We’re so lucky to have a national park to visit in Washington like Mt. Rainier. Not only is the mountain itself absolutely iconic, but it’s also surrounded by the most stunning natural beauty in the state. And while spending a summer day at Mt. Rainier is amazing, nothing beats a crisp autumn day. If you need proof that this is one of the best parks in Washington, just look at these spectacular photos.
This shot was captured near Paradise during the first week of autumn when the leaves were just starting to turn.
Linda on the bridge / Flickr As you can see, it already looks colorful and vibrant.
Some of the best autumn scenes can be spotted on the Skyline Trail.
MWP / iStock / Getty Images Plus / via Getty Images The five-mile loop is a somewhat challenging hiking trail in Washington, but as you can see, it’s worth the effort.
Vine maple, high elevation huckleberry bushes, and larch (tamarack) are the top sources of fall hues here at one of the best parks in Washington.
Jeff Gunn / Flickr The vine maple is what gives the hillside a lovely shade of red.
The three-mile Naches Peak Loop Trail is also exceptionally stunning in October…
Katrina Michel / alltrails.com
… but if you want a nice, easy, scenic hiking trail in Washington, check out the Grove of the Patriarchs Trail.
MWP / iStock / Getty Images Plus / via Getty Images You’ll be surrounded by rich fall hues for the entire mile.
Did you know Mt. Rainier National Park has some of the most vibrant fall foliage in the Pacific Northwest?
Linda on the Bridge / Flickr Here in Washington, people tend to head to the Cascades to see it. But this national park to visit in Washington never disappoints.
What else but Mother Nature could create something this magnificent?
Linda on the Bridge / Flickr It’s amazing to get such a spectacular visual display before the long, dark winter (sorry, Washingtonians, it’s coming).
Tipsoo Lake is one of the park’s most iconic spots, and we happen to believe it shines its brightest in October.
JD Hascup / Flickr And the colors are reflected in the water, which only amplifies them.
If you’ve been on the fence about paying Mt. Rainier one more visit before winter, we hope you’ve been colorfully convinced that this is one of the best things to do outside in Washington.
JD Hascup / Flickr You just don’t see rugged beauty like this every day.
Visit the NPS website to learn more about this national park to visit in Washington.
Linda on the bridge / Flickr
As you can see, it already looks colorful and vibrant.
MWP / iStock / Getty Images Plus / via Getty Images
The five-mile loop is a somewhat challenging hiking trail in Washington, but as you can see, it’s worth the effort.
Jeff Gunn / Flickr
The vine maple is what gives the hillside a lovely shade of red.
Katrina Michel / alltrails.com
MWP / iStock / Getty Images Plus / via Getty Images
You’ll be surrounded by rich fall hues for the entire mile.
Linda on the Bridge / Flickr
Here in Washington, people tend to head to the Cascades to see it. But this national park to visit in Washington never disappoints.
It’s amazing to get such a spectacular visual display before the long, dark winter (sorry, Washingtonians, it’s coming).
JD Hascup / Flickr
And the colors are reflected in the water, which only amplifies them.
You just don’t see rugged beauty like this every day.
What are your favorite things to do outside in Washington? Tell us in the comments!
After a long day of exploring Mt. Rainier National Park, we recommend spending the night in the tiny town of Elbe.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
national park to visit in Washington August 12, 2022 Rachel Raimondi What are the most well-known parks in Washington? Although there are 131 state parks in Washington, it’s the three national parks in Washington that are the most well known. Aside from Mount Rainier National Park mentioned above, you also have Olympic National Park and North Cascades National Park. The nearly one-million-acre Olympic National Park is most known for its jagged-rock beaches and old-growth rainforest. There are about 600 miles of trails to explore as well as opportunities for boating, fishing, camping, and much more. North Cascades National Park is a little over 500,000 acres and is most known for gorgeous valleys, waterfalls, and glaciers, and features a bit more challenges within its recreation, which includes hiking, camping, boating, fishing, horseback riding, and biking. And of course, both are loaded with some of the very best hiking trails in Washington. What are the scariest haunted houses in Washington? When it comes to voluntarily becoming scared, Washington has several haunted houses to get terrified at. In Vaughn, you’ll find the Haunted Forest at Grand Farms. This one is completely outdoors and features a medieval horror theme. You’ll head along a nearly one-mile trail full of all sorts of creatures and haunts, like witches, spiders, zombies, and much more. It’s just one of many awesome things to do outside in Washington during October. What is the weather like during the fall in Washington? Fall weather is truly lovely in Washington state. In fact, it’s actually very sunny and dry in September, with the likelihood of rainfall increasing as the fall progresses. Expect temperatures to be very pleasant, generally in the mid-50s range. Not to mention, the outstanding fall foliage you’ll find throughout its over 71,000 square miles. And there are a ton of fun fall activities in Washington such as pumpkin patches, hayrides, and festivals, to take advantage of during this nice stretch of weather.
The OIYS Visitor Center
national park to visit in Washington
August 12, 2022
Rachel Raimondi
What are the most well-known parks in Washington? Although there are 131 state parks in Washington, it’s the three national parks in Washington that are the most well known. Aside from Mount Rainier National Park mentioned above, you also have Olympic National Park and North Cascades National Park. The nearly one-million-acre Olympic National Park is most known for its jagged-rock beaches and old-growth rainforest. There are about 600 miles of trails to explore as well as opportunities for boating, fishing, camping, and much more. North Cascades National Park is a little over 500,000 acres and is most known for gorgeous valleys, waterfalls, and glaciers, and features a bit more challenges within its recreation, which includes hiking, camping, boating, fishing, horseback riding, and biking. And of course, both are loaded with some of the very best hiking trails in Washington. What are the scariest haunted houses in Washington? When it comes to voluntarily becoming scared, Washington has several haunted houses to get terrified at. In Vaughn, you’ll find the Haunted Forest at Grand Farms. This one is completely outdoors and features a medieval horror theme. You’ll head along a nearly one-mile trail full of all sorts of creatures and haunts, like witches, spiders, zombies, and much more. It’s just one of many awesome things to do outside in Washington during October. What is the weather like during the fall in Washington? Fall weather is truly lovely in Washington state. In fact, it’s actually very sunny and dry in September, with the likelihood of rainfall increasing as the fall progresses. Expect temperatures to be very pleasant, generally in the mid-50s range. Not to mention, the outstanding fall foliage you’ll find throughout its over 71,000 square miles. And there are a ton of fun fall activities in Washington such as pumpkin patches, hayrides, and festivals, to take advantage of during this nice stretch of weather.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Although there are 131 state parks in Washington, it’s the three national parks in Washington that are the most well known. Aside from Mount Rainier National Park mentioned above, you also have Olympic National Park and North Cascades National Park. The nearly one-million-acre Olympic National Park is most known for its jagged-rock beaches and old-growth rainforest. There are about 600 miles of trails to explore as well as opportunities for boating, fishing, camping, and much more. North Cascades National Park is a little over 500,000 acres and is most known for gorgeous valleys, waterfalls, and glaciers, and features a bit more challenges within its recreation, which includes hiking, camping, boating, fishing, horseback riding, and biking. And of course, both are loaded with some of the very best hiking trails in Washington.
What are the scariest haunted houses in Washington?
When it comes to voluntarily becoming scared, Washington has several haunted houses to get terrified at. In Vaughn, you’ll find the Haunted Forest at Grand Farms. This one is completely outdoors and features a medieval horror theme. You’ll head along a nearly one-mile trail full of all sorts of creatures and haunts, like witches, spiders, zombies, and much more. It’s just one of many awesome things to do outside in Washington during October.
What is the weather like during the fall in Washington?
Fall weather is truly lovely in Washington state. In fact, it’s actually very sunny and dry in September, with the likelihood of rainfall increasing as the fall progresses. Expect temperatures to be very pleasant, generally in the mid-50s range. Not to mention, the outstanding fall foliage you’ll find throughout its over 71,000 square miles. And there are a ton of fun fall activities in Washington such as pumpkin patches, hayrides, and festivals, to take advantage of during this nice stretch of weather.
