19+ Best National Parks in Oregon and Washington (2024)

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The Pacific Northwest has a wealth of National Parks. In fact, there are over 20 National Parks in Oregon and Washington State combined. These parks include iconic wonders such as Crater Lake and Olympic National Park, but also little known gems like the Oregon National Historic Trail. 

In this post, we will introduce you to the top national parks in Oregon and Washington. We will also demonstrate one of the best ways to explore national parks in these two states. You’ll find our feature park about midway through the post (park #13).

Calm, cold waters reflect towering, snowy ridges at Crater Lake National Park. Crater Lake National Park is one of the best national parks in Oregon and Washington.
Crater Lake National Park. Image by John Martin / ODOT.
White waves crash against the rocks and forested sea stacks at Olympic National Park. Olympic National Park is one of the best national parks in Oregon and Washington.
Olympic National Park. Image by John Fowler / GPA Photo Archive.

National Parks in Oregon

Four National Parks are found only in Oregon. Here are the best two:

#1 Crater Lake National Park

I'm enjoying a great day on the Rim Drive at Crater Lake National Park. I've got my two year old daughter on my shoulders and my four year old daughter hanging on my arm. Good times.
One of many great times at Crater Lake National Park.

Some places are cliché: this isn’t one of them. I’ve made several visits to Crater Lake but I still come away amazed every time. The sheer size of the lake and its rugged rim are unlike any place I’ve ever seen. You could easily spend a day here hiking and taking in the wonder.

Crater Lake features a Rim Drive packed with breathtaking views. The Mt. Scott Trail rewards you with a panorama of the entire lake, while the Cleetwood Cove Trail brings you down to the blue lake waters and the Wizard Island Boat Tours. You can find more natural wonders at The Pinnacles and The Pumice Desert. 

A panorama of Crater Lake takes in Wizard Island and a beautiful reflection of the clouds.
One of many views of Oregon’s epic lake. Image by WolfmanSF / GPA Photo Archives.

Crater Lake National Park is open year-round, but it’s most accessible during the summer. This park’s high elevation keeps it covered in snow for most of the year. State Route 62 and Munson Valley Road remain open, but the Rim Drive is closed during the snowy season. Be sure to call ahead if you plan to arrive during this time.

The east rim of Crater Lake holds onto the last rays of the day at Crater Lake National Park.
Sunset at Crater Lake. Image by ODOT.

#2 John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

The moon rises over the Painted Hills at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is one of the best national parks in Oregon and Washington.
Oregon’s Painted Hills at John Day Fossil Bed National Monument. Image by ODOT.

This national park is a local secret. I’d never heard about this park until I moved up to Oregon, but I recommend it to everyone. 

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is best known for Oregon’s Painted Hills, but it features far more than this natural wonder. 

The John Day Fossil Beds yield one of the richest fossil records on earth. Their extensive layers furnish a valuable window into several epochs of the Cenozoic Era, the Age of Mammals. These rich fossil beds lay in some of the most wild and picturesque areas of Eastern Oregon.

My beautiful wife takes in the view up on a ridge on John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.
Sitting on top of the world at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.

Washington

Mount Rainier dominates Puget Sound.
Mount Rainier and Puget Sound. Image by Jeff Clark & Stepher Baker / BLM Oregon.

Washington State has several national parks. Here are ten that are well worth your time:

#3 Olympic National Park

A sunset turns a tree-line sea stack into a beautiful silhouette at Olympic National Park. Olympic National Park is one of the 19 best national parks in Washington and Oregon.
Olympic National Park. Image by Mac H / GPA Photo Archives.

Washington’s legendary Olympic Peninsula is a place of marvels. Few parks offer as many glories as this UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

This enormous National Park encloses the awesome Olympic Mountains, temperate rainforests, old growth forests, and one of the most spectacular coastlines in the world. 

Olympic National Park stretches across most of the Olympic Peninsula, a large peninsula west of Seattle and Puget Sound. 

Mountain wildflowers grow on Hurricane Ridge. The mighty Olympic Mountains stand proudly in the background.
Hurricane Ridge. Public Domain.

The City of Port Angeles serves as the chief gateway to the park’s largest unit and the famous Hurricane Ridge. Hurricane Ridge is renowned for its spectacular views of the Olympic’s jagged peaks and icy glaciers. It’s also Olympic NP’s most accessible mountain area.

Hoh Rainforest is equally famous. This temperate rainforest is practically covered in greenery. You can walk among enormous trees draped in moss and fern at the Hall of Mosses

Bizarre, furry forms fly skyward in a picture of Hoh Rainforest at Olympic National Park.
Hoh Rain Forest. Image by Bernd Thaller.

Roosevelt Elk can often be spotted in the this ancient, amazing place.

Highway 101 circles the entire Olympic Peninsula. This route provides scenic drives and access to Olympic National Park as well as the numerous state parks that are found throughout this region.

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My sons stand on a viewing platform at Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
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#4 Mount Rainier National Park

Mountain ridges and glaciers fill an open doorway at Mount Rainier National Park. Mount Rainier National Park is one of the 19 best national parks in Oregon and Washington.
Mount Rainier National Park. Image by Kevin Chang.

Ascend the tallest mountain in the Cascade Range at Mount Rainier National Park. Seattle’s mighty mountain rules over a land of verdant forests, alpine lakes, and soaring vistas. 

Titanic Rainier has more glaciers than any other peak in the contiguous United States. Its slopes provide headwaters for no less than five major rivers. 

Our little daughter stands staring from a viewpoint at Mount Rainier National Park.
Our daughter stood awestruck by the view from Sunrise Area at Mt. Rainier.

Fields of wildflowers, temperate rain forests, and old growth forests harbor an abundance of flora and fauna along its slopes and adjoining valleys. 

Majestic Mount Rainier stands behind a forested alpine ridge.
Mighty Mount Rainier. Image by Tiffany Von Arnim.

#5 San Juan Island National Historical Park

A evening sunset lights up the clouds at San Juan Islands National Historical Park. San Juan Islands National Historical is one of the 19 best national parks in Oregon and Washington.
San Juan Islands National Historical Park. Image by Jeff Clark & Stepher Baker / BLM Oregon.

Visit Ground Zero of America’s one and only Pig War! 

The United States and Great Britain engaged in a diplomatic standoff after a pig was killed on San Juan Island. The bacon in question highlighted the fact that the island was disputed territory between the two nations.

San Juan Island National Historical Park celebrates the peaceful resolution of the Pig War and preserves the rich cultural heritage of the San Juan Islands. These channel islands have been home to indigenous tribes, Hawaiian immigrants, and British and American settlers. 

Today, the San Juan Islands are best known for another group of inhabitants: the native orcas that dwell around their shores.

Orcas frolic in the waters around San Juan Islands NHP.
Orcas dwell in the waters surrounding the San Juan Islands. Image by Jeff Clark & Stepher Baker / BLM Oregon

#6 Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve

Holiday lights give off a warm glow to a pier at Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve. Ebey's Landing NHR is one of the 19 best national parks in Oregon and Washington.
Historic Coupeville Wharf by Ebey’s Landing NHR.

Walk back in time at Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. This park stewards one of the most historic regions in Puget Sound. 

Ebey’s Landing includes Fort Casey, the Admiralty Lighthouse, the town of Coupeville, Island County Historical Museum, miles of trails, and Crockett Lake.

A historic cannon stands watch at Ebey's Landing NHR.
Sunrise at Fort Casey by Ebey’s Landing NHR.

Ebey’s Landing NHP is located on Whidbey Island in Puget Sound’s northern waters. Drive your vehicle to Whidbey Island via Deception Pass or by taking a Ferry across the Sound. 

My wife smiles on a ferry ride across Puget Sound.
Puget Sound is full of historic island communities like Coupeville and Ebey’s Landing.

#7 North Cascades National Park

A suspension bridge welcomes you across the Skagit River and into adventure at North Cascades National Park. North Cascades National Park is one of the 19 best national parks in Oregon and Washington.
North Cascades National Park. Skagit River by Jeff Gunn.

Washington holds one of the most underrated National Parks in the American West. North Cascades National Park is a wide expanse of mountain wilderness. 

This enormous park encompasses over 300 glaciers, soaring mountains, plummeting waterfalls, alpine lakes, and old growth forests. 

Pyramid Peak soars toward the sky at North Cascades National Park.
Mountain grandeur at North Cascades National Park. Pyramid Peak by Joe Wolf.

North Cascades National Park borders both Ross Lake National Recreation Area and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. The park is also surrounded by several Washington state parks. 

Summer months are the best time to access this alpine wilderness. North Cascade NP holds flora and fauna that occur in Canada and even Alaska, including the mighty Grizzly Bear.

#8 Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Seattle Unit

Klondike Gold Rush NHP is located in the old brick building that once served as the Cadillac Hotel, a hotel that was built during this era. Klondike Gold Rush is one of the 19 best national parks in Oregon and Washington.
Klondike Gold Rush NHP is located in the historic Cadillac Hotel. Image by NPS.

The words “Klondike Gold Rush” don’t immediately bring Washington to mind. But the fact is that Washington served at the gateway for this historic event. 

In fact, the port of Seattle is still major means of reaching Alaska today. Klondike Gold Rush NHP demonstrates how gold discoveries in the Yukon and Alaska forever changed not only these regions but the Pacific Northwest as well. 

Step back in time and experience what life was like at the turn of the century. The Park’s exhibits and films are housed within the historic Cadillac Hotel, which was built in the days of the Klondike Gold Rush.

A reproduction of a Klondike-era general store welcomes visitors at Klondike Gold Rush NHP.
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Image by NPS.

#9 Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Hanford Unit

A row of control-center buttons stand at the ready at Manhattan Project National Historical Park. Manhattan Project National Historical Park is one of the 19 best national parks in Washington and Oregon.
Image by Gary Paulson.

Tour the facilities of America’s first nuclear weapons program. Manhattan Project National Historical Park preserves the three locations that planned, prepared, and produced the world’s first nuclear bombs. 

Washington’s Hanford unit produced the plutonium necessary for these weapons.

@dinkumtribe This display at the Manhattan Project NHS uses a Geiger counter to measure naturally occurring radiation in common objects. All of our kids found it fascinating to see how things like marbles, lanterns and even dishes contain some natural radioactivity. They even tried the counter on themselves, and the number of clicks WAS NOT ZERO.😮 We highly recommend visiting this national park site with your kids! #nationalpark #familyroadtrip #homeschooling ♬ original sound – DinkumTribe ADHD family travel

Manhattan Project NHP is composed of over 40 interpretive sites spread throughout Washington’s Tri-City Area (Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland). These units not only detail the development of the atomic bomb but also provide a window into what life was like during the War Era.

A top secret factory in Hanford Washington prepared the plutonium that was needed for the world's first atomic weapons. You can tour this factory at Manhattan Project NHP, Hanford Unit.
Image by Alison Jean Cole.

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#10 Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial

Origami cranes hang from hooks at the handsome Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. This memorial is one of the 19 best national parks in Oregon and Washington.
Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. Image by Joe Mabel.

Bainbridge Island holds a significant place in the tragic history of Japaneses American Exclusion. The Island was the first exclusion area established. Many of the Japanese detainees were transferred on to other camps including Manzanar and Minidoka. 

You can pay tribute to former detainees and what they suffered at this important memorial.

A fence-board picture depicts a Japanese teacher incarcerated behind a barbed wire fence.
“Let it not happen again.” Image by Joe Mabel.

#11 Wing Luke Museum

Asian images and characters fill a colored wall at the Wing Luke Museum. The Wing Luke Museum is one of the 19 best national parks in Oregon and Washington.
The Wing Luke Museum. Image by Tracy Hunter.

Explore the heritage and history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders at this National Park Service Affiliated Site. The Wing Luke Museum was established in memory of Wing Luke, the first Asian American to hold office in the Pacific Northwest. 

Wing Luke’s story provides context for understanding the history and contribution of Asian and Pacific immigrants to the Pacific Northwest and the United States.

An asian game-table is surrounded by chair in a historic room at the Wing Luke Museum.
Walk in another’s shoes at the Wing Luke Museum. Image by Tracy Hunter.

#12 Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area

A panorama shows the rugged scablands of Eastern Washington. Lake Roosevelt is one of the 19 best national parks in Oregon and Washington.
Eastern Washington’s wild scablands were carved by Ice Age Mega-floods. Image by Abhinaba Basu.

You don’t have to fight through Seattle traffic to experience the great outdoors. Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area offers an abundance of ways to get active in the wild and historic region of Northeast Washington. 

Lake Roosevelt and its surrounding area was carved out by the Ice Age Floods that are celebrated by the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail (park #14, see below). 

Today you can enjoy a land first explored by mammoths, Native Americans, fur trappers, and prospectors. Canoeing, kayaking, boating, fishing, hunting, and hiking are all welcome at this national recreation area.

Icicles frame a beautiful waterfall at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area.
Hawk Creek Falls at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. Frozen Falls by Matt Reinbold.

Best National Parks in Oregon and Washington

A waterfall cascades off a basalt cliff in the scablands created by the Missoula Mega-floods.
The Ice Age Floods National Geological Trail is one of six National Trails that run through Oregon and Washington.
Palouse Falls by Shutterbug Fotos.

Oregon and Washington are linked together by a feature that makes them ideal for Roadtripping Families: National Trails that link National Parks.

Several of the national parks in Oregon and Washington feature units that are found in both states. These multi-unit parks are connected by National Trails that run across Oregon and Washington. We’ve found National Trails to be one of the best ways to explore the national parks in Oregon and Washington.

Our Favorite Way to Explore National Parks in Oregon and Washington

Morning sunlight illumines a rocky slope along one of the scablands on Ice Age Trails National Geologic Trail.
Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail. Image by BLM of Oregon & Washington.

Oregon and Washington are connected by at least six national trails. These trails are run by the national park service and link several of the national parks in Oregon and Washington. These trails make your journey as rewarding as the destination.

The National Trails system is a boon for roadtripping families because the park goes with you while you drive. You can follow scenic routes and a historic journey as you make your way to your next destination. These trail systems utilize the National Park Jr. Ranger program, allowing your children to grow their learning over the course of the trail. 

A National Trails poster celebrates the Nez Perce National Historic Trail. The colorful picture depicts two Nez Perce women mounted on an Appaloosa. The women look over the scenic mountain landscape that was their homeland.
Nez Perce NHT is one of five National Trails that link National Parks in Oregon and Washington. Nez Perce National Historic Trail by BLM.

We’ve found that national trails enhance our overall roadtrip experience. Curated sites make it  easy to get active or learn something new. Every roadtrip comes with a number of pit stops, but National Trails add value even to these kind of stops.

This post’s feature park is a good example of the benefits you enjoy by using national trails to visit national parks in Oregon and Washington.

Feature Park: #13 Oregon National Historic Trail

A covered wagon stands in a sage covered stretch of Eastern Oregon. Snowy, cloud-covered mountains stand on the horizon.
Oregon National Historic Trail. Image by BLM of Oregon & Washington.

Oregon and Washington own the best stretch of the Oregon trail. The Oregon Trail begins in Independence, Missouri but reaches its end in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Oregon and Washington’s trail segment includes national parks, connections two other historic trails, and a variety of places to walk the actual trail ruts.

@dinkumtribe My husband loves US history and geography, and he found this little gem. No marker, no google map directions, just coordinates from another enthusiast- but look how clear the Oregon Trail wheel ruts are!! Nearly 150 years later and you can still see them. #oregontrail #americanhistory #oregontravel #roadside ♬ original sound – DinkumTribe ADHD family travel

Best of all, this is the only place on the trail where you can visit both the journey and the destination!

National Parks on Oregon National Historic Trail (OR/WA only):

Route: From the Oregon/Idaho Border to Oregon City

Why Travel the Old Oregon Trail?

But why bother driving the Oregon Trail anyway? Here are three reasons why we sometimes choose to follow the ruts instead of the interstate.

Reason 1: It’s Easy

A national trails sign depicts a covered wagon with the words "Oregon Trail National Historic Trail." Oregon National Historic Trail is one of the 19 best national parks in Oregon and Washington.
Image by BLM.

If you’re an avid road tripper then there’s a good chance that you’ve already followed an emigrant trail. Several interstate freeways and state routes follow historic overland trails such as the Oregon Trail. 

@dinkumtribe Replying to @phelan_soul thanks for the great directions! #oregontrail #americanhistory #roadside ♬ original sound – DinkumTribe ADHD family travel

Nearly all of Oregon and Washington’s historic trail sites are only a short jaunt from the Interstate 84. Additionally, many of these are near accommodations, restaurants, and other services. 

A historical plaque mark the site of an important river crossing in Eastern Oregon.
Eastern Oregon has several noteworthy trail sites. Image by BLM of Oregon & Washington.

Reason 2: It’s Empty

A mule deer watches carefully in the evening light along Oregon National Historic Trail.
Wildlife and wide open spaces make the Oregon Trail and worthwhile drive. Image by BLM of Oregon & Washington.

Interstate 84 and its respective state routes run through some of the most wild and scenic parts of Oregon. You don’t have to venture far off the freeway to encounter the rugged landscapes and wild creatures that have made Oregon Country famous. Many of these same areas feature trail ruts largely untouched by time.

Trail ruts traverse open, arid country along a stretch of the Oregon Trail in Eastern Oregon. Oregon National Historic Trail is one of the 19 best national parks in Oregon and Washington.
Oregon and Washington have an abundance of historic emigrant trail sites. Image by BLM of Oregon & Washington.

Reason 3: It’s Energizing

I hold up my son to give him a good look at the trail ruts at Flagstaff Hill in Eastern Oregon.
You can read my impressions of the Oregon Trail Ruts in Silent Strength: Powerful History at the Oregon Trail.

It’s easy to dismiss the pioneers, until you walk a mile in their shoes.

Our first visit to the Oregon Trail ruts had a strong impact on me as a husband and a father. I couldn’t get around the silent emptiness of the hills that surrounded us. What would it take to bring a family across thousands of miles of empty wilderness?

Regardless of what you think about the pioneers, the obstacles encountered by them speak volumes about the human condition. Your family can gain a lot from walking the steps of those who came before them.

@dinkumtribe Exploring parts of the Oregon Trail and Barlow Trail near Rhododendron, Oregon. #oregontrail #barlowtrail #oregonhistory #oregonhistorydiscovered #wagontrail #pioneerhillclimb #coveredwagonlife #oregontravel #adhdfamilytravel #familytravelcreator #familytraveltiktoker #oregonfamily #pnwfamily #pnwfamilies #oregonfamilies #familytravelvlog #familytravelblog #familytravelblogger #familytravelvlogger #familytravelinfluencer #travelwithkids @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe ♬ Outdoors – Colin Tierney

National Parks in Oregon and Washington along the Oregon National Historic Trail

The Oregon National Historic Trail connects a number of national parks in Oregon and Washington. Let’s follow the trail westward to consider a few of them.

National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, OR

A woman kneels beside a grave in a display at National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.
National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. Image by BLM of Oregon & Washington.

Here’s an all-in-one Oregon Trail site. The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is the ideal place to learn about the Oregon Trail especially if you’re driving west to the Portland Metro Area. 

This interpretive center is located on Flagstaff Hill, a ridge where the weary emigrants would have had their first view of Oregon.

Playing cards and dominoes and other artifacts sit in a display at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.
Emigrant artifacts at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. Image by BLM of Oregon & Washington.

The center is also ideally placed for a modern roadtrip experience. The museum is only half an hour from the I-84, yet in a secluded group of foothills. Experience the Oregon Trail through interactive exhibits, authentic artifacts, and living history demonstrations.

Sage brush frames a view of the historic stamp mill at National Historic  Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.
Step into the Wild West at National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. Image by BLM of Oregon & Washington.

Whitman Mission National Historic Site, WA

The Whitman Monument stands as an evening silhouette as the sun goes down in Eastern Washington.
Whitman Mission National Historic Site. Image by Caleb Riston / Wikimedia Commons.

Marcus and Narcissa Whitman journeyed west in 1836 to bring the gospel to the Indigenous tribes in Oregon Country. In doing so, they blazed what became known as the Oregon Trail. The Whitman Mission became an important stopping point for emigrants. A tragic misunderstanding led Native Americans to kill the Whitmans and eleven others in 1847. 

Canvas shelters the inside of a covered wagon at Whitman Mission National Historic Site. Whitman Mission NHS is one of a number of national parks along Oregon National Historic Trail.
Walk along the Oregon Trail at Whitman Mission NHS. Image by jmarkp1 / Wikimedia Commons.

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, OR & WA

A wooden battlement and palisade protects Fort Vancouver at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.
Fort Vancouver NHS is one of the 19 best national parks in Oregon & Washington.
Fort Vancouver is one of our favorite national parks in Oregon and Washington.

Oregon Country was jointly occupied by Great Britain and the United States in the mid-nineteenth century. However, the area was dominated by the Hudson Bay Company, a British trapping company that had operated in the Pacific Northwest for years.

Fort Vancouver was the administrative center of the Hudson Bay Company, and the first major European settlement in Oregon Country. This fort and its leader, John McLoughlin played a central role in the success of the Oregon Trail. Read our in-depth review of this national park in 7 Best Things to Do at Fort Vancouver NHP.

@dinkumtribe The blacksmith shop docent showed our kids how beaver traps worked during the 1800s. #homeschoolfieldtrip #adhdfamilytravel #familytravelblog #historicalreenactor #livinghistorymuseum #livinghistorythings #pacificnorthwesttravel #pacificnorthwestroadtrips #pacificnorthwestlife #hudsonbaycompany #fortvancouver #thatpnwlife ♬ Another One Bites The Dust – Remastered 2011 – Queen

The Backdoor Route: California National Historic Trail, OR

The broken remnants of an emigrant wagon sit along the California National Historic Trail. The California National Historic Trail is one of the 19 best national parks in Oregon and Washington.
The Applegate Trail traversed the deserts of Nevada to reach Oregon. Image by BLM.

The final stretch of the Oregon Trail was extremely dangerous. The narrow Columbia River Gorge required emigrants to navigate the Columbia with boats or handmade rafts. Loss of property and life was all too common. 

In 1846 a party led by Jesse Applegate sought out an alternate route to Oregon’s rich Willamette Valley. This “Applegate Trail” departs from Fort Hall, Idaho and treks across the deserts of northern Nevada and northern California before entering the state of Oregon near Klamath Falls. 

The Rogue River winds through the forested ranges of Southern Oregon.
The Applegate Trail ran though Oregon’s beautiful southern ranges. Image by Kyle Sullivan, BLM.

From there the Trail works its way through the Rogue River Valley and Southern Oregon ranges until it descends into the southern Willamette Valley.

The Applegate Trail was embroiled in controversy from the start and relatively few emigrants took this southern route. However, this trail has much to tell about the history of Eugene, the Southern Willamette Valley, and the settlement of Southern Oregon. 

Today, the trail is part of the California National Historic Trail.

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My son places a rock by the grave of a pioneer child who died at his age.
My son leaves a rock by a child’s grave on the Oregon Trail NHT.

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#14 Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail

Waters cascades along the rugged scablands of Eastern Washington.
Explore wild and rugged landscapes on the Ice Age Flood National Geologic Trail. Image by Shutterbug Fotos.

Here’s one of the coolest National Parks in Oregon and Washington! Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail follows the path of catastrophic mega-floods that repeatedly tore through the Pacific Northwest. The trail traces the floods from ancient glacial Lake Missoula (in present day Montana), to the mouth of the Columbia River.  

National Parks on Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail (OR/WA only):

Route: NE Washington/Idaho Border to the Pacific Coast

@dinkumtribe Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail has stops located all over the Northwestern US, with several sites in Oregon. #tualatinoregon #tualatin #iceagefloods #iceage #geology101 #nationaltrail #tualatinvalley #mastodontooth #mastodon #geologictime #amazinglibrary #libraryart #oregongeology #fossilsoftiktok ♬ Try Everything (From “Zootopia”) – Movie Sounds Unlimited

Washington and Oregon hold the lion’s share of this National Trail. Ice Age floods ripped through Eastern Washington and the Columbia River Gorge, stripping valleys and hills of their soil and creating a rugged and bizarre landscape. Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (#19 on this list) lies in one of the scablands that were carved out by these floods.

Oregon and Washington abound with relics of the Ice Age and their incredible floods. Glacial erratics, fossils, a massive meteorite, and the world’s oldest pair of shoes all have stories to tell about this prehistoric lost world.

@dinkumtribe The Refuge includes Floodplain National Natural Landmark, an important site on the Ice Age Flood National Geologic Trail. @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe The Natural Landmark is one of few unplowed lowlands of the Willamette Valley. The site gives remarkable glimpse into what the Willamette Valley was like before the arrival of European settlers. #oregonhistorydiscovered #oregonhistory #iceagegeology #iceagetrail #npsoftiktok #wildliferefuge #oregonnationalparks #adhdfamilytravel #familytravelcreator #familytraveltiktoker #oregonfamily #pnwfamily #pnwfamilies #oregonfamilies #familytravelvlog #familytravelblog #familytravelblogger #familytravelvlogger #familytravelinfluencer #travelwithkids ♬ Fall October Halloween horror classic(177261) – rareNote

#15 Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail

The moon rises over Pilot Rock, one of several landmarks along the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.
A Siskiyou sunset on the Pacific Coast National Scenic Trail. Image by BLM.

Oregon and Washington hold the best part of the Pacific Crest Trail. This segment of the Pacific Crest NST follows the incredible Cascade Range. The Trail connects no less than six national parks in Oregon and Washington.

National Parks on Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (OR/WA only):

  • Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument
  • Crater Lake National Park
  • Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
  • Mount Rainier National Park
  • Lake Chelan National Recreation Area
  • North Cascades National Park

Route: Oregon/California Border to Canadian Border

A trail winds through verdant forest on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.
The Pacific Coast Scenic Trail. Image by Bob Wick / BLM.

Oregon’s trail segment is both the shortest and easiest part of the Pacific Crest Trail. The elevation changes little over these 430 miles and passes several cascade peaks including Mt. McLoughlin, Crater Lake, The Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, and Mt. Hood. 

The trail then descend 3,160 feet into the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area where it crosses into Washington. Elk, deer, beaver, fox, and grouse are only a few of the wildlife that can be seen along Oregon’s share of the Pacific Crest Trail.

@dinkumtribe A rainy day exploring the Oregon Trail from Mt. Good to Sandy, Oregon. Checking out the Barlow Trail as well. #localhistory #localhistorynerd #oregontrail #oregontrails #historictrail #historicroute #barlowtrail #mthoodnationalforest #oregonhistory #oregonhistorydiscovered #adhdfamilytravel #familytravelcreator #familytraveltiktoker #oregonfamily #pnwfamily #pnwfamilies #oregonfamilies #familytravelvlog #familytravelblog #familytravelblogger #familytravelvlogger #familytravelinfluencer #travelwithkids @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe @dinkumtribe ♬ original sound – DinkumTribe ADHD family travel

Washington provides a different perspective of the Cascades. This state’s Cascades have colder temperatures and are much closer to the Rocky Mountains. 

Glaciers have carved a dramatic and challenging landscape of sharp peaks and deep canyons. Washington’s share of the trail includes mountain goats, the Canadian lynx, and even grizzly bears. 

#16 Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail

Sea stacks stand sentinel at a beautiful sunset along Cannon Beach.
Cannon Beach is one of many incredible sites along the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail. Public Domain.

The Pacific Northwest was central to the Lewis & Clark Expedition. President Jefferson ordered Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to not only explore the lands west of the Mississippi but to also determine if there was a waterway that could speed transportation and trade across North America. The River Oregon (Columbia) was what Jefferson had in mind.

National Parks on the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail (OR/WA only):

  • Nez Perce National Historical Park
  • Manhattan National Historical Park, Hanford Unit
  • Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
  • Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
  • Lewis & Clark National Historical Park

Route: SE Washington/Idaho Border to the Pacific Coast

A site marker commemorates a campsite of the Lewis and Clark Expedition along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Lewis & Clark NHT is one of the 19 best national parks in Oregon and Washington.
A trail marker along Lewis & Clark NHT. Image by BLM.

Oregon and Washington abound with over 50 Lewis & Clark trail sites and interpretive centers. A number of these interpretive sites are indigenous cultural centers or archaeological sites.  Wildlife refuges provide another way of tracing the westward journey. 

You can follow the Corps of Discovery through epic landscapes including Hells Canyon, the Columbia Plateau, the Columbia River Gorge, the Mouth of the Columbia, and legendary Cannon Beach

#17 Lewis & Clark National Historical Park

My daughter smiles as she explore Fort Clatsop at Lewis & Clark National Historical Park. Lewis & Clark NHP is one of the 19 best national parks in Oregon and Washington.
Our daughter loved exploring Fort Clatsop at Lewis & Clark NHP.

The crown jewel of Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail can be found near the Oregon/Washington border. Lewis & Clark National Historical Park preserves the history of the expedition’s winter stay in the Pacific Northwest.

The Park is composed of multiple units located in and around the mouth of the Columbia River. But the park is best known for Fort Clatsop, the expedition’s winter quarters. Enjoy historical reenactments at the fort and its surroundings, hike the Fort to Sea Trail, or explore the North Oregon Coastline with Lewis & Clark.

The sun ignites the horizon behind a bridge spanning the mighty Columbia River, near Lewis and Clark NHP.
Historic Astoria, near Lewis & Clark NHP>Image by ODOT.

#18 Nez Perce National Historic Trail

A clear reflection of mountain beauty is reflected in still lake waters along the Nez Perce National Historic Trail. Nez Perce NHT is one of the 19 best national parks in Oregon and Washington.
The Nez Perce Homeland in Eastern Oregon. Image by Finetooth / Wikimedia Commons.

Here is one of Oregon’s best kept secrets. The Nez Perce National Historic Trail is not as well known as the other four trails, but is well worth your consideration. This trail follows the heroic journey of the Nez Perce as they fought and fled for their independence. 

National Parks on the Nez Perce National Historic Trail (OR/WA only):

  • Nez Perce National Historical Park
  • Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Route: Lake Wallowa, Oregon to SE Washington/Idaho Border

Nez Perce National Historic Trail begins at Wallowa Lake, in the traditional lands of the Nez Perce. The trail then journeys eastward over mountains and along valleys in a desperate flight toward the Canadian border. 

This pathway brings you through remarkable landscapes including the Wallowas, Hells Canyon, and Yellowstone National Park. Several units of Nez Perce Historical Park are located along this epic trek.

#19 Nez Perce National Historical Park

Ancient drawing cover a rock at Nez Perce National Historical Park. Nez Perce National Historical Park is one of the 19 best national parks in Oregon and Washington.
Ancient art at Nez Perce National Historical Park. Image by Nichole.

There’s much more to the Nez Perce than their famous quest. Nez Perce National Historical Park pays tribute to this ancient people by preserving their legacy and story. 

Nez Perce NHP is composed of over a dozen sites spread throughout the Pacific Northwest. 

The majority of these sites are clustered around the original homeland that spreads across present day Northeast Oregon, Southwest Washington, and Northwest Idaho. Several of these sites preserve ancient locations sacred to the Nez Perce. 

Did You Find What You Were Looking For?

Two people cross a snow-covered bridge at Mt. Rainier National Park.
Mount Rainier National Park. Public Domain.

Still looking for a national park? Check out Your List of National Parks and Monuments by State. Got a question? Drop us a comment and we’ll see what we can do. Happy Traveling!

Evening sunset lights the horizon along the Oregon Trail in Eastern Oregon.
Adventure awaits on the Oregon National Historic Trail. Image by BLM of Oregon & Washington.

© Copyright Brian A. Warren 2022.

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About the author

Brian Warren is a native of California and has traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and several other countries. He's husband to Jennifer, Dad of six children, and taught middle school history for several years. His special interests include craft beers, the American Old West, and geology. Brian is also an online marketing specialist and cofounder of Dinkum Tribe, a website dedicated to healthy, happy families. Feel free to send Brian a message at [email protected].

Comments

  1. This helpful post definitely made we want to do a family trip to some national parks in Oregon and Washington. Everything looks so green and lush! I appreciate your detailed information!

  2. Wow! Great guide on the National Parks!! I can’t believe how many epic places there are to discover. I live in Ontario and have yet to explore much of the US, but I keep seeing amazing parks and I feel like I need to get to at least a few of these! I bet the views are even better in person!!!

    1. The US does have so many beautiful parks, and so does Canada – I’ve only visited the Western ones like Banff and Jasper, but wow! North America is gorgeous!

  3. So glad I found this as I live in Washington State! It is truly magical here in Seattle!
    I can’t wait to check out these parks!

  4. Great guide to these national parks in the west. I can see why they are so popular to visit in the summer. But it’s great that you offer tips to visit and how to avoid the crowds.

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