The Best Hikes in Washington (A Growing List!)
Updated: September 2025
Washington has too many epic hikes to limit to a “Top 10” or even a “Top 30.” Instead, I’m building a growing list of the best trails across the state — from alpine lakes and fire lookouts to wildflower meadows and coastal beaches. These are hikes I’ve done and really loved.
Bookmark this page — I’ll keep adding as I go!
📍 At a Glance: My Top 10 Quick Picks
💎 Best Off-the-Radar Gem → Lewis & Wing Lakes
🌼 Best Wildflower Hike → Skyline Trail, Mount Rainier
🍁 Best Fall Colors → Lake Valhalla + Mount McCausland
🎒 Best Backpacking Trip → Enchantments
🔭 Best Fire Lookout → Hidden Lake Lookout
🌄 Best Summit Views → Vesper Peak
💧 Best Alpine Lakes → Robin Lakes
👨👩👧👦 Best Family-Friendly Adventure → Enchanted Valley
🌊 Best Coastal Hike → Shi Shi Beach
⭐ Best North Cascades Classic → Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm
North Cascades
The North Cascades are Washington’s wildest mountains — rugged peaks, endless ridgelines, and those glacier-fed lakes that look too blue to be real. This region alone could fill a bucket list, but here are the hikes I think every hiker should experience at least once.
Cascade Pass + Sahale Arm
One of the most iconic hikes in the state. You start with a steady climb to Cascade Pass, then continue up Sahale Arm for panoramic views of glaciers and jagged peaks. If you can, spending the night up by Sahale Glacier is one of the most epic experiences one can have in Washington.
Marmot and goat sightings are almost guaranteed. And if you are extra lucky you might also see black bears.
📊 Stats: 12 miles round trip | 4,000 ft gain | Hard | July–September
Hidden Lake Lookout
This hike has it all: meadows, rugged peaks, a turquoise alpine lake, and a historic fire lookout perched on a granite summit. Many hikers tackle it as a strenuous day trip, but the real magic comes if you stay overnight. The lookout is first-come, first-served, and sharing the tiny cabin with fellow adventurers — swapping stories, playing cards, and catching sunrise together — is an experience you won’t forget.
📊 Stats: 8 miles round trip | 3,300 ft gain | Hard | July–October
Maple Pass Loop
One of Washington’s most famous hikes, Maple Pass Loop is a bucket-list trail in the North Cascades — especially in the fall, when golden larches light up the basin. But honestly, summer might be the best-kept secret: wildflower meadows, ridgeline walking, and constant panoramic views of jagged peaks. At just over 7 miles, it’s the perfect mix of effort and reward, with scenery that changes dramatically each season.
📊 Stats: 7.2 miles loop | 2,000 ft gain | Moderate | July–October
Lewis & Wing Lakes
One of the most stunning larch hikes in Washington, this trail takes you into a basin filled with fiery golden trees each fall. The climb is steady and tough at times, but the reward is two dazzling alpine lakes — Lewis Lake tucked beneath cliffs, and Wing Lake perched higher with jaw-dropping views of Black Peak. A true photographer’s dream in October, you wont be able to stop.
📊 Distance: 9 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 2,800 ft | Difficulty: Hard | Best Season: September–October
Blue Lake
Short, sweet, and ridiculously scenic. The trail climbs through open forest and meadows to a turquoise bowl tucked beneath the Liberty Bell/Early Winters spires. Summer is a stunner here—glassy blue water, wildflowers, and warm rock slabs for lunch spots—while fall turns the basin gold with larches. Either way, it’s huge payoff for modest effort.
📊 Distance: 4.6 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 1,050 ft | Difficulty: Moderate | Best Season: June–October
Ptarmigan Ridge
If you’re chasing fall color with big views, Ptarmigan Ridge delivers. This trail winds across rolling ridges with Mount Baker dominating the skyline the entire way. In September, the slopes explode in reds and oranges, making it one of the best fall color hikes in the state. The moderate grade and open ridgeline also mean the scenery starts right away — no long forest approach.
📊 Distance: 9 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 1,500 ft | Difficulty: Moderate | Best Season: August–September | AllTRAILS
Lake Ann (Mt.Baker)
Tucked beneath Mount Shuksan’s craggy face, Lake Ann is one of the most dramatic day hikes in the North Cascades. The trail drops into a valley before climbing back up to the lake, so save some energy for the return. Once there, you’re rewarded with reflections of Shuksan in the water, wildflower meadows, and sweeping views of glaciers pouring off the mountain. It’s a classic Baker hike and makes a great late-summer or early-fall adventure.
📊 Distance: 8.2 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 1,900 ft | Difficulty: Moderate–Strenuous | Best Season: July–October
Chain Lakes Loop
Ridgeline views, ice-blue lakes, and Mount Baker/Mount Shuksan front and center — this loop delivers instant scenery with very little “green tunnel.” Go clockwise for early views, counter-clockwise for a gentler finish. In September the meadows pop with fall color, and you’ll want extra time for lake-side photo stops.
📊 Distance: 7.0 miles loop | Elevation Gain: 1,800 ft | Difficulty: Moderate | Best Season: July–October
Winchester Mountain Lookout (North Cascades)
A short, steep trail with massive payoff. (if you can get up the road) After climbing through meadows and rocky switchbacks, you’ll reach one of Washington’s most photogenic fire lookouts, perched above with unreal views. Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan are outstanding, especially at sunset. Spend the night if you’re lucky enough to snag the lookout (first-come, first-served).
📊 Distance: 3.0 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 1,300 ft | Difficulty: Moderate–Hard | Best Season: July–October
Park Butte Lookout
This North Cascades hike offers jaw-dropping views of Mount Baker and the surrounding range, with meadows, old-growth forest, and alpine streams along the way. The historic fire lookout sits perched dramatically on a cliff, open to overnight stays on a first-come basis. Watching sunset or sunrise here feels like standing on top of the world.
📊 Distance: 7.5 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 2,200 ft | Difficulty: Moderate | Best Season: July–October | AllTrails
Mountain Loop Highway
The Mountain Loop Highway is Seattle’s backyard playground — rugged peaks, deep forests, and alpine lakes all within about 90 minutes of the city. This area delivers classic hikes that punch way above their mileage.
Lake 22
One of the most popular hikes near Seattle, Lake 22 is the ultimate “after work alpine lake.” A steady climb through old-growth forest and waterfalls leads to a dramatic cirque lake tucked beneath towering cliffs. It’s beautiful year-round (and accessible much of the winter with spikes).
📊 Distance: 5.4 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 1,350 ft | Difficulty: Moderate | Best Season: May–October (year-round with snow gear)
Mount Pilchuck Lookout
A short but steep trail that delivers one of the best 360° views in Western Washington. The historic fire lookout at the summit is open for overnights (first-come, first-served), and on a clear day you’ll see from Rainier to the Olympics. The rocks near the top require some light scrambling, but the payoff is huge. It’s also a great late-fall, first-snow hike — that fresh dusting makes the granite pop (bring microspikes and check road/conditions).
📊 Distance: 5.4 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 2,300 ft | Difficulty: Moderate–Strenuous | Best Season: July–October (fantastic first-snow outing in late fall)
Vesper Peak
A rugged summit hike for strong hikers. After meadows and a sparkling tarn, the trail climbs steeply across granite slabs to reach the airy summit. The views of Glacier Peak Wilderness are breathtaking, and it’s easily one of the best summit scrambles within a couple hours of Seattle.
📊 Distance: 8 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 4,000 ft | Difficulty: Hard | Best Season: July–September
Goat Lake
One of the largest alpine lakes in the Cascades and a true family-friendly gem. The trail is long but mostly gentle, with a beautiful old-growth forest approach and waterfall side trips along the way. The lakeshore campsites make it an excellent backpacking option for beginners. Go in early summer when the snow still covers the mountains for a fresh feel and in the Fall the mountain sides are covered in color.
📊 Distance: 10.4 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 1,600 ft | Difficulty: Moderate | Best Season: June–October
Gothic Basin
This trail is a leg-burner, climbing steeply through forest and waterfalls before spitting you out into a stark alpine basin of granite, tarns, and ridgelines. It’s the kind of scenery you normally only see after backpacking deep into the wilderness — yet you can reach it in a (challenging) day. Because of its rugged setting and lingering snow, it has a shorter season than other MLH hikes, but in July and August it’s pure magic.
Definitely continue up to Foggy Lake – it is stunning.
📊 Distance: 9.0 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 2,800 ft | Difficulty: Hard | Best Season: July–September
Alpine Lakes Wilderness
This is Washington’s most beloved hiking region, filled with glittering lakes tucked beneath granite peaks. From the legendary Enchantments to hidden gems like Robin Lakes or Jade Lake, these hikes deliver the kind of scenery that feels almost unreal. Expect steep climbs and challenging routes, but views that will live rent free in your mind.
The Enchantments
The Enchantments are the crown jewel of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness — a bucket-list hike for good reason. With glowing golden larches, jagged granite peaks, and a string of aquamarine lakes, it feels like stepping into another world.
Permits for backpacking are notoriously hard to get (less than 2% success), so many opt to thru-hike it in a single day. At ~19 miles and over 4,500 feet of gain, it’s not for the faint of heart — but the payoff is one of the most spectacular trails in the Pacific Northwest. If you go in October, the larches are at their peak, lighting the basin in gold against snowy ridgelines and blue lakes.
📊 Distance: 19 miles one-way (shuttle required) | Elevation Gain: 4,500+ ft | Difficulty: Strenuous | Best Season: September–October | Alltrails
💡 Pro Tip: The thru-hike is best done with a shuttle (park at Snow Lakes, start at Colchuck). Start before sunrise, bring layers, and be prepared for a very long day — this is one hike where training ahead of time really pays off.
Colchuck Lake
The gateway to the Enchantments and an icon for a reason. Forest switchbacks, granite stair-steps, and a final boulder moraine deliver you to shock-blue water beneath Dragontail and Colchuck Peaks. Wildflowers in summer; golden larches and first dustings of snow in fall. Day hikers don’t need the Enchantments overnight permit—just start early to beat the crowds.
📊 Distance: 8.0 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 2,300 ft | Difficulty: Moderate–Strenuous | Best Season: July–October
Jade Lake / Dip Top Gap
Jade Lake’s color is absolutely mesmerizing — that unreal blue-green shimmer is what gives it the name. Tucked high in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and surrounded by jagged peaks, it feels almost otherworldly, like stepping straight into a dream.
Most hikers make this an overnight trip, but it’s possible (and grueling!) as a day hike — 20+ miles and 4,200+ feet of gain. However you do it, the destination is worth every step.
📊 Distance: 20 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 4,200 ft | Difficulty: Strenuous | Best Season: July–September
Dip Top Gap & Pea Soup Lake (Add-On)
If you’ve still got gas in the tank, the scramble up to Dip Top Gap is a jaw-dropping extension. From the gap, you’ll see Jade far below and Pea Soup Lake — a massive, milky-blue glacial lake — framed by Mount Daniel and surrounding peaks.
You’ll need (or more likey want) microspikes (and ideally poles) for the snowfield, even in summer. It adds another ~2 miles and 800 feet of gain, but the views are next-level. I’ve done it both ways, and while Jade Lake alone is stunning, standing at Dip Top Gap feels like looking out over an entirely different world.
📊 Add-On Distance: +2 miles RT | Elevation Gain: +800 ft | Difficulty: Strenuous, snowfield crossing | Best Season: Late July–August
Tuck and Robin Lakes
Nicknamed the “Enchantments of the West,” or the “Poor Man’s Enchantments”, this hike offers a perfect blend of stunning views, challenging climbs, and a rewarding destination at the brilliantly blue Robin Lakes. But holy moly — the ascent is a serious thigh burner. Navigation can be tricky in spots, but if you follow the cairns, you’ll stay on track.
Many consider this one of the most challenging trails in Western Washington, offering Enchantments-caliber scenery with the same demands on fitness and route-finding. It’s as tough as it is BEAUTIFUL — easily a contender for my top 10 hikes in Washington of all time.
📊 Distance 14 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 4,000 ft | Difficulty: Hard | Best Season: July–September
🏕️ Planning your next overnight trip? These alpine lakes are perfect for backpacking. Explore more wilderness destinations in my Ultimate Washington Backpacking Guide.
Thunder Mountain Lakes
Tucked deep in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the Thunder Mountain Lakes feel like a hidden world of granite bowls and shimmering turquoise water. Getting there isn’t easy — it’s a long, steep push that will test your legs and lungs — but the reward is standing high above the Foss River basin with views that stretch across a whole chain of alpine lakes.
It’s rugged, remote, and far less crowded than the more famous spots. For me, it’s the kind of hike that makes you stop and say, this is why I put up with the thigh-burning climbs. If you’re after solitude and jaw-dropping alpine scenery, this one is worth every step.
📊 Distance: ~12 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 3,500 ft | Difficulty: Strenuous | Best Season: July–September
Blanca Lake
Few lakes in Washington stop you in your tracks quite like Blanca. The water glows an unreal shade of turquoise, framed by the rugged peaks of Monte Cristo and Columbia Glacier. The price of admission? A relentless climb with nearly constant switchbacks. We did it on a 95 degree day and it hurt. But when you finally crest the ridge and see Blanca, all that effort melts away. And if you dive in, heaven. It’s a hike that feels tough in the moment but unforgettable afterward.
📊 Distance: 7.5 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 3,300 ft | Difficulty: Strenuous | Best Season: July–October
Lake Valhalla & Mount McCausland
This is one of those hikes that feels like you’re getting two trips in one. The trail to Lake Valhalla is mellow and rewarding on its own — a sparkling alpine lake tucked beneath Lichtenberg Mountain. But if you tack on the short, steep scramble up Mount McCausland, you’re treated to some of the best fall color views in the Cascades. From the summit, golden meadows and fiery huckleberry slopes spill out below, with Lake Valhalla shining in the distance. It’s a perfect September or October adventure when the air is crisp, the bugs are gone, and the mountains put on their annual show.
📊 Distance: 7–8 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 1,500–2,000 ft | Difficulty: Moderate | Best Season: September–October
Lake Ingalls
Maybe the best larch hike in Washington. The trail rolls through open ridges and into Headlight Basin, where golden larches ring turquoise tarns with Mount Stuart towering behind. Mountain goats are common; no camping at the lake (camp in Headlight Basin). Rocky sections and lingering early-season snow add to the adventure.
📊 Distance: 9.0 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 2,500 ft | Difficulty: Moderate–Strenuous | Best Season: July–October (peak larches late Sept–mid Oct)
I-90 Corridor
Fast access off the freeway with big alpine payoff—perfect for training days and sunset dashes.
Snow Lake → Gem Lake
Seattle’s classic “starter” alpine lake — big scenery for manageable effort. The trail to Snow Lake can be busy, but keep going: drop to the shore and continue the extra climb to Gem Lake and the crowds thin out fast. The payoff is quieter shores, bluer water, and broader views for a peaceful lunch or quick dip.
📊 Distance: 10.5 miles RT | Elevation Gain: ~2,000 ft | Difficulty: Moderate | Best Season: July–October
Granite Mountain Lookout
A classic leg-burner straight from I-90: wildflowers, blueberry meadows, and a historic fire lookout with 360° views. Expect steady, steep climbing and lingering early-season snow in gullies. If you can do this during one season, definitely pick Fall. Sunset from the lookout is just incredible.
📊 Distance: 8.6 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 3,800 ft | Difficulty: Hard | Best Season: July–October (shoulder season possible with snow gear)
Mailbox Peak (up Old, down New)
The corridor’s most infamous stair-master. The New Trail switchbacks relentlessly through forest before a rocky finish to the summit mailbox (bring a trinket). Safer than the Old Trail but still a serious grind—great Rainier/Glacier training. Go early or midweek.
📊 Distance: 9.4 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 4,000 ft | Difficulty: Strenuous | Best Season: Year-round (winter traction often required)
Mount Rainier National Park
The trails around Rainier showcase everything from wildflower meadows to high alpine ridges with views of Washington’s most iconic volcano. Whether you’re looking for a day hike with big rewards or multi-day adventures, this park never disappoints. Summer brings carpets of wildflowers, fall brings fiery colors, and any clear day delivers jaw-dropping views of The Mountain.
Fremont Lookout
For visitors with limited time exploring Western Washington trails, this Sunrise area hike delivers classic Cascade Range views with relatively easy Puget Sound region access via Highway 410. The views are outstanding and you almost never lose sight of Mt. Rainier. It’s kind of epic, not gonna lie.
Sunset is probably the best in the park from this lookout tower in the summer. It sits in just the right spot. Its a fairly easy hike with a gradual ascent and its fairly open the entire time. I did this one with my kids and it made for a very special evening. I feel most kids with secure footing could make this one. The only portion I might worry about is the last section before the tower because its rather exposed. Nothing a little hand holding wont remedy.
Pro-tip : If you head up for sunset don’t forget a headlamp. Although its so open you have light for a while, it is long enough that eventually you need to reach for some light!
Skyline Trail
The most iconic hike at Mount Rainier, and for good reason — you get it all: meadows bursting with wildflowers, up-close glacier views, and Rainier filling the skyline almost the entire way. Yes, it’s crowded, but honestly, it still takes your breath away. We started late in the day and had stretches of the trail to ourselves, watching the evening light spill across the mountain — a reminder that sometimes the most popular hikes are famous because they really are that good.
📊 Distance: 5.5 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 1,700 ft | Difficulty: Moderate | Best Season: July–September
Burroughs Mountain
One of the best close-up views of Mount Rainier, with tundra-like ridges and wildlife all around. Hiking here feels like walking straight toward the mountain itself. We camped at Sunrise and did Burroughs as a sunset hike — watching the alpenglow on Rainier before heading back to our tent was unforgettable.
📊 Distance: 9 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 2,500 ft | Difficulty: Moderate–Strenuous | Best Season: July–September
Naches Peak Loop
A true classic in the Rainier area, Naches Peak Loop is short, sweet, and packed with scenery. The trail circles alpine meadows filled with wildflowers in summer and turns into a kaleidoscope of huckleberry reds and golds in fall. Mount Rainier steals the show on clear days, perfectly framed in meadows and reflected in tiny tarns along the loop. At just over 3 miles, it’s one of the most rewarding “bang-for-your-buck” hikes in the park
📊 Distance: 3.5 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 600 ft | Difficulty: Easy–Moderate | Best Season: July–October
Seven Lakes Basin / High Divide
This classic Olympic backpacking loop gives you the full spectrum: alpine lakes shimmering below rugged ridge lines, meadows filled with wildflowers, and sweeping views across the Olympics. It’s best done as a multi-day trip so you can soak it all in (and not just grind out the miles) but some do complete it as a day hike. Fall brings fiery colors and you have epic views of Mt.Olympus all year!
📊 Distance: 19 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 3,700 ft | Difficulty: Strenuous | Best Season: July–September
Enchanted Valley
Nicknamed the “Valley of 10,000 Waterfalls,” this trail leads you deep into lush Olympic rainforest where waterfalls pour down sheer cliffs and elk graze in the meadows. The historic chalet makes a fun landmark, and while the approach is long, the gentle grade makes it accessible for most backpackers. It feels like stepping into another world. Its a top backpacking destination in Spring/ Early Season.
📊 Distance: 26 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 1,300 ft | Difficulty: Moderate–Strenuous | Best Season: May–October
Mount Storm King
Short but absolutely relentless — this trail heads straight up from Lake Crescent and doesn’t let up. The reward? Epic views over the lake that make the thigh burn worth it. Near the top, fixed ropes help with the final scramble. It’s one of those hikes where you’ll be cursing on the way up but grinning ear to ear at the summit.
📊 Distance: 3.8 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 2,100 ft | Difficulty: Strenuous (short) | Best Season: May–October
Olympic Beaches (Rialto, Shi Shi, Second Beach)
Nothing captures Olympic magic like camping on the coast. Picture tide pools teeming with sea stars, dramatic sea stacks rising from the surf, and sunsets that set the whole sky on fire. Each beach has its own personality — Rialto for the Hole-in-the-Wall, Shi Shi for its remote wilderness feel, Second Beach for a shorter, family-friendly option. Just remember: tide charts are non-negotiable here.
📊 Distance: 2–8 miles RT (varies) | Elevation Gain: Minimal | Difficulty: Easy–Moderate | Best Season: Year-round
South Cascades & Goat Rocks
The South Cascades are defined by fire and ice — from the blast zone of Mount St. Helens to the volcanic ridges of Goat Rocks and the massive bulk of Mount Adams. This region offers everything from family-friendly meadows to challenging summit climbs, all with fewer crowds than Rainier or the Alpine Lakes.
Loowit Falls Trail (Mount St. Helens)
One of the best ways to experience the blast zone without the all-day summit grind. The trail winds through pumice plains with wide-open views of Mount St. Helens before reaching the spectacular 200-foot Loowit Falls pouring out of the crater. Expect a moonscape-like environment, wildflowers in summer (I got to experience a lupine super bloom), and a real sense of the mountain’s raw power.
📊 Distance: 8.5 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 1,600 ft | Difficulty: Moderate | Best Season: July–September
Old Snowy Mountain via Snowgrass Flats (Knife Edge)
Alpine meadows give way to PCT ridge walking and the famous Knife Edge—airy and non-technical —before a final scramble to sweeping Goat Rocks panoramas. This hike is a true Washington classic for those who like big effort and even bigger views.
📊 Distance: 13.0 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 3,800 ft | Difficulty: Hard | Best Season: July–September
Goat Lake (Goat Rocks Wilderness)
A crystal-clear tarn tucked beneath craggy walls, with wildflower meadows and lingering snowfields into midsummer. Go mid-week for solitude and mirror-calm reflections. And if you can, hike up to Hawkeye Point for INCREDIBLE 360 degree views. Best at Sunset!
📊 Distance: 10.5 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 1,800 ft | Difficulty: Moderate–Hard | Best Season: July–September
Cispus Pass & Basin
One of the most scenic stretches of the PCT in Washington: waterfalls, broad meadows, and big-sky views rolling toward the pass. A stellar alternative if Knife Edge exposure isn’t your thing. Wildflowers galore if your timing is good!
📊 Distance: 12.5 miles RT | Elevation Gain: 2,700 ft | Difficulty: Moderate–Hard | Best Season: July–September
Columbia River Gorge
Dog Mountain
Springtime legend with rolling hillsides of balsam root and sweeping Gorge views. It’s steep, exposed, and windy—bring layers and mind the poison oak. (and occasional scorpion – couldn’t believe it) Spring weekends typically require a permit/shuttle; late-season hikes trade flowers for quieter trails and fall color.
📊 Distance: 6.9 miles loop | Elevation Gain: 2,800 ft | Difficulty: Strenuous | Best Season: April–June (wildflowers); September–October (fall color)
Falls Creek Falls
A Columbia Gorge favorite on the Washington side. The trail wanders through moss-draped forest, crosses a fun suspension bridge, and follows the creek to a massive multi-tiered waterfall thundering into a mossy amphitheater. Family-friendly and photogenic year-round, with roaring spring flow and gorgeous fall color. There’s a short, steeper spur to an upper viewpoint—watch your footing and keep clear of cliff edges.
📊 Distance: 3.4–3.6 miles RT | Elevation Gain: ~700–800 ft | Difficulty: Easy–Moderate | Best Season: April–October (great in shoulder seasons, too)
Trailhead Need-to-Know: Passes, Pets, Permits
• Passes
– National Parks (Rainier, Olympic): Pay the park entrance fee or use an America the Beautiful annual pass.
– U.S. Forest Service trailheads (I-90, MLH, much of the North Cascades outside park boundaries): Northwest Forest Pass (day or annual) works here. The America the Beautiful pass also covers standard amenity fees at these sites.
– Washington State Parks / DNR / WDFW: Some trailheads require a Discover Pass (e.g., certain I-90/DNR lots). Signs at the lot usually indicate which pass is needed.
• Permits & Quotas (plan ahead)
– Enchantments: Overnight camping by lottery/permit only; day hikes don’t require the overnight permit.
– Mount Rainier & Olympic backcountry: Wilderness permits are required for overnight trips; some areas are reservable.
– Dog Mountain (spring wildflower weekends): A timed permit/shuttle system is typically in place—check current details before you go.
– Peak-season systems: Popular parks sometimes use timed-entry or parking reservations—always check the official site for the latest rules.
• Pets
– National Parks: No pets on trails.
– National Forests: Leashed pets are allowed on most trails (watch for exceptions and sensitive wildlife like goats/marmots).
– State Parks: Rules vary; leash is the safe default.
• Season & Safety
– Snow & ice linger: Early/late season may require microspikes (and occasionally an ice axe/skills).
– Roads: Many mountain roads are rough, gated seasonally, or require high-clearance.
– Trip intel: Check recent trip reports and official pages for trail/road closures, fires, and conditions.
– Leave No Trace: Pack it out, stay on durable surfaces, filter water, and camp at least 200 ft from lakes/streams.
