Washington Outdoor Guide: Campgrounds, Trails, Beaches & RV Spots
Key Takeaways
- Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks give Washington genuine variety in one state — alpine meadows, rainforest, and rugged wild coastline
- Lake Sammamish is one of the warmest swimmable lakes near Seattle, reaching 73-75°F by late July — a real alternative to the region’s typically cold water
- Ruby Beach and the Olympic coast are for tidepooling and driftwood exploration, not swimming — wear waterproof footwear and set expectations accordingly
- If you’re driving a bigger RV, base on the west side of Mount Rainier to avoid mountain passes
Three National Parks, Genuinely Different From Each Other
Washington’s outdoor identity runs through Mount Rainier’s alpine meadows, Olympic’s rainforest and wild coast, and the North Cascades’ dramatic peaks — each one is worth its own dedicated trip.
Campgrounds
Cougar Rock Campground — Mount Rainier National Park (Paradise side)
One of only two reservable Rainier campgrounds, with easy access to the Paradise trail network. Book through the national reservation system as soon as summer availability opens.
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Kalaloch Campground — Olympic National Park (coast)
Bluff-top sites over miles of rugged coastline, with tidepools and marine wildlife right nearby. Outstanding ranger programs make this a genuinely great family pick — many Olympic campgrounds are first-come, so plan an early arrival.
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Hoh Rain Forest Campground — Olympic National Park
Direct access to the Hall of Mosses in a world-class temperate rainforest — a completely different Washington experience than the coast or the mountains.
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Colonial Creek Campground — North Cascades National Park
Quieter national park sites, good for exploring with kids without the crowds of Rainier or Olympic. The access road closes November through May.
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Cowlitz Falls Campground — Randle
Over 100 sites with showers, two dump stations, a playground, and a boat launch — centrally located between Mount St. Helens, Rainier, and Gifford Pinchot National Forest, and a genuinely good base if you want to explore all three.
Learn moreHiking Trails
Skyline Trail / Myrtle Falls — Paradise, Mount Rainier
A paved half-mile to the much-photographed Myrtle Falls with a Rainier backdrop. The full Skyline Loop is moderate-to-difficult with genuinely spectacular wildflower meadows — very crowded, so go early or in the evening.
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Naches Peak Loop — Mount Rainier (east side)
A roughly 3.5-mile moderate, family-friendly loop with wildflowers and a real Rainier reflection — one of the best easy alpine hikes in the state.
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Hall of Mosses — Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park
A short, easy loop through iconic moss-draped old growth — the quintessential rainforest walk, and genuinely magical for kids.
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Rainy Lake — North Cascades National Park
A short, accessible, family-friendly hike to a beautiful alpine lake — ideal as a reward after a long drive into the park.
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Sol Duc Falls — Olympic National Park
An easy old-growth walk to a photogenic waterfall, in one of the less-crowded corners of the park.
Learn moreBeaches / Lakes & Alpine Areas
Ruby Beach — Olympic National Park
Towering sea stacks and driftwood piles — the marquee wild-coast family experience. This is a tidepooling and driftwood-climbing beach, not a swimming one — wear waterproof footwear.
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Lake Sammamish State Park — Issaquah
Two sandy beaches with one of the warmest swimmable lakes near Seattle, reaching 73-75°F by late July. A roped swim area and boat launch make this a genuinely reliable family swim spot — arrive before 10am on summer weekends.
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Madison Park Beach — Lake Washington, Seattle
Lifeguarded, roped-off calm-water swimming with no currents — ideal for teaching kids to swim.
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Golden Gardens Park — Ballard, Seattle
A sandy Puget Sound beach with a café and fire pits — a good all-around city beach option.
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Lake Chelan
Warm, clear water with a near-tropical summer feel — genuinely one of Washington’s best family summer swimming destinations, well worth the drive if warm water matters to your trip.
Learn moreRV Spots
Cascade Peaks Family Campground — Packwood
Full hookups near Rainier, with a country store and genuine family amenities.
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Cowlitz Falls Campground — Randle
RV sites with two dump stations, showers, and a large recreation area — a strong central base near three volcanoes.
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Sun Outdoors Gig Harbor
A full-hookup RV resort billed as the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula, with ferry access to Puget Sound and the San Juans.
Learn moreNote: if you’re driving a larger rig, base on the west side of Mount Rainier — guides consistently advise against taking big RVs over the mountain passes.
Planning Your Trip
Pick your national park based on what your family wants most — Rainier for alpine meadows and wildflower hikes, Olympic for rainforest and wild coastline, North Cascades for quieter, dramatic peaks. If warm-water swimming is a priority, Lake Sammamish or Lake Chelan are genuinely worth building a day around — Washington’s coast and most of its alpine lakes stay cold even in summer.