Washington National Parks Ranked Best to Worst

Washington State has some of the most jaw-dropping and diverse National Parks in the USA! From jagged mountains and alpine lakes to coastlines and rainforests, the Washington National Parks are perfect for passionate hikers and outdoorsy lovers.

So which Washington National Parks are worth the visit? In short, all of them are worth seeing on an epic Washington National Parks road trip. I have visited all three parks and highly recommend seeing these beautiful places at least once.

But if you are short on time or are curious about which ones are the “best” or “worst,” then continue reading as I rank all three of the Washington National Parks.

First, let me clarify that all of these parks are stunning, and each one is worth visiting. I hesitated to write a blog post like this that could paint certain National Parks in a negative light, so I need to specify what the goal of this blog article is. I aim to share the strengths and weaknesses by ranking the parks on six different factors (which I’ll mention next) to help you decide which Washington National Park (or parks) is worth your time.

skyline loop trail mount rainier national park

backcountry camping on second beach in olympic national park

Table of Contents

Washington National Parks Ranking System

So how could I possibly rank the Washington National Parks? I created six factors that are important to me (and what I believe to be important to my readers aka YOU) when considering which National Park or other public lands to visit.

Recreation – Are there diverse recreational opportunities found in the park like hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, camping, etc? I consider the amount/variety of recreation.
Scenery – How scenic and photogenic is the park? Landscapes, wildlife, and structures are all taken into account.
Crowds – How crowded is the park? I consider vehicle traffic, entrance station lines, amount of busy overlooks, congested trails, limited campsite/trail permit availability, etc.
Amenities – Are there developed amenities in the park like campgrounds, restrooms, visitor centers, lodges, restaurants, etc?
Accessibility – Is the park easy to access? I consider vehicle access, transportation options, parking, proximity to major airports, and in-park or nearby camping/lodging accommodations and services.
Trails – Are the trails diverse? In other words, is there a good balance of easy, moderate, and strenuous trails? Is there a variety of scenes on the trails? How many trails are there? Are there trails that can be both day-hiked and backpacked? How scenic are the trails?

Since you might hold more weight in one category than another, I will share my overall ranking (EX: 50/60) and a ranking breakdown (EX: Recreation: 8/10, Accessibility: 5/10) to help you see which park is stronger or weaker in each category.

For example, one park might have an overall ranking that is higher than another park, but the higher-rated park might have a lower score in one of the categories (maybe, recreation). So if recreation is the most important factor to you when considering which park(s) to visit, make sure you look at the breakdown (not just the overall score) to see which park(s) have the highest ranking in the recreation category.

To help you further plan your trip to the parks, I’ve included details on when to go and how long to visit, where to stay, the best things to do, and links to all of my in-depth individual guides on EACH of the Washington National Parks.

Make sense? Phew, okay, let’s get to it! Here are the Washington National Parks Ranked “Best” to “Worst.”

Washington National Parks Ranked Best to Worst

hiking the skyline loop trail in mount rainier national park

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on the links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks so much for your support!

#1. Olympic National Park

Overall Score: 57/60

hall of mosses trail in olypmic national park

sunset on second beach in olympic national park

Recreation: 10/10
Scenery: 10/10
Crowds: 8/10
Amenities: 9/10
Accessibility: 10/10
Trails: 10/10

When to Go

sitting beside lake crescent in olympic national park

Since Olympic is wildly diverse with both its array of environments and range of elevation, there isn’t a bad time of year to visit the park!

Summer months (June-September) are ideal for alpine hiking and backpacking since the snow has melted in the higher elevations, rain isn’t as frequent during these months, and temperatures are generally more comfortable.

Fall and spring (October-November & March-May) can be great times to visit with fewer crowds; the temperatures may be a bit chillier and snow may dust the peaks, but most of the park is still accessible.

Fortunately, the rainforest and coastal areas stay mild year-round, so these regions can be visited in any month!

If you’re craving a winter extravaganza, look no further than Hurricane Ridge. This area is the hub of winter adventure in Olympic. Snowshoeing, cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding, and tubing are all available!

DID YOU KNOW? The rainiest season is October through May with winter being considered the “wet season.” Olympic National Park receives about 12 feet of rain per year, and an average of 500 inches of snow falls on Mount Olympus every year! Snow can appear in the high country between September and June.

Where to Stay

Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles – Hotel on the North Peninsula
Olympic Suites Inn – West Peninsula
Hampton Inn & Suites Olympic Lacey – East Peninsula
Kalaloch Lodge. In-park lodge. Year-round accommodations, including cabins, lodge rooms, and campsites. Amenities include a restaurant, a gift shop, and a mercantile.
Lake Crescent Lodge. In-park lodge. Seasonal accommodations, including cottages, cabins, and lodge rooms. Amenities include a restaurant, a gift shop, and kayak rentals.
Camp or go backpacking in the park.

Best Things to Do

hiking through the hoh rainforest in olympic national park

Hike to Mount Storm King on a clear day, stopping by Marymere Falls along the way.
Spend the night on one of the wilderness beaches. Read my Second Beach backpacking guide!
Explore the Hoh Rainforest on the Hall of Mosses Trail.
Go kayaking on Lake Crescent.
Go beach-hopping. My favorites are Rialto and Second.

#2. North Cascades National Park

Overall Score: 54/60

maple pass loop hike north cascades washington

Recreation: 10/10
Scenery: 10/10
Crowds: 6/10
Amenities: 9/10
Accessibility: 9/10
Trails: 10/10

When to Go

maple pass loop north cascades national park

The best time to visit North Cascades National Park is in the summer! For a snow-free experience, visit from mid-July through mid-September. To see the larches, come in late September or early October!

If you visit in June and July, you will likely witness some lingering snow in the higher elevations.

If you visit in August and September, you will get to witness widespread wildflowers blanketing the meadows and bask in the overall comfortable hiking conditions.

If you visit in October, you’ll get to see those stunning golden larches circling the alpine lakes and lighting up the peaks and valleys. But it will likely be snowy in the higher elevations!

Where to Stay

Ross Lake Resort – Located in the heart of Ross Lake Recreation Area, this accommodation is open from mid-June through October. There is no road access to this resort – you must take a boat or a ferry! There are also boat-in camping options.
North Cascades Inn – Located at the western entrance of the park, this inn is close to popular trailheads and has an on-site restaurant.
Camp or go backpacking in the park.

Best Things to Do

Hike the Maple Pass Loop and Rainy Pass Trail. They share a trailhead!
Paddle on Diablo Lake.
Go for a scenic drive on Highway 20 and stop at the overlooks.
Backpack to Sahale Arm and Cascade Pass.
Hike to Blue Lake.
Hike to Cutthroat Lake and Cutthroat Pass.

#3. Mount Rainier National Park

Overall Score: 53/60

mount rainier national park skyline loop

Recreation: 10/10
Scenery: 10/10
Crowds: 4/10
Amenities: 9/10
Accessibility: 10/10
Trails: 10/10

When to Go

myrtle falls in mount rainier national park

Overall, the best time to visit Mount Rainier National Park is July through October.

If you’re looking for snow-free trails, you’ll want to visit in August or September for the best chance. The higher in elevation you travel, the more likely that you’ll see snow.

If you want to see wildflowers, I’d suggest coming in mid-July to mid-August. The meadows in the Paradise area come alive with vibrantly colored wildflowers!

If you want to see fall colors, I’d suggest visiting in late September or October!

Where to Stay

Paradise Inn – Typically open from May through September (dates vary by year), this inn sits right by the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center in the Paradise area of the park. There is a gift shop, cafe, and dining room, but no TV or internet.
LOGE Altra Crystal – Located in the Sunrise portion of the park, this resort is open year-round! This accommodation boasts heated pools, hot tubs, fireplace suites, charming cabins, and hikes right from the property.
National Park Inn – Located in Longmire, this is the only accommodation inside Mount Rainier National Park that is open year-round! There is a restaurant and a general store onsite.
Camp or go backpacking in the park.