Camping in the Pacific Northwest

Old-growth forests, sweeping coastlines, snowy peaks, and hot springs abound in this pristine wonderland.

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  • Pacific Northwest

Popular camping styles for Pacific Northwest

Tent sites

Available this weekend

Haystack Ranch

Haystack Ranch

Cat's Forest Retreat

Cat's Forest Retreat

Lefever Holbrook Ranch

Lefever Holbrook Ranch

Guinea fowl being raised by the owner.

Milk A Sheep Camp

Weedman ranches

Weedman ranches

Top camping destinations.

Aloha

Star Hosts in Pacific Northwest

The Dirt E Moor

The Dirt E Moor

Couch pulls out to a queen-sized bed

KLICKITAT VIEW CABIN

12 top campgrounds in pacific northwest.

Red Barn on Rhea Creek

Red Barn on Rhea Creek

Antelope Market Camping

Antelope Market Camping

The Pines at LaVines

The Pines at LaVines

Woodland Farm

Woodland Farm

Wildheart Homestead is home to several unique canines, including a pack of wolfdogs. All our animals are safely contained and do not interact with HipCampers unless supervised by hosts Sarah and Danny. Meet-and-greets are available upon request!

Wildheart Homestead

Dog-friendly getaways, nearby parks, explore the area’s public lands..

The lone tree in Lone Tree Campground

Camping in the Pacific Northwest guide

The Pacific Northwest (PNW) region of the United States offers some of the most spectacular nature in the United States. Here you’ll find a mix of climates, from temperate rainforests to arid high desert, with massive mountain ranges stretching through both Oregon and Washington. Even the Columbia River, which divides the two states, is characterized by vistas, waterfalls, and spring wildflowers. While the Pacific Northwest gets its fair share of rain, this only adds to the lushness. Plus, a little water doesn’t stop most Northwesterners from getting out and exploring, and many of the campgrounds are open year-round (and offer yurts for rainy-day glamping).

Where to go

The pacific coast.

Stretching along the Pacific Ocean, from the edge of the redwoods up to the Olympic Peninsula, this Oregon and Washington expanse is characterized by forest-flanked beaches and epic rock formations. It’s also home to Olympic National Park, a protected area of varied ecosystems spread over nearly a million acres.

The Cascade Range

Usually referred to simply as the Cascades, this long stretch of mountains stretches from British Columbia clear down to Northern California. Here you’ll find many of the PNW’s tallest mountains, including Mt. Rainier (which has its own national park), Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Hood. It’s also home to Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the US (and Oregon’s only national park).

East of the Cascades

Eastern Oregon and Washington are characterized by dry, desert environments, without the heavy rainfall that's the norm in the western parts of the states. It’s also the least populated part of the Pacific Northwest, ideal for deep wilderness backpacking and avoiding the crowds.

The Willamette Valley

Sandwiched between the Coastal Range and the Cascades, the Willamette Valley is home to Oregon’s largest cities: Portland, Salem, and Eugene. The region is among the best for hiking and camping experiences in the state, with plenty of national forests and state parks to choose from. It’s also a great place for wine tasting, and its American Viticultural Area (AVA) is internationally renowned, particularly among pinot noir fans.

Northwest Washington State

While Seattle is the biggest attraction for many visitors to this corner of Washington state, there’s plenty for campers and outdoor enthusiasts to discover, too, from kayaking the Puget Sound to whale watching in the San Juan Islands. At the northernmost edge of the state, North Cascades National Park attracts hikers and backpackers with its remote trail networks flanked by ancient forests.

Popular Pacific Northwest trips

Top parks in and near pacific northwest, top regions near pacific northwest, top cities in and near pacific northwest, best camping near me, safety at hipcamp.

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Berty Mandagie planning a trip to the Pacific Northwest

How To Plan A Trip To The Pacific Northwest (10 Day Pacific Northwest Road Trip Itinerary)

Post Summary: How To Plan A Trip To The Pacific Northwest

You did it!

You are starting to plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest! Get ready for wild waterfalls, dramatic coastlines, and some of the best alpine lakes you’ll ever encounter.

But how in the world do you begin to plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest? It can be quite daunting to know where to begin, but that’s why we’re breaking this epic region down into bite-sized pieces for you.

In this post, we’re sharing Pacific Northwest trip ideas for first-time visitors. This means we’re spilling all the details on the highlights, but also sprinkling in some secret locations and hidden gems along the way, too.

From quick  weekend trips from Seattle to iconic west coast road trip routes , we promise that once you experience it for yourself, you’re not going to want to leave. (You’ve been properly warned.)

What To Wear In The Pacific Northwest - Emily Mandagie wearing rain jacket

How To Plan A Trip To The Pacific Northwest (First-Timer’s Guide)

This post may contain affiliate links, vetted and chosen by yours truly!

So, What Is The Pacific Northwest Region?

If you are someone who wants to plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest, you might wonder…what are the Pacific Northwest states? What area does this region occupy?

Depending on who you ask, the borders can look different. We like to draw a blurry border that surrounds Washington , Oregon , Idaho, and British Columbia. Others can also include Northern California , Western Montana, and even northwestern Wyoming and Alaska!

Looking at the PNW through this lens, you can expect this blog post to cover everything from the Pacific Ocean to the Continental Divide .

Plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest - Cape Flattery

Getting Around / Where To Stay / Best Times To Visit

Consider us your personal Pacific Northwest trip planner. With so many things to do in the PNW , it can easily be overwhelming to know where to start. This is why we’re breaking down this post into easily digestible regions, with our favorite suggested activities!

Keep scrolling to find maps, our favorite trails, unique PNW experiences, and catered tips for each location! You plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest in no time!

How To Get Around The Pacific Northwest

The best way to plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest is to travel by car . Many of these epic PNW destinations require quite a drive, so you’ll have a lot more freedom if you decide to rent a vehicle for your trip. Here are some of our recommended modes of transportation below:

Regular Car: Getting around in a regular car can give you the best of both worlds . You can easily fit into any city parking lot, but also trick it out with these car camping hacks so you can find free camping spots and sleep in your car on the road !

Camper Van: If you’re looking for a cool camper van rental for your trip in the Pacific Northwest, we suggest renting one through Outdoorsy. Think of it like Airbnb but for cool cars! You can rent anything from vintage VW Westfalia vans , full-length RVs, and even Airstreams for a picturesque PNW adventure.

Getting Around The Pacific Northwest By Car

Camping In The Pacific Northwest

One of the coolest ways to experience the Pacific Northwest is by going camping! There’s nothing better than breathing in the smell of fresh pine trees in the morning, enjoying your cup of coffee lakeside, or even just having a backcountry road all to yourself!

Don’t forget to add a few nights of camping when you plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest!

To find the best campgrounds in the Pacific Northwest , we’ve got a few essential resources for you:

  • Our Guide To Camping In The PNW
  • How To Find Free Campsites In The Pacific Northwest
  • Using The Dyrt Pro to find campsites along the way. We use this web/phone app to find free campsites on the go with their offline search feature , and connect all our favorite spots together with their Road Trip Planner tool as well.

The Dyrt gave us a code for you, our epic reader, to try the pro membership for 30 days free! Click here and use the code  Mandagies  to unlock your 30-day free trial!

Camping In The Pacific Northwest

When Is The Best Time To Visit The Pacific Northwest?

When you want to plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest, any time of year is a great time to visit – it just depends on what kind of activities you’re into!

Here’s a quick overview of each season, and what you might expect from visiting during these times of the year:

Crystal Peak Lookout - TheMandagies.com

Winter in the Pacific Northwest

  • Skiing at several mountain resorts (Mt Baker, Mount Hood , Crystal Mountain, Whistler/Blackcomb, Mount Washington, and many others).
  • Staying overnight in a fire lookout or snowshoeing to a backcountry yurt in Idaho .

Wallace Falls Trail - Winter Hikes In Washington State - TheMandagies.com

Spring in the Pacific Northwest

  • Visiting the cherry blossoms, specifically in Portland, OR and the University of Washington in Seattle.
  • Discover the powerful forces of Washington waterfalls and Oregon waterfalls .

Summer in the Pacific Northwest - jumping in lakes of Glacier National Park

Summer in the Pacific Northwest

  • Road Trip Season! The most iconic being The Pacific Coast Highway and the Oregon Coast road trip .
  • Multi-Day Backpacking Trips and Thru-hikes (Pacific Crest Trail).
  • Discovering the Washington national parks and BC parks – this is the season they are fully open!
  • Driving the Going-To-The-Sun Road in Glacier National Park.

Fall in the Pacific Northwest

  • Visiting Oregon’s covered bridges in the fall, especially as fun day trips around Eugene .
  • Taking amazing Washington scenic drives to experience the rich autumn colors and many orchards at harvest time.

Cape Flattery - What To Pack For The PNW

What To Pack For A Trip To The Pacific Northwest

What do people wear in the Pacific Northwest ? As a traveler to the PNW, you may desire to blend in, or at least not stick out! One way to do that is to brush up on what the locals wear. We’re here for that.

Each region of the Pacific Northwest has its own unique climate, but there are a few things you should be packing for the PNW that span all areas. They mostly cover rain gear, but keep reading as we will dive deeper into specific packing items below!

Want a downloadable/printable list? Read our Complete Pacific Northwest Packing List Post Here!

A Sturdy Raincoat. If there ever was an iconic piece of Pacific Northwest clothing, it’s the rain jacket . You’ll very likely wear this piece every day, so make sure your raincoat is something you absolutely love! We’re huge fans of Stutterheim and although they are a bit pricey, they are virtually impenetrable to the rain! We choose to invest in a super well-built rain jacket because we live here, but do what’s best for you!

Hiking Pants. In order to really enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings, we encourage you to plan a least a few PNW hikes during your first time in the Pacific Northwest. Choose a pair of hiking pants that are stretchy and comfortable. Pockets are a super great bonus – we love these ones from Fjallraven !

Thermal Layers. Many months out of the year, the Pacific Northwest can be cold and wet. To best keep warm and dry on your Pacific Northwest activities, we suggest that you follow the three-layer rule: Sweat-wicking inner layer , thermal mid-layer , and then waterproof outer-layer . For more information on how to layer clothes properly, read here !

Waterproof Boots. When hiking in the Pacific Northwest , packing waterproof boots is always a good idea. Look for materials labeled “Gore-tex” for some solid waterproof boots ! Right now, we are loving the Vasque St Elias GTX series boots and they’ve been awesome!

Birkenstocks and Tevas. It’s everyday fashion at its most casual and comfortable. It’s also a common occurrence to see people rocking their Teva sandals or Birkenstocks with socks here in the PNW. Yes, you heard us right – dad fashion is IN in the Pacific Northwest!

No matter what, when you plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest – always pack a rain jacket.

Accessories

Gaiters. Gaiters are barriers that strap around your boots and the bottom of your pants that protect you from rain and snow.

Dry Bag. Depending on the type of activities you want to do, a dry bag is important for keeping gear from the elements! It’s especially important if you’re looking to take a canoe or kayak out on the water. We like this one by Sea To Summit !

Water Bottle. Yes, it rains here, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get thirsty on those epic Washington hikes or trails to waterfalls in Oregon .

Beanie. Used for function AND style, beanies are nearly always worn in the Pacific Northwest. Bonus points if your beanie matches with your outfit!

Waterproof Backpack. In order to keep your things dry on those epic hikes in the Pacific Northwest , choose a backpack that easily sheds water, or is made of waterproof material.

Map of The Pacific Northwest

Map of the Pacific Northwest (What We’re Covering In This Post)

In this post, we’re breaking down the Pacific Northwest into digestible regions , to better assist you in deciding where to go in the Pacific Northwest. We’ve broken the PNW down into three sections:

The Core ( Washington , Oregon, British Columbia)

The Border States/Provinces  (Idaho, Montana, Northern California, and Alberta)

The Outliers (NW Wyoming, and Alaska)

Keep scrolling to discover our favorite adventures to take in each section of the Pacific Northwest!

THE CORE STATES (WA, OR, BC)

(Washington, Oregon, British Columbia)

Colchuck Lake - Hiking In The Pacific Northwest - TheMandagies.com

Washington State

When you plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest, Washington is likely the first state that comes to mind!

Known For : Temperate rainforests, incredible alpine lake hikes, rainy Washington beaches . In the city of Seattle, visit Pike Place Market, Kerry Park, and the Space Needle.

Washington is sooo diverse, but it’s mostly known for its three stunning national parks. Home to Olympic National Park , North Cascades National Park , and Mountain Rainier National Park, this is a great place to begin if you love seeing famous locations.

Must-See Places To Visit In Washington : Olympic National Park , Palouse Falls , Leavenworth, Mount Rainier National Park, The Tree Of Life, San Juan Islands. Don’t forget these gorgeous scenic drives in Washington to make the journey just as much part of the adventure!

Pacific Northwest Trips - Washington State

Where To Start In Washington: Fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to explore the west side OR fly into Spokane International Airport (GEG) to explore the east side.

Best Season To Visit Washington: All seasons. Washington has a temperate rainforest that’s accessible all year long! However, summer ( June-September ) is when nearly all attractions are fully open, and high-elevation backpacking trips are *nearly* free of snow.

Our Favorite Washington Adventure Picks:

  • Best Scenic Drives In Washington State
  • Whale Watching in the San Suan Islands
  • Hiking Trails Near Seattle
  • Long-Weekend Road Trip Around The Olympic Peninsula
  • One Week Itinerary For Olympic National Park

Places To Visit In The Pacific Northwest - Oregon Waterfalls

Oregon State

Known For : EPIC waterfalls, amazing Oregon coast hiking trails , and beer!

Oregon is famous for its absolutely stunning waterfalls and unique Pacific Northwest getaways. It’s also one of the top searched places when people plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest. The Oregon Coast commands most of the attention, with its stunning coastline and hundreds of public beaches .

However, don’t overlook Eastern Oregon when you plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest – places like Leslie Gulch in the Owyhee Wilderness make this area an adventurous spot  for risk-takers and explorers. 

Must-See Places To Visit In Oregon : The Oregon Coast, Portland (for foodies!). The Blue Pool, and Multnomah Falls on a drive down the Columbia River Gorge . For the more adventurous traveler, check out Smith Rock State Park , the Painted Hills , and the Wallowas on an Eastern Oregon road trip route!

Where To Start In Oregon: Fly into Portland International Airport (PDX), and rent a car for the duration of your trip.

Heceta Head Lighthouse, Oregon Coast

Best Season To Visit Oregon: Spring season ( April, May, June ) is when the waterfalls are their fullest. Come during this time for epic falls, rainforest hikes, and don’t forget to pack your raincoat for your road trip around Oregon ! Summer is also the best time to visit Oregon’s only national park, Crater Lake!

Our Favorite Oregon Adventure Picks:

  • Visiting Sisters, Oregon Near Bend
  • Epic Day Trips From Eugene , Oregon
  • Hiking God’s Thumb on the Oregon Coast
  • Discovering Hidden Spots around Coos Bay
  • Going deep into the Alvord Desert for some dreamy hot springs

Big Lonely Doug, Nearby Port Renfrew, British Columbia

British Columbia

Known For : Giant mountains, incredible backpacking, and stunning lakes.

British Columbia has the perfect mix of refined cities and bold expeditions, all within driving distance from one another. If you’re looking for a perfect mix of luxury and wilderness, consider British Columbia. 

Must-See Places To Visit In British Columbia : Whistler Mountain, Capilano Suspension Bridge , Golden Ears Provincial Park, The Kootenay Rockies, Vancouver Island .

Where To Start In British Columbia: Fly into Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and drive to your western province destinations. For exploring the eastern part of the province, consider flying into Calgary, Alberta and driving east or flying into Spokane, Washington, and driving north across the border.

For a Vancouver Island road trip , consider flying into Victoria, BC, or Vancouver, BC, and taking the ferry across to the island.

Pacific Northwest Weekend Getaways - Tonquin Beach Trail

Best Season To Visit British Columbia: Summer. Summer in British Columbia is when most backpacking and hiking trails are open. It’s also when wildlife is at their busiest, so be prepared and keep your eye out for bears, moose, elk, and more!

Our Favorite British Columbia Adventures:

  • All the Best Things To Do In Tofino, Vancouver Island
  • Plan The Best 3 Days in Tofino (Long Weekend Itinerary)
  • The Best Places To Stay in Tofino (camping, budget + luxury options)
  • 10-Day Vancouver Island Road Trip
  • How To Spend 24 Hours In Vancouver, BC
  • Hot Springs Cove Near Tofino, BC
  • Explore Pacific Rim National Park
  • 13 Epic Hikes in Tofino

THE BORDER STATES (ID, MT, Nor Cal, AB)

(Idaho, Montana, Northern California, Alberta)

Cabin in Idaho - Pacific Northwest Weekend Getaways

Idaho State

Known For : Amazing backcountry hot springs , peaceful forests, rustic cabins, backpacking trips.

Idaho is comparatively unknown to the rest of the Pacific Northwest, making it a wild and intrepid destination. If you love gorgeous backcountry hot springs, remote forests, and log-cabin vibes, this is your destination. Plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest in Idaho is you love seclusion and peace!

Must-See Places To Visit In Idaho : Burgdorf Hot Springs , Idaho backcountry yurts , Route of the Hiawatha Bike Trail , and The Sawtooth Mountains.

Where To Start In Idaho:  Fly into the Boise Airport (BOI) and rent a car to start your journey in the southwest, or take Interstate 90 East and begin a North Idaho road trip from Coeur d’Alene!

Emily Mandagie in Pacific Northwest Hot Springs - Burgdorf, near McCall, Idaho

Best Season To Visit Idaho: Idaho has amazing destinations that can be enjoyed year-round! Here are some places to consider visiting during different times of the year:

  • Winter – Skiing in Sun Valley, Snowshoeing to backcountry yurts
  • Spring – Twin Falls area to explore the waterfalls
  • Summer – North Idaho road trip camping and hiking
  • Autumn – Greeting the crisp fall mountain air in McCall or Stanley, soaking in remote hot springs

Our Favorite Idaho Adventures:

  • Overnight Camping in a Backcountry Yurt
  • One Week North Idaho Road Trip
  • A Forest Soak in Burgdorf Hot Springs
  • 12 Incredible Things To Do In Twin Falls, Idaho

Emily Mandagie in Glacier National Park

Western Montana

Known For : Wild and rugged adventure; huge mountains; vast, unexplored land.

Montana is the perfect place to plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest filled with a huge variety of outdoor adventures. Raft down the North Fork River, hike to Hidden Lake Overlook , or explore gorgeous hot springs near Bozeman, Montana! No matter what you choose, you’ll leave wanting more.

Must-See Places To Visit In Montana : Hiking in Glacier National Park , Kootenai Falls Swinging Bridge , Bowman Lake.

Where To Start In Montana: Fly into Bozeman, Montana to explore the Hyalite Area and make the quick trip down to Yellowstone National Park . Alternatively, fly into Kalispell, Montana to start your Montana adventure in Glacier National Park .

pacific northwest camping trip

Best Season To Visit Montana: The best time to visit Montana is in the summer or winter season. Montana has drastically different activities for each season. You can come again and again and have a completely different experience each time!

Our Favorite Montana Adventures:

  • Driving the Going To The Sun Road
  • Planning a 1-Week Trip in Glacier National Park
  • Winter Activities To Do In Bozeman, Montana

Driving Through the Redwood National Park - Pacific Northwest Road Trips

Northern California

Known For : Rugged adventure, giant redwood trees, wild coastline.

Northern California is known for its huge trees, dense forest, and endless opportunities for camping, fishing, and road-tripping. From the famous Redwoods , the deep waters of Shasta Lake and hidden waterfalls, a Northern California road trip is the perfect route for anyone looking for a rugged adventure.

When you plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest in Northern California, consider camping in the many state and national parks!

Must-See Places To Visit In Northern California : Lassen Volcanic National Park, Point Reyes National Seashore , McArthur-Burney Falls, Avenue of Giants in the Redwood National Park . Don’t forget the epic things to do in San Francisco , too!

Where To Start In Northern California: Fly into San Francisco International Airport (SFO) or Oakland International Airport (OAK), rent a car, and begin your journey.

Emily Mandagie - Pacific Northwest Road Trip - Shark Fin Cove

Best Season To Visit Northern California: Spring and Fall. Summer is always great, but the California national parks tend to bring huge crowds between June-August. If you come in April/May or alternatively September/October, you’re likely to get better deals on hotels, and enjoy fewer crowds on these amazing hiking trails!

Our Favorite California Adventures:

  • The Perfect Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary (10 Days of Adventure!)
  • An Iconic California Coast Road Trip Itinerary (45 stops!)
  • Explore Sark Fin Cove near Davenport, California
  • How To Spend 1 Day In Big Sur State Park

Banff National Park - Moraine Lake

Known For : Huge mountains, wildlife viewing opportunities, and Gatorade-blue lakes.

You’ve probably seen Alberta, Canada on a postcard at some point in your life. This area of Canada ( Banff and Jasper especially) has one of the largest concentrations of iconic outdoor destinations, all within driving distance of one another! The Canadian Rockies can cater to all types of travelers – from bougie resort dwellers to campsite dirtbags, Alberta is a choose-your-own-adventure type of trip!

Must-See Places To Visit In Alberta, Canada : Banff National Park , Lake Louise , Jasper National Park , and the Icefields Parkway.

Where To Start in Alberta, Canada: Fly into the Calgary International Airport (YYC), rent a car, and drive west to the mountains.

View from Banff Gondola, Banff National Park - TheMandagies.copm

Best Season To Visit: Summer and Winter. Alberta, similarly to Montana, provides a completely different experience depending on the time of year you plan a visit! Expect to enjoy places like Lake Louise by ice skating in the winter, and canoeing the same lake in the summer!

Our Favorite Alberta Adventures:

  • The 10 Easiest Hikes In Jasper National Park
  • Experience the Banff Gondola (We took one of our most famous photos here!)
  • All The Best Things To Do In Banff During The Summer

THE OUTLIERS (AK, WY)

(Alaska, Wyoming)

Things To Do In Fairbanks - Denali National Park

Known For : Glaciers, wild animals (moose and bears!), once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Alaska, often referred to as The Last Frontier, is the quintessential trip for checking off epic bucket list items. From epic backpacking trips like the Bomber Traverse to seeing the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, visiting Alaska is full of unique adventures.

If you want to plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest that’s exciting, remote, and wild – Alaska is your spot!

Must-See Places To Visit In Alaska : Denali National Park, Exit Glacier, Matanuska Glacier, Fairbanks (The Northern Lights!)

Where To Start In Alaska:   Fly into Anchorage and rent a camper van to begin your road trip around Alaska . Alternatively, you can fly into Fairbanks and spend the majority of your time in the Interior part of the state. OR, make Anchorage your home base and just take day trips from Anchorage every day.

Pacific Northwest Vacation ideas - Denali National Park

Best Season To Visit Alaska: Summertime is the easiest season to visit Alaska. If you are hoping to experience the Northern Lights, come during February or March to have the best chance of seeing them!

Our Favorite Alaska Adventures:

  • The Perfect 10-Day Alaska Road Trip
  • 10 Epic Things To Do In Fairbanks, Alaska
  • Renting a Vintage VW Van Around Alaska

Glacial lakes below Grand Teton range - TheMandagies.com

Northwest Wyoming

Known For : The Teton Mountains, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, open cattle ranges, lots of wildlife!

Canyons, mountains, forests, hot springs, and don’t forget the super-volcano! Wyoming is home to some of the most beautiful national parks in the United States – Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. While it isn’t always a location people consider when they plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest, it’s still a location worth considering!

Must-See Places To Visit In Wyoming : Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole

Where To Start In Wyoming:   Fly into Jackson Hole, Wyoming to start your adventure and make the town your home base.

Emily talking a photo of Gibbon Falls in Yellowstone

Best Season To Visit Wyoming: Summer and Fall. The warmer weather brings out the wildlife, and these seasons will allow the most access to national parks and off-road adventures.

Our Favorite Wyoming Adventures:

  • Visiting The Boiling River Hot Springs
  • Hiking String Lake in Grand Teton National Park
  • 30 Things To Do In Yellowstone National Park

Pacific Northwest Road Trip Routes

Pacific Northwest Road Trip Itinerary

Want to plan the ultimate Pacific Northwest vacation and string all these locations together? It’s quite the feat, but we can almost guarantee that it will be the most epic trip of your lifetime!

There are many different versions of Pacific Northwest road trips that take you to plenty of amazing spots in the area. Below, we’re sharing three different iterations of Pacific Northwest tours, so you can choose which one fits you are your group best.

Pacific Northwest Road Trip - 10-Day Itinerary

10-Day Pacific Northwest Itinerary

  • Day 1: Seattle, WA to Port Angeles, WA
  • Day 2: Exploring Olympic National Park Day 3: Olympic National Park to Cannon Beach, OR
  • Day 4: Cannon Beach Coos Bay
  • Day 5: Coos Bay to Eugene, Oregon
  • Day 6: Eugene to Hood River, OR
  • Day 7: Hood River to Mount Rainier National Park
  • Day 8: Spend Day at Mount Rainier
  • Day 9: Mount Rainier to North Cascades
  • Day 10: North Cascades to Seattle for departure

Two-Week Pacific Northwest Itinerary

Looking for a Pacific Northwest road trip route that covers the most locations?

We’re sharing our two-week PNW road trip itinerary below, giving you the most variety in climate, states, and land/water features! Consider this a highlight trip, where you get a little taste of each place, in preparation to return to your favorite spots in more depth next time!

Pacific Northwest National Park Road Trip

Love Canadian and US national parks? There are more than 18 represented national parks in the Pacific Northwest, and exploring all of them would make one epic PNW road trip route! To narrow down your options, we’re listing the parks here:

  • Washington: Olympic National Park , North Cascades National Park, Mount Rainier National Park
  • Oregon: Crater Lake National Park
  • California: Redwood National Park , Lassen Volcanic National Park
  • Montana: Glacier National Park
  • Wyoming: Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park
  • Canada: Pacific Rim NP , Gulf Islands, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park , Kootenay National Park, Yoho National Park, Glacier National Park (Canada), Mount Revelstoke National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park

pacific northwest camping trip

Frequently Asked Questions About How To Plan A Trip To The Pacific Northwest

What is pacific northwest cuisine.

Pacific Northwest food includes fresh seafood, local wines, and fresh fruit. The prominent agricultural places in the PNW include the Willamette Valley (orchards and vineyards), Eastern Washington (grains and orchards), and the coastal regions (seafood).

You’ll also find a huge coffee culture in the Pacific Northwest. Being the birthplace of Starbucks, you can find one on nearly every street corner, but for a more local experience, ask around for neighborhood cafes and artisan shops instead.

What is the Pacific Northwest Famous For?

So what makes the Pacific Northwest unique? One might say it’s pretty iconic for its rugged coastline, rain, and perpetually foggy weather, but there’s so much more than that!

The Pacific Northwest is known for big tech businesses like Amazon, REI, Boeing, as well as logging companies, and outdoor brands. It’s also socially acceptable to wear socks and sandals together and wear plaid to work on the regular.

We hope this post could help you plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest! For more information about the area, feel free to browse our categories page to find specific hikes, hotel reviews, car camping trips, and so much more to elevate your journey!

Do you live in the PNW? What would you suggest to a first-time visitor who wants to plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest? Share your tips in the comments below!

Ready to plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest but don't know where to start? We're breaking down region by region to help you figure out where to start your Pacific Northwest Road Trip, and PNW Getaway ideas in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, British Columbia and more! #washington #glaciernps #olympicnationalpark #mountrainier #PacificNorrthwest #PNW #PNWroadtrip #oregon #photography #landscape #mountains #USA

Holy cow! The Pacific Northwest has always been on my travel list but this makes me want to go so badly! I feel like our own country is the one we always take for granted as travelers. This is a good reminder of all the beauty there is!

Hi Alanna! Thanks so much for your sweet comment! The USA has so many hidden gems, We feel like we could not leave our whole like and still have more to explore!

Experience the Wonderland: Top 6 Pacific Northwest Camping Spots

pacific northwest camping trip

The Pacific Northwest is known for its cascading waterfalls, weather-carved gorges, snow-capped mountains, and sparkling rivers. We firmly believe that camping is the best way to fully experience this truly majestic place. To understand why they call this section of the country a wonderland ( #pnwonderland ), you’ve got to fall asleep surrounded by some old-growth trees, moss covered rocks, crashing Pacific Ocean waves, or all of the above.

Where to Go Camping in the Pacific Northwest

Whether this is your first Pacific Northwest camping adventure, or you’re a seasoned camper who calls this region home,  you’ve got to check out all 6 of these jaw-dropping campsites.

Harris Beach State Park , OR

harris beach state park pacific northwest camping

Image from Dyrt user Tim W.

You’re not going to find another campsite like this. Just a short hike from the heavily wooded, gorgeous campground, is where you’ll find the beautiful aquamarine beach. If it wasn’t for the chill in the air, you might think you’re in the Caribbean. (But we love that cool, Pacific breeze!)

Silver Falls State Park , OR

silver falls pacific northwest camping

Image by Dyrt user Natasha R.

At first glance, you’d think this place is at least a National Monument, but it’s not! Right near the campground are beautiful waterfalls to hike behind and at certain times during the day the trails are virtually empty.

Lost Lake , OR

lost lake pacific northwest caming

Image from Dyrt user Shawna M.

It’s easy to get mesmerized by the beauty of Lost Lake. The campground is quiet and the lake is crystal clear. The view of Mt. Hood off in the distance with a cup of coffee doesn’t suck either.

Cape Disappointment State Park , WA

Cape disappointment pacific Northwest Camping

Image from Dyrt user Corinna B.

Don’t let the name of this state park fool you, there’s nothing disappointing about it! Pristine beaches at the doorway of your tent and hiking trails within the park make this campsite simply amazing.

Kalaloch Campground , WA

pacific northwest camping trip

Image from Dyrt user Melissa J.

Rain or shine, this is one of the most beautiful campsites in Olympic National Park . Situated on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, it’s hard to not let your jaw hit the ground while you’re there.

Shi Shi Beach , WA

pacific northwest camping trip

Image from Dyrt user Dawnielle C.

Sites are scattered amongst the beach and the nearby woods giving you a truly unique camping experience. Watch the sunset from your tent in the woods as the waves crash on the beach at sunset.

If you find yourself exploring the Pacific Northwest, or campsites anywhere in the country, tell us about your campsites at The Dyrt ! You could win free camping gear, just for writing reviews.

The Dyrt  is a FREE app solving the pain of finding campsites online. Like Yelp for camping, you can  find  the perfect campsite for you with photos and reviews from real campers across the country. And if you write reviews, you can  WIN  free outdoor gear all summer long.

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Britany Robinson

Britany is the Managing Editor of The Dyrt. She's been a writer ever since she can remember, and her first literary accomplishment was having a poem about a panda published when she was eight. The anthology was definitely a scam to get her parents to buy a bunch of anthologies, but she's still pretty proud of her panda poem. When she's not at her computer, she's (hopefully) outside, hiking or camping with her dog.

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pacific northwest camping trip

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The 41 Best Campgrounds in Washington, Oregon, and the Pacific Northwest

Our favorite campgrounds in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska, and Canada

Second Beach, Olympic National Park

Washington Camping

1. cape disappointment state park, southwest of ilwaco.

The campground launches you into 1,880 pristine acres at the end of the Long Beach Peninsula. Wander 27 miles of beach, or go clamming or fishing. Sites 104 and 105 have great beach access. 360/902-8844; book at   parks.wa.gov/reserve.asp

2. Lone Fir Campground, Okanogan National Forest, Northwest of Winthrop

A wooded spot along Early Winters Creek offers a cool base for exploring the northern Methow Valley. On hot days, head to the swimming beach at Pearrygin Lake State Park, near Winthrop. N o reservations; 509/996-4003.

3. White River Campground, Mt. Rainier National Park

Keep an eye out for mountain goats near this campground (accessed from the White River entrance) on Mt. Rainier. For wildflowers, hike 3 miles to Glacier Basin or 4.2 miles up, up, up to Summerland via the Wonderland Trail. No reservations; 360/569-2211.

4. Curlew Lake State Park, Northeast of Republic

This 5.5-mile-long lake in the state’s northeastern corner is famous for its trout fishing and swimming. Bring your passport and take a day trip to the historic mining and railroad town of Grand Forks, British Columbia, 27 miles north. Book online at washington.goingtocamp.com ; 360/902-8844.

5. Moran State Park, on Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands

After you summit 2,400-foot Mt. Constitution or conquer the park’s bike trails, cool off by Cascade Lake at this shaded campground. Skip the long car-ferry lines and walk on with your gear; the Orcas Island Shuttle ( $5 one-way;   www.orcasislandshuttle.com ) runs all summer long. 360/902-8844; book at   parks.wa.gov/reserve.asp

6. Penrose Point State Park, Southwest of Purdy

On the Key Peninsula, Penrose is the best of two worlds ― Northwest forest and Puget Sound beach, with a Frisbee-perfect lawn connecting the two. The group campsite near the playfield and beach can sleep up to 50 people. 360/902-8844; book at   parks.state.wa.us (group site: 888/226-7688).

7. Salt Creek Recreation Area, West of Port Angeles

Awe-inspiring views over the Strait of Juan de Fuca and colorful tidepools at Tongue Point Marine Life Sanctuary make this a standout. Choose a spot with a view over the strait―we like site 63.  clallam.net   or 360/928-3441; book by mail (details on   clallam.net ).

8. Doe Bay Resort, on Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands

The best spot at the eclectic, 38-acre Doe Bay Resort with its 27 sites on Orcas Island isn’t a crunchy cabin, one of the yurts, or a Buckminster Fuller–like dome. It’s a simple tent site called Seal Landing: The grassy bluff on the point of Otter Cove has a front seat to sunrise, and it’s just steps from the new soaking tubs, a sauna, and a cafe serving organic, locally sourced food, from scallops to foraged nettles.  doebay.com

9. Second Beach, Olympic National Park

Hemmed in by rugged headlands and bookended by natural arches with keyhole views, Olympic National Park’s broad Second Beach—reachable by a quick 0.7-mile hike—is the coast’s crown jewel. Pitch your tent on the sand and unzip to views of seals, bald eagles, and the Quillayute Needles, a half-dozen surf-battered islets. No potable water;   nps.gov/olym

10. Bridge Creek Campground, Leavenworth

On the border of the Enchantment Area Wilderness, Bridge Creek Campground’s falling leaves flash from mustard to maroon. www.fs.usda.gov . Make time for the 8-mile round-trip to Colchuck Lake, a turquoise glacial gem set against neon larches and craggy peaks.   Apr-Oct;  recreation.gov

11.   Deer Park, Olympic National Park

Get a true backcountry feeling without ditching your car. At the meadowed 14 sites of the highest campground in Olympic (at 5,400 feet), you’ll likely be outnumbered by ungulates. The short jaunt up nearby Blue Mountain nets 360° views of jawbone peaks and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. And summer stargazing doesn’t get much better.  Jun–Sep; no potable water; vault toilets; no reservations; nps.gov/olym

12. Wilderness Camping, Mt. Rainer National Park

It’s easier than ever to snag an overnight among the lowland forests and sub-alpine areas along the Wonderland Trail in Mt. Rainer National Park, thanks to a new online reservation system. nps.gov/mora

13. Dash Point Cabins, Federal Way

The 7 heated cabins in Federal Way have been updated with queen-size futons and bunks that sleep three. parks.state.wa.us

14. Deception Pass Cabins, Deception Pass State Park

Popular boat-in site Ben Ure Cabin in Deception Pass State Park has been updated and is now fully furnished with an electric kitchen, bathroom, and outdoor shower. It’s also heated and has electricity. parks.state.wa.us

15. Jones Island  State Park

Want San Juan Islands beachfront, all to yourself? The two rustic sites on the west side of this 188-acre island are set aside for human- or wind-powered arrivals only, so they’re p erfectly quiet (except for the bark of sea lions). And the firepit—on a bluff, with logs for benches—is like a box seat for spectacular sunsets. O pen year-round (potable water May–Sep); vault toilets; no reservations; parks.state.wa.us

Oregon Campin g

16. jessie m. honeyman memorial state park, south of florence.

Feel like a desert explorer on 2 miles of sand dunes that stretch from your campsite to the Pacific. Or cool off in the park’s two freshwater lakes. To avoid ATV noise, stay away from H Loop. 541/997-3641; book at   reserveamerica.com

17. Wallowa Lake State Park, South of Joseph

Lots to do: swimming, boating, fishing, and a gondola tramway ( from $33 ) that runs to the top of 8,150-foot Mt. Howard. Visit the nearby town of Joseph, famous for its bronze castings. 541/432-4185; book at   reserveamerica.com

18. Bull Prairie Campground, Umatilla National Forest, South of Heppner

The ultimate fishing lake abuts this campground in the Blue Mountains. Hang a hammock under ponderosas, cast a line from a dock, or ramble along the 1-mile lake trail. Check out the Morrow County Fair and Oregon Trail Pro Rodeo, 36 miles north in Heppner, No reservations; 541/676-9187.

19. Oxbow Regional Park, East of Gresham

Just 20 miles east of Portland, this campground in the Sandy River Gorge is the ideal place to swim, kayak, canoe, fish, or explore the park’s 1,200 acres of old-growth forest.  No reservations, except for group sites (503/797-1850);   oregonmetro.gov/parks   or 503/663-4708.

20. Strawberry Campground, Malheur National Forest, South of Prairie City

This tiny gem (11 campsites) is located at 5,700 feet in the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. Fish at trout-stocked Little Strawberry Lake, a nice 6-mile round-trip from the campground trailhead. No reservations; 541/820-3311.

21. Fall Mountain Lookout, Malheur National Forest

Fire towers were built specifically with windows looking out in every direction. So at cozy Fall Mountain Lookout, a 14- by 14-foot room and catwalk atop a 20-foot scaffold in Malheur National Forest, that means unobstructed gazing at the Strawberry Mountains and the John Day Valley. It’s accessible by car and has electricity, a fridge, stove, heater, and lights—and was recently refreshed with a new coat of robin’s-egg blue paint. Late May–Oct; book at   recreation.gov

22. Lost Lake Resort and Campground, Hood River

Watch dawn turn Mt. Hood a glowing pink from the “F” Loop at Lost Lake Resort and Campground —shore sites 1–31 stare the volcano in the face. A fishing license lets you troll for Walter, the rumored 50-pound trout with a beard made of thousands of dollars worth of lures. The 2-mile, 1,400-foot thigh burner up Lost Lake Butte Trail rewards with 180° views of Hood and Mt. Adams. Late May–Oct; reserve at  reserveamerica.com/camping/lost-lake-resort-and-campground

23. Cape Blanco Cabins, Port Orford

At the westernmost point in the state, Cape Blanco State Park’s ocean views are wide open. Come morning, trails to the beaches and bluffs are mostly empty, and the line is short to the old lighthouse with its sculptural Fresnel lens. All four cabins have the basics (bare beds with vinyl mattresses, fire rings, covered porches) but Hawk has the best water view.  oregonstateparks.org

24. Wallowa Lake State Park, Joseph

Wallowa is a gorgeous mountain lake with lots of things to do along with breathtaking views. Once you’ve set up camp at this northeastern Oregon lake, you may want to spend a few hours gazing at the sapphire water reflecting the surrounding Wallowa Mountains. After that, you have heaps of choices: hiking, fishing, swimming, a tram ride to the summit of Mt. Howard, and art shopping in nearby Joseph, known as a bronze-casting center. Open year-round; oregonstateparks.org .

25. The Vintages Trailer Resort, Dayton

These 31 trailers in Dayton on this 14-acre property include glamping amenities like pour-over coffee, robes, hotel-quality linens, pool, hot tub, and cruiser bikes. the-vintages.com

26. Silver Falls State Park, Northeast of Sublimity

A great base for exploring Oregon’s largest state park. Don’t miss the 7-mile Trail of Ten Falls, a misty trek among waterfalls, ferns, and wildflowers. Take a dip in the swimming area at Silver Creek. 503/873-8681; book at   reserveamerica.com

pacific northwest camping trip

Tim Fitzharris / Radius Images

Idaho camping

27. hells gate state park, lewiston.

Take in Lewis and Clark country from this grassy, shaded campground along the shores of the Snake River. Hike an easy 1.5 miles south to the basalt rocks, a 150-foot-tall ancient lava formation. 208/799-5015; book at   parksandrecreation.idaho.gov

28. City of Rocks National Reserve, Malta

From site 22, near Lookout Rock, you get a sweeping view of the 14,000-acre City of Rocks in southern Idaho. The “city” is hundreds of granite monoliths, some more than 600 feet high, that rise out of a gently rolling sagebrush landscape. Take in a desert sunrise, watch the rock climbers as they spider up the planetary formations, and keep your ears peeled for the song of the reserve’s 142 species of birds, including mountain bluebirds and warblers. Book at   reserveamerica.com

29. Huckleberry Tent and Breakfast, Clark Fork

This upscale canvas tent campground sits in Clark Fork’s heavily wooded forest. huckleberrytentandbreakfast.com

30. Dworshak Boat-In Campground, Dworshak State Park

Dworshak State Park has 105 hike-in or boat-in roadless campsites spread out along the 54-mile reservoir. idahostateparks.reserveamerica.com

31. Point Campground, Near Stanley

At Sawtooth National Forest’s Point Campground—especially tent sites 11–17—wake early to see the morning light on the striated Sawtooth Range and 9,000-plus-foot Mt. Heyburn and Grand Mogul. Nearby Redfish Lake Lodge serves up civilization with boat rentals and a restaurant with trout and wild game on the menu. Late May–mid-Sep; book at   recreation.gov

Alaska camping

32. porcupine campground, chugach national forest, west of hope.

On a bluff on the northern part of Kenai Peninsula south of Anchorage, this campground has great ocean views. In mid- to late summer, watch for beluga whales. 907/224-3374; book at   recreation.gov

33. Wonder Lake Campground, Denali National Park

Set near Wonder Lake, this is one of only a handful of campgrounds inside Denali, and it’s the one with the best views of Mt. McKinley. No cars are allowed into Denali, so take the Camper Bus ( reservedenali.com ) from the park’s Wilderness Access Center. It’s beautiful but buggy, so pack insect protection.  907/683-2294; book at   reservedenali.com

34. Camp Homer, Homer

A quiet alternative to the generator-filled sites along the Homer Spit, Camp Homer (6 miles inland from town) offers 15 tent pads amid a field of fireweed that produces shoulder-high blooms from late July through August. The fuchsia “walls” shield your view of other campers; some sites include vistas of 10,000-foot Mt. Iliamna, an active volcano. A shower house and covered cooking pavilion are scheduled for spring completion. Mid-May–mid-Sep;   call to reserve: 907/756-1973 .

35. K’esugi Ken Campground, Denali State Park

This Denali State Park campground has 33 RV sites, 10 tent sites, and three rustic cabins with wood stoves and built-in wooden sleeping bunks (no mattresses, bedding, or cookware). www.reserveamerica.com/camping/denali-state-park

36. Valdez KOA, Valdez

One of only three KOAs in Alaska, this one is located on 18 quiet acres of land with 360° mountain views. RVs and cabins are equipped with Wi-Fi. koa.com

Canada camping

37. china beach campground, juan de fuca provincial park, b.c..

Get a taste of the wild coastline of Vancouver Island at China Beach, situated at the southern end of the Juan de Fuca Trail. From the campground, follow trails to the two beaches for sea otter sightings. bcparks.ca ; book at   discovercamping.ca

38. Nairn Falls Provincial Park, North of Whistler, B.C.

Just a half-hour north of Whistler, this campground is a good base for exploring B.C.’s “Sea to Sky” region. Request a campsite overlooking the Green River. bcparks.ca   or 604/986-9371; book at   discovercamping.ca

39.  Sunshine Coast Trail, From Desolation Sound to Saltery Bay, B.C.

You don’t have to hike the entire 112-mile Sunshine Coast Trail to stay in one of its 12 huts. Many are easily accessible from nearby logging roads. The most spectacular digs are the winterized (i.e., cozy) Tin Hat hut, built in 2011, which sits high on a ridge facing the Salish Sea, Vancouver Island, and the B.C. coast. You may share the sleeping loft with a few other campers, but the chanterelles you find in the forests below are yours to keep. Free; no reservations or potable water;   sunshinecoast-trail.com

40. Barefoot Beach Resort, Skaha Lake, Penticton, B.C.

On Skaha Lake in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, reserve one of 12 yurts or 50 tent sites. barefootresort.ca

41. Conrad Campground, Tagish Lake, Yukon

Located on Tagish Lake’s Windy Arm in the Yukon, it’s the first new campground in 30 years and has 29 sites for both tents and RVs. env.gov.yk.ca

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Learners and Makers

13 great places to camp and RV in the Pacific Northwest

Where to base in washington, oregon, and idaho, whether you’re in a tent, trailer, or motorhome.

Whether in a tent, a pop-up camper, or a motorhome , pre-kids and with kids, we have camped all over the Pacific Northwest states of Washington , Oregon , and Idaho . Here are some great places to camp that we enjoy, recommend, and will gladly come back to during future trips.

Note: If RVing, hookup options (electric, water, sewer) vary for each location, and you’ll want to check options when you book. If individual sites don’t have sewer, there’s typically a dump station elsewhere on the property.

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From the San Juan Islands in the west to the Tri-Cities in the east, Washington state is home to public and private campgrounds galore. Each of these great places to camp are their own destinations . Most are close to various attractions and towns too.

Tokeland: Bayshore RV Park

Washington’s Willapa Bay is not the beautiful yet bashing Pacific Ocean. Land surrounds this serene space, and the tides bring big changes. Low tide exposes wide stretches of beach. Around you, quiet waters lap gently at the shore. And right behind all this, the comfy spaces of Bayshore RV Park rest outside of the small town of Tokeland.

On site there are hot showers, and the clubhouse has a pool table, kitchen, comfy chairs, a record player, books, and board games. We also suggest a visit to the nearby Grayland Beach State Park and the Shoalwater Bay Tribal Community Library .

San Juan Island: Lakedale Resort

Besides glamping tents and an adults-only cabin, this extensive woodland property also has lovely camping spots for tents and RVs. The Lakedale Resort is not only a lakeside property. The Lakedale’s 82 acres are amid 3 lakes surrounded by forested hills. Near the center of San Juan Island, the Lakedale has all the peace of being by the water. Yet you’re minutes from towns such as Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor.

Whidbey Island: North Whidbey RV Park

A hundred sites, with full hookups, not to mention a lovely playground. The park is clean and there’s clearly a lot of pride at work in it. We made ourselves at home with hot showers, and there’s a comfy day room.

Whidbey RV Park is right at the northern edge of Whidbey Island , just off the main road. It’s easy to get to Deception Pass State Park and Cornet Bay. Plus, you’re only about 15 minutes away from Oak Harbor, the chief town.

Olympic Peninsula: Fort Worden Historical State Park

This former army base is now not only a state park, but one inside the city limits of Port Townsend. Accessible paths and bathrooms make the RV-friendly campground more appealing to folks with disabilities traveling the Olympic Peninsula .

Short trails cut through small dunes to bring you to the beautiful beach, its headlands, and views of the lighthouse. Within walking distance of the camp loops, there’s also a marine science museum (right side of the street) and an aquarium (at the end of the pier nearby). The 434 acres at Fort Worden Historical State Park also have a pub, restaurant, lots of trails, and historical buildings.

Tri-Cities: Plymouth Park Campground

We love when we can camp in a green space, yet be close to town. The spots here are on a small island that’s in Lake Umatilla on the Columbia River. Easy water access makes camping here a great opportunity to get out your kayak or SUP.

Sites have electric hookups, with potable water and a dump station near the entrance. Plymouth Park Campground is also just a few minutes away from Pasco and the rest of the Tri-Cities area . It’s easy to duck into town for a tamale at Miss Tamale , a pizza from Atomic Ales , or a Dust Devils baseball game .

However, there is an important quirk to be aware of: The campground has a 10 p.m. curfew, and a gate that will be closed except for emergencies. We never found it to be a big deal, but it’s good to know in advance.

Ione: Cedar RV Park & Car Wash

You can find great places to camp even in more remote parts of Washington. Northeast Washington is the gateway to the International Selkirk Loop . It’s also home to a cave, plus the scenic Boundary Waters and its reachable-by-boat-only PeeWee Falls.

Under new management, the Cedar RV Park & Car Wash offered comfy sites on level pads, with full hookups. The couple who run the property are kind, full of stories, and want to create a family friendly RV park that’s open to tent and trailer campers too.

We especially appreciated how easy it was to hop back onto the quiet main road for taking excursions out into the region’s natural splendor. Around camp, there’s also an on-site store for snagging supplies, and we appreciated that for a few dollars we could give our RV a much needed bath.

Our home state also offers great places to camp, including some of our favorite family campgrounds. Camping in Oregon puts you close to nature, whether it’s the state’s only National Park at Crater Lake , along the rugged coastline. Water is a common theme here: Ocean, rivers, and lakes are all easy to come by when camping and RVing throughout Oregon .

Coos Bay/North Bend/Charleston: Sunset Bay State Park

Nestled in the woods and canyons of the southern Oregon Coast , Sunset Bay State Park brings together the best of PNW coastal camping. Calm, paved camp roads make it easy to get around. The park is part of a multi-year statewide effort from Oregon State Parks to improve accessibility. Work is ongoing to improve access to facilities such as the bathrooms.

One of our favorite parts of camping here? Sunset Bay is minutes from two other iconic coastal Oregon State Parks. Shore Acres State Park preserves the luscious clifftop garden of a former timber baron. Views of waves smashing volcanic cliffs and rocks are stunning. At the end of the Cape Arago Highway, Cape Arago State Park is one of our favorite spots for sunset. However, just at Sunset Bay itself, a short trail goes from the campground right to the beach’s sheltered, kid friendly bay. Seals and pelicans often enjoy the water too.

Crater Lake NP: Mazama Campground

From June through around the end of September, the 214 sites at Mazama Campground offer camping in the thick of central Oregon forest. The trees and clearings around our campsite were a make believe wonderland for the kids. Sometimes we joined them in their play as we wandered among the trees.

The campground itself can accommodate RVs up to 50 feet long and trailers up to 35 feet. 5 of the RV sites are accessible, and 2 of those offer electrical hookups. For water, you can either come with a full tank, or there are potable water spigots on site.

The major attraction, however, is that you are just minutes from the southwestern rim of Crater Lake itself. From there, you can take in the overlooks, drive the Rim Road, and offshoot into nearby trails and attractions such as the Pinnacles.

Wasco (close to The Dalles): Deschutes River State Recreation Area Campground

Just north of the Deschutes River State Recreation Area Campground , the Deschutes meets the mighty Columbia River. Cottonwoods and Russian olive trees ring the calm campground. Designated tent and RV areas are all by the water, where the Deschutes is the star.

Showers and flush toilets add comfort to the stay at one of Oregon’s great places to camp. A Loop offers paved pads, plus electric and water hookups. Keep an eye out for riverside benches and picnic tables where you can relax and watch the Deschutes flow. The town of The Dalles is about 20 minutes west. Nearby are exhibits and more about the area: On their way to the Pacific, Lewis and Clark crossed the Deschutes here.

Florence: Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park

Fancy going to the ocean? It’s a couple of miles away. Love rivers? The broad, blue Siuslaw River runs through Florence , only about 3 miles north. Even if you’re yearning for a lake, nearby Cleawox Lake is inside the grounds of Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park . There are even dunes you can slide down and go straight into the water!

Since the Oregon Coast has a temperate environment, Honeyman is also open year-round. RVers can enjoy 47 sites with full hook-ups, and another 121 have both water and electricity. Multiple loops make up the expansive grounds, complete with open fields, sandboxes, and lots of paths for walking, biking, and scootering.

We especially love Honeyman’s proximity both to nature, and to the shops and cafes in nearby Florence. It’s also a great stop for other adventures up and down the Oregon Coast.

Fern Ridge Reservoir, Junction City: Richardson Park Campground

For starters, cell signals at Richardson Park Campground can be mixed depending on location and your carrier. But guess what? The campground also has a good free Wi-Fi network—not always easy to find when seeking out great places to camp.

Tall trees surround this 115-acre campground, but the chief attraction is Fern Ridge Reservoir. The campground offers easy access to a boat ramp and a marina, making it easy to get on the water your way.

The 88 sites offer some RV-ready sites with electric and water hookups, and free hot showers are available. A dump station is on site for campers only. When using the dump station, the camp host might verify that you’re camping at Richardson.

Richardson is about 20 minutes west of Eugene, making it a great stop for camping by some lovely Oregon flat water, but being close to town.

Our camping experiences in Idaho are currently our most limited, but that’s something we’ll be working on. However, here are 2 places we’ve stayed at that we’ve really enjoyed and consider among Idaho’s great places to camp.

Sandpoint/Lake Pend Oreille: Sam Owen Campground

Up in Idaho’s northern panhandle, about an hour from the USA-Canada border, Lake Pend Oreille is one of the most beautiful areas we’ve ever seen. The 148 square mile blue water is so deep, the Navy has used it for submarine research and exercises.

Near the Hope area on the northeast shore, Sam Owen Campground is camper friendly, but check length requirements to make sure your rig can fit. Of the campground’s 80 sites, 59 can accommodate RVs, though individual sites vary in length limitations from 20 to 60 feet.

Sam Owen can feel rustic, and there are no hookups. However, you’re right on the water, and towns such as Hope and Clark Fork are a short drive.

Bear Lake: Paris Springs Campground

Just 5 miles outside of Paris and close to the shimmering, pale blue waters of Bear Lake , Paris Springs Campground gets you into the woods. While the sites can only fit campers and RVs no longer than 20 feet, it’s a quiet space where we could let the kids wander and romp without worry.

While here, also be sure to check out the nearby Paris Ice Cave . Even during our July visit, this chilly cave was full of ice, not to mention a small snowy hill.

The Pacific Northwest is full of family friendly RVing and camping

A merino wool fleece as part of camping wardrobes is great for a chilly night RVing

Whether Idaho , Oregon , or Washington, you’ll find beautiful nature, serene spaces, vibrant communities, and welcoming people. Camping and RVing throughout the Northwest has only deepened our appreciation for the region. We can show our kids the places we love, and help them discover and nurture their own love of the Great Outdoors, Northwest style, thanks in no small parts to these great places to camp.

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The World Was Here First

The Perfect 5 to 7 Day Pacific Northwest Itinerary

Last Updated on January 11, 2024

by Audrey Webster

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

pacific northwest camping trip

The Pacific Northwest should be on your radar for a number of reasons. Within the region, you have access to mountains, forests, and coastline along with unique and vibrant cities. The PNW generally includes Washington State, Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia. However, for your 5 to 7-day Pacific Northwest itinerary, we’re going to look specifically at Washington and Oregon.

Should you have more time to spend in the area, extend your trip to visit Idaho and BC. We’ll include a combination of urban and natural areas, as well as destinations that are a bit more off the beaten path.

Table of Contents

Best Time to Visit the Pacific Northwest

The best time to visit the PNW is in the summer. Summers tend to be mild–they are warm and comfortable. During this time of year, you can plan to pack sandals, shorts, and a light jacket. Always have a rain jacket on hand as the PNW is known for brief and sudden downpours before returning to beautiful blue skies.

Keep in mind that a visit in August or September might force you to travel around wildfires. Eastern and central Washington and Oregon experience their highest number of wildfires during these months, so it might be the case that some trails or forest areas are off-limits to visitors. 

Summer may be the best time to visit, but you can still visit during other months. Visiting national parks or state forests during the fall provides the opportunity to witness the stunning changing of the leaves.

In October, it’s usually still warm enough to camp and you can enjoy the orange and yellow leaves. The winter months in Washington and Oregon are cold and wet, but if you enjoy winter sports, consider paying a visit to the PNW during this time.

There are several ski resorts as well as opportunities for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing. 

As a general rule of thumb, never visit the PNW without a rain jacket or umbrella. The area is known for being flush with green all year round, but this is only possible due to large amounts of rain. Make sure you pack carefully for whichever season you plan to visit. 

The Oregon Coast is a highlight of the Pacific Northwest

5 to 7-Day Pacific Northwest Itinerary

If you’re lucky enough to have a full 7 days to spend in the PNW, take this itinerary to guide your travels. We also have options for a 5-day itinerary that will take you to some of the PNW’s best places.

If you need to rent a car for this trip, then you can browse Rentalcars.com which aggregates prices across a number of companies. Alternatively, you can also consider renting an RV or a campervan from Outdoorsy.

Day 1 – Seattle, Washington

Beginning your travels in Seattle, Washington is the perfect way to kick off your itinerary. You can visit the city in one day, but it’s ideal if you can spare more than that.

Seattle is most well known for the Space Needle, museums, and Pike’s Place Market, where you’ll find delicious seafood, outstanding views of Puget Sound, and the original Starbucks coffee.

The Chihuly is a blown glass museum that tends to be a fan favorite. You must also make sure to pay the famous gum wall at Pike’s Place a visit. 

Spending a day in Seattle can give you a great taste for the city before continuing onto the rest of your PNW itinerary.

Where to Stay in Seattle

The Mediterranean Inn – Situated within walking distance of the iconic Space Needle, this hotel is a great option for staying in Seattle. You can choose from a range of rooms including some with self-catering facilities and there is a 24-hour reception.

Inn at the Market  – Located close to the iconic Pike Place Market, this boutique hotel is a great option if you’re not worried about your budget. There are a range of comfortable rooms to choose from and a great rooftop bar with spectacular views of Seattle.

HotelHotel Hostel — If you’re travelling on a budget or are solo and looking for a social atmosphere, then this hostel is a great choice! Centrally located in Seattle, they offer both private rooms and dorms with good common areas as well!

Private Rental — If you’d prefer to have your own place to stay in Seattle, then it’s worth considering a private apartment for your stay. There are a number of great properties to choose from, from a basic one-bedroom apartment to unique stays like this urban treehouse .

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more hotels in Seattle!

Seattle's Iconic Skyline

Day 2 – Olympic National Park & Rialto Beach

For day two, head northwest toward Olympic National Park . If you sat on the waterfront in Seattle and looked west, you most likely saw a mountain range–this is Hurricane Ridge on the Olympic peninsula. Here you’ll find forests, mountains, and beaches to explore.

At the furthest tip of the peninsula is the stunning Cape Flattery. There’s a road that goes around the outskirts of the park, but you should make sure to venture into the mountains and rainforests, namely the Hoh Rainforest. 

One of the most popular areas of the Olympics is Rialto Beach. It’s near La Push, made famous because of the Twilight movies filmed there. Rialto is unique for its stacks of driftwood and ecosystems, a combination of beach and coastal forest.

If your itinerary allows, try to visit during sunset. On a clear summer evening, set up a blanket and watch the gorgeous sunset over the ocean. Those who aren’t interested in Olympic NP, consider staying inland and spending this day in Mount Rainier National Park , instead.

Hall of Mosses in Olympic National Park

Where to Stay Near Olympic National Park

Olympic Lodge – Located in Port Angeles, this is one of the top options if you’d prefer a luxury accommodation to come back to after exploring the National Park. They have a number of great rooms and great facilities such as a swimming pool and a restaurant on site.

Emerald Valley Inn – Also situated in Port Angeles, this inn is located near the park entrance making it convenient for those who want to start exploring early! They have a range of rooms available including some with a patio and there is also a restaurant on site.

Greenhouse Inn by the Bay – Located in the town of Sequim, this bed and breakfast is the perfect cosy place to rest your head after a day of exploring the park. They have a range of comfortable rooms to choose from, with breakfast included in the nightly rate and a nice garden to relax in.

Private Rental – Another great accommodation option near Olympic National Park is a private rental. There are several options near the park that will give you more privacy and let you cook your own meals. For instance, this charming cottage in Port Angeles is an excellent option for a base!

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other places to stay in Olympic National Park!

Beautiful Rialto Beach

Day 3 – Oregon Coast

The cute and quaint coastal town of Astoria is a favorite getaway for a quiet weekend — it is actually the oldest city in Oregon, founded in 1811.

The Astoria Column is one of the most famous sites. It sits atop a hill overlooking the town. The column is covered in historical depictions of the region. For another look into local history, stop at the Columbia River Maritime Museum.

The Columbia River divides Washington from Oregon and was a critical part of the area’s economy many years ago. The museum details local fishing, shipping, and military history. 

No road trip through the PNW is complete without exploring the coast, so make sure to pay Cannon Beach a visit on your way to Portland . Cannon Beach is home to Haystack Rock, one of the most iconic sites along the coast. Take a hike through Ecola State Park or visit Arch Cape.

These are areas that will get you away from the crowds as Cannon Beach does tend to see a lot of visitors, especially during the summer months. Make sure to try local seafood to round out your Oregon coast visit . 

Plan to spend your third day driving down the coast to Portland, where you’ll spend your next two nights. As another major tourist destination in the Pacific Northwest, there are countless places to rest your head in this hip city.

Beautiful coastline in Ecola State Park

Where to Stay in Portland

The Society Hotel – Centrally located close to all the major attractions of the city, this hotel is a perfect mid-range option. There are several rooms to choose from and there is also a restaurant and bar on site.

Kimpton Riverplace Hotel – If you’d prefer luxury accommodation during your stay in Portland then this hotel is a fantastic option. Located on the banks of the Willamette River, they offer a range of luxe rooms with all the amenities you would expect.

Private Rental — If you would rather have a bit of privacy and be able to cook your own meals, then a private apartment might be a good option for you. There are a number of great properties to choose from, like this quaint, centrally located cottage .

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more hotels in Portland!

Day 4 – Portland, Oregon

Portland is the other main city in the Pacific Northwest and well worth a visit. Though spending two days in Portland is probably most ideal, you can still cover quite a bit of ground in just one day, as well.

The city’s mantra “keep Portland weird” rings true as you explore everything the city has to offer. Food and hikes are local favorites. There are neighborhoods throughout Portland that have the best food and nightlife, so make sure you research them before choosing where to spend your time.

Powell’s bookstore, Pittock Mansion, the Japanese Gardens, and more are excellent ways to spend a day. If you’re looking for a quiet way to spend an afternoon, consider a picnic in Laurelhurst Park. 

Portland comes alive at night!

Day 5 – Mt. Hood & Bend

If you drive just east of Portland, you’ll quickly arrive at Mt. Hood National Forest. You most likely saw Mt. Hood from Portland if it was a clear day, you might’ve also caught a glimpse of Mount St. Helens. Mt. Hood National Forest is filled with hikes of varying difficulty and camping.

The historic Timberline Lodge is worth a visit even if you’re not staying the night. Take a short hike to Trillium Lake or tackle a more strenuous hike up the side of the mountain. During the winter, Mt. Hood Meadows and Timberline are two popular ski areas. 

Bend, Oregon is a great place to stop, refuel, and restock your snacks while exploring a central Oregon city – and there are also plenty of places to explore when driving from Portland to Bend .

Bend is known for its breweries, so take your pick and have lunch at one. The Deschutes River runs through the city and offers a much-needed relief from the heat during the summer.

During winter, Mt. Bachelor is a favored spot for outdoor activities. During your time in Bend, you can choose to stick to the city shops and restaurants or venture out to Pilot Butte or Smith Rock State Park for some time outside. 

You also could use this day to explore the highlights along the Columbia River Gorge, including the beautiful Multnomah Falls.

Driving towards Mount Hood

Where to Stay in Bend

Hampton Inn & Suites – If you’re after a basic clean hotel, then this is certainly a great option. Offering a range of different rooms in a central location, they have breakfast included daily and a hot tub and fitness centre for guests to use.

Oxford Hotel – This locally run and eco-friendly boutique hotel is an excellent option for spending the night in Bend. They offer several different types of rooms in a central location with great facilities. A superb breakfast is available each morning.

Private Rental – If you value your privacy and would rather stay in a private rental in Bend than a hotel, then are several options such as this historic home in central Bend .

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more hotels in Bend!

City of Bend with Mt Hood in the background

Day 6 – John Day Fossil Beds, Painted Hills & Umpqua National Forest

The John Day Fossil Beds are filled with striped hills and ancient remnants of many years ago. These colorful rock formations capture the history of the region. It’s one of the richest fossil beds in North America and a fun spot to visit for those traveling with small children.

Sit at an outlook to enjoy the view or tie up your hiking shoes to take a walk through these rolling hills. You can learn how creatures that once walked the earth here as well as climate changes while you explore. 

The Painted Hills and John Day Fossil Beds go hand-in-hand. Oregon’s Painted Hills are one of three units of John Day and perhaps one of the most recognizable. It’s hard to miss the towering hills striped with reds, browns, and yellows–colors that look like they’ve been painted on.

In total, the area is 3,132 acres, giving you ample space to explore and step away from the crowds if you desire. The Painted Hills are listed as one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon, so maybe you want to challenge yourself to visit as many wonders as possible during your trip. 

Next, head to the Umpqua National Forest. Within the forest, you’ll find waterfalls — we recommend paying Toketee Falls a visit, and several trails.

The forest covers 983,126 acres across three southern Oregon counties. Camping here during the summer is highly recommended.

There are several campgrounds that you can book in advance as well as many that are first come first serve, so they can better fit in your Pacific Northwest road trip itinerary. Take a break from the crowds and cities by spending a day exploring Umpqua National Forest. 

Day 7 – Umpqua Hot Springs & Crater Lake National Park

Seated in the Umpqua National Forest are the river’s hot springs. Visitors park in a designated parking lot before hiking a short and steep hike to the pools. Each pool is about the size of an average adult, making them ideal for lounging.

They are carved into the side of a hill and the stone around the pools do tend to get slippery, so make sure you wear proper shoes and remain cautious of where you’re stepping. The crowds at the pools tend to be a hit or miss. A weekend day usually draws more crowds than a midweek visit, so try to build your itinerary according to your preferences.

The Umpqua Hot Springs provide a nice place to rest and relax toward the end of your PNW road trip. 

Finally, it’s time to head to Crater Lake . As the only national park in Oregon, Crater Lake is a must-see during your road trip through the Pacific Northwest. Nearly 8,000 years old, a volcanic explosion rocked the area. The result was a 6,173-foot lake filled with crystal clear water that makes it appear a vibrant blue.

It’s worth visiting the park any time of year, but winters bring intense snowpack that may close roads and summer risks wildfires that can close the park. However, on a clear summer day, Crater Lake is unlike any place you’ve visited before. 

Beautiful Crater Lake

Have More Time?

We highly recommend venturing into Idaho and western Montana, or even into British Columbia – in fact, there are plenty of place to visit on the drive from Seattle to Vancouver .

If you have more time, try spending an extra day or two in the national parks and cities like Portland or Seattle . There is a lot to see during your 7-day Pacific Northwest road trip, so be sure to plan a trip that works for the speed you want to travel at. 

Take a look at a few highlights to add to your itinerary should you have some time to spare.

Yamhill-Carlton 

Here is a recommendation for those who enjoy wine tasting. The Yamhill-Carlton area is a rising player in the wine industry. Wineries here are specifically known for their Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.

Spend a day exploring a few local wineries and enjoying the lush green rolling hills of Yamhill-Carlton. There are also several wine festivals throughout the summer that are worth the visit if your itinerary aligns. 

The Enchantments

If you’re looking for a challenging hike to round out your time in the PNW, look no further than the Enchantments. You can get permits to camp at the top of the pass, but they are highly competitive. Many people opt to thru-hike the area.

If you’re not interested in a 20-mile day hike with substantial elevation gain, you can hike up to Colchuck Lake to take in the bright blue water and snowy peaks. It’s the most picturesque section of the hike and a favorite by those who make the trek up to see. 

North Cascades National Park

“The North Cascades are calling!” Located just north of Leavenworth are the North Cascades . These impressive mountains are loaded with hikes and vantage points that welcome visitors wholeheartedly.

With more than 3,000 glaciers, bright blue lakes, and snow-kissed peaks, these mountains are well worth the visit. Make sure to explore which hikes you’re interested in doing prior to arrival as some require permits.

The North Cascades are paradise for backcountry hikers. Winter severely limits which parts of the park you can access, so visiting during summer is recommended. Early summer avoids the late summer heat waves and there’s still some snow on the mountains. 

Stunning North Cascades National Park

Whether you have five days, seven days, or more, the Pacific Northwest has a little something for everyone. With so much natural space to explore, unique cities, and geological wonders, it’s hard to decide what to visit first.

Use this route to guide your road trip decisions, but remember to create a trip that caters to your interests and you’re certain to have an unforgettable Pacific Northwest itinerary. 

Are you planning a trip to the Pacific Northwest? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!

pacific northwest camping trip

Related Posts:

Snowy Crater Lake during winter

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Crater Lake in Winter

Beautiful Crater Lake

The Ultimate One Day in Crater Lake Itinerary

Columbia River Gorge along the i-84

10 Best Stops on a Portland to Boise Drive

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About Audrey Webster

Audrey Webster is a writer for The World Was Here First. She is an Oregon native who has visited countries across the globe and currently spends her weekends exploring the Pacific Northwest and surrounding states. Her approach to traveling combines exploring famous tourist sites and wandering off the beaten path to discover new destinations.

Thank you. We like your Pacific Northwest Itinerary, Seattle to Portland and plan to visit our grandson in Eugene on this trip and want to link to scenic route including Mt. Rainer, Mt. St. Helen’s, Crater Lake, Mt. Hood and more. If there is a planning group to contact to help plan a route this would be helpful with hotels and b&b’s in our budget. 3-4 weeks duration.

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  • Trip Styles
  • Destinations

pacific northwest camping trip

  • Trip Destinations
  • Washington Hiking Tours
  • Mount Rainier Hiking Tours
  • Olympic Hiking Tours

Pacific Northwest Basecamp Tour

Seattle, wa, trip highlights.

  • Olympic & Rainier
  • Dramatic Landscapes
  • Waterfalls & Wildflowers
  • Wildlife Habitat
  • Fantastic Outdoor Cuisine
  • 6 Amazing Hikes, 3 in Each Park
  • Pristine Rainforests
  • Rugged Coastlines

Description

Circumnavigate the Olympic Peninsula and explore the breathtaking flanks of Mount Rainier on this 6 day grand camping and hiking tour of Washington State ‘s most beautiful destinations. By day we’ll explore two mountain ranges, one of the highest peaks in America, rugged coasts, and temperate rainforests. We’ll hike through wildflower-laden meadows and deep rain forests; experience waterfalls, wildlife, glaciers, and rugged coastlines. At night we’ll relax in comfortable campgrounds, eat wonderful outdoor meals, sit around campfires (weather permitting) and soak up the great outdoors! We provide transportation (originating in Olympia, WA), nearly all your gear, meals, fees and permits, and professional hiking guides. You can relax and let us take care of everything while we show you the best of the Pacific Northwest!

$2450 Per Person

pacific northwest camping trip

DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2

Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult

Hiking Distances:

pacific northwest camping trip

Backpack Weight:

pacific northwest camping trip

Moderately Rugged

Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:

pacific northwest camping trip

1800-4600 ft

Heights Exposure:

pacific northwest camping trip

Please Note: Terrain, Elevation Gain and Heights Exposure ratings reflect the section or day of the trip with the maximum difficulty of each. Much of the trip is at easier levels. See the trip itinerary for more detailed information.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP

  • Hiking uphill or downhill with a 8-12 lb backpack for 5-7 hours
  • Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain
  • Hiking in snow may be required in the early season

SOLITUDE LEVEL 2

1 least solitude, 5 most solitude

We rate this Olympic and Rainier hiking tour a solitude 2. You can expect as much as an hour of solitude at a time.

  •   Minimum 2 Guests

MINIMUM OF 2 GUESTS

If a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip date or another trip, be refunded your payments in full, or you may have the choice to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer guests. We make the final determination for these trips 4-6 weeks before the departure date, and notify guests of changes and options immediately.

Private Trips

pacific northwest camping trip

Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!

Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.

Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations. 

Private Rates FOr This Trip

  • 2 People: Rate x 2.5
  • 3 People: Rate x 1.75
  • 4-5 People: Rate x 1.5
  • 6-8 People: Rate x 1.25
  • 9-12 People: Rate x 1.15

*all rates are per person

Learn About Our Private Trips

  • Shuttle to the trailhead: 3 hours
  • Hiking Mileage: 5.2 miles
  • Elevation Gain: 1000 feet

This multi-day  Olympic and Rainier hiking tour  begins with pick up at your hotel in Olympia, and drive out to the Olympic Peninsula and Hurricane Ridge. We’ll drive up the Hood Canal, past the scenic islands and waterways of Washington’s Puget Sound, before reaching Port Angeles and climbing up to Hurricane Ridge. After soaking up the views from the Visitor’s Center, we’ll leave the crowds behind and follow Klahane Ridge out towards Mt. Angeles. On a clear day we’ll see across the Straits of Juan de Fuca into Vancouver Island and beyond to our north; the snowy cap of Mt. Baker rising out of the North Cascades to our east, and glaciated Mt. Olympus to our south, and alpine wildflowers. After ample playtime in the mountains, we’ll drive back down to sea level and set up camp on the Sol Duc River, surrounded by moss-covered old growth giants.

  • Shuttle to Trailhead: 4 hours
  • Hiking Mileage: 6-8 miles
  • Elevation Gain/Loss: 200 feet

On day 2, after a hearty breakfast at camp, we’ll head west towards Neah Bay and the Makah Reservation. After parking near our trailhead, we’ll descend through coastal forests for two miles until we reach Shi Shi Beach, one of the most dramatic and beautiful beaches that Washington has to offer. Pounding waves, rugged cliffs, and towering sea stacks await, as well as tidal pools filled with life. Whether you want to play on the beach or continue southward towards the Point of Arches, whether you like sweeping views of intimate tidal pools, Shi Shi Beach has something for everyone. Your guide will serve you a gourmet lunch on the beach and, eventually we will bid farewell to the ocean and head back to the vehicle. On our way back we’ll have a chance to stop by the famous Makah Museum and learn more about the cultural history of Makah people. Afterwards we’ll hop back in the vehicle and head back to camp and dinner.

  • Shuttle to Trailhead: 1.5 hours
  • Hiking Mileage: 6 miles

On day 3 we’ll explore trails along the Sol Duc River. We’ll hike through moss-draped rainforest and towering old growth trees. Elk, deer, bald eagles, banana slugs, and more await us as we investigate this incredible landscape. The three-tiered Sol Duc Falls is our turn-around point, and after crossing a bridge we’ll travel back, stopping at Lover’s Lane Falls and exploring Canyon Creek along the way. We’ll spend one final night at our camp, taking advantage of the Sol Duc Hot Springs nearby.

  • Shuttle to Trailhead: 4.5 hours
  • Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
  • Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,150 feet

Day four marks our transition from the Olympic Peninsula to the Cascades and Mt. Rainier. We’ll pack up camp and drive over to Mt. Rainier. We’ll start our hike with scenic Narada Falls, before climbing gradually through gentle forests and abundance blueberry bushes. We’ll climb past the beautiful Reflection Lakes, aptly named for their stunning mirror-image of Mt. Rainier, up to Faraway Rock with panoramic views of lakes and mountains below. After wrapping up our hike we’ll check in to camp at Cougar Rock Campground. After a delicious dinner, enjoy the stars outside or take in a ranger talk at Longmire or Paradise.

  • Shuttle to Trailhead: 20 minutes
  • Hiking Mileage: 6+ miles
  • Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,800+ feet

The fifth day’s hike takes us through the famous Paradise Meadows of Mt. Rainier, a sub-alpine wonderland of flowers and fragile meadows. We’ll head up the Skyline Trail towards Glacier Vista, with its panoramic views of the Nisqually Glacier, and then continue upward. Our goal is to get past the dramatic views of Panorama Point and as close to Camp Muir as possible, possibly even reaching the famous mountaineering basecamp itself. On our way we’ll keep an eye out for marmots, pikas, mountain goats, and more, while soaking in views of Mt. Rainier and beyond. If the weather cooperates, we could get views of Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Adams, three of the other major stratovolcanoes in the Cascades range. The Paradise area of Mt. Rainier is full of human history, and we’ll have a chance to explore some of it as we poke around the Paradise Lodge and the Visitors’ Center.

  • Hiking Mileage: 4-6 miles
  • Elevation Gain/Loss: 1250-2150 feet
  • Shuttle to Olympia: 2 hours

Our final day takes us up past a serious of torrential waterfalls and a beautiful creek, ending by the magnificent 300 foot drop of Comet Falls. Delicate ferns & subalpine plants, whitewater spray, and polished rock accompany us on this short but steep trail to one of Rainier’s hidden gems. For those who feel bolder, we can continue up and on towards Van Trump Park, a beautiful alpine meadow filled with flowers and open vistas. We’ll enjoy a final picnic lunch, keep an eye out for any last wildlife sightings, and eventually head back to the car. A two hour drive will have us back at your hotel in Olympia where we’ll say our goodbyes, knowing we’ve had an unforgettable 6 days!

Please Note : We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.

Trip Dates & Booking

Trip dates & booking.

Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.

pacific northwest camping trip

AVAILABLE TO BOOK

This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!

pacific northwest camping trip

This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.

pacific northwest camping trip

REQUEST A RESERVATION

This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.

pacific northwest camping trip

Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.

Trip details, what's included.

  • Top-of-the-line tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and day pack
  • Use of trekking poles
  • All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
  • Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See  Guide Bios .
  • Comprehensive, roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Olympia and back
  • All entrance fees, permits and passes
  • Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
  • Mandatory 3% national park fee that passes through directly to Olympic NP

What's Not Included

  • Clothes, raingear, and footwear ( see recommendations )
  • Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
  • Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
  • Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)

Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.

Meals: What to Expect

All of our hiking and backpacking tours include a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We carry foods that travel well in the backcountry – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, couscous, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola, and more.

For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables (fresh and dried). In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.

We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.

Gear We Provide

We provide all group gear which includes the following:

  • Deuter or Osprey backpacks
  • Sierra Designs, Kelty or Big Agnes tents
  • Sierra Designs, Kelty, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware sleeping bags
  • Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
  • Leki trekking poles
  • Cooking stoves and cookware
  • Company-issued first-aid kit
  • Emergency communication device(s)

Guest Packing List

When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip ( click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.

Additionally, some guests choose to bring their own sleeping bag. We supply high quality, synthetic fill bags that are professionally laundered after every trip. Synthetic fill is non-allergenic, insulates when damp and stands up well to repeated washings, but is heavier and bulkier than down. If you’re able to bring your own  down  sleeping bag, there are  multiple benefits . If not, we’ve got you covered!

Trip Logistics

How do i register.

Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can  click here  to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.

Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!

Where Do We Meet?

Your guide will conduct a virtual orientation meeting (via conference call) at 5:00 PM the evening before your trip begins to review the packing list, communicate the first day’s logistics and answer any last minute questions you have. Your guide will give you the phone number for this call during the pre-trip contact approximately 10 days before your trip start date.

Early on the morning of Day 1 your guide will pick you up from your accommodations in Olympia, WA.

Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.

Travel to Olympia

The most common way to reach Olympia is by flying into Seattle and renting a vehicle or shuttling to Olympia (approximately 1 hour). SeaTac (Seattle-Tacoma) Airport is one of the most easily accessed destinations in the country. Many major cities in the United States and internationally offer direct flights into Seattle.

The shuttle to Olympia is provided by Premier Airport Shuttle. Go to https://premierairportshuttle.com/olympia/ or call 800-962-3579 to make reservations.

Start/End Times

Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 5 and 8 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).

Safety Precautions

Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.

If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at  1-800-715-HIKE (4453)  for more information.

Essential Eligibility Criteria

Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”)  have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.

Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the  EEC  and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please  contact us  prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.

The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.

Guide Working Parameters

Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms  uninterrupted  for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.

Age Restrictions

Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:

  • 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
  • 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis

Weather in The Pacific Northwest

This trip covers a dramatic diversity of terrain from seashores to rainforests to alpine peaks and glaciers. The weather will be largely dependent on which ecosystem you’re at the moment hiking in, so it’s best to be prepared for a range of temperatures and conditions. Read below for average high and low temperatures in different parts of the Pacific Northwest:

  • Accommodations

pacific northwest camping trip

Premier Campgrounds

On our basecamp tours we hand pick wonderful campgrounds that put us right in the action for exceptional hiking and camping vacations. They may be national park, state park, or private vehicle-accessible campgrounds. They may vary by trip date depending on availability and seasonality.

pacific northwest camping trip

Fantastic Meals

Basecamp trips include meals for the duration of the tours beginning with breakfast the first day through lunch the final day. Meals are prepared by your guide(s) using fresh ingredients, exclusive Wildland recipes, and we adhere to all department of health outdoor cooking codes.

pacific northwest camping trip

Comfortable Camping

Camping amenities.

What amenities do basecamp tours include? Cold and hot drinks, campfires (where/when allowed), camp chairs, fresh food, roomy tents, comfortable sleeping pads, comfy sleeping bags, camp pillows and more! Camp comfortably, eat like royalty, and hike til your heart’s content!

Trip Reviews

Average customer ratings:.

  • 4.9 (24 reviews)
  • Most recent

Have never been disappointed

I have been on three Wildland trips and have never been disappointed. The guides have been the best. My most recent trip Nina Groom and Rachel Kleiman adjusted the original plan to make sure the weather cooperated with spectacular views of Mt Rainier. I recommend Wildland to all my family and friends. There will be more trips in the future for sure.

Insights of the National Parks

This is my third trip with Wildland. Nina and Rachel took care of us very well. The meals were great. Their knowledge of the area gave us a lot of insights of the national parks in the Pacific Northwest. Wildland’s equipments from the sleeping bag to pillow were great, gave us comfort while camping in the parks.

Nina and Rachel have a passion for being outdoors and did a great job leading us through our hikes. The food was great.

See All Guest Reviews!

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Pacific Northwest Tours & Vacations

View of Arch Cape att sunset, with blue and purple sky and waves crashing, Oregon, USA

If you think the Pacific Northwest is all hiking, coffee and craft beer...

you'd be absolutely correct. But it's some of the best hiking, coffee and craft beer in North America . Encompassing Washington, Oregon and parts of Canada's British Columbia, the Pacific Northwest is known for its impressive glacier-laced mountain ranges, rugged coastlines, perpetually green forests and quirky cities. While the region does have a bit of a rainy reputation, you'll never be far from a hot cup of coffee; Seattle is the birthplace of Starbucks, after all. PNW locals cherish their outdoor activities, so lace up your hiking boots and grab your reusable mug... it's time to explore the best of the "Upper Left."

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Pacific Northwest travel FAQs

Do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

What to pack for a trip to the Pacific Northwest

What to pack for the Pacific Northwest depends on what time of year you're travelling and what you're planning on doing. Comfortable walking shoes are a must for all destinations, and layers are always a good idea (even in the summertime) as the weather can change quickly in all seasons.

Hiking trips require proper trekking gear: a mixture of lightweight, quick-drying clothing, properly fitting hiking boots and sun protection. To avoid buying plastic, a water bottle or bladder/hose system to refill along the way is a must.

Before travelling, it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the ‘Packing’ section of the Essential Trip Information for the tour you’re interested in, especially if you're joining a   walking, hiking or trekking trip .

Are Intrepid trips accessible for travelers with disabilities?

We are committed to making travel widely  accessible , regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations. 

We are always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Table of contents

8 Iconic Pacific Northwest Backpacking Trips

pacific northwest camping trip

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pacific northwest camping trip

The Pacific Northwest is an adventure junkie’s paradise. It’s a breathtakingly diverse playground of craggy granite peaks, high alpine lakes, meadows socked with wildflowers, a rugged windswept coastline, and more shades of green than your eyeballs can handle.

With so many stunning trails to choose from, it can sometimes be tough to settle on the next one. That’s why we put together this list of our personal favorite Pacific Northwest backpacking trips. These are some of the most iconic and spectacular trails the PNW has to offer, so dust off your pack and add one of these gems to your summer adventure list.

Wonderland Trail

pacific northwest camping trip

  • Length : 93 miles
  • Days needed : 8-13 days (most people take around 10 days)
  • Location : Mount Rainier National Park, WA
  • Best time to hike : Late July to mid-September
  • Difficulty : Strenuous

The Wonderland trail circumnavigates massive and spectacular Mount Rainier over the course of 93 miles. It’s a very challenging hike, with over 23,000 feet of elevation change, but the rewards are plentiful. With breathtaking glacier views, wildflower meadows, pristine lakes, and miles of lush rainforests, the ever-changing landscape of the Wonderland Trail will not disappoint.

Permits for this very popular hike can be secured in advance through a yearly lottery system, though the park does save some permits for walk-in travelers.

Wonderland Maps & Guides

  • CleverHiker Wonderland Trail Backpacking Guide – Our quick guide to assist you in planning your trip around Rainier.
  • FarOut Wonderland Trail Guide – This popular app has user-generated comments on water sources, campsites, and important landmarks.
  • Wilderness Trip Planning Map – This basic map from the National Park Service will give you a general idea of campsite locations and the distances between them.
  • Green Trails Map 269S – Mount Rainier Wonderland – This is a fantastic map for hiking the Wonderland Trail. It’s a detailed topographical map that’s ideal for use along the trail.
  • Hiking the Wonderland Book – A complete guide to the Wonderland by a Washington native that’s hiked the trail seven times. An excellent source of information.
  • Plan & Go Wonderland Book – A comprehensive guide that contains everything you need to know for hiking the 93-mile Wonderland Trail.
  • Backpacking Washington Book – This hike is covered in the Backpacking Washington book as well, just not in quite as much detail.

TIMBERLINE TRAIl

pacific northwest camping trip

  • Length : ~40 miles
  • Days needed : 3-5 days (most people complete the loop in 4 days)
  • Location : Mount Hood Area, OR
  • Best time to hike : End of July to late September

The Timberline Trail around Mt. Hood is one of Oregon’s most iconic and scenic trails. This 40-mile loop is a fantastic way to experience the immense size and beauty of Mt. Hood. On the Timberline you’ll encounter lush old-growth forests, pristine alpine waterfalls, wildflower-filled meadows, towering craggy glaciers, rough volcanic landscapes, and some of the finest cascade views around. The hiking certainly won’t be easy, with plenty of ups and downs along the way, but in the end, the rewards are well worth it.

Timberline Maps & Guides

  • CleverHiker Timberline Trail Backpacking Guide – Our complete guide to hiking the Timberline Trail.
  • FarOut Timberline Trail Guide – A smartphone app with all the user-generated info you need for navigating the Timberline Trail.
  • Green Trails Map 462SX – Mt Hood Climbing Map – This is an excellent, detailed map for the Timberline Trail.

Backpacking Oregon – This hike is covered in depth in the Backpacking Oregon book.

ENCHANTMENT LAKES

pacific northwest camping trip

  • Length : 19 miles from Stuart Lakes Trailhead to Snow Lakes Trailhead
  • Days needed : 3-4 days to explore the entire area
  • Location : Leavenworth, WA
  • Best time to hike : Permit timeframe is May 15th – October 31st

Washington’s Enchantment Lakes are a truly magical sight to see. They reside in an area where immense granite peaks, majestic mountain goats, and crystal clear alpine lakes are hidden around every corner. Be ready for big climbs and jagged peaks along well-maintained trails. For the ambitious hiker, there are some incredible side trips, such as the can’t-miss climb to the top of Little Annapurna for jaw-dropping panoramic views. This area won’t be too crowded because of the strict permitting process, but securing overnight permits during peak season will require good luck. This hike should be on every backpackers bucket list.

Enchantments Maps & Guides

  • CleverHiker Enchantment Lakes Backpacking Guide – Our complete guide to backpacking the Enchantment Lakes.
  • Green Trails Enchantments Map 209s – This is an excellent, detailed map for the Enchantment Lakes area.
  • Backpacking Washington – This hike is covered in depth in the Backpacking Washington book.

WALLOWA RIVER LOOP

pacific northwest camping trip

  • Length : 36 miles
  • Days needed : 4-5 days
  • Location : Wallawa-Whitman National Forest – Eagle Cap Wilderness, OR
  • Best time to hike : Late July to September
  • Difficulty : Moderate to difficult

The Wallowa Mountain Range is one of the finest areas to backpack in Oregon. This loop will take you through the stunning (and popular) Lakes Basin Area and over some breathtaking mountain passes. Over the course of this loop you’ll encounter crystal clear lakes and streams, wildflower-socked meadows, and granite peaks that will make you wonder if you’re still in Oregon. There are also worthy side trips to the summit of Eagle Cap and Matterhorn that will further solidify your appreciation for the Wallowas. Although this trail sees its fair share of hikers, it’s still well worth the trip.

Wallowa Maps & Guides

  • CleverHiker Wallowa River Loop Backpacking Guide – Our complete guide to backpacking the Wallowa River Loop. There are two main topo maps for this area – the Imus Geographics and U.S. Forest Service maps .
  • Hiking Oregon’s Eagle Cap Wilderness – A practical and thorough book about Eagle Cap trails that’s complete with maps, descriptions, elevation profiles, and photos.

HIGH DIVIDE – SEVEN LAKES BASIN LOOP

pacific northwest camping trip

  • Length : 19 mile loop
  • Days needed : 2-4 days
  • Location : Olympic National Park, WA
  • Best time to hike : Mid-July to September
  • Difficulty : Moderate
  • Note : Bear canisters  are required for this hike.

Olympic National Park has some of the most stunningly diverse backpacking trails in the Pacific Northwest and the High Divide Trail is one of it’s most scenic. Though this trek is incredibly beautiful, it’s definitely not a secret. This trail winds its way through old growth forests as you climb into dramatic high alpine scenery. Once you reach the lakes basin, you will be spoiled with pristine pools, gorgeous meadows, and stunning views of Mt. Olympus.

Permits are limited for overnight camping between May 1st and September 30th, but there are also some permits given on a first-come, first-served basis. And if you really want to go all out, you can end your trek with a visit to the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort to rest those weary bones.

High Divide Maps & Guides

  • Best Hike High Divide Loop Guide – A great blog post with detailed information on everything you need to know before hitting the trail.
  • Green Trails Map 133S – This is an excellent, detailed map for the the Seven Lakes Basin.

National Geographic Map – This is a detailed map of the entire Olympic National Park.If you want an all-encompassing map and don’t mind carrying the extra bulk, this is a good resource.

Hiking Olympic National Park – This is a great resource that covers 66 of the best trails the ONP has to offer, ranging from day hikes to multi-day backpacking trips.

Three Sisters Loop

pacific northwest camping trip

  • Length : ~50 miles, depending on trailhead
  • Days needed : 3-6 days
  • Location : Three Sisters Wilderness, OR
  • Best time to hike : Late July to October

This 50-mile loop circles the North, Middle, and South Sister volcanoes, providing a fantastic array of diverse terrain. Take this amazing journey and wander through rugged volcanic landscapes complete with expansive pumice fields, pristine melt lakes, quiet old-growth forests, newly recovering burn areas, peaceful wildflower meadows, and glossy obsidian streams. This is truly an Oregon adventure not to be missed.

Three Sisters Maps & Guides

CleverHiker Three Sisters Loop Backpacking Guide – Our complete guide to hiking the Three Sisters Loop.

Green Trails Maps 622 SX – This is an excellent, detailed maps for the Three Sisters Loop.

GOAT ROCKS – GOAT LAKE LOOP

pacific northwest camping trip

  • Length : 13.5 miles (additional miles along the PCT will add time but is well worth it.)
  • Days needed : 2-3 days
  • Location : Goat Rocks Wilderness, OR
  • Best time to hike : July to October

With panoramic views of St. Helens, Rainier and Adams, the Goat Lake Loop is an ideal backpacking trip for those with limited time. Traverse through wildflower meadows and rocky ridges as you ascend to beautiful and frigid Goat Lake. There are a few epic campsites on the ridge near Goat Lake, but you may have to get there early to snag one. If you have more time, set up a basecamp near Snowgrass Flats and hike north along the Pacific Crest Trail. That’s where you’ll find some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in the area: mountain vistas in all directions with a knife ridge hike and, if you’re lucky, mountain goats.

Goat Rocks Maps & Guides

  • Oregon Hikers – Goat Lake Loop – This is a great play-by-play description of the Goat Lake Loop with information on mileage, a map, and trip reports.
  • Green Trails Map 303S – A detailed backpacking map of the Goat Rocks Area.

Olympic Coast Trail

pacific northwest camping trip

  • Length : Varies (73 miles of possible trails)
  • Days needed : Varies
  • Location : Olympic National Park Coastal Area, WA
  • Best time to hike : Year round, weather permitting. Winter storms can elevate tides and make beach walking hazardous, so closely monitor weather reports before your hike.
  • Note : Bear canisters are required for this hike. Also, carry a tide chart and know how to read it when camping along the coast.

Many people visiting the Olympic National Park choose to hike into the Hoh Rain Forest or climb into the glaciated peaks surrounding Mt. Olympus. While both of those trips are awe-inspiring in their own right, don’t discount the unique experience of backpacking along the Olympic Coast. You will see wild desolate beaches, endless sea stacks, and daunting headlands with the chance to spot starfish and sea anemones in tide pools along the way. These 73 miles of rugged, undeveloped coastline are uniquely challenging, but very rewarding. Hike from one deserted beach to the next through a series of overland trails, many of which employ ropes and ladders to help you climb the eroded embankments.

Camping is permitted along the coast, except between the Quillayute River and Ellen Creek. The area between Shi Shi Beach and Ozette is the most stunning, however if you venture farther away you’ll find more solitude. Along the coast there are some forested campsites and you can also camp on the beach, just make absolutely certain you’re well above the high tide line.

National Park Service: Olympic Coast Routes – Our favorite source of information on various coastal routes and trails.

Backpacking Washington – Hikes along the Olympic National Park coastal regions are covered in depth in the Backpacking Washington book as well.

Green Trails Maps 98S , 130S , and 163S – Once you decide which portion of the coastal route you are going to tackle, pick the corresponding map and you should be good to go.

PNW Backpacking Considerations

Leave no trace.

No matter where your next adventure takes you, please follow wilderness regulations and help keep our wild spaces pristine for years to come. Leave no trace y’all.

DIFFICULTY RATING

Difficulty depends on your experience, physical fitness, pack weight, trail conditions, and weather. It’s nearly impossible for us to make individual difficulty recommendations without knowing you, so please think about those considerations when planning your hike.

PACKING LIGHT

We love lightweight backpacking because it makes hiking more enjoyable. And in the PNW, keeping your pack light makes a huge difference on climbs and descents. Our gear guides are dedicated to recommending exceptional lightweight equipment to help minimize pack weight and maximize comfort.

Many of the trails on this list are iconic and therefore popular. Hiking during the week or outside of peak season will reduce the number of travelers you see on the trail. Having said that, the wilderness is far from Portland or Seattle, so you’ll have plenty of time to yourself as well.

The trails listed in this guide are generally well-maintained and well-marked. That said, you should always carry a topographical map and compass in the wilderness and know how to use them. If you need a navigation refresher, check out our video tutorials, Navigation #1 – Staying Found, and Navigation #2 – Map, Compass, & GPS.

July and August are generally great for wildflowers in the Pacific Northwest, but that’s also the time when mosquitoes will be the worst. Use a combination of permethrin on your clothing and a small amount of 30% DEET for full protection.

Black bears are common in the Pacific Northwest, so proper food storage is very important. You’re less likely to see bears on popular trails, but there will still be small critters trying to get into your food supply, and they’ll happily chew through your expensive gear to get after it. Make sure to carry a food storage container or know how to hang a bear bag properly. Bear canisters and Ursacks are the most effective and easiest storage methods. Remember: proper food storage is for the safety of you and the bears.

It’s no secret that it rains a lot in the PNW. That’s the main reason it’s so green and lush, but continuous rain can also be a major bummer on backcountry trips. Hypothermia is a very real danger when hiking in the rain, so learning how to stay safe, dry, and happy in the rain is a key PNW skill. Pay close attention to the weather forecast before your trip and always be prepared for wet weather. And if you need some fresh gear, check out our guides on rain jackets and rain pants .

BACKPACKING BOOKS

The Backpacking Oregon and Backpacking Washington books are two of our favorite resources for Pacific Northwest trip planning. They feature detailed information on the iconic trails in this article as well as some lesser known yet equally worthy hikes. If you find yourself in the PNW backcountry often, find a space on your bookshelf for both.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this list of our favorite Pacific Northwest backpacking trips. We absolutely love exploring the PNW and we hope these treks help you do the same. Please remember to hike responsibly and help preserve our beautiful wild spaces for generations to come.

pacific northwest camping trip

Why trust us?

We understand how tough it is to find trustworthy gear advice, and that’s one of the main reasons we built CleverHiker. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously.

  • Our recommendations are completely independent and based on hands-on experience.
  • We test outdoor gear for a living – we’ve logged over 20,000 trail miles and 1,000 nights in the wilderness.
  • Our team has thru-hiked some of the most iconic long trails, including the Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, Colorado Trail, Long Trail, Oregon Coast Trail, Arizona Trail, Pinhoti Trail, Superior Hiking Trail, as well as extensive peak bagging, and international treks.
  • We field test every product we recommend, which is sadly not the norm.
  • We travel to industry trade shows to stay up-to-date on product innovations.
  • We continuously update our guides throughout the year and when new products launch.
  • We treat recommendations to our readers as if they were for our family and friends.
  • We’re lifelong learners and we’re always open to feedback. If you think we’ve missed a worthy product or got something wrong, we’d love to know about it.

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6 Pacific Northwest Camping Spots You'll Never Want to Leave

The Pacific Northwest is known for its weather, its greenery, and its often quirky population . It's where the modern coffee shop revival began, the birthplace of grunge, and where literal jet-setting companies were founded . There's just something about the PNW that people gravitate toward, whether for a weekend or a lifetime. And, befitting its place in the cultural landscape, many visitors opt for a Pacific Northwest camping adventure.

Yes, there is perhaps no better place in the country to get away from it all, whether "it all" is work, the summer heat, or the hustle and bustle of modern life. However you choose to define what you're escaping from, a PNW camping excursion is just what you need to rest and recharge. But where to go to have the best possible time? Your choices are many.

The Best Pacific Northwest Camping Spots

The Pacific Northwest is treasured for the multitude of camping opportunities dotting the region's coastline and forests. Whether you're looking for the best campgrounds in Washington or the best campgrounds in Oregon, it's almost too hard to choose one over another… but here's a list to help you get started.

1. Olympic National Park - Washington

Located 60 miles from Seattle, Olympic National Park (located on the Olympic Peninsula) is an RV camper's dream. At over 922,000 acres, Olympic National Park has all you could want in one place: beaches, forests, lakes, wildlife, and more. Of course, there is the rain to contend with; Olympic National Park gets a whole lot of it — sometimes averaging hundreds of inches of rainfall per year. But the weather just adds to the accumulation of memories you can make in this PNW camping hotspot.

2. Fort Stevens State Park - Oregon

What to see in Fort Stevens State Park, nestled at the northwestern tip of Oregon, at the mouth of the Columbia River? Well, for starters, how about a sunset photo with one of the most publicly-accessible shipwrecks in the world ? Or, maybe you just want to go whale-watching instead? There's also hiking to do and, of course, RV camping to enjoy within Fort Stevens State Park 's 4,300 acres.

3. Cape Disappointment State Park - Washington

Named for an ill-fated voyage of exploration in the late 1700s, Cape Disappointment State Park, in southern Washington is a lot of things but one thing it certainly is not is a disappointment. With beautiful windswept cliffs, photogenic lighthouses, and crashing waves, you'll leave a weekend of RV camping at Cape Disappointment wanting to go back. While there, take the time to learn about how the Lewis & Clark expedition opened up the country, but also affected local Native American peoples.

4. Harris Beach State Park - Oregon

Located along the southern Oregon coast, Harris Beach State Park offers year-round camping at many campgrounds and loops (some are closed for the winter). You can reserve a spot up to six months in advance , meaning you can be sure you'll have a spot for your RV rental . Then, you'll be able to have your own beachside picnic, see the biggest island on the Oregon coast, and catch sight of varied wildlife (such as sea lions, gray whales, and more!).

5. North Cascades National Park - Washington

The North Cascades region is one of the snowiest places on Earth . And, lucky you, you can see and experience it for yourself! There are over 300 glaciers in North Cascades National Park and hundreds of miles of trails to set out on. In addition, there is no shortage of mountains to see; the natural beauty is truly breathtaking and inspired some of Jack Kerouac's writing, along with some of the poetry and thoughts of Philip Whalen.

6. Crater Lake National Park - Oregon

6 Pacific Northwest Camping Spots You'll Never Want to Leave

Have a PNW Camping Adventure With Cruise America!

Once you've tasted PNW camping in an RV, there's a good chance you won't want to enjoy the great outdoors anywhere else, in any other way. Don't believe it? Well, if you're keen on seeing what a Pacific Northwest camping adventure holds in store for you and if it lives up to the hype, then it's way past time to get in touch with Cruise America .

All of the Pacific Northwest can be at your beck and call with a Cruise America RV rental . You can camp at the best campgrounds in Washington in a Cruise rental RV, or make the best campgrounds in Oregon your home away from home in an RV from Cruise America. To see how Cruise can get you on the road to the PNW, visit Cruise America or call us today.

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How to Plan an Incredible Pacific Northwest Road Trip

Looking to plan an amazing Pacific Northwest road trip? You’re in the right place. We live in Portland, Oregon, and we regularly venture north from our home base in Oregon to explore every corner of the Pacific Northwest (some corners more than others). 

Some of our favorite memories from the past few years (including when we spent the better part of a summer living in a van road tripping around Oregon and Washington) were made in the northwest corner of the US. 

In this detailed guide, we’re going to go over a perfect road trip itinerary that takes you to a bunch of our favorite places in the Pacific Northwest over the course of 14 magical days. 

Have more or less time than that? Have no fear, we’ve got ideas on how to structure a trip with more and less time below the main itinerary, and you can use the details in the main itinerary to help you plan out your trip. 

In this complete guide to planning your Pacific Northwest itinerary, we’re going to give you the logistics you need to know – when to visit and our recommended route – along with a mini guide to each place on the itinerary. 

That mini guide will have information like what to do and where to stay – all based on our own experiences exploring the Pacific Northwest – along with links to more in-depth content we’ve written on the destination. 

In each “where to stay” section, we’ll give you options for camping (which is what we usually do) and not camping, which we recognize is what the vast majority of people prefer. 

Finally, at the end, we’ll give you some ideas on how to shorten or lengthen the itinerary to fit your particular trip. 

Sound good to you? This guide is super detailed, full of our tips and favorite places based on our extensive experience exploring the Pacific Northwest, which means it’s LONG. 

Strap yourself in, grab a cup of coffee (or beer or wine, no judgment here), and let’s get to exploring!

Note : As you get into the Oregon section of the itinerary, you’re going to see links to a different website called Oregon Obsessed . That’s our side project where we dive deeper into our adopted home state, and we put the same level of care and thought into our guides on that site.

pacific northwest camping trip

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

How Many Days Do You Need to Explore the Pacific Northwest?

First of all, there’s something you need to know before we get into this guide. The Pacific Northwest is BIG. 

Did you know that Oregon is the 9th largest state by area in the United States? We live here in Oregon, and that fact surprised us when we first came across it. 

From the southern border of Oregon up to Vancouver, B.C., it’s a ten hour drive. Which means you’re going to have to make some choices on what to see and skip, which is why we’re here!

For the purposes of this guide, we’re only talking about Oregon, Washington State, and British Columbia, which means we’re excluding Idaho, which is usually included, but doesn’t make sense from a travel time perspective. 

To tackle the itinerary as written below, which is our version of the “best” itinerary with limited time, you’re going to need 14 days at a minimum. 

Even with two full weeks, you’re going to be hard pressed to fit everything in, and are going to need to save some places for a return trip. 

If you have seven days or less , we’d strongly recommend focusing your time on EITHER Oregon or Washington. Lucky for you, we have guides to planning an Oregon road trip and a Washington State road trip to help you plan those trips. 

If you have 10 days , we’d focus on the corridor between Seattle and Portland, including Mount Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park in Washington, and the Columbia River Gorge and Oregon Coast in Oregon. 

If you’re blessed with more time, we have plenty of ideas on what to add in the “with more time” section below the main itinerary.

Our top recommendation if you have three weeks is to add a week between Seattle and Vancouver , which was a tough thing for us to cut because we love that stretch. You can find that in the “with more time” section below. 

Our goal here is to give you the information you need to make the most of your limited time, which means making some hard choices on what to do (and what not to do). 

In the road trip itinerary below, we’ve done our best to make choices on what to see and what to skip based on our own experience and knowledge of the Pacific Northwest. 

For example, we’ve dedicated two days to the Paradise region at Mount Rainier, and relegated the Sunrise region to the “more time” section because it’s too time-consuming to get between them.

Where to Start and End Your Road Trip?

First, you should know that there are three main airports in the Pacific Northwest – Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Portland International Airport (PDX) , and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) .

Since we’re focusing on Washington State and Oregon in this guide, it makes the most sense to fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and out of Portland International Airport (PDX).

To make the most of your time, for this itinerary we suggest flying into one of those and flying out of the other so that you don’t have to waste time driving back to the airport you flew into. 

We’ve chosen to have you fly into Seattle and out of Portland here, but you can easily flip it around and do it the other way if that happens to work better for you.

The other option, which makes sense if you’re including Bend on your trip, would be to fly into Seattle and out of Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) , which services the Bend area. 

There are pros and cons to that approach – there will be fewer flight options, they will be more expensive, and they will likely have a connection (in either Portland or Seattle). 

If you do choose to do that, you’d just move Portland and Mount Hood up before Bend, which is totally doable. It would go Rainier – Portland – Columbia River Gorge – Mount Hood – Bend. 

What is the Best Time to Do This Road Trip?

We normally put this section down below the detailed itinerary, but we’ve had enough people ask us about the weather and conditions in the Pacific Northwest that we realized this needs to be up front. 

The best time to do this road trip as written below is between July and October. 

The reason is that the unique geography of the Pacific Northwest means that there is a very specific “best time” to do this road trip as written.

Because many of the places we’ve mentioned are in the Cascade Range – the mountains that form the spine of Washington and Oregon – some pieces of this itinerary are essentially inaccessible for large chunks of the year. 

Between late October and June (though exact timing depends on the year), the following areas will be largely inaccessible: Mount Rainier National Park, Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park, and Mount Hood (plus North Cascades National Park, which are in the “more time” section). 

If you’re planning to visit outside of that timeframe, we have some good news. There are plenty of places worth visiting in the Pacific Northwest outside of the summer season. 

You’ll still be able to use the itinerary below (plus the “more time” section below it) to put together a pretty incredible road trip, though you’ll have to skip some of the places in the mountains. 

The Road Trip Route

The main issue you’re working against here when you’re planning your route is that the Seattle to Portland corridor – which is where the region’s two main airports are located – is a relatively small part of the broader two states we’re talking about. 

That, combined with the fact that both states are bigger than you think, means that there are going to be some long drives in your future no matter which way you slice it. 

For example, Portland to Crater Lake is somewhere around a five hour drive, depending on traffic and conditions. 

Here is how we’d spend your time. There will be some long days of driving, but that’s going to be the reality if you want to make it to some of these places. 

  • Day 1: Arrive in Seattle
  • Day 2: Seattle 
  • Day 3: Olympic National Park (Lake Crescent + Hurricane Ridge)
  • Day 4: Olympic National Park (Pacific Coast + Hoh Rainforest)
  • Day 5: Mount Rainier National Park (Paradise) 
  • Day 6: Mount Rainier National Park (Paradise)
  • Day 7: The Columbia River Gorge + Hood River
  • Day 8: The Columbia River Gorge + Hood River
  • Day 9: Bend 
  • Day 10: Bend
  • Day 11: Mount Hood
  • Day 12: Mount Hood
  • Day 13: Portland
  • Day 14: Portland + Fly Home

Here’s what that meandering route looks like on a map so you can visualize what we’re talking about. 

Of course, that’s just the base itinerary that we’d recommend. The exact route you take is going to depend on your particular interests, what time of year you’re visiting, and more factors than we can possibly take into account here. 

We have ideas for shorter and longer itineraries below the main itinerary if you have more or less time. 

One note on the balance of cities vs. nature . We’ve intentionally slanted this itinerary towards nature because that’s what we think makes the Pacific Northwest special. However, you could just as easily cut one or two nature destinations to give yourself extra time in Portland and Seattle, which are both well worth at least 2-3 days, given unlimited time. It depends on what you’re into!

How to Plan an Amazing 14 Day Pacific Northwest Road Trip Itinerary

Now that we’ve covered the important logistics, let’s get into the detailed itinerary!

We’ll do our best to give you all the information you need to plan YOUR road trip through the Pacific Northwest, but if we miss something or you have more questions, leave us a comment below and we’ll do our best to either answer your question, or point you to someone who can.

Days 1-2: Seattle

pacific northwest camping trip

Any way you slice it, your trip is most likely going to start in Seattle, even if it’s just to snag your rental car and immediately head out to the wilderness. 

Now, we recognize that you’re likely coming to the Pacific Northwest to experience its natural beauty. Which is why you’ll find that this itinerary is slanted heavily towards the outdoors. 

However, allow us to make a suggestion for your trip. We highly recommend bookending your trip with 1-2 days in Seattle and Portland – which are beautiful cities full of greenery, mountain views, and great food and drinks. 

Seattle is set right on Elliott Bay, with views of the snow capped peak of Mount Rainier (which you’ll get to see up close later in the road trip!) from various vantage points. 

I, Matt, grew up in the Seattle area, went to college in Seattle, and lived there for a few years before taking a brief detour to California with plans to return to the Pacific Northwest. 

I still spend a fair amount of time in Seattle – my entire family lives there – and am consistently flabbergasted by how different the city looks today than, say, 20 years ago. The development and amount of wealth that has flowed into Seattle with the rise of the tech industry is astounding, and the city is experiencing the associated growing pains (like traffic and a housing crisis). 

I know I’m biased, but Seattle is a beautiful city with a diverse food scene and great cultural attractions that is well worth a couple of days of your limited time. 

What to Do in Seattle

You’re going to have somewhere between one and two days in the city, and we’d roughly split your time in half, spending half of your time in the downtown core where the main tourist attractions are (Pike Place Market and the Seattle Center), and half of your time exploring Seattle’s neighborhoods (like Capitol Hill and Ballard), which are where we think the city really shines. 

Here are some of our favorite things to do in Seattle, in no particular order. 

Experience Pike Place Market: There are certain tourist attractions around the world – like the Colosseum in Rome or the Louvre in Paris – that are very, very popular, and we’d say that it’s worth braving the crowds for the experience. That’s how we feel about Pike Place Market. Is it “touristy?” Certainly, yes. Is it a key element of any Seattle itinerary ? Also yes. It’s worth coming relatively early to beat some of the crowds. We’d skip the gum wall, which is downright disgusting if you really stop to think about it, and instead spend your time on the food and drink vendors in and around the market. Walk through the market and check out the vendors selling everything from candied nuts to flowers, and of course, the flying salmon. Stop by Rachel’s Ginger Beer , Beecher’s Cheese (their flagship cheese is one of my top three all time favorites), and Ellenos Frozen Greek Yogurt while you’re there. To go a level deeper, take this awesome guided tour of Pike Place with a Local Chef .

Seek out the Best View in Seattle: No, it’s not the Space Needle. In fact, we don’t think you should go to the top of the Space Needle. It’s a nice view, sure, but it’s ridiculously expensive AND it’s missing the most distinctive element of the Seattle skyline…the Space Needle. Instead, head just up the hill to Kerry Park, a free public park with a show stopping view of Seattle’s skyline, including the Space Needle, Mount Rainier, and Elliott Bay. You can find it here on Google Maps.  

The Museum of Pop Culture: Formerly the Experience Music Project (EMP), this is where Matt had his senior prom wayyyyy back when. It’s a cool space, and the focus is still mostly on Seattle’s influence in the global music scene with bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, along with some Jimi Hendrix thrown in. There are als sections of the museum focused on other mediums, like movie production and sci-fi and fantasy. It’s a little pricey, but it’s our favorite attraction at the Seattle Center. 

Learn About Seattle’s History in a Unique Setting: A little quirky and offbeat, kind of like Seattle, the Underground Tour is worth doing while you’re in Pioneer Square. The tour guides are funny, and you get to learn about the history of Seattle from a slightly different perspective. 

Wander Capitol Hill: Capitol Hill is the most convenient of Seattle’s cool neighborhoods, sitting just across the freeway from downtown Seattle. It’s packed full of interesting spots to stop in, whether you’re looking for vegan ice cream or a unique boutique selling who knows what. Pound-for-pound, it’s probably the best place to eat and drink in the city. 

Explore Ballard: Ballard is a little less convenient than Capitol Hill, but we think it’s worth the journey and it’s the neighborhood where we find ourselves drawn to most often when we’re in Seattle. The highlight, by far, is the Ballard Farmers Market on Sunday mornings – if you’re in town on Sunday, absolutely do not miss it. We love Root Plants for coffee, Miro Tea for tea (it’s Alysha’s favorite spot in Seattle), and 8oz Burger for food, among a myriad of other fun spots.  Ballard Ave NW is where most of the action is. 

pacific northwest camping trip

Where to Stay in Seattle

If you’re only in town for a couple of nights, we’d make sure to stay centrally, which means staying somewhere in the downtown core of Downtown Seattle , Belltown , or South Lake Union . 

Keep in mind that if you’re renting a car, street parking is nonexistent. 

You’ll need to either park at your hotel and pay a premium, park at a parking garage in downtown Seattle near your hotel (ask the hotel if they have any recommendations – do not leave ANYTHING in the vehicle ), or wait to rent a car until you’re on your way to your next stop. 

Given limited time, it probably makes the most sense to pony up for parking for a couple of days to streamline things. 

We have stayed at – and recommend – the CitizenM in South Lake Union . 

It’s within walking distance (~15 minutes to Pike Place Market or Seattle Center) to most of the sights you’re going to want to see, the rooms are modern and comfortable, and the staff are super friendly. We’ve stayed in three different CitizenM hotels in the past year, and love them. 

pacific northwest camping trip

If you’re interested, you can read more about our stay at the CitizenM South Lake Union . 

Some other hotels we’d recommend are the Ace Hotel Seattle (the original Ace Hotel – we stayed there a few years back and it’s a great location), the State Hotel (a boutique hotel around the corner from Pike Place Market), and Hôtel Ändra (a Scandinavian-inspired boutique hotel in Belltown). 

Days 3-4: Olympic National Park

pacific northwest camping trip

Drive Time & Distance: 2 hours and 23 minutes // 82 miles

Situated at the northwestern corner of the contiguous United States, Olympic National Park is the most diverse of the three national parks in Washington State in terms of landscapes. 

Within the park, which sprawls out over the Olympic Peninsula, you have several distinct ecosystems, including alpine sections, rocky beaches, and the world-famous coastal temperate rainforests that thrive in the mild, wet weather in this part of the world. 

One note here: We’d strongly recommend you take the Bainbridge Island Ferry – which is a car ferry – across the Puget Sound from Seattle. It’s faster than driving around, and more importantly, it’s 1,000 times more scenic (though it does cost more). On a nice summer day, you can see Rainier, Baker, and the Olympic Range from the deck of the ferry.  

Here’s a view from that ferry ride to convince you. 

pacific northwest camping trip

Before we get into what to do in Olympic National Park, we need to take a second to talk about the park’s geography. 

There are four main regions of the park that we’d recommend that you take the time to explore. 

  • Hurricane Ridge & Lake Crescent – This region features towering mountains on the north side of the Olympic Peninsula. It’s easy to get to from all points east, like Seattle, and it also sits just 17 miles south of Port Angeles. Don’t miss Sol Duc Falls, Marymere Falls, and Hurricane Hill.
  • La Push Beaches – Rialto, First, Second, and Third Beach will all provide you with million-dollar sunsets and views onto the sea stacks with cliffs rising up from the sea. Make sure to look up too! You might spot the elusive bald eagle waiting patiently for its next meal (we saw two on our recent trip).
  • Hoh Rainforest – This is the moss-covered rainforest region that features sphagnum moss, wildlife, old-growth Sitka spruce, ferns, banana slugs, and wildlife of all kinds.
  • Lake Quinault – This is a region in the western part of the park that features the stunning Lake Quinault, located within the extraordinary Quinault Rainforest.

Normally, we recommend at least three days for an Olympic National Park itinerary . However, we’re working with limited time here, so we’re cutting that to two and focusing on the highlights. 

Given limited time, we think you should focus your time on Hurricane Ridge, the Pacific Coast, and the Hoh Rainforest, which is more than enough to fill a couple of days in the park.  

To make the most of your time here, you’ll want to make a counter-clockwise loop starting with Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent, moving west to Forks and the Pacific Coast, and ending with a drive south along the coast, with a few beach stops along the way.

This will also set you up nicely for your drive to Mount Rainier National Park, your next stop. 

It also makes sense to split your time in terms of where you stay, staying one night in the northern region of the park, and one night out on the coast near Forks.

You’ll want to spend your first night near Port Angeles , a good home base for Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent, then spend the next night in Forks (yep, that Forks) to do the Hoh Rainforest and Pacific Beaches. 

One other thing: There are no two ways about it – getting from the Olympic Peninsula to Mount Rainier National Park requires some driving, so be prepared for a long drive at the end of this leg.

What to Do in Olympic National Park

Here are some of our favorite things to do in Olympic National Park. We’ve ordered them in the order you’ll encounter them on your counter-clockwise loop around the tip of the Olympic Peninsula (from Port Angeles, to Forks, to Lake Quinault). 

Hurricane Ridge: Your first stop is Hurricane Ridge, which is at the northeastern corner of the park. To get up to the ridge – the highest point in the park that you can drive to – you’ll climb a steep, windy road (that closes in the winters for somewhat obvious reasons). Once you’re there, hike Hurricane Hill for excellent sweeping views of Western Washington. Then, drive out to Obstruction Point for more great views of the Olympic Range. If you want a longer hike, the hike to Grand Lake leaves from the end of Obstruction Point Road. 

Lake Crescent: Lake Crescent is the second deepest lake in the state, and you’ll find it about 20 miles west of Port Angeles along Highway 101. There are a couple of things to do and see here. First is the Lake Crescent Lodge , which is a historic lodge right on the lake (as you might imagine) that would be a great place to grab a drink and a snack after a morning of exploring (bonus points if you sit in the adirondack chairs on the lakeshore). Second are the hikes to Marymere Falls (short and easy stroll through the forest to a waterfall) and Mount Storm King (tough hike straight up to a nice view over the lake). 

Sol Duc Falls: Our favorite waterfall in the park, this is a little bit of a detour from Lake Crescent. We encountered it on our hike on the High Divide , a great backpacking trail that leaves from the same trailhead. It’s a very short, mostly flat stroll through the woods to a wooden bridge over the falls. 

Rialto Beach and Hole-in-the-Wall: If you made us choose, this hike is in our top three when it comes to hikes in Olympic National Park . It’s a flat stroll along the beach (hiking in the sand does suck, so be prepared for that) out past towering sea stacks, tidepools, and bald eagles sitting in the trees to a rock formation with a hole in it. We got super lucky on our first ever trip with perfect weather at sunset, which is the best time to do this hike, but your experience may vary (we’ve since been here twice in the summer, and it has been gray and raining both times). 

The Hoh Rainforest: The most famous of the coastal temperate rainforests in the Pacific Northwest, the Hoh Rainforest is lush, ferny, and mossy. It’s also busy, so we’d recommend trying to structure your itinerary here to make sure you’re parked and on the trail by 9am at the latest to avoid the long lines that form at the entrance station. Once you’re parked, do the short Hall of Mosses and Spruce Nature Trail , and if you’re up for a relatively easy walk, do the first portion of the Hoh River Trail , which sees a fraction of the people that those first few trails see and is a very pleasant walk. 

Ruby Beach: Ruby Beach is one of our favorite beaches on this stretch of coast, and it’s a short walk away from the parking lot, and makes a nice stop between the Hoh Rainforest and Kalaloch (which is the last beach in the park before you head to Rainier). It’s everything you want in a coastal beach in Washington State – driftwood, sea stacks, and abundant bird life. 

pacific northwest camping trip

Where to Stay in Olympic National Park

Given the context of this trip, where you’re coming from Seattle and your next stop is Mount Rainier, we’d recommend spending your first night in Port Angeles at the northern end of the park, and your second night in Forks (again, yes, that Forks) near the Pacific Coast and rainforest.  

That’ll make a nice counterclockwise loop around the Olympic Peninsula, leaving you in a good position to make your way east to Mount Rainier. 

By the way, we have a whole, much more detailed guide to where to stay in Olympic National Park , which has our picks for the best places to stay in each region (Port Angeles and Forks, mainly) along with what you need to know about camping. 

Days 5-6: Mount Rainier National Park (Paradise)

pacific northwest camping trip

Drive Time & Distance: 5 hours // 248 miles

If you didn’t already know, we spent almost two years living in a converted Honda Odyssey on a never ending road trip around the western United States starting in 2020. During that time, we hit every national park in the west, except for the Channel Islands. 

Mount Rainier National Park is in our top three, and we revisit it every chance we get (which usually means a few days once or twice every summer and fall). 

Before we get to what to do and see at Mount Rainier, let’s quickly cover the geography of the area. 

There are three main areas of Mt. Rainier National Park: Paradise, Sunrise, and Mowich Lake . 

Here’s a quick summary of each. 

  • Paradise – Best for first-time visitors: Paradise is the most popular area to visit, located on the southern side of the Mountain, and home to some of the best wildflower meadows and lakes in the park. 
  • Sunrise – Best for epic hikes: Sunrise, which is on the east side of the park, is the highest point in Mount Rainier National Park that you can drive to. Several of our favorite hikes in Mount Rainier National Park leave from the big parking lot at the visitor center. 
  • Mowich Lake – Best for peace and quiet: Mowich Lake, on the northwestern side of the mountain, is the quietest area of the park. It is free from the tourist hype of Paradise and Sunrise, and the long and arduous bumpy gravel road to get there cuts the number of visitors significantly. 

The problem with Mount Rainier is that it takes a LONG time to get between those different areas. Paradise and Sunrise are roughly 90 minutes apart (one way), which makes it a long journey for a day trip with limited time. 

If it’s your first time and you only have a couple of days, we’d recommend basing yourself for your two days in the Paradise area. 

Paradise is our favorite part of the park with the best diversity of scenery (wildflower meadows, alpine lakes, and waterfalls) with plenty to do and see to fill a couple of days. 

It also happens to be the most convenient place to access your next stop on this road trip, which will take you south down to Oregon. 

What to Do in Mount Rainier National Park

Here are our favorite things to do in Paradise. 

Hike the Skyline Trail: The Skyline Trail is one of the best hikes in Washington State . From the lush subalpine wildflower meadows, to the rocky alpine terrain and up-close-and-personal view of Rainier’s face, to the sweeping views out over the Tatoosh Range and Mount Adams, it’s spectacular from start to finish. And we didn’t even mention the marmots and mountain goats yet! It’s a difficult hike, and you need to be prepared for a fair amount of climbing and lots of sun exposure. We have an entire guide dedicated to hiking the Skyline Trail – including logistics like which direction to hike and a complete trail guide – which you should read for more detail. 

Go chasing waterfalls: One of our favorite parts about Paradise is the great waterfalls. There are four main falls, and one of them – Myrtle Falls – is on the Skyline Trail. There are two that are accessible with a short walk from the parking lot – Christine Falls, framed by a picturesque stone bridge – and Narada Falls, which are on the road up to Paradise. The last is Comet Falls, which is the most impressive of the bunch and requires a quick hike to reach (you can read about it in our Comet Falls trail guide ). 

Capture a perfect reflection at Reflection Lakes: Reflection Lakes is one of our favorite views in the park, especially at sunrise or sunset. On a clear day, there’s a near-perfect reflection of Rainier’s glaciated peak in the water. BEWARE: the bugs here in the summer are intense. Matt is a magnet for mosquitoes and flies, and he braved the swarms of them to get some photos at sunrise and sunset on our last few trips. 

Tackle some other hikes near Paradise: While the Skyline Trail is our favorite of the bunch, there are several other hikes that are worth your time here. The first we’d recommend is Bench and Snow Lakes , which we overlooked ourselves until our last foray into the park, and want to help you avoid making the same mistake. It’s a great pair of lakes, and the hike in is tough enough to discourage most of the crowds, but easy enough for most people to make it out to both lakes. Second is Comet Falls , which is the most impressive waterfall in the park. Third is Pinnacle Peak , a tough climb up to a saddle with great views of Rainier. 

pacific northwest camping trip

Where to Stay near Paradise at Mount Rainier National Park

You’re going to want to base yourself near Paradise, which is on the south side of Rainier near the Nisqually entrance and the town of Ashford. 

If you’re camping , Cougar Rock Campground is a great home base for exploring this part of the park. It’s where we camp when we visit, though it’s tough to get reservations for summer weekends. More information here , including how to reserve a site. 

If you’re not camping, the town of Ashford is the best option. 

Sitting just outside the Nisqually Entrance, Ashford has a couple of nice hotels and a range of cabins in the woods if you’re looking for more space and a little more privacy. It’s the best location both in terms of accessing Paradise, and getting out to the I-5 corridor for your next stop. 

For more detail, make sure to read our guide to the best places to stay at Mount Rainier . 

Days 7-8: The Columbia River Gorge and Hood River

pacific northwest camping trip

Drive Time & Distance: 4 hours // 210 miles

After Rainier, you’ll be making your way south and crossing the Oregon border – which is the Columbia River (the one that Lewis and Clark traveled up to “discover” Oregon) – bringing you right into our own backyard. 

The Columbia River Gorge is nearly as impressive as the two national parks you’ve already seen, but in a different way. Millions of years of water running down the Gorge, combined with ample volcanic activity, have formed this massive chasm that separates the two main states in the Pacific Northwest. 

The Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge, which is shaded by the walls of the Gorge, is lush, wet, green, and full of a stunning array of impressive waterfalls. 

The Washington side of the Gorge, which gets more sun exposure with its south facing hillsides that makes it drier and a paradise for wildflower hunters in the spring, features some of the best views of the Gorge from various hikes along the river.

Hood River sits at a unique point in the Gorge, and is a good home base for your explorations over the course of a couple of days. We say unique because of its geography. Head in any direction and the geology and topography changes drastically. 

East of Hood River deeper into the Gorge, you start to get into the High Desert. South of Hood River, you pass through the fertile Hood River Valley before climbing up into the Cascade Range. And west of Hood River is the lush Oregon side of the Gorge. 

The Gorge and Hood River is our favorite day trip from Portland , and we take almost every visitor that comes to see us in Portland out to experience the natural beauty that exists roughly 30 minutes from our front door. 

What to Do in the Columbia River Gorge & Hood River

Like we mentioned, we spend a lot of time exploring the Gorge and Hood River because they’re so accessible from our home in Portland. Here are some of our favorite things to do. 

Waterfalls in the Gorge: The best concentration of waterfalls exists on the Oregon side of the Gorge. Try to get to Multnomah Falls ( here on Google Maps), which you’ve undoubtedly heard of and seen pictures of, early in the morning to beat the crowds and tour buses that make it a zoo starting at around 10am. We really like Horsetail and Ponytail Falls ( here on Google Maps) and the short hike to Wahclella Falls ( here on Google Maps) which are a great bang-for-your-buck in terms of beauty to effort ratio. 

The Best Views of the Gorge: For some of the best views of the Gorge, there are a couple of viewpoints on the Historic Columbia River Highway that are worth a stop – the Vista House ( here on Google Maps) and the Women’s Forum Viewpoint ( here on Google Maps). In terms of hikes with a nice view, we love Angel’s Rest , which is a moderate climb to a rocky outcropping with great views up and down the Gorge. There are also some great views from the Washington side from Beacon Rock , the Hamilton Mountain Trail , and the Dog Mountain Trail . 

The Fruit Loop: The Hood River Fruit Loop refers to a particularly fertile section of the Hood River Valley that features fruit trees as far as the eye can see and excellent views of Mount Hood and Mount Adams, depending on which direction you’re looking. We love stopping at the fruit stand at Draper Girls (they also do u-pick fruit in the summer) and the Gorge White House for a drink in a nice location. For a great view of the valley and Mount Hood from above, head to Panorama Point ( here on Google Maps). 

Tamanawas Falls : This is a beautiful hike, and is equally as impressive as some of the waterfalls in the Gorge for a very reasonable effort. It’s about 30 minutes south of Hood River, and the trailhead is right off of Highway 35 on the way towards Mount Hood. 

Wine Tasting near Hood River: Hood River is a good place to go wine tasting because it’s more low key than the Willamette Valley – one of the premier wine regions on the west coast – but still has a baseline quality of wine. We prefer the wineries on the Washington side of the Gorge, and Loop de Loop is our favorite of the bunch. Other good ones that have been recommended to us by various locals are Savage Grace and AniChe (which are near Loop de Loop). On the other side of the Gorge, it’s worth driving a bit further east to hit Annalemma Wines . 

pacific northwest camping trip

Note that we actually have a completely separate website dedicated to our explorations in Oregon called Oregon Obsessed . Here are our Columbia River Gorge guides from that site. 

  • 15 Incredible Waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge
  • What to Do in Hood River: A Complete Guide for First Timers
  • The 16 Best Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge
  • How to Hike the Hamilton Mountain Trail in the Gorge
  • Hiking the Gorgeous Wahclella Falls Trail in the Gorge

Where to Stay in the Columbia River Gorge & Hood River

Generally speaking, you basically have two options here. Stay right in town (or close to it), or stay somewhere more secluded and private. 

If you want to be walkable to town, we’d look at the Best Western right on the Marina, which has some rooms that have kitchens. 

If you want something more secluded and private, we’d look across the river to the charming little town of White Salmon . 

We have personally stayed at and loved the RubyJune Inn , which is a B&B in the truest sense (and the breakfast is fantastic, sourced from local bakeries). No kids, no pets allowed, and the two owners are a wealth of knowledge about what to do, see, eat, and drink in the area (especially wine). 

Days 9-10: Bend

pacific northwest camping trip

Drive Time & Distance: 2 hours and 50 minutes // 143 miles

Bend, similar to Hood River, is in a unique geographical location. It sits at the turning point between the alpine and subalpine environment in the Cascades and the high desert that’s nestled in Central Oregon between the mountain ranges on either end of the state. 

Plus, volcanoes! There’s lots of volcanic activity here that has shaped the landscape. 

That diversity has meant that Bend has become a little slice of paradise for adventure lovers over the past several years, and has gained nationwide notoriety with lots of media coverage recently. Though it has always been on the map of most adventure-loving Pacific Northwest residents. 

If you’re an astute reader and you’ve been following along on a map (or just looked at the one above), you’ll notice that heading out to Bend actually represents a little bit of a detour because your next stop (Mount Hood) is actually pretty close to Hood River. 

In order to get down to Bend, you’ll head south from Hood River, passing through the eastern foothills of Mount Hood to get to Bend. Then, you’ll double back and hit Mount Hood on your way back to Portland. 

First of all, that detour is absolutely worth it, and you should definitely make an effort to include Bend as a part of your road trip. Both because of Bend itself, and because of the diversity of landscapes you’ll find just outside of Bend. 

Second of all, we have it structured this way (rather than doing Hood then Bend) to maximize your time on the way back to Portland . Going up to Hood and then over to Portland means you avoid the I-5 corridor south of Portland, which is known to be a traffic-filled nightmare on most days of the week. 

Anyway, we love Bend and we just spent a full week there exploring recently, which opened our eyes to the diversity of things to do and see within about an hour of the city. 

What to Do in Bend

Bend is a big city by Oregon standards – and growing FAST – and there’s plenty to do to fill a full week (or a full month, or year, you get the idea). 

With limited time in and around Bend, here is what we’d focus on. 

Smith Rock State Park: Smith Rock is one of the destinations that is most emblematic of the stark contrast between the wetter, greener part of the state that we live in (west of the Cascades) and the high desert on the east side of the mountains. It looks like it belongs in Utah, not the lush Pacific Northwest! But the Pacific Northwest is more than evergreen forests. The best trail in the park is the Misery Ridge Trail, which has two route options (after the brutal climb up to aptly-named Misery Ridge) – the shorter, flatter River Trail and the longer, more difficult Summit Trail . It’s between Bend and Mount Hood, so you can stop on the way in or out of Bend (we’d try to go early, because it does get hot and there’s very little shade).  

The Deschutes River: The Deschutes runs right through the center of town – and is one of the biggest reasons why Bend is located where it is. Today, it isn’t really the lifeblood of the city, but it is full of recreation opportunities. There’s a long trail that follows the path of the river south from Bend, and we love doing a short portion of it as part of any visit to Bend (here’s the rough route that we usually do when we’re in town). The other thing you should try to do – as long as it’s summertime – is get out on the water! You can float the river from Drake Park down to Riverbend Park. Rent a tube from Tumalo Creek and use the Ride the River service, which shuttles you to the entry and exit from the river. 

The Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway: This is one of our favorite places in the entire state. It’s a corridor that runs west out of Bend into the Cascades into a land of pine trees, gorgeous lakes, and great hikes. Definitely stop by a couple of the lakes – Sparks Lake and Elk Lake are our favorites. It’s well worth spending a day exploring this part of the state, and there are a nice range of hikes to choose from. Here are three of our favorite Bend hikes : 

  • Green Lakes (9.1 miles // 1,174 ft. elevation gain): A nice, relatively easy (but long) creekside stroll through the forest out to a series of lakes backed by the South Sister and Broken Top. Lovely hike!
  • Tumalo Mountain (4.1 miles // 1,423 ft. elevation gain): Short and sweet, this hike climbs straight up to the top of Tumalo Mountain where you’ll have sweeping views out over the valley and surrounding peaks. Particularly nice at sunrise or sunset!
  • Moraine Lake (5.2 miles // 1,476 ft. elevation gain): This was an unexpected delight last fall! It starts with a climb through the forest, and a couple of miles in you burst forth from the forest out into a basin with great views of both the South Sister and Broken Top before you head down to the lake (which is tucked right at the base of the South Sister). 

Newberry National Volcanic Monument: This is the volcano that shaped the high desert in Central Oregon, and it’s almost a mini-Crater Lake in terms of how it was formed and how it looks today. There are two parts of the monument, and they’re about 30 minutes apart. The first you’ll encounter heading south from Bend is the Lava Lands Visitor Center , which is where you’ll find the Trail of the Molten Land (walk through a lava field!) and Lava Butte. Continue South to Paulina Lake and the Newberry Volcano , where you’ll find a large lake, the hike up to Paulina Peak (which features incredible views over the surrounding landscape, including the vast lava fields), and Paulina Falls . 

Tumalo Falls: A nice waterfall just outside of town. There’s a longer hike that you can do that follows the creek, or you can drive right up to the lower viewpoint and follow the short trail up to the upper viewpoint (which would be our strong recommendation). 

pacific northwest camping trip

Where to Stay in Bend

With only a couple of days in town, you have two choices when it comes to where to stay. Stay right in town, or stay on the outskirts in a more quiet locale.

For the purposes of this trip, we’d recommend staying in town so you can be within walking distance (or a short drive) from the breweries and restaurants in Bend. 

The Oxford Hotel is right in the heart of Downtown Bend, and is walkable to all of our favorite spots in that area. 

We always like having a kitchen so we can cook for ourselves (Matt has Celiac Disease) and we’ve had our eyes on Wall Street Suites , which is about a block from the downtown area. 

Days 11-12: Mount Hood (Government Camp)

pacific northwest camping trip

Drive Time & Distance: 2 hours and 10 minutes // 106 miles

Matt grew up in the Seattle area, where Mount Rainier is the resident snow capped peak towering over the skyline. 

In Portland, that role is played by Mount Hood, which sits at the northern edge of the state and is actually visible on a clear day from the Skyline Trail at Rainier. 

The best part about Mount Hood? It’s 90 minutes from our front door to the trailheads for some of our favorite hikes (or, the ski resorts in the winter). 

The best area to focus on here is the area around Government Camp on the south side of Hood, which is where the vast majority of trailheads and activities are located. Though there are definitely some worthwhile spots on the eastern and western flanks that are worth a quick detour. 

What to Do at Mount Hood

Here are our favorite things to do and see at Mount Hood. 

Sunset at Trillium Lake: Trillium Lake is one of our favorite photo spots in the state because, on a clear, calm day, you get a near-perfect reflection of Hood on the surface of the lake. For that reflection, you’ll want to go to the southeastern corner of the lake (roughly here on Google Maps). There are lots of great photo spots along the lakeshore. 

Ramona Falls: Ramona Falls is a fun contrast to the towering waterfalls in the Gorge. Rather than being a big drop from a rocky ledge high off the ground, Ramona is a wide, sweeping cascade that is tall, but less powerful and more elegant, if that makes sense. It’s a relatively easy hike to reach (~7 miles) with a somewhat treacherous river crossing early in the season. 

McNeil Point: The McNeil Point trail is one of our favorite hikes in Oregon , but it’s a beast of a climb up to one of the closest viewpoints of Mount Hood that you can get to without actually climbing Hood. It’s a long, tough climb, though it’s particularly beautiful for the last half or so once you’re above the treeline and you have views of Hood and the other peaks int he Cascade Range. If that hike sounds like too much, there is a shorter version from the Lolo Pass Trailhead to Bald Mountain (our favorite view in Oregon). We did it in June, and the trail was lined with blooming rhododendrons (but the viewpoint at the end was obscured by thick fog). 

Visit the Timberline Lodge: The Timberline Lodge is an iconic piece of history here, and is not to be missed. If you’re looking for a good hike that leaves from Timberline Lodge, you can hop on the Pacific Crest Trail and follow it to Zigzag Canyon (or further up into Paradise Park ), where you’ll have great views of Hood. 

Sahale and Umbrella Falls: This hike is another unexpected gem, leaving from the parking lot for Mount Hood Meadows (our favorite ski resort at Hood in the winter) on the eastern side of Hood (so we’d consider doing it on the way from Hood River to save a little bit of driving). It’s a loop that starts with a beautiful waterfall (Umbrella Falls) and ends with a walk across the ski slopes with nice views out to the (very flat) land to the east. It’s worth noting that you don’t actually get a good view of Sahale Falls from the trail – the best view is from the bridge here , which you can drive to before or after the hike. 

pacific northwest camping trip

Where to Stay near Mount Hood

The town of Government Camp is the best home base for your explorations of Mount Hood. It’s on the south side of the mountain, and it has the widest selection of places to stay, greatest number of amenities (restaurants, grocery store, etc), and the closest location to most of the trailheads for hikes here. 

If you’re up for camping, the Trillium Lake Campground is our pick. We’ve camped there multiple times at this point, and will probably camp there again multiple times in the future. It’s walkable to Trillium Lake, which is one of our favorite photo locations in the state. 

If you’re not up for camping, the options are somewhat limited. We’d either stay at the Best Western right in Government Camp, or find a nice cabin in the woods near the town of Rhododendron to use as a home base for a couple of days. 

Days 13-14: Portland, Oregon

pacific northwest camping trip

Drive Time & Distance: 1 hour and 10 minutes // 57 miles

We live in Portland, and we think it’s a fitting end to your epic trip through the Pacific Northwest. In many ways – mostly food and drinks – we’re saving the best for last here. 

Portland also offers a nice contrast from Seattle. Portland is much more compact than Seattle, and feels a little bit more down-to-earth with the absence of the tech scene that Seattle has and all the money that brings. 

A couple of days in Portland doesn’t really leave you with all that much time, but it’s enough to see some of the highlights (and start putting places on your list for a return trip).

Broadly speaking, we usually recommend spending a day exploring the downtown core (the west side of the Willamette River, which runs north/south through the middle of Portland), and a day east of the river exploring the neighborhoods on the eastside (where we live and think Portland is at its best). 

What to Do in Portland

There are far too many things to list for Portland, so we’re going to go with our top recommendations here. 

Powell’s City of Books : We bring every visitor to Powell’s, the largest independent bookstore in the world. Specifically, the multi-story downtown location. Matt is incapable of walking out of that store without at least 2-3 new books. 

Hit the Markets! The PSU Farmers Market , which is also on Saturday mornings (8:30am – 2pm) down at Portland State University’s Campus, is a must-do. It’s about a 10-15 minute walk from Downtown, and it’s the biggest farmers market I’ve ever been to. The Portland Saturday Market , which focuses more on arts and crafts, is also worth a stop. Both ONLY happen on Saturdays, but are worth prioritizing if you happen to be here on a weekend. 

The International Rose Test Garden: Portland is known as the City of Roses (which was essentially created as a marketing slogan for the city after the timber industry took a hit). And this is the most convenient place to see them. 10,000 of them, in fact. They bloom between June and October (ish), and we also come here often during that timeframe to see the roses of all shapes, colors, and sizes. In the fall (call it late September through mid-October), it’s also worth going to the Portland Japanese Garden to see the brilliant fiery hues of orange and red with the Japanese Maples (it’s also just a lovely place to spend an hour – we’re members!). 

Eat some Doughnuts (Donuts?): First thing’s first, somehow Portland became famous for its donuts, and the conversation around the “best donuts in Portland” is fairly contentious. We think the best way to decide is to try them all – here are three spots that consistently rise to the top. If you’re really into donuts, then you should probably hop on the Underground Donut Tour , which takes you to five of the best stops for donuts in the city.

Note : These aren’t gluten free (NOT EVEN CLOSE), but if you are looking for some of the best gluten free donuts we’ve ever had, head to Petunia’s Pies and Pastries on the weekends – they’re 100% gluten free AND vegan. 

  • Voodoo Doughnut is the Insta-famous spot and their location in Downtown Portland has a line around the corner most mornings. Come here for the novelty donuts, like donuts topped with Cap’n Crunch. However, the donuts certainly aren’t the best that Portland has to offer (though it’s a fun experience). We’d also recommend going to the location across the river ( here on Google Maps) which is both less busy and a more pleasant location. 
  • Blue Star Donuts , who are expanding outside of Portland to cities like Los Angeles now, is the pick for the actual best donuts in Portland according to Alysha, her mom, my mom, my brothers, and my friends who came to my bachelor party – but they’re not cheap. They’re “artisanal” so you’ll need to budget $4-5 per donut. They have some fun flavors, like Blueberry Bourbon Basil and Mexican Hot Chocolate, so get a couple of different ones to try and split them with your group. “Get the apple fritter” says Alysha.
  • Pip’s Original Doughnuts and Chai not only makes Alysha’s favorite chai in Portland, but also makes fried mini doughnuts that are fried fresh to order. They’re a little further out, but it’s worth the journey. Plan on waiting in line if you come on a weekend, but the warm mini doughnuts will make it all worth it in the end. 

Explore the Eastside: East of the Willamette River, you’ll find a much more residential part of the city, which is where we think Portland really shines. There are two broad areas we’d prioritize; Northeast Portland (Alberta and Mississippi, where we used to live) and Southeast Portland (Belmont, Hawthorne, and Division, where we currently live). Refer to our 3 day Portland itinerary for what to do, see, eat, and drink in those areas (and for links to more detailed guides). 

pacific northwest camping trip

Where to Stay in Portland

We’d stay somewhere central, either in Downtown Portland or the Northwest District . 

In Downtown Portland, shoot for somewhere in the southern end near the PSU Campus like the Heathman Hotel or the Paramount Hotel . 

We also really like the Hyatt Centric as a slightly more affordable option, which is about as central as it gets. 

In the Northwest District, there are only a few options, and the Inn at Northrup Station is the clear winner (we think) in terms of location and value. 

For more information (and A LOT more detail), read our guide to the best places to stay in Portland . 

What to Do with More Time in the Pacific Northwest

If you happen to have more time for your trip to the Pacific Northwest, here are our recommendations on what to add (in order of our preference). 

The Drive from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. (+7-10 Days) 

pacific northwest camping trip

If you only have a limited amount of time, you’re going to have to choose between the stretch between Portland and Seattle (our recommendation and the focus of the main itinerary above) and the stretch between Seattle and Vancouver B.C.

With an extra 7-10 days, the first thing we’d add is the stretch between Vancouver and Seattle, which is also a magical place. It will require a slight restructuring of your trip (you’d want to fly into Portland, do the main itinerary above backwards to end in Seattle, and then continue north). 

Along the way, make stops in Leavenworth, North Cascades National Park, and Bellingham en route to Vancouver. 

Because we think the best place to stay for visiting North Cascades National Park is in the eastern foothills of the Cascades, we think you should head east out of Seattle up and over Snoqualmie Pass and over to Leavenworth, which is absolutely worth your time in its own right. 

But the real reason we’d include Leavenworth is to access the magical Alpine Lakes Wilderness . This is one of our favorite hiking destinations in the PNW, and though its popularity has exploded over the past decade or so, it’s well worth braving the crowds for the hike to Colchuck Lake . 

pacific northwest camping trip

If you want a slightly less trafficked trail with a similar (though notably less spectacular) payoff, look at the Snow Lake Trail near Snoqualmie Pass (which is on your way over to Leavenworth).

It’s worth noting that if you only have a day or two to add to your Pacific Northwest itinerary, you can absolutely just add 1-2 days in Leavenworth and skip the drive further north . 

Once you’re east of the Cascades, you can hug the foothills up to Winthrop , the best home base for North Cascades National Park, before making your way back across the mountains to the charming college town of Bellingham just south of the Canadian border. 

From there, it’s a quick drive up to Vancouver.   

Here’s a map of what that route might look like. 

Note: We had to use bike directions because Google Maps won’t let you change the season on multi-stop routes, which means there are road closures that have it very confused. It’s more like 12-13 hours of driving. 

Reminder: Adding this piece to your itinerary means you’ll need to either fly in or out of Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to make the timing work. If you’re renting a car, you may not be able to rent a car in one country and drop it off in another – it varies by agency, and you’ll need to check. 

Here are the stops we’d make along the way. 

Leavenworth

pacific northwest camping trip

The Alpine Lakes Wilderness has become a sensation over the past few years thanks to the fact that the Enchantments , which is a series of crystal clear lakes backed by rocky peaks, look great on Instagram and TikTok.

While it’s essentially impossible to secure an overnight permit to backpack here, there is one great – albeit very popular – hike that takes you out to one of the many lakes here, Colchuck Lake. And the gateway to this incredible source of natural beauty is the pseudo-Bavarian town of Leavenworth, which sits in the eastern foothills of the Cascades.

If you want to hike to Colchuck Lake , which is only accessible in the summer, we’d suggest spending two days in the area because you’ll need to get to the trailhead no later than 7am (no, we’re not joking) to get a parking spot. Stay in Leavenworth the night before your hike and the night after.

If you’re in town in the winter or spring when the hike is not accessible, or you just aren’t into hiking 9 miles, then we’d recommend a night in Leavenworth (you could even do it as a day trip from Seattle , though it’s a long day). 

Read More: What to Do in Leavenworth (for First Timers)

North Cascades National Park

pacific northwest camping trip

If you want to check off the last of the three national parks in Washington State , you’ll have to journey a few hours north of Seattle to the North Cascades. This is by far the least visited of the three, but that doesn’t make it any less spectacular.

The season here is painfully short (basically late July through the first week of October), but it’s a magical mix of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, and wildflowers/fall color (depending on the season).

It’s home to a couple of our absolute favorite hikes in the world, and we have an entire guide dedicated to hiking in North Cascades National Park that you should read for inspiration. 

pacific northwest camping trip

Bellingham makes for a lovely stopover on your way between North Cascades National Park and either Vancouver or Mount Baker (depending on the itinerary you’ve built).

At its core, it’s a college town, but it’s set right on the water with the Cascades as a backdrop, and has a surprisingly good food and drink scene for its size thanks to the fertile farmland that sits right outside of town. That plus a handful of nice green spaces makes it worth a stop. 

Mount Baker (only with 10+ Extra days)

pacific northwest camping trip

Mount Baker is our pick for the most underrated hiking destination in Washington State. If you’re into hiking, this stop is worth your time (it’s probably not worth it if you’re not looking to hit the trail).

It’s another case of being a tragically short season – it’s so far north that it’s basically on the Canadian border, which means August and September are the only reliable months for snow and ice-free trails.

There are a bunch of amazing hikes packed into this relatively small area, and you can read all about them in our guide to the best hikes at Mount Baker . Our absolute favorite of the bunch is Yellow Aster Butte , particularly in late September when the fall color arrives. 

pacific northwest camping trip

We’ve fallen more in love with Vancouver over the past year or so, which has taken us up to British Columbia’s biggest city twice for a good amount of time on each trip. Before then, we had visited multiple times, but had basically only spent time in the downtown core.

We’re here to tell you that the real magic in Vancouver happens outside of that core in places like Kitsilano and Mount Pleasant, where you have streets lined with independent shops and restaurants.

Vancouver is worth a couple of days (here’s our guide to 2 days in Vancouver !), and more if you want to do some day trips to places nearby. 

Putting it all Together

Putting it all together, here’s what that extra 7-10 extra days might look like.

  • Day 1: Leavenworth
  • Day 2: Leavenworth + Colchuck Lake
  • Day 3: North Cascades National Park
  • Day 4: North Cascades National Park
  • Day 5: Bellingham
  • Day 6: Vancouver
  • Day 7: Vancouver + Fly Home

If you’d like to add on Mount Baker, here’s what that 10 day addition looks like.

  • Day 6: Mount Baker
  • Day 7: Mount Baker
  • Day 8: Vancouver
  • Day 9: Vancouver 
  • Day 10: Vancouver + Fly Home

In both of these scenarios, you’d want to start your trip in Portland, Oregon, and do the main itinerary above in reverse from Portland to Seattle . From there, you could add on the two mini itineraries above to put together a pretty unbeatable introduction to the Pacific Northwest. 

Day Trip to Sunrise at Mount Rainier (+1-2 Days)

pacific northwest camping trip

While a couple of days gives you a good amount of time to explore the Paradise side of Rainier – that’s the western flank of the mountain – this 14 day itinerary doesn’t really give you enough time to spend the extra time to get over to Rainier’s eastern side, where you’ll find the Sunrise Visitor Center. 

This is the highest point in the park that you can drive to, and an absurd number of our favorite hikes in Mount Rainier National Park leave from this very parking lot. Because of that altitude, it’s also only open in the peak summer and early fall (roughly June to October, but it depends on the year). 

Unfortunately, it’s not particularly convenient to go between Paradise and Sunrise, which has been exacerbated by road closures in recent years. And there’s basically nowhere to stay within 30 minutes of the Sunrise Visitor Center (aside from one VERY popular campground). 

If you have the time and you’re around in the summer, it’s well worth a trip. It’ll take a while to drive there and back (plan on about 90 minutes each way), but we think it’s probably worth it for the amazing hiking. 

A perfect day over here looks like this: start with an early morning (we’d say sunrise) at Tipsoo Lake, then head up to the Sunrise Visitor Center to get an early start on one of the three great hikes here: the Mount Fremont Lookout (a hike to a historic fire lookout on a ridge facing Rainier), Berkeley Park (great wildflowers in the early summer – late July-ish), or Burroughs Mountain (the hardest, but the best way to get into the rocky high alpine territory).

On the way home, consider stopping at Ohanapecosh Visitor Center to walk the shaded path along the river to Silver Falls and Grove of the Patriarchs , an Old Growth Forest ( NOTE : The bridge on Grove of the Patriarchs washed out recently, and the trail is closed until construction happens in…2027). 

A Detour to Crater Lake National Park (+1-2 Days)

pacific northwest camping trip

Full disclosure, we have somewhat mixed feelings on including Crater Lake National Park on this itinerary for a few reasons. 

First, it’s pretty far out of the way, near Oregon’s southern border. Second, it’s only really accessible for a small slice of the year (you can only circumnavigate the lake from roughly July to October). 

Though, as we’ve noted above, that’s the best time to do this road trip anyway (and it’s the only time you can actually get to most places on this list).   

However, if you’re already down in Central Oregon in the area around Bend, you’re within striking distance and you should do it as a side trip from Bend. 

So if Crater Lake is on your bucket list, that’s probably as close as you’re going to be to Crater Lake without a dedicated trip to it and you might as well make the trip! 

There are three things we think you should focus on with your time at Crater Lake. 

  • Drive the rim road all the way around the lake: This is the best way to see the lake from all angles, and it’ll take you a couple of hours, including stops at the various viewpoints along the way. Start at the Visitor Center on the southern rim, walk a portion of the Discovery Trail from there, and then hop in the car. 
  • Hike to the highest and lowest points in the park: Mount Scott is the highest point in the park, while Cleetwood Cove is the lowest point in the park, and is the only place where you can get down to the water level. We’d hike both!
  • A sunset hike to Garfield Peak: Garfield Peak is right next to the Visitor Center, and makes an excellent place to watch the sunset because you’ll be looking north, where you’ll be able to see the setting sun to the west, and the soft golden light illuminating the eastern rim of the crater. 

The other big challenge with Crater Lake is that there’s really not that many places to stay nearby . You’ve basically only got the (very expensive and competitive) lodges and cabins inside the park if you’re not up for camping. 

There’s the Crater Lake Lodge , which is the fancy option that sits right on the rim road and has some rooms that have lake views. Then down below the rim there’s the Mazama Village Cabins , which are less convenient but more affordable. 

If you’re camping, there’s one campground in the park at Mazama Village . We’ve stayed there, and it’s “meh.” 

For more affordable options, you’ll have to head outside the park to Klamath Falls, which is about an hour south of the southern entrance. We have our eye on the lakefront Fairfield Inn and Suites . 

The San Juan Islands (+1-3 Days)

pacific northwest camping trip

The San Juan Islands are a group of islands off the coast northwest of Seattle, and they are one of our favorite summer getaways from Seattle. Every summer growing up, Matt’s family would pack up the car and go camping out on San Juan Island (which, to be clear, is one island out of the many that make up the “San Juan Islands”). 

The geography here is pretty unique, and there aren’t a whole lot of places that we can think of that are similar to these islands. 

The weather is slightly cooler and sunnier thanks to the rain-shadow effect of the Olympics (which get ALL of the rain), and it’s a great time to get out on a kayak and explore the islands, which we were lucky to do a few summers ago. 

Though, the waters are treacherous thanks to all the currents that meet here, and you’ll need to do a guided trip because it’s too dangerous for 99% of people to do solo. 

Plus, the orca whales tend to pass by right off of the western coast of the islands in the summer! 

The two main islands are San Juan Island, home to Friday Harbor and the Lime Kiln Lighthouse (where to go to see orcas from shore), and Orcas Island, home to Mount Constitution and some good hiking. There’s also Lopez Island, which is more quiet and low key. 

One island can be done in one day / one night, both will take three days / two nights. Obviously, you could easily spend more time (we spent a full week between San Juan Island and Orcas Island last summer). 

As you might have guessed, we have guides to the best things to do on San Juan Island , where Matt used to spend a week every summer growing up, and guides to Orcas Island .

What to Do with Less Time in the Pacific Northwest

With less time in the Pacific Northwest, you’re REALLY going to have to focus your time. 

With 10 Days

As we mentioned above, with 10 days in the Pacific Northwest, we’d focus your time on the corridor between Seattle and Portland, which would include Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park. 

Depending on how much time you want to be spending in the cities themselves (we’d recommend at least one day in each, though two would be better), you could also fit in a day trip or two from Seattle or Portland. 

Here’s what that might look like. 

  • Day 2: Seattle
  • Day 3: Olympic National Park
  • Day 4: Olympic National Park
  • Day 5: Mount Rainier National Park
  • Day 6: Mount Rainier National Park
  • Day 7: Hood River + the Columbia River Gorge
  • Day 8: Hood River + the Columbia River Gorge
  • Day 9: Portland
  • Day 10: Portland + Fly Home

With 7 Days

With just 7 days, we’d strongly recommend focusing on the drive from Seattle to Portland, with stops in Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park on the way.

It’s going to be quick, but you’ll get to pack in two national parks and two great cities, hopefully leaving you with the desire to make it back ASAP. 

  • Day 7: Portland + Fly Home

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Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers.

Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up.

He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip.

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Pacific Northwest

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One Epic Adventure

July 1 – August 4, 2024 10th grade

Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Experience the breathtaking beauty and grandeur of the northwest United States, exploring some of the nation’s parks across 7 states. Trekking through dense coastal rainforests, geothermal hot springs, glacial peaks, and everything in between, there’s no better way to form lifelong friendships and create lasting memories.

All travel is done by air-conditioned coach bus. Every night campers sleep in tents (and occasionally under the stars) at campsites in some of the most incredible places in North America. The group is a team where everyone helps set up camp, cook meals, and has a chance to lead.

Camp Chi has been a leader in teen tours and outdoor adventure trips for over 40 years. Campers on PNW are led by highly trained and experienced trip leaders. PNW is open to all campers, both new and returning to Chi.

Pricing & Registration

Trip Itinerary

We’ve created the ultimate line-up of amazing destinations and thrilling excursions. While our trip changes year to year, the below is an example itinerary. Specific schedules for each bus are provided prior to departure.

For most campers, the trip begins either at the bus departure site in Chicago or a flight to Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.* From there, we head to Camp Chi in Lake Delton, Wisconsin for two days of pre-trip orientation. Campers will meet their trip leaders and get acquainted with their bus group. Everyone will practice setting up tents, packing and using equipment, and working as a team.

*Other travel options can be arranged, including drop off at Camp Chi.

Starting the trip off in the Minnesota State Park system, campers get to ease into life outdoors while experiencing some natural beauty close to home. The Land of 10,000 Lakes is a great gateway to say goodbye to the Midwest and embark out into the Pacific Northwest!

South Dakota

The dramatic and alien scenery of Badlands National Park will immediately remind campers they’re not in Lake Delton anymore. Surrounded by bighorn sheep and herds of bison, The Badlands offers a natural playground for campers to explore.

Home to two of the most popular stops on the trip, Yellowstone National Park and Grand Tetons National Park, Wyoming is a wilderness heaven. With stops in the underrated Black Hills and Bighorn National Forests, the beauty of Wyoming will be hard to forget.

Although there are many highlights on PNW, there’s something special about Glacier National Park. It feels like there’s magic in the alpine lakes, sharp pointed mountains, and – of course – glaciers! The Big Sky Country offers much more to experience than open skies.

Campers will be immersed in the incredible beauty of the Pacific Northwest as they stop in a couple of state parks on their way to some unquestionable highlights of the trip: The iconic volcano Mt. Rainier, the Pacific Ocean, and the incredible Olympic National Park, home to multiple unique ecosystems including glacial peaks and old growth rainforest.

As we turn back eastward, we’ll stop in what might be the most underrated state in terms of natural beauty. A couple of nights near the Coeur D’Aline National Forest will leave campers itching to return to a place they never knew they wanted to visit.

On the home stretch now, campers will have the chance to explore some of the beauty outside of the National Parks, as they stop in the largest National Forest in Montana: Beaverhead-Deerlodge, and hike outside the Yellowstone Park boundary in Custer Gallatin National Forest.

Our route brings us back through the Bighorn and Black Hills National Forests, giving campers the opportunity to check out some of the trails that they didn’t have time to explore on their way out.

Easing back into life in the Midwest, the trip winds down in the same place it started off.

Back to our home away from home, campers get a chance to relax, shower, and experience a little Camp Chi Magic to end their summer.

pacific northwest camping trip

Getting Ready

The Pacific Northwest Adventure Trip combines a camping trip and teen tour, which makes it a unique, adventure of a lifetime. We want every camper to have the best possible experience, which begins weeks before departure.

Be Prepared for…

  • Daily hiking. The length of hikes varies from less than 1 mile to 8 miles or longer.
  • Meeting people. Some participants come with friends and others are traveling solo. We arrange bus groups to encourage making new friends.
  • Being a little dirty. It just comes with the territory.
  • Trying new things. Come with an open mind; camping for five weeks is a new experience for everyone. Staff and your fellow travelers will help you every step along the way. And, remember that often the best experiences come when you least expect it.

Pre-Trip Advice

We’ll review all trip details with families in a pre-trip orientation that takes place in the spring. At this gathering, which can be attended in person or remotely, we’ll provide you with a lot of information about getting ready and the trip. This is a great opportunity for parents and teens to get answers to any and all questions.

There are two things that everyone can do prior to the trip to help get ready. First, make sure to break in your hiking boots or trail shoes. Also, get plenty of rest so you’re ready to go on the first day. Lastly, stick to the packing list.

PNW Packing List

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the trip go.

The PNW trip leaves JCC Camp Chi and travels out to the West Coast and back over five weeks. During that time, campers will have the chance to explore national parks like Yellowstone, Glacier, and Olympic, take a dip in the Pacific Ocean, stop in Seattle, Bozeman, and Jackson, and so much more.

Where will my child sleep?

PNW is a camping trip. This means that each night we sleep in tents (and occasionally under the stars) at campgrounds in or near state and national parks. Campers sleep in 4 person tents with other campers of the same gender. Participants will learn how to set up the tents while at camp before the trip departs and return to camp as pros by the end of the 5-week journey.

What do campers eat?

We often hear that the food on PNW is far better than the food at camp! Campers and staff cook vegetarian meals. They take a variety of dry foods with them when they depart from camp and stop at local grocery stores and food markets for produce and dairy.

Breakfasts might include cereal, eggs, fresh fruit, granola bars, pancakes, French toast, etc.

Lunch might be sandwiches, fruit, and bars if the group is out and about for the day. And if they’re stopped at the campsite and the group has time for more involved preparation, they might have grilled cheese and tomato soup, stir fry, or something like that.

Dinner is usually the heartiest meal of the day, with typical meals including chili, pasta, rice dishes, tacos or quesadillas, stir fry, and more.

Sometimes they’ll stop in a town along the route and campers will have the opportunity to grab a bite in a local restaurant of their choosing. We make sure that there are always plenty of healthy snacks available, and that the teens have more than enough to eat and that no one leaves a meal hungry.

If your teen has other allergies or dietary needs, please contact us at 847.763.3551 so we can make sure to plan accordingly.

How do campers travel on PNW?

Campers travel between parks and campsites on a coach bus operated by National Trails. At full capacity, each bus can fit 33 campers and 4 staff members.

What does a typical day look like?

The beauty of PNW is that every day is different. Most days on the trip involve hiking. In addition to hiking, on any given day teens may find themselves white water rafting, surfing, kayaking, exploring small rural towns, or hanging by a lake. One thing is for sure, the PNW trip includes lots of outdoor physical activity and a lot of fun!

Can campers make friendship requests?

Absolutely! A camper may request to be on the same bus as their friends. Friendship requests for PNW work the same way as they do for any session at Camp Chi: we do our best to honor all mutual requests.

How will I communicate with my camper while he/she is on the trip?

We pick up mail at 3 mail stops throughout the trip. We will give you the information for these mailstops before the trip with enough time to ensure that mail arrives in time. Parents are encouraged to write letters and send them to the mailstops for the campers. Once a week campers will use cell phones provided by Camp Chi to call home. The week is Saturday to Sunday, and a camper may call you any time during the week depending on cell service and itinerary. If your camper does not catch you when they call, they will try again before the end of the week.

What happens in the case of severe weather?

Camper safety is our number one priority; therefore, we always have our eyes on the weather. In the event of severe weather, we take all necessary measures to keep campers safe. This may include rerouting the trip or spending the night in an alternate location. We have alternate plans for every camping location that we travel to on this trip

What do you do if a child gets sick?

The health, wellbeing, and safety of our campers and staff on PNW are our top priorities. All PNW staff are First Aid and CPR certified. During the staff training period, staff discuss health and safety precautions with an emphasis on prevention.

Specifically, the following procedures are in place:

  • All prescription medication must be labeled and given to trip staff with dispensing instructions prior to the trip. (See prescription info on health page of website)
  • A staff member controls the dispensing of all medications.
  • If a camper has a fever or does not feel well, staff will contact the parents and arrange for the camper to see a physician.
  • If a camper becomes ill and a physician advises that they should not travel, the trip staff in conjunction with the Camp Chi full time staff may adjust the itinerary until the teen is able to travel. This is the case unless the teen needs to return home. In the event of a serious medical situation, staff will be in close contact with the parents.

How often do the campers shower?

Camper hygiene is important to everyone. Shower facilities vary depending on the campsite and sleeping arrangements. We make sure that campers have fresh water to wash their hands, brush their teeth and wash up every day. Campers will shower as facilities permit.

Do campers ever wash their clothes?

Yes! Campers will do laundry 3 times throughout the trip. The group will stop at a laundromat or other laundry facility, and the campers will be responsible for their own laundry. If your camper has never done their own laundry before, we recommend that you practice together once or twice before the trip.

Can a child who has never been hiking and isn’t in great shape succeed on the trip?

The trip is geared toward the participating campers. We begin with shorter, easier hikes for the first few days to ease the kids into the experience and build endurance. As the trip progresses, some of the hikes become more challenging. By this point, most kids are excited for these adventures and able to participate and succeed. While hiking, we make sure to have staff at the front and back of the group so that no one falls behind. We believe that all campers who wish to succeed on this trip can do so regardless of previous hiking experience. If you’re thinking of joining the trip, we recommend going on a few walks before the trip and get your body used to the idea of walking multiple miles in one go!

Can my camper bring electronics on the trip?

Generally, the same rules about electronics that apply at camp, apply on the PNW trip. Any electronic devices that can connect to the Internet, including cell phones, computers, iPod Touch, iPads and other tablets, eReaders, portable game systems or other similar equipment are not allowed on the trip. Campers may bring iPods (that can’t connect to wifi) and digital cameras on the trip. Please note that Camp Chi does not assume responsibility for these items if they are lost, stolen, or damaged.

The major difference between camp and PNW, with respect to electronics, is the ability to charge these devices. There are 2 plugs on the bus that staff use to charge camp cell phones, walkie talkies, GPS, the camp camera, and other devices necessary for the trip. Only when these plugs are not in use, may the campers use them to charge their personal electronics.

Can my camper bring spending money to buy souvenirs or snacks along the route?

Definitely! We recommend sending your camper with around $350-400 in cash for them. You can send more or less at your own discretion, but we’ve found that to be a pretty good amount. Each camper’s cash will be stored in an envelope with their name on it. Campers can then withdraw their cash when they ask for it, and they’ll keep a detailed account of each withdrawal.

Who staffs the trip?

The trip is led by hand selected staff with experience and interest in the outdoors, camping, and working with teens. Many of the staff have experience leading trips and have degrees in recreation. All of the staff are at least 21 years old. Often, we already know the staff because they have grown up at Camp Chi or have led the trip before. Each bus will have staff who are certified in Wilderness First Aid and Lifeguards.

How many staff go on the trip?

We have 1 staff member for every 8 campers on the trip. A full bus will have 33 campers and 4 staff members. In addition to these counseling staff, there is also a bus driver.

Who leads the excursions?

Our staff lead all of the day hikes and easily accessible experiences throughout the trip. For more involved activities like whitewater rafting, surfing, zipline, etc. Camp Chi uses reputable vendors with demonstrated expertise in their industry, and who have experience working with large groups, including teenagers. We have used many of our current vendors for multiple years.

My child has never been to Camp Chi before. Will he/she feel out of place on the trip?

We pride ourselves on creating open and inviting communities that allow new campers to find a place and make friends. Over the years we have had a number of new campers attend the PNW trip and have wonderful positive experiences. It’s important to note that many of the campers on the PNW trip were previously 4-week campers in either the first or second session and do not know the campers from the other session. PNW brings together both sessions for this opportunity and mixes campers so that they get to meet new people. This provides a natural and easy transition for first time Camp Chi campers to mix into the group.

What do you do for Shabbat?

Shabbat on PNW is a time to rest and reflect. We camp at the same place on Friday and Saturday night and campers and staff work together to create a meaningful Shabbat experience. Each Shabbat is different, and every bus has its own Shabbat rituals and flair. The Shabbat experience ranges from a Camp Chi style Shabbat service to meditation, to yoga, to a reflection of the week or nature study. Campers and staff find inspiration from their natural surroundings and use this as guidance in creating a meaningful Shabbat experience.

My child has asthma or another medical condition. Can they attend the trip?

Campers who have controlled asthma and can endure regular exercise routines without their asthma acting up have been very successful on this trip. If your child’s asthma is not under control or your child regularly needs a nebulizer or other rescue treatments for asthma, this may not be the trip for them. If you have any questions about your child’s asthma or any other medical condition, please contact a Camp Chi director at 847.763.3551.

Can you combine a session at camp with PNW?

Absolutely! Campers can choose to attend camp first session in Noar for three weeks (1B) and then go on the PNW trip. This is a great way to combine your love for camp with the excitement of the PNW trip. Special pricing is available for this combination program. Register here  or call us with questions at 847.763.3551.

pacific northwest camping trip

Registration & Fees

pacific northwest camping trip

Experience Glamping for Yourself

Experience the great outdoors in comfort and style with Pacific Northwest Glamping’s unique accommodations for both young adventurers and families.

pacific northwest camping trip

Come make memories with us!

Glamping is all about removing yourself from everyday life and relax in nature. No more sleeping on a tent floor, no more hotel rooms.

Comfort for every glamper.

Whether it’s one of our Safari Tents or a Vintage Trailer, we’ve got you covered. All stays come with queen sized beds and memory foam mattresses. 

Ready to book your first glamping adventure?

It could be a romantic weekend getaway, a family trip, or long weekend with friends, we are ready to host you!

We believe glamping is the ultimate way to experience nature while maintaining the comforts of your home. Leave all of the camping equipment behind, we have you covered. When you arrive you will be treated to a fully decorated tent with a queen sized bed. Each site comes with and fire pit and outdoor string lights. 

What's Included

  • Memory Foam Mattresses
  • Clean Sheets and Comforter
  • Mini Fridge or Cooler
  • Coffee Station
  • Charging Station for devices
  • Outdoor Seating area and Fire Pit

pacific northwest camping trip

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  • Itineraries

Pacific Northwest

Explore the pnw in a fully-loaded campervan.

Ask any Pacific Northwesterner what the region means to them and the answers will be as varied as the paint jobs on our campervans. To some, it means food: apples, cherries, marionberries, smoked salmon, seafood stew, and Portland microbrews. To others, it means the outdoors: sea kayaking in the San Juan Islands, hiking in Rogue River Country, skiing at Mt. Bachelor, or mountain biking world-class singletrack at Whistler.

To us here at Escape, the Pacific Northwest means epic road-trip country: winding two-lane highways with nobody on them, beautiful State and National Parks without the crowds, and solitary beach towns that beg you to park the van and stay awhile. With an  Escape campervan , you can do just that – camp wherever you can park and take in the sights.

No matter how you see it, this vast expanse of land is definitely best explored in an Escape campervan. We’ve put together 3 itineraries with loops in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia, highlighting our favorite stops on each route. Take on one, two, or the whole shebang! Start at our  Seattle , Portland , or Vancouver BC depots.

Remember, it is  legal  to cross into Canada in your Escape Campervan! You can:

  • Do one way or round trip between Vancouver and Calgary, and cross into the US during your trip
  • Do one way or round trip between any of our 10 depots in the US, and cross into Canada during your trip

Portland, OR

Distance:  900+ miles (1448+ km)

Time:  20+ hours (1+ weeks)

With 3 pristine national parks and even more state parks to choose from, Washington is the perfect place to explore the outdoors by campervan. The area is much less crowded than the likes of Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon, but it’s just as beautiful, which makes it the best of both worlds. Be on the lookout for U-pick apple and cherry orchards along the way!

We’ll start at our  Seattle Escape Camper Vans  depot and head south to Mt. Rainier.

Mt Rainier National Park

A dramatic and colorful view of Mt. Rainier with wildflowers in full bloom

It’s hard to miss this towering force of the Cascade Range. Popular with alpinists, Mount Rainier is an active volcano that stands 14,410 feet above sea level and is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A. White River Campground is one of our favorites and acts as a gateway into the park.

Mt. St. Helens

If you didn’t get enough of the first volcano, Mt. St. Helens is up next. On May 18, 1980, an explosion blew off the entire northern rim of the mountaintop. 57 people died in the initial blast and the summit elevation of the volcano was reduced from 9,760 ft (2,975 m) to 8,525 ft (2,600 m). If you want to visualize the awesome power of Mother Nature, make sure you make the detour to this National Monument. We recommend Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Seaquest State Park for camping. Reservations are highly recommended.

Olympic National Park

A designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve, here you’ll find nearly a million acres of wilderness, from glacier-capped mountains and old-growth temperate rain forests to over 70 miles of wild coastline. Be sure to check out Hurricane Ridge.

North Cascades National Park

Diablo Lake North Cascades National Park Washington

Ready for even more mountain peaks, glaciers, lakes, and forests? North Cascades won’t disappoint. Scenic drives and the electric blue Diablo Lake await!

The Enchantments

The crowning glory of Washington State’s Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the stunning Enchantment Lakes basin is over 7,000 feet in elevation and can only be attained by two approaches. You can’t get there very easily, but they’re worth the effort. Be sure to  get a permit  before you plan your hike in, and grab a beer at the Bavarian-styled village of Leavenworth right outside the area.

You’ll end your trip here, but it’s not over yet! Check out the Space Needle, Experience Music Project Museum, and Pike Place Market. If you want more, catch a ferry to the San Juan Islands for some whale watching, or Bainbridge Island for some kayaking.

Distance:  800+ miles (1387+ km)

Time:  15+ hours (1+ weeks)

From Seattle, cruise down Interstate 5 through the Columbia River Gorge about 3 hours to the city of Portland, Oregon.

Mt Hood at Sunset with Portland City Center

Ground zero for the latest hipster, organic, and bike-to-work movements sweeping the world. Tap the brakes for a couple of days and experience everything The Rose City has to offer. Beyond Voodoo Doughnuts, Portland has some of the best cuisine and craft beer in the country (Pine State Biscuits, Por Que No, and Salt & Straw are Escape favorites). Drive up to the historic Pittock Mansion for a view over the city with Mount Hood in the distance. Catch some live music at the Crystal Ballroom. If you’re a soccer fan, snag some tickets to a Timbers game, as the fans are said to be on the level of the experience typically had at English Premier League matches. Basketball fans would do well to attend a Trail Blazers game at the Moda Center. Finally, 23rd Street and Mississippi and Alberta are great little areas to walk around and get a feel for the city.

Silver Falls State Park is less than 2 hours away, but it has great camping and is well worth the trip if you’re a fan of waterfalls–you’ll see 10 spectacular ones on a short hike through the canyon.

About 2 hours from Portland you’ll find Mount Hood, one of Oregon’s most iconic landmarks and the only ski area in North America open 12 months out of the year. Along the way, be on the lookout for campgrounds and fruit stands–especially U-pick marionberry farms. Stop at Trillium Lake for picturesque views of the mountain reflected in the water. Stopover at Government Camp, a quaint little ski village, for some delicious food, then meander up to Timberline Lodge. You might recognize this building, as the outside of it was filmed for The Shining . The inside is beautiful, and while it’s a bit pricey, it’s lovely to grab a cocktail and a marionberry cobbler at the bar upstairs while taking in the view. If you have time, Cooper Spur is an awesome hike in the summer that gets you up close and personal to the summit of Mt Hood.

Smith Rock State Park

Sunrise at Smith Rock State Park in Oregon USA

Fans of Cheryl Strayed’s  Wild  will recognize this spot–although they shot it as the California portion of her Pacific Crest Trail hike in the movie. You’ll drive through the Warm Springs Reservation to get here, and will notice the lush green valley melt away into the landscape of the high desert. There’s great fly fishing here, as well as natural hot spring pools at Kah-Nee-Ta. Once you make it to Smith Rock, you’ll find one of the best rock climbing meccas in the world, and one of our favorite hikes: Misery Ridge. You can camp cheaply at The Bivy, where you’ll find restrooms, showers, sinks, and more. On your way out, stop at the Crescent Moon Ranch, a free attraction that brings instant happiness when the adorable, soft, goofy alpacas run up to you (a great opportunity for a selfie).

Outdoor-lovers, this is the place for you. Google anything along the lines of “Best Towns for Outdoorsy People” and you’re more than likely to find Bend on the list. Rent a mountain bike and experience at Phil’s Trail, tour the microbreweries, hike in the Deschutes National Forest, ski at Mount Bachelor, or simply wander around the quaint downtown. Deschutes Brewery is the most famous brewery, and you can’t go wrong with the beer there, however, we’re also partial to Good Life’s “Sweet As” Pacific Ale made with New Zealand hops, and Boneyard’s RPM. Stop at Backporch for good coffee. For food, check out Spork and The Lot. If you come through during the summer months, you’ll probably see the Deschutes River full of people floating, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, and more, and will be hard-pressed not to join them.

Note: Rob, our CEO, used to live here, so you know it’s good!

Sparks Lake Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway Bend Oregon

Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway

While the city of Bend is beautiful, the Cascade Lakes Highway is its real gem. Sparks Lake offers incredible views of the Cascade Mountains, while Elk Lake has a lodge, cabins, and camping. Tumalo Mountain is a great short hike that offers beautiful vistas of the Cascades and is spectacular at sunrise/sunset. For longer hikes, No Name Lake at the base of Broken Top and Green Lakes Trail are stunners.

Sisters is about 25 minutes from Bend and is a great little town that has managed to preserve its Western vibe (even the McDonald’s looks Western). Get a marionberry shake from Sno Cap. If you’re there in September, the Sisters Folk Festival is magical, but be sure to get tickets well in advance. From there, Highway 242 (the McKenzie Highway) is a beautiful scenic drive. Stop at the Dee Wright Observatory and Proxy Falls–one of America’s most-photographed waterfalls. Keep going up to Cougar Hot Springs if you want more. (Note: clothing is optional at many of Oregon’s hot springs, so be prepared for that!)

Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon in the winter

Make sure you carve out a couple of days to check out Crater Lake National Park. It’s just a couple hours south of Bend on Highway 97 and is well worth the side trip. Created by the collapse of a volcano, this is one of the most beautiful parks you’ll see in the Pacific Northwest.

Best Camping

Mazama Campground. Open June through September, make sure you have reservations in advance. Lost Creek, although much smaller, is also worthy and all their sites are on a first-come-first-served basis. Finally, Crater Lake is surrounded by Umpqua National Forest, so boondocking (pirate camping) is another great option.

Umpqua Hot Springs and Toketee Falls are a short drive away outside the park and make for a great little day trip if you combine them.

The Oregon Coast

Oregon Coast secret beach views

A tiny seaside town worth your attention, Yachats is known for Dungeness crab (season is November through June-ish) and you can’t go wrong frequenting any of the beachside shacks or upscale gourmet restaurants in town. Wander among the tidepools and knock out a hike at Cape Perpetua.

From the town of Yachats south is a long stretch of coastline that happens to be in the Siuslaw National Forest. It’s legal to camp along this stretch of Highway 101 for free. Avoid areas that warn of “No Overnight Parking.”

Located on the edge of Yaquina Bay, Newport is a great place to get out of the campervan and get your blood pumping. Agate and Beverly beaches are good places to check out. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is world-class if you’re a budding biologist. There also seem to be independent bookstores on every corner—grab a read or two if you’ve grown tired of your travel partner.

Beverly State Beach has epic sites and is close to town.

This place is tiny. So small, in fact, that Depoe is home to the world’s smallest navigable harbor. The sea caves and lava beds along the shoreline make for great hiking and wandering among the tide pools. This place is also one of the best jumping off points to go whale watching.

Fogarty Creek State Park, just north of town, is the place to be if you haven’t had your fill of beaches and tidal pools.

Whale Watching Tour

Tradewinds Charters seems to be the biggest operator in town. Give them a call at (541) 765-3474.

Pacific City

If you’re a surfer, this is where you want to be. Just be sure to bring a wetsuit, and the Oregon ocean is a lot colder than California’s!

If you want to keep driving north up the coast, stop by the world-famous Tillamook Dairy Farm. No proper Oregon road trip would be complete without a tour of their cheese factory! Then, meander through one of our favorite little towns, Manzanita, before reaching the iconic Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach and ending up in Seaside.

British Columbia, Canada

Vancouver - Canada. Yaletown and the Burrard Bridge in False Creek in the city of Vancouver in British Columbia on the west coast of Canada.

Distance:  700+ miles (1126+ km)

Time:  14+ hours (1+ weeks)

While we love a good US road trip, our friendly neighbors to the north have some incredible scenery that you won’t want to miss out on if you have the chance. It takes about 3 hours to get across the border to Canada from our Seattle depot, and it’s well worth the trip. We’ve put together some highlights for a week-long loop to Vancouver and Whistler.

This coastal seaport city is the perfect launch point for your British Columbia adventure. Stroll around Stanley Park, visit Granville Island, ride the gondola up Grouse Mountain, or lounge at Kitsilano, or “Kits,” Beach. Take a walk across the Capilano Suspension Bridge, which hovers 230 feet above Capilano River. If you have the time, hop on the ferry to the historic capital, Victoria, and check out the Butchart Gardens.

Along the  Sea to Sky Highway  you’ll find the outdoor mecca of Squamish. It was named by The New York Times as one of the top  52 Places to Go , and is recognized around the world for its mountain biking, hiking, rafting, windsurfing, and rock climbing. In fact, between  Shannon Falls ,  Murrin Park , The Malamute, and the Little Smoke Bluffs, there are over 1200 rock-climbing routes in the Squamish area.

Take the Sea to Sky Gondola for views of the sound and nearby Shannon Falls, a towering waterfall cascading down a series of cliffs. Watch the northern lights at Porteau Cove, and look out for bald eagles. View camping options  here .

Garibaldi Provincial Park

Hike on Garibaldi Lake near Whistler, BC, Canada.

Named after the iconic 2,678-meter peak, Mount Garibaldi, this park offers year-round recreation. In the summer, take a hike up to the Red Heather Hut, or through the meadows to Elfin Lakes. In the winter, the park’s terrain becomes a destination for skiers and snowboarders.

The Diamond Head and Black Tusk/Rubble Creek areas are also worth a visit.

If you’re hardcore into mountain biking and skiing, this is the place for you. And if you’re not, this is still the place for you! No matter your interests, it’s impossible to be bored in Whistler. It’s home to Whistler Blackcomb, one of the largest ski resorts in North America.

Besides skiing and snowboarding, the area offers snowshoeing, tobogganing, and ski jumping at the Olympic Park, (one of the venues for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics). The town itself is a chalet-style pedestrian village at the base of the mountains. Trails range from easy nature walks around Lost Lake to elevation-intense mountain climbs.

Until the 1960s, this village could be reached only by train, but that changed when Highway 99 was built–which means you can now road trip there! Be sure to check out Joffre Lakes and Nairn Falls Provincial Parks, and the Pemberton Distillery. Then, stop by Duffey Lake Provincial Park on your way out for one of the best views you’ll ever get for a picnic and a swim.

Located in the Thompson Valley, you’ll find yet another outdoor mecca. More than 100 lakes within an hour of Kamloops, as well as two major rivers, provide great fishing, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, and tubing. Hiking, mountain biking, camping, and wildlife abound. Kamloops is also a major golfing destination, with around a dozen courses close by. Visit Sun Peaks Resort during the winter months.

Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park

Known for the Othello Tunnels near Hope, British Columbia. More importantly, this area is easily recognizable when watching  Rambo: First Blood , where Sylvester Stallone hangs off the cliff while a helicopter tries to snipe him down. The Othello Tunnels were originally part of the Kettle Valley Railway and consist of five tunnels and a series of bridges through the Coquihalla River Canyon, a gorge lined with flat, vertical rock cliffs. It celebrated 100 years last year.

Note: The Othello Tunnels are closed during the winter months due to unstable conditions, falling rocks and ice.

Harrison Hot Springs

Located just over an hour from Vancouver, you’ll want to stop here on the home stretch of your trip. Here you’ll find a resort and spa, a public pool, a floating water park, scenic and wildlife tours, jet ski rentals, sport fishing, paddling on the Harrison River, golfing, hiking, tubing, and relaxation on the beach. The perfect end to your Escape to Canada, eh?

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Yardbarker

11 most scenic Pacific Northwest road trips

Posted: September 10, 2023 | Last updated: September 10, 2023

<p>My home region is one of the most beautiful in the country. Home to looming mountains begging to be explored to rugged coastlines, expansive deserts, and quirky cities, the best way to see it is to take one of the following road trips.</p>

My home region is one of the most beautiful in the country. Home to looming mountains begging to be explored to rugged coastlines, expansive deserts, and quirky cities, the best way to see it is to take one of the following road trips.

<p>One of my favorite parts of the world is right in my home state, with Highway 101 circling the peninsula for 300 miles. Start by taking the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, where you can go wine tasting, browse the cute town, and enjoy views across the sound. Continue on the 104 to adorable Port Townsend before spending a few days camping, surfing, hiking, or skiing in the winter at Olympic National Park. Highlights in the park include Hurricane Ridge, Forks, the coast, and the Hoh Rainforest. Plan between six and nine days for this route.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/lifestyle/articles/13_european_cities_with_amazing_cafe_culture_090923/s1__38736384'>13 European cities with amazing cafe culture</a></p>

Olympic Peninsula, Washington

One of my favorite parts of the world is right in my home state, with Highway 101 circling the peninsula for 300 miles. Start by taking the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, where you can go wine tasting, browse the cute town, and enjoy views across the sound. Continue on the 104 to adorable Port Townsend before spending a few days camping, surfing, hiking, or skiing in the winter at Olympic National Park. Highlights in the park include Hurricane Ridge, Forks, the coast, and the Hoh Rainforest. Plan between six and nine days for this route.

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<p>Start in Portland, head out through the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, and stop at numerous waterfalls, including the famous Multnomah. Enjoy hikes with amazing views of the river and surrounding forest. Then continue to the Hood River Region for mountains, and don’t forget to stop at the Cascade Locks Marine Park for lunch one day. Expect this route to take anywhere from three to five days.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive lifestyle content.</a></p>

Columbia River Gorge Route, Oregon

Start in Portland, head out through the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, and stop at numerous waterfalls, including the famous Multnomah. Enjoy hikes with amazing views of the river and surrounding forest. Then continue to the Hood River Region for mountains, and don’t forget to stop at the Cascade Locks Marine Park for lunch one day. Expect this route to take anywhere from three to five days.

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<p>Drive to Astoria from either Portland or Seattle, then head south on the 101 with stops in Seaside, Cannon Beach, and Tillamook (make sure to tour and taste the dairy factory). Continue onto Pacific City and Lincoln City before ending in Newport. This can be a quick long weekend trip or a weeklong adventure, depending on how much time you want to spend at the beach.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/lifestyle/articles/12_things_that_will_surprise_you_at_european_restaurants/s1__38269648'>12 things that will surprise you at European restaurants</a></p>

Northern Oregon Coast

Drive to Astoria from either Portland or Seattle, then head south on the 101 with stops in Seaside, Cannon Beach, and Tillamook (make sure to tour and taste the dairy factory). Continue onto Pacific City and Lincoln City before ending in Newport. This can be a quick long weekend trip or a weeklong adventure, depending on how much time you want to spend at the beach.

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<p>This route picks up just south of the northern option in Newport. Spend some time at the beach before heading to the Siuslaw National Forest to hike. Then drive to Florence to enjoy the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. The mix of desert, ocean, and forest that follows as you head south goes through adorable Coos Bay before hitting the California border. Then explore the rugged coast of northern California, and give yourself at least a week to complete.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive lifestyle content.</a></p>

Southern Oregon Coast and NorCal

This route picks up just south of the northern option in Newport. Spend some time at the beach before heading to the Siuslaw National Forest to hike. Then drive to Florence to enjoy the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. The mix of desert, ocean, and forest that follows as you head south goes through adorable Coos Bay before hitting the California border. Then explore the rugged coast of northern California, and give yourself at least a week to complete.

<p>Idaho isn’t always considered the Pacific Northwest, but this trip is so beautiful it needed to be included. Start in the Gem State’s capital, Boise, a small college town home to numerous bars and restaurants. Then, hop on the Salmon River Scenic Byway and explore multiple hot springs, rivers, and ghost towns. Notable stops include the Sawtooth Mountains, Sun Valley, and Ketchum. Allow for at least a week to complete.  </p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/lifestyle/articles/you_only_need_a_toaster_oven_to_make_these_25_awesome_recipes/s1__23625967'>You only need a toaster oven to make these 25 awesome recipes</a></p>

Salmon Bay Byway, Idaho

Idaho isn’t always considered the Pacific Northwest, but this trip is so beautiful it needed to be included. Start in the Gem State’s capital, Boise, a small college town home to numerous bars and restaurants. Then, hop on the Salmon River Scenic Byway and explore multiple hot springs, rivers, and ghost towns. Notable stops include the Sawtooth Mountains, Sun Valley, and Ketchum. Allow for at least a week to complete.  

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<p>Start in the adorable college town of Eugene, explore the University of Oregon campus, and hike in the nearby Willamette National Forest. If you’re into wines, definitely explore Willamette Valley. Head down I-5 before heading east to Umpqua National Forest, then onto Klamath Falls. Head north to Crater Lake, Sun River, and Bend for hiking, skiing, and biking. Give yourself at least a week or 10 days to complete.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive lifestyle content.</a></p>

Inland Southern Oregon

Start in the adorable college town of Eugene, explore the University of Oregon campus, and hike in the nearby Willamette National Forest. If you’re into wines, definitely explore Willamette Valley. Head down I-5 before heading east to Umpqua National Forest, then onto Klamath Falls. Head north to Crater Lake, Sun River, and Bend for hiking, skiing, and biking. Give yourself at least a week or 10 days to complete.

<p>Start in the Emerald City, where you can hit up Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, and the waterfront before jumping in the car and heading north. Stop in Mukilteo and take the ferry to Whidbey Island, then drive along the entire island before heading back to the mainland via Deception Pass. Continue north on the 20 to Anacortes, where you can catch a ferry to the San Juan Islands for an addition. Then, head back to the mainland, stopping in La Connor and Bellingham before hitting the border and ending in Vancouver, BC. Allow for a week or more, depending on how many stops you plan on.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/lifestyle/articles/22_southern_slow_cooker_recipes/s1__39105921'>22 Southern slow-cooker recipes</a></p>

Seattle to Vancouver

Start in the Emerald City, where you can hit up Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, and the waterfront before jumping in the car and heading north. Stop in Mukilteo and take the ferry to Whidbey Island, then drive along the entire island before heading back to the mainland via Deception Pass. Continue north on the 20 to Anacortes, where you can catch a ferry to the San Juan Islands for an addition. Then, head back to the mainland, stopping in La Connor and Bellingham before hitting the border and ending in Vancouver, BC. Allow for a week or more, depending on how many stops you plan on.

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<p>This loop also starts in Seattle, but instead of taking a ferry to start, continue straight up I-5 to Deception Pass State Park and La Connor. Hike, camp, or just enjoy the scenery. Then head east to the North Cascades National Park — one of the lesser-known parks in the nation. Head south across the pass to Leavenworth, the perfect German village lookalike, then continue onto Wenatchee, Lake Chelan, and Stevens Pass. The time needed: at least six days.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive lifestyle content.</a></p>

Cascade Loop, WA

This loop also starts in Seattle, but instead of taking a ferry to start, continue straight up I-5 to Deception Pass State Park and La Connor. Hike, camp, or just enjoy the scenery. Then head east to the North Cascades National Park — one of the lesser-known parks in the nation. Head south across the pass to Leavenworth, the perfect German village lookalike, then continue onto Wenatchee, Lake Chelan, and Stevens Pass. The time needed: at least six days.

<p>Another option to the itinerary above starting in Eugene is to skip nature and head right into wine country via the Willamette Scenic Highway. An easy day trip, or you can stay a few nights and visit every winery.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/lifestyle/articles/20_ways_to_make_your_home_more_inviting_for_guests_090923/s1__35920406'>20 ways to make your home more inviting for guests</a></p>

Willamette Scenic Highway

Another option to the itinerary above starting in Eugene is to skip nature and head right into wine country via the Willamette Scenic Highway. An easy day trip, or you can stay a few nights and visit every winery.

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<p>From Seattle, head directly to the North Cascades (only open from April/May through October) to hike and camp. Then, continue east to the historic western towns, Winthrop and Twisp, and into the Okanogan Valley. Then head north across the border to eastern BC and enjoy the wineries, Lake Country, and Kelowna. Allow for five to seven days.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive lifestyle content.</a></p>

North Cascades and the Okanogan

From Seattle, head directly to the North Cascades (only open from April/May through October) to hike and camp. Then, continue east to the historic western towns, Winthrop and Twisp, and into the Okanogan Valley. Then head north across the border to eastern BC and enjoy the wineries, Lake Country, and Kelowna. Allow for five to seven days.

<p>Start in Portland and explore the Mt. Hood National Forest before heading east to the Hood River and the Umatilla National Forest. Then cross the border into Washington and Walla Walla to enjoy the best of western wines. Continue onto Yakima and the Tri-Cities, where fruit picking is a fun summer activity, before ending in adorable Ellensburg. Allow for five days.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Did you enjoy this slideshow? Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive lifestyle content.</a></p>

East Northern Oregon and Southern Washington

Start in Portland and explore the Mt. Hood National Forest before heading east to the Hood River and the Umatilla National Forest. Then cross the border into Washington and Walla Walla to enjoy the best of western wines. Continue onto Yakima and the Tri-Cities, where fruit picking is a fun summer activity, before ending in adorable Ellensburg. Allow for five days.

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Na Ulitse Yalagina 13B Apartments

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