This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You Washington Like You’ve Never Seen It Before
Many of Washington’s most famous natural wonders are popular tourist spots. But this strategic natural wonders road trip will allow you to make the journey the destination, highlighting five of the nature-made spots that make our state so stunning. Allow four or five full days for this adventure if you can, so you won’t have to rush through a single sunset.
If Washington had its own Seven Wonders list, Mount Rainier would surely top it. Start your road trip by spending a full day at Mount Rainier National Park. You can go hiking, visit Martha Falls or just enjoy the mountain views from one of the many viewpoints.
Lake Chelan is one of the deepest lakes in the world, and it’s also one of the most pristine places in the state to go for a swim. If you’d rather just admire the water while staying dry, you can go for a boat ride on the Lady of the Lake.
The official waterfall of Washington is a lasting remnant of the Missoula Floods, which swept across Eastern Washington at the end of the ice age. If you can, try to time your visit to the falls so you can catch a sunset. Watching the light and shadows change along the canyon walls is an unforgettable experience.
Next, head down south and drive along Washington State Route 14 to take in the views of the amazing Columbia River Gorge. The Columbia River, which runs from British Columbia to Oregon, is one of the world’s largest hydropower systems.
Mount St. Helens has interrupted more frequently than any other volcano in the Cascade Range, but it has behaved itself (more or less) since 1980. By visiting Mount St. Helens, you’ll be able to see evidence of the destruction and the following rebirth.
There’s so much to see from behind the wheel in Washington. To see the entire route, click here. If you don’t have the time to take this trip right now, take a drive down one of our scenic byways.
