feel like youre in Norway, rather than Washington, because the hills jut straight out of the ground and curve around the lake in the most beautiful way. Photo by trip reporter Akorn. But if you're looking to wake up early in the mountains for a sunrise hike, High Rock Lookout offers the most epic view for very little effort. In the spring, this hike is a great one for wildflower meadows dotted with scarlet gilia, dutchman's breeches, calypso orchid, sulphur lupine, giant-head clover, elkhorn clarkia, and more. Its a great spot for sunrise with even less people than the rest of the National Mall. Palouse Falls is one of those rare places that you don't have to go to at sunrise or sunset to get the best light. If you visit during the right season, watch for huckleberries alongside the trail on your way back to the trailhead! Youll be able to explore a bit of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island and explore the surrounding Puget Sound by boat. This challenging yet rewarding hike is known for the brilliant gold colors of western larches. This hunk of rock in Banks Lake is a distinct example of massive Ice Age floods 15,000 years ago. Its just a spectacular show. An abundance of wildflowers in Spider Meadow. Read More:What To Expect On A Sunrise Hike At Palouse Falls, Like Palouse Falls, its quite the drive from welleverything. Dogs & Kids not recommended at the peak. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State. The proximity of the viewpoint of Mount Shuksan to the parking lot makes it an enticing stop if youre not into a long hike! 5 Best Places to Watch the Sunrise in Seattle Elliott Bay Marina. Learn more about Quinault Rainforest in our, With numerous overlooks in Washington, the views you'll find in this wilderness area in the central part of the state will leave you breathless. The Olympic National Park is huge, so weve put together the perfect road trip around the Olympic Peninsula, including all the best stops (like this one below)! Enjoying some of the best hikes in Washington that end with a stunning sunset, of course. Distance: 4.1 milesDifficulty: HardElevation Gain: 2,100 feetEstimated Time: 4 hoursLocation: Olympic National ParkPass Required: National Parks Pass. Plus, trails are less crowded and youll have more time to sleep before sunrise. The trail to Colchuck Lake is long and steep (8-miles out and back with 2,100 feet of elevation gain), but worth every step of the way. 3. The Space Needle. 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 Take a Twilight Tour in Forks on your next trip to the Olympic Peninsula! I'm here to show beginner hikers that you can get outdoors and explore the trails just like everyone else. This state park is located in the most southwest corner of Washington state and is a perfect stop on a road trip of the Oregon Coast. Timpanogos' 11,752 summit during the . If you are up for a road trip, you may want to check out our scenic road trip that takes you to 7 Wonders Of Washington. I love this spot to just sit on the edge of the pool and watch the sun rise. The views from Sunrise Peak are marvelous all day. Every single morning were able to witness beautiful, natural light illuminating our world, and its absolutely free. SEE MORE. Plus there is this overwhelming feeling of peace and calm in a city thats usually hustling and bustling during the day. The fullloop provides fantastic views of the Columbia River Gorge, an intimate look at the Cape Horn Falls and a challenging workout as it climbs and descends the rocky slopes of Cape Horn. Its the best when its a particularly colorful sunrise because I love getting that reflection and doubling the amazing sky. The Kalaloch area of Olympic has several rugged beaches. This is a trail to save until August or September. Check the weather for a clear day and head down for one of the most spectacular sunsets you will ever see! After arriving at the hole in the wall, this lookout is a steep climb to the top of the cliff facing south. Artist Point is located at the very end of Mount Baker Highway, and the 4.4 mile trail comes with a seriously stunning reward. The project reminds me a bit of the Midnight Lights video at CenturyLink Field, though in this case the light show just happens to be performed by mother nature. You can read more about other amazing Washingon beaches in our complete list here. Skyfire is a handy tool for tracking and predicting colorful sunrises and sunsets. And there you are, sitting on top of a mountain, admiring the miles of views, listening to the peaceful sound of birds chirping. Cross the street towards a little trail that leads you around a little turn in the path and you will see the Carillon. Against a backdrop of blue autumn sky and the magnificent peaks of the Cascades, they are a dazzling sightand, There is something incredibly magical about the, . Campsites at Snow Lake are some of the most coveted locations within Mount Rainier National Park. To reach this area and photograph other amazing Washington sight sightseeing locations, click here to find directions for where to park and take a short hike. Weekend Adventurer. Heres everything you need to know before you go. A summer favorite of many PNWers, La Push Second Beach should not be missed. Nestled close to waterways and mountains, There are 5 best spots to watch the sunrise in Seattle. Here, there is a short series of boardwalks to stunning vistas of the ocean and spectacular rock formations. Distance: 3.4 milesDifficulty: ModerateElevation Gain: 900 feetEstimated Time: 2 hoursLocation: Olympic National ParkPass Required: National Parks Pass. Hiking at sunrise can definitely be a bit different than hiking during the day because youre likely going to be hitting the trail in the dark. Whatever Google says the sunrise time will be make sure youre at the summit at least 30-45 minutes before that time to watch the colors. Want to know more about packing for a day hike? All are so unique and fun to photograph spread all along the 2.1 mile loop around the basin. Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. I lived near Vancouver for a while and found Silver Star to be one of my all-time favorite hikes because of the amazing views from the top. Here, you can explore the many rock formations along the beach and climb over huge pieces of driftwood. I would say to just sit at the ledge and try to bring your camera down as low as possible to the water. Spray Falls and Narada Falls are also some incredible Washington waterfalls to check out in the area. Its a fairly easy hike. Love Washington? This post may contain affiliate links. Lodging Nearby: Just 30 minutes from Picture Lake is the Mt. If you need to go, Id highly suggest waiting to go to this one . If you're ready to see some of the most beautiful sunrises that you've ever seen, read on, and head to these locations. The Tidal Basin is located across the street from the Korean War Memorial but it is easily missed since its a little bit out of the way from the other memorials. There are plenty of spots along the rocky ridge to set your bag down and relax. The San Juan Islands are the perfect place to capture that Washington State photo. 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