Washington State road trip: Mount Rainier to Palouse Falls

This 2,790 km route through Washington State connects iconic Pacific Northwest landmarks including Mount Rainier National Park, Mount St. Helens, the San Juan Islands, and Palouse Falls. Travelers experience diverse ecosystems spanning from coastal Whidbey Island and Orcas Island to eastern geological wonders like Dry Falls and Lake Roosevelt, with stops at Alpine destinations such as Colchuck Lake and Stevens Pass.

Distance
2790.6 km
Mode
route
Start
Palouse Falls
End
Orcas Island
Stops
18
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Palouse Falls — State waterfall of Washington, approximately 180 ft plunge into canyon
  2. Mount St. Helens — Volcanic peak with 1980 eruption history
  3. Falls Creek Falls — Waterfall near Winthrop with Upper Falls Creek bridge crossing
  4. Mount Rainier National Park — Fifth U.S. national park established 1899, tallest peak in Cascade Range
  5. San Juan Islands — Scattered archipelago off Washington coast with ferry access via Anacortes
  6. San Juan Island — One of four largest islands served by car ferries
  7. Dry Falls — Ancient waterfall site carved by Missoula floods
  8. Gifford Pinchot National Forest
  9. Frenchman Coulee — Rock climbing and hiking destination with dramatic gorge formations
  10. Lake Sammamish — Lake in western Washington
  11. Colchuck Lake — Pristine alpine lake nestled in the Enchantment Lakes basin, surrounded by granite peaks and accessible via challenging backcountry hiking trails.
  12. Whidbey Island — Island off Washington coast
  13. Stevens Pass
  14. Lake Wenatchee — Mountain lake in central Washington
  15. Columbia River Gorge — Dramatic canyon carved by ancient waterfalls
  16. Lake Roosevelt — Reservoir in northeastern Washington
  17. Lopez Island — One of four largest islands served by car ferries
  18. Orcas Island — One of four largest islands served by car ferries

Useful for your trip

Timing
Pack layers and check local weather reports before heading into the mountains due to widely varying conditions.
Tip
Visit Palouse Falls year-round as the park remains open with winter and summer hours. The falls transform with the seasons.
Tip
Start your Mount St. Helens visit at visitor centers and information stations where interpretive staff offer guided walks, talks, and theater presentations.
Avoid
Permits are strictly required for any travel above 4,800 ft on Mount St. Helens crater rim.
Timing
Explore the Cascade Mountains and trails during warmer months. Winter offers cross-country skiing and snowmobile adventures.
Tip
Falls Creek Falls has a paved path for the first 1/4 mile from the trailhead, making it accessible for visitors wanting minimal effort.
Tip
At Falls Creek Falls, families with small children should stick to the lower paved areas as higher sections become steeper and narrower.
Timing
Visit Mount Rainier National Park between July and September to witness peak bloom of colorful wildflowers in subalpine meadows.
Tip
Mount Rainier is less than 3 hours from Seattle and features over 300 glaciers across its peaks.

Video on this route

Wonders of Washington | The Real Magic of the Pacific Northwest | Travel Video 4K

More routes nearby

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