List of National Parks in Washington and Map

Q: How many national parks are there in Washington State?

Washington State has three official national parks: Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park, and North Cascades National Park.

Q: What is the largest national park in Washington?

Olympic National Park is the largest in Washington, covering roughly 922,650 acres and featuring rainforests, alpine mountains, and coastline.

Q: What is the most visited national park in Washington?

Mount Rainier National Park typically receives the most visitors each year, drawn to its iconic volcano, wildflower meadows, and scenic trails.

Q: Are there other protected areas besides the three main national parks?

Yes. Washington also contains national monuments, historic sites, and recreation areas managed by the National Park Service, such as San Juan Island National Historical Park, the Hanford unit of Manhattan Project NHS, Ross Lake and Lake Chelan national recreation areas.

Q: Which national park is best for hiking?

It depends: Mount Rainier for alpine and glacier hikes, Olympic for rainforest and coastal hikes, and North Cascades for rugged backcountry and panoramic mountain routes.

Q: What is the best time to visit Washington’s national parks?

Late June through September is generally best for open roads and mild weather. Spring is great for waterfalls and blooms; summer for hiking and clear views; fall for fewer crowds and autumn color; winter for snow activities in select areas.

Q: Do I need a pass to enter the national parks in Washington?

Yes. Each park charges an entrance fee, and the America the Beautiful annual pass grants access to all U.S. national parks and many federal recreation sites for one year.

Q: Can I camp inside Washington’s national parks?

Yes. All three parks offer front-country campgrounds and backcountry camping options. Popular campgrounds include Cougar Rock, Ohanapecosh, and White River (Mount Rainier); Kalaloch, Hoh, and Sol Duc (Olympic); and Colonial Creek and Newhalem Creek (North Cascades). Reservations are recommended in summer.

Q: Which Washington national park has a rainforest?

Olympic National Park contains the Hoh Rain Forest, one of the largest temperate rainforests in the U.S., noted for moss-covered trees and lush understory.

Q: What is the most underrated national park in Washington?

North Cascades National Park is often called the most underrated—offering dramatic mountain scenery, over 300 glaciers, and far fewer visitors than some other parks.

List of National Parks in Washington

Washington has three National Parks

Washington has 11 National Park Service units

Now you can answer the question:”How many national parks in Washington?” Washington has 3 national parks.

Washington National Parks map

10 FAQs about the National Parks in Washington State

1. How many national parks are there in Washington State?

Washington State has three official national parks:

Mount Rainier National Park
Olympic National Park
North Cascades National Park

2. What is the largest national park in Washington?

The Olympic National Park is the largest in Washington, covering nearly 922,650 acres. It features diverse ecosystems, including lush rainforests, alpine mountains, and over 70 miles of wild Pacific coastline.

3. What is the most visited national park in Washington?

Mount Rainier National Park typically receives the most visitors each year, attracting millions who come to see its iconic volcano, wildflower meadows, and scenic hiking trails.

4. Are there other protected areas besides the three main national parks?

Yes! Washington also has several national monuments, historic sites, and recreation areas, including:

San Juan Island National Historical Park
Manhattan Project National Historical Park (Hanford Unit)
Lake Chelan National Recreation Area
Ross Lake National Recreation Area
These are managed by the National Park Service and offer additional outdoor and historical experiences.

5. Which national park is best for hiking?

It depends on your preferences:

Mount Rainier National Park: Best for alpine and glacier hikes.
Olympic National Park: Offers rainforest trails and coastal hikes.
North Cascades National Park: Known for rugged backcountry and panoramic mountain views.

For day hikes and photography, Mount Rainier is often the top choice.

6. What is the best time to visit Washington’s national parks?

The best time to visit is generally late June through September, when roads are open and weather is mild.

Spring (April–June): Best for waterfalls and blooming wildflowers.
Summer (July–September): Ideal for hiking and clear mountain views.
Fall (October): Fewer crowds and beautiful autumn colors.
Winter (November–March): Great for snowshoeing and skiing at Mount Rainier or Hurricane Ridge in Olympic.

7. Do I need a pass to enter the national parks in Washington?

Yes. Each park requires an entrance fee, but you can also purchase the America the Beautiful Pass, which grants access to all U.S. national parks and federal recreation lands for a full year.

8. Can I camp inside Washington’s national parks?

Absolutely! All three parks offer campgrounds and backcountry camping options.

Mount Rainier: Cougar Rock, Ohanapecosh, and White River Campgrounds.
Olympic: Kalaloch, Hoh Rain Forest, and Sol Duc Campgrounds.
North Cascades: Newhalem Creek and Colonial Creek Campgrounds.
Reservations are recommended, especially during summer.

9. Which Washington national park has a rainforest?

Olympic National Park is home to the famous Hoh Rain Forest — one of the largest temperate rainforests in the U.S. It’s known for its moss-covered trees, giant ferns, and year-round misty atmosphere.

10. What is the most underrated national park in Washington?

North Cascades National Park is often considered the most underrated. Despite its jaw-dropping mountain scenery and over 300 glaciers, it receives far fewer visitors than Rainier or Olympic — making it a peaceful destination for nature lovers and experienced hikers.