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National Parks and Monuments in Washington State
Washington’s national parks and monuments boast jewel-like islands, misty forests, soaring mountains, arid scablands, and flat featureless desert. They cover roughly a quarter of the state’s total area and encompass many of its different ecosystems. Yet despite its geographical diversity, Washington State remains best known for its emerald-carpeted forests, its mountain-clad topography, and its heavy rainfall. And, to some extent, it isn’t difficult to see why. After all, the western portion of Washington houses more than three quarters of the state’s population and attracts a large majority of its tourists.…
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7 Awesome Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is one of Southern California’s most enticing outdoor destinations. Famed for its namesake trees that resemble props in a Dr Seuss story, the national park attracts rock climbers, hikers, solitude-seekers, and influencer-wannabes. It is one of the West Coast’s premier desert playgrounds—filled with jaw-dropping vistas, palm-sheltered oases, and grippy rock perfect for scrambling. Yet despite its proximity to Los Angeles and its hoards of yearly visitors, Joshua Tree is a quiet and peaceful retreat from the stresses of urban America. With its clear night skies and…
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Unforgettable Glacier National Park Day Trip Itinerary
Glacier National Park in Montana boasts some of the most pristine and dramatic landscapes in the United States. Famed for its 700+ miles of hiking trails and its awe-inspiring alpine vistas, the national park is an example of unspoiled wilderness at its finest. The park’s untouched landscapes remain authentically wild. They feature glacier-ripped valleys laced with plunging waterfalls and snowcapped pinnacles sheltering glassy turquoise lakes. Grizzly bears and moose roam the park in abundance. In summer, alpine meadows erupt in a blaze of colorful wildflowers. With more things to do…
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10 Things to Do on an Orcas Island Getaway
Orcas has long been one of Seattle’s favorite island getaways. Considered by many to be the jewel of the San Juans, it is a place where time slows down and the frenzy of city living seems worlds away. Due to its difficult-to-reach location in Washington’s northern Puget Sound, the rugged and laid-back island has struck a delicate balance between development and preservation, tourist dollars and authenticity. It is pricy but not pretentious, touristy but not overcrowded, and pretty but not packed with must-see attractions. Orcas Island has everything you might…
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Lake Chelan and Stehekin: A Weekend Getaway Guide
Lake Chelan is an elongated body of water that snakes through the hills of Central Washington. It is a scenic wonder, one of the state’s premier outdoor playgrounds, and a magnet for anyone with a penchant for water sports, wine, and relaxation. On summer weekends, it seems that everyone in Seattle descends on the sunny shores of Lake Chelan. And as a result, the lake is a place where ‘the great outdoors’ and ‘getting away from it all’ do not necessarily go hand in hand. Unless, of course, you decide…
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Visiting Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier is the contiguous USA’s fifth-tallest mountain and the highest peak in the spectacular Cascade Range. Depicted on every Washington license plate, eponymous to everything from beer brands to cherries, and visible throughout much of the state’s western half, it is a towering landmark that has become one of the Pacific Northwest‘s most recognizable and beloved symbols. The sky-scraping mountain is a constant visible reminder of the region’s remarkable geology. Within its confines, Mount Rainier National Park hosts an ecosystem that is studded with geologic wonders and natural splendor.…
