Splash and Play on This 3-Day Road Trip To Our Favorite Water Spots in Washington

Rocky Brook Falls in Brinnon is the first stop on this summer road trip. There is a short walk to reach the falls—approximately 200 yards—but this is a great place to stretch your legs before you continue on your way. Rocky Book Falls is considered one of the prettiest waterfalls on the Peninsula. These falls are certainly impressive after heavy rain, and the water tumbles into a small natural pool. You may see individuals hopping into the pool to cool off, but enter at your own risk. The water levels can quickly change, making this swimming hole dangerous.

Our next stop is one where you could spend hours—or even an entire day. Millersylvania State Park is located along the shores of Deep Lake, and here, you’ll find two beaches where you can swim, kayak, or just sit back and admire the views in front of you. This is a great place to cool off on a hot day, and if you aren’t in the mood to get wet, there are also forested hiking and biking trails you can explore.

I recommend you stay long enough at this Washington state park to catch sunset views, and if you’d like to spend your night under the stars, book a stay in this state park’s campground. There are RV, trailer, and tent sites, several with ADA accessibility. Of course, if you aren’t in the mood to camp, you also have dozens of hotels and vacation rentals in Olympia to consider.

You can start the day splashing in the water or watching others play at Heritage Park Fountain in the heart of Olympia. This park is only 1.31 acres, but it’s a great place to spend a morning. You can run through the fountain to cool off, or sit on the benches around the fountain and enjoy the views. You may even want to stop and admire the public art that is located around the area as well.

After a slower start to your day, you can keep that same vibe by visiting Lake Meridian in Kent. This lake offers excellent opportunities to throw in your fishing line and catch rainbow trout, kokanee, largemouth bass, and other fish species that are stocked in the lake. You don’t even need a boat either as the shoreline along Lake Meridian Park offers excellent fishing. Lake Meridian Park is a delightful family destination with a park shelter, playground, art, walking trails, and more.

After time at the lake, relax in Kent or right along the lake before you begin your last leg of the trip. There are vacation rentals, like this waterfront retreat, where you can overlook the lake, unwind, and recover.

The last day of our summer road trip in Washington is truly scenic, and it's hard to beat the views of Snoqualmie Falls. This 268-foot waterfall is just east of Seattle and is stunning from any angle. During your visit, you’ll find observation decks, a gift shop, park, and scenery that you’ll remember for days to come. Plus, you won’t need to worry about getting wet here. This is a road trip stop where you simply get to fall in love with Mother Nature's gorgeous creation.

The last stop on our road trip is to one of our favorite warm-weather destinations—Alki Beach. This is one of the most popular beaches in the Emerald City and a place where you can enjoy gorgeous views of Puget Sound, Olympic Mountains, and the Seattle skyline. Hop in the water and go for a swim or even plan a visit to the Alki Point Lighthouse, a historic lighthouse that offers tours in the summer months. Keep in mind that because this is a popular beach in the Seattle area, you can expect crowds during the summer.