If you’re looking for a place to relax and unwind, Washington has some of the best scenery in the country. From breathtaking mountains to beaches that seem to go on forever, there are plenty of great places to visit in Washington.
Here are some of the most beautiful places to visit in Washington:
Granite Mountain
Granite Mountain is a volcanic peak in the Cascade Range of Washington, located about 7 miles (11 km) southwest of Mount Rainier National Park. It is part of the Cascade Range and is protected by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Granite Mountain is an eroded remnant of an ancient stratovolcano. The volcano was active in the Pleistocene period and formed a lava dome and lava flows that are preserved at its base.
The mountain is usually referred to as just “Granite” locally, but is also called “Cone Peak” or “Pinnacle Peak”. The name “Granite” comes from the granite rock found on its summit, while “Pinnacle Peak” refers to its distinctive pointed shape.
Diablo Lake
Diablo Lake is a small reservoir in the Cascade Range of Central Washington. The lake is located in the Pasayten Wilderness, within the Okanogan National Forest. The lake is approximately 9 miles northeast of Marblemount and 20 miles south of Mazama.
Diablo Lake was formed by the construction of Diablo Dam on Diablo Creek, which drains into Canyon Creek and then into North Cascades National Park. Construction began in 1954, with completion in 1957. The project was designed to provide hydroelectric power and flood control for nearby communities.
The lake has a surface area of about 1,600 acres (6 km2), with about one mile (1.6 km) of shoreline along Diablo Dam Road and State Route 20. It has a maximum depth of 110 feet (34 m).
Ferry from Seattle to Bremerton
The ferry ride from Seattle to Bremerton is one of the most beautiful in the state. The water is calm, and you have amazing views of Mount Rainier and other mountains as well as the Olympic Mountains.
Once in Bremerton, there are several good places to eat and explore. The downtown area has some great shops and restaurants, but there are also parks, museums and other tourist attractions.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to spend a day or two in Washington, this ferry ride is perfect!
Jade Lake
Jade Lake is a beautiful place to visit. It is located in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. The lake is deep blue and surrounded by beautiful mountains, which makes it even more scenic. The lake is very peaceful, quiet and serene. There are many hiking trails around Jade Lake that are open to the public year-round. People who have visited this place say that it is one of the most beautiful places they have ever been to.
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
The Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument is one of the most popular destinations in Washington state. The volcano erupted in 1980, leaving a gaping hole in the landscape that has since become a fascinating place to hike and explore.
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument is located just outside of the town of Cougar, Washington, about 70 miles east of Portland, Oregon. The monument encompasses more than 138 square miles of land surrounding Mount St. Helens volcano and stretches north into Canada.
The monument offers many different ways to experience the mountain’s beauty, including hiking trails through old-growth forests, viewpoints along the Spirit Lake Highway, and an interactive visitor center at Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center near Cougar Mountain Lodge at Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.
Nisqually Vista
The Nisqually Vista is a beautiful viewpoint in Mount Rainier National Park. The vista offers visitors a stunning view of Mount Rainier, with the Emmons Glacier visible at the mountain’s base. The viewpoint is named after the Nisqually River that flows below it, which is near where Lewis and Clark discovered Puget Sound while exploring the Pacific Northwest in 1805.
The vista is located on the southwest side of Mount Rainier and is accessed by taking State Route 706 (Burroughs Mountain Road), which leads to Sunrise Visitor Center. Visitors can park at Sunrise Visitor Center or at Mowich Lake Campground and walk about three-quarters of a mile to get to Nisqually Vista on foot.
There are several trails in the area that offer different views of Mount Rainier, including Panorama Point Trail and Ohanapecosh Park Trail.
Olympic National Park, Washington.
There is much to see and experience at Olympic National Park as the park covers several ecosystems. The star of the show is the Olympic Mountains with Mount Olympus having a glacier clad summit which is popular with climbers.
Palouse region of Washington state
The Palouse region is a beautiful area full of rolling hills that have a rich farmland history. The hills are asymmetrical and offer some of the most beautiful, peaceful, lush green landscape available.
Perfection Lake
Perfection Lake is part of the Enchantments in Washington State. The lake itself is shallow and clear at one end and as you walk down the trail you will pass through meadows and continue along the eastern shore. The lake is a stunning reminder of how nature naturally creates the most beautiful of sites by itself.
Riverfront Park in Spokane
Riverfront Park is a park that is over 100 acres in size, it contains the Spokane Falls but the main feature of the park is the 145 foot tall pavilion that was created during Expo ’74. There are many things to do in the park and a walk along the Spokane River Centennial Trail will see you take in many beautiful sights.
Mount Shuksan
Mount Shuksan lies 11.6 miles south of the Canadian Border. A glaciated complex peak that has four major faces and five ridges to climb. Mount Shuksan is one of the most photographed mountains in the world due to its sheer beauty.
Cape Flattery
A trip to Cape Flattery will see you reaching the north-western most point of the contiguous United States. To get to Cape Flattery you will need to take a short hike along a board walked path. This also happens to be the oldest named feature in Washington after James Cook named it in 1778.
Hoh Rainforest Trail at Olympic National Park
The most outstanding feature of the Hoh Rainforest are the Sitka spruce and western hemlock trees. Some of these trees grow to a staggering 95 meters in height and 7 meters in diameter. As you walk through the rainforest you will come across many unique mosses and lichens which add to the fairy tale feeling this rain forest brings.
Enchanted Valley
The Enchanted Valley trail is a 36 mile trail and that is popular with hikers and horse riders. The Enchanted Valley itself is exactly what you would expect from its name. It is magical and enchanted and a wide open section of the Quinault River.
