How to see multiple national parks in one trip!

one of my favorite ways to experience national parks is pairing more that one in a single trip- and washington state is perfect for it. olympic national park and mount rainier national park are close enough to combine, yet completely different in landscape, weather, and overall vibe. from moss-covered rainforests and rugged beaches to alpine views and snowy trails, this trip truly felt like we experienced multiple worlds in just a few days.

olympic national park: the most diverse place i’ve ever visited

if there’s one word i’d use to describe olympic national park, it’s diverse- and even that feels like an understatement.

one day we were standing along the rugged pacific coastline, where driftwood the size of trees lines the shore and the waves crash with a quiet kind of power. the beaches here don’t feel tropical or polished-they feel wild, moody, and untouched in the best possible way.

there are several beaches to visit in olympic national park- there are a dozen to visit, but we chose to visit two of them. our first stop was Second beach and my favorite. second beach was so moody but beautiful- gigantic sea stack rocks coming out of the water, cloudy skies and so many tide pools. we spent a lot of time walking around to the different tide pools and seeing the purple and orange sea star, crabs, and fish.

Second Beach-olympic national park

the other beach that we visited and really liked was rialto beach. our main reason for going to rialto beach was to see the famous “hole in the wall” it’s a 3 mile out and back hike on the beach. hole in the wall was formed from the waves and soft sand hitting the sea stacks and forming it into a hole in the sea stack making it look like a hole in a wall. it’s so incredible how nature can make such beautiful art!

Quick tip: Bring flip flops or an easy-off shoe. i wore my hiking boots, and walking through the deep sand in them was way harder than i expected. being able to switch shoes would have made the walk much more comfortable-especially if you plan to explore for a while.

Hole in the wall-Olympic national park

HOH Rainforest:

we also visited hOH rainforest that is surrounded by towering trees draped in moss, the air damp and still. the rainforest honestly feels so unreal. the moment you step onto the trail, everything slows down. towering trees, thick moss hanging from the branches, and that deep green glow everywhere you look-it’s quiet, peaceful, and almost magical.

we spent a little time walking the trails and staring up at the giant moss filled sitka spruce and western hemlock trees and taking it all in, it’s one of those places where you don’t need a long hike to feel fully immersed. even short walks deliver a huge impact. HOH rainforest was one of those places where you realize just how small you are and how grand our world is!

HOH Rainforest-Olympic National Park

waterfalls you can’t miss in olympic:

Marymere falls- a 1.8 mile easy hike- this was one of our favorite family-friendly hikes. the trail winds through lush forest and leads to a beautiful waterfall cascading down a mossy mountainside. one of the highlights- especially for our daughter-was the fun wood bridge that feels almost like a natural bridge. it adds a playful, magical element to the hike and makes it great for kids.

olympic national park- marymere falls

Sol duc falls- is an easy 1.8 mile out and back hike that is an absolute must-do when you are visiting olympic. the trail is well maintained and is condidered easy but it’s pretty steep in some areas. the payoff is incredible: a powerful waterfall that looks like it’s split into three waterfalls surrounded by vibrant greenery. it’s one of those waterfalls that feels dramatic yet approachable.

olympic national park- sol duc falls

Hurricane Ridge area:

one of my very favorite hikes in olympic was hurricane hill. the trail is well-maintained (moderate 3.4 hike) and offers incredible panoramic views without being overly technical. it was pretty cloudy the day that we hiked it but if it’s a clear day, you can see mountain ranges stretching out in every direction.

this hike is a great option if you want big views without committing to a long, strenuous trek- and it’s a must-do if you’re visiting this area.

Olympic National Park-Hurricane Hill Hike

mount rainier national park: expect the unexpected:

we came for the wildflowers…and found snow!!

when we added mount rainier to our trip, we were expecting wildflowers everywhere like you see on all the social media pictures. instead, we were greeted by snow-thanks to a snowstorm just a couple of weeks before our visit. and honestly? it was incredible.

that’s one of the things about mt. rainier: it doesn’t care what season you think it is. weather here changes fast, and every visit looks different.

we adjusted our plans due to the snow and focused on shorter, accessible hikes especially in the paradise visitors center area. i highly recommend taking some time in the visitors center…it’s one of my favorites from our national park visits! we hiked the icy hike carefully to myrtle falls which was beautiful when we reached it. the waterfall was still there but surrounded by ice but you were greeted with an unbelievable view of mount rainier.

seeing mount rainier up close-even partially covered in clouds or snow- is something that photos will never fully capture. it’s massive, humbling, and unforgettable.

Mount Rainier National Park- myrtle falls hike

Silver falls loop: one of the prettiest waterfalls i’ve ever seen!

Silver falls loop- a 3 mile easy to moderate hike was one of those experiences and memories that sticks with you. the waterfall is one of the most beautiful i have ever seen and i had to actually stop and stare in awe for a few minutes before moving on. the trail is gentle and scenic, winding through forest before revealing a stunning, powerful waterfall that feels tucked away and peaceful.

this hike is a great option if you want something manageable that still delivers an unforgettable payoff-especially when snow limits access to higher elevations.

Mount rainer- silver falls

cozy cabin outside mount rainier:

where you stay near mount rainier truly shapes the experience. we stayed in an amazing cabin that made the whole trip feel extra special. cozy mornings with deer coming up to the feeder, quiet evenings enjoying a glass of wine on the porch surrounded by nature added so much to our visit.

i share more details about where to stay, ideal hikes by season, and how to plan for the unpredictable weather in my mount rainier itinerary.

why this trip was so special:

this trip stood out because every day felt different. one day we were walking through a rainforest that felt ancient. the next, exploring mossy waterfalls and rugged coastline. then we were standing beneath a snow-covered volcano.

that variety is what makes combining olympic and mount rainer so incredible-and why washington is one of my favorite states for national park adventures.

tips for visiting olympic & mount rainier national parks:

• Dress in layers- weather changes quickly, especially at mount rainier

• wear the proper shoes- hiking boots or shoes & flip flops for the beaches

• plan ahead- these parks are popular, and logistics matter- knowing where to stay, which hikes fit your travel party, and what you are doing daily

if you’re dreaming about visiting olympic and mount rainier- or planning a multi-trip anywhere in the U.S. this is exactly why i build my ready-made curated itineraries and build my trip service. these parks are incredible on their own, but the right plan turns them into an unforgettable experience!

for those interested in our trip, including accommodation Recommendations, restaurant recommendations, excursions, must see spots, hiking recommendations- click the link below to check out our Olympic & mount rainier custom curated travel Itinerary in pdf format that includes our full itinerary including links, custom map, tips, etc. (sign up for our email list, and receive a free pdf mini trips template download). additionally you can collaborate with me to create a personalized itinerary exclusively tailored to your vacation. 

Happy Travels!

Mandy