I have vacationed in Seattle/Washington/Victoria twice, and I cannot wait to do it again! It was my first ever “hiking” vacation, and I fell in love with hiking and all the beauties of nature. There is quite a bit of driving involved with this Washington state road trip. However, the time flies by because of all the beautiful scenery that surrounds you. Spend a week in Washington state and Victoria, British Columbia for an exciting vacation if you love hiking, waterfalls, mountains, and beautiful scenery.
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Free Washington State Itinerary
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How to Get Here
To start your Washington state road trip, you will need to fly into Seattle-Tacoma airport. You have many options to rent a car and will need to rent one as a car is a necessity of a road trip. I recommend stopping at a grocery store for snacks, drinks, and sandwich stuff. Some of the areas do not have many eating options.
Where to Stay
We did not stay the night in the same hotel on consecutive days on this trip. After mapping out our route, it made sense to change hotel venues every night. This was a little inconvenient having to unpack and repack every day. We felt like this was necessary, however, to maximize our adventure. Here is a list of the towns and hotels we stayed at during our Washington state road trip.
Port Angeles – Olympic Lodge
Forks – Dew Drop Inn
Victoria, BC – Fairmont Empress
Mt. Rainier National Park – Paradise Inn
Best Time to Visit
The best time for a Washington state road trip is May through September when roads are open and most sights are open. July through August are the busiest times of the year due to summer crowds.
What to Pack
- Passport – You will be crossing the Canadian border as part of this Washington state road trip, so make sure to pack your passport and vaccine proof.
- Water!! Whether you use a hydration backpack or carry bottled water, make sure to pack plenty of water when outdoors!
- Bug Spray – Keep those pesky bugs away!
- Sunscreen – Protect your skin from the sun, and do not forget to reapply.
- Hat – More sun protection to block the sun from your face
- Hiking shoes/boots – Some of the hikes are on steep, slick rock, and people wearing regular tennis shoes struggled to keep their footing. Here are the men‘s version of the hiking shoes I love.
- Hiking socks – The best way to prevent blisters is by keeping your feet dry. Moisture-wicking socks are the best way to do that.
- Backpack – A backpack is a necessity when hiking to carry your water, snacks, sunscreen, etc. that you may need on your longer hikes.
- Hiking Poles – Hiking poles help relieve some of the energy used by your legs when hiking.
- RTIC Soft-Sided Cooler – Keep your drinks and sandwich stuff cool in this cooler.
- Packing Cubes – Keep your stuff organized in your luggage with these packing cubes.
- Rain Jacket – Rain can (and probably will) occur at some point while in Washington, so make sure to pack your men’s or women’s rain jacket.
- Jacket – Even in warmer months, the temps can be cool so pack a light men’s or women’s jacket.
DAY 1 – WASHINGTON STATE ROAD TRIP
Port Townsend – Haunted House and waterfront
Getting from the Seattle/Tacoma area to your first stopping point takes about an hour and half, and we were ready to stretch out legs. Our first stop during our Washington state road trip was Port Townsend and the haunted mansion, The Starrett House, built in 1889. Today the house operates as an inn, and you can stay the night here if you dare.
Next we drove towards the Port Townsend Bay and walked along the water’s edge taking in the views. We stopped at a waterside diner for lunch before continuing our drive towards Sequim.
Sequim Dungeness Spit
We continued our trek to the Dungeness Spit in Sequim. Dungeness Spit is a narrow piece of land that jets into the Strait of Juan de Fuca that begins at the Dungeness Wildlife Refuge and ends with the New Dungeness Lighthouse. The spit stretches about 5 miles if you want to see the lighthouse up close. However, we walked about a mile and decided to turn back.
Sequim Lavender Farms
Leaving the Dungeness Spit, we saw several roadside signs advertising lavender farms and followed the signs until we found one. For a small price, the farm will hand you shears, a basket, and a twist-tie. You can keep all the lavender you can fasten together with this twist-tie! At first, we searched the bushes looking for the best sprig of lavender before we cut it. After a while, our patience grew thin and we were cutting large chunks of lavender until our twist tie could barely fasten. After getting home, I dried out my lavender bouquets and years later they still smell divine!
Lake Crescent and Marymere Falls Trail
From here we drove to Lake Crescent and the Marymere Falls Trailhead. The trailhead is located on the south shore of Lake Crescent. We hiked the 1.7 mile, out and back, trail through an old growth forest sprouting from a blanket of ferns. We came across the tall waterfall after crossing two log bridges. Then, the trail gains 200 feet in elevation to two viewing platforms. Do not be in a hurry to reach the falls; exploring Washington is often about the journey, not just the destination!
The drive to Lake Crescent Lodge is less than a mile from the Marymere Falls trailhead where a pier extends into the lake. We opted to rent a canoe here and paddle around the lake. We spent about an hour relaxing on benches admiring the majestic blue mountains behind the quiet lake.
DAY 2 – WASHINGTON STATE ROAD TRIP
Hurricane Ridge
We started Day 2 of our Washington state road trip with a drive up to Hurricane Ridge, which is located south of Port Angeles on Hurricane Ridge Road. The drive to the Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center is an hour and is an adventure. The road curves around and hugs the side of the mountain with steep drop-offs on one side. Once at the apex, go into the visitors center which has a viewing deck. Take in the breathtaking panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains.
Sol Duc Falls Trail
Sol Duc Falls Trail begins near the Sol Duc Falls Hot Springs and Resort and is an easy 1.6-mile, out and back trail through a lush rainforest landscape. On the trail, we passed water from melted snow cascading down moss-covered rocks and fallen logs. The trail comes to a wooden bridge that crosses the river at the falls, which spewed out of three channels into a canyon below where the river continued.
La Push near Forks
While exploring Washington, we headed towards La Push on the Quileute Indian Reservation for on last adventure before checking into our hotel in Forks. If all these names sound familiar to you, then you must be a Twilight fan. And yes, the shops in this area sell Twilight memorabilia if you are a fan.
La Push’s Second Beach
Park at the Second Beach parking and hike the 0.7-mile, out and back trail beneath a dense forest canopy to sandy beaches. Observe sea stack islands past the Pacific Ocean shoreline. Wander up the beach in search of tide pools at your feet. Starfish, sea anemones, clams, muscles, and barnacles can be found. We also saw an otter playing on a large rock submerged in the breaking waves. Tip – Check tide schedules for low tide before coming here if you want to see the tide pools.
DAY 3 – WASHINGTON STATE ROAD TRIP
Cape Flattery
In the morning on day 3 of our Washington state road trip, we drove towards Neah Bay to Cape Flattery for a 1.5-mile, out and back walk through dense rainforests with ground-covering ferns and moss growing on most surfaces. Almost to the end of trail, we came to several viewing platforms to the right and left where you can witness dramatic waves crashing into the cliffs below forming sea caves. Keep going to the final viewing platform to stand at the northwestern-most point of mainland USA. Even though this hike is out of the way, it is a must do and was my favorite hike on this trip.
Lake Crescent Again
Spending a week in Washington state is exhilarating and exhausting, and we needed a little down time. Therefore, we went back to Lake Crescent on the way to our hotel in Port Angeles. My nephew spent hours playing with driftwood and rocks at the shoreline. When traveling with kids, sometimes you need to have some unplanned time for kids to be kids and for the adults to relax. This was our time.
DAY 4 – EXPLORING VICTORIA, BC
Victoria, BC
We spent the next day and a half in Victoria, British Columbia by way of ferry. Our first stop in Victoria was the Craigadarroch Castle completed in 1890. This 4-story mansion was the epitome of 19th century luxury with its lovely stained glass windows, elaborate woodwork, and sophisticated Victorian-era furnishings.
Whale watching
In the afternoon, we boarded a half-day whale watching excursion that offered magnificent views of orca pods with the Canadian mountains as a backdrop. Most of the whale watching outfitters guarantee whale sighting year round and will invite you back for another day if you don’t see any.
Downtown Victoria & Hotel Fairmont Empress
The evening was dedicated to strolling along the streets of downtown Victoria, shopping in the unique boutiques, and having dinner on an outdoor patio. We stayed the night at the historic Hotel Fairmont Empress and relaxed in their indoor pool. The Hotel Fairmont Empress is known for their afternoon tea service, Tea at the Empress, complete with scones and jam.
DAY 5 – EXPLORING VICTORIA, BC
Butchart Gardens
Butchart Gardens is the most astonishing botanical gardens I have ever seen. This place would be an Instagrammer’s holy grail. The 55-acre garden features 900 plant varieties divided into sub-gardens: Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, and Mediterranean Garden.
Other highlights of Butchart include dining establishments, gift shop, an indoor carousel, and water wheel. You could easily spend half a day or more here. In the afternoon, we boarded the ferry back to Port Angeles and began the long drive to Mt. Rainier southeast of Seattle.
DAY 6 – WASHINGTON STATE ROAD TRIP
Mount Rainier
Mt. Rainier is another sight that is out of the way and takes a long time to get to, but it is such an famous part of Washington’s landscape. You cannot do a Washington state road trip and miss it! This active volcano peaks at 14,410 feet above sea level. With a multitude of activities offered in this area such as day hikes, climbing, bicycling, fishing, and wildflower gazing, you could spend days here.
Skyline Trail Loop
We opted to trek the 5.6-mile loop of Skyline Trail Loop that began with an easy stroll through colorful wildflowers, crossing crystal clear streams, and watching at a marmot frolicking in the meadow. The most difficult part of the hike came next with a 1.25-mile of steep switchbacks to Panorama Point. On a clear day, you can see two other volcanoes, Mount Adams and Mount Saint Helens, from this viewpoint.
Reflection Lake
Reflection Lake is appropriately named because the lake waters act as a mirror to the iconic Mt. Rainier and is one of the most photographed locations in this area. We came here at sunset for mesmerizing views.
DAY 7 – WASHINGTON STATE ROAD TRIP
Seattle’s Pike Place Fish Market
This Seattle institution is an open air fish market world famous for their fishmongers throwing fish to be wrapped for customers who have purchased them. In addition to selling seafood, this market sells other goods such as robust flower bouquets and fresh produce, such as Rainier cherries. I found one kiosk selling dried flower bouquets that I purchased as a souvenir and use as decoration in my home.
Seattle Underground Tour
Seattle has a network of underground passageways and basements that were originally ground level when the city was built. After the Great Seattle Fire, the streets were regraded to one to two stories higher for new construction and to keep sewage from back up during high tide. The Seattle Underground Tour give a detailed history of Seattle and guides you through some of the passageways under Seattle buildings.
Ballard Locks
Ballard Locks is a canal that connects Salmon Bay and Lake Washington Ship Canal and carries more boat traffic than any other locks in the US. Watch this engineering marvel as boats are transported through these two waterways that exist at different elevations.
For up to date conditions of hikes, visit alltrail.com.
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