The 10 Most Incredible Natural Attractions In Washington That Everyone Should Visit
By Jessica Wick|Published July 17, 2017
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Jessica Wick
Author
Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
We’re not here you tell anyone how they SHOULD experience Washington… but it’s safe to say that if you’ve lived here for awhile and you haven’t seen any of your amazing natural wonders, well, you may be doing Washington wrong. But fear not, summer is here, and it’s a beautiful time to go exploring.
And while we believe every Washingtonian should see as many of our natural attractions as they can, we’ve narrowed it down to a Top 10 list for those short on time or travel funds. Enjoy!
Technically it would be easy to cross Mount Rainier off the list, because it's visible from Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Seattle and many other parts of Western Washington. But if you go to Mount Rainier National Park (which you really should, it's beautiful) hiking the easy and fun Grove of the Patriarchs Trail is a great way to experience it.
There's no doubt about it, Palouse Falls State Park is the gem of Eastern Washington. Located in LaCrosse about an hour north of Walla Walla, the highlight of the beautiful park is the cascading waterfall.
Don't be afraid to step inside these caves! The Ape Caves were formed over 2,000 years ago, when Mount St. Helens erupted and lava poured down the southern flank of the volcano.
This article has all the information you need for exploring them.
Did you know Western Washington is home to one of the oldest ecosystems on the planet? At least once in your lifetime, do yourself the favor of walking through The Hoh.
This beautiful area borders Oregon, and it's one of the most underrated parts of the state. There are plenty of places to view the Columbia River Gorge, most notably the Skamania area. Or, save up for a special occasion and take a river cruise on the
American Empress.
This volcano plays a big role in our state history. It's the only volcano in the contiguous 48 states to erupt in modern times, and it's definitely worth seeing in person.
Reaching these beautiful alpine lakes involves a moderate hike that may not be feasible for everyone. But if you manage to make it, the scenery is incredible.
