Washington State is well-known for its lovely state and national parks, strenuous hikes, and picturesque roads with breathtaking views of the mountains. Fortunately, there are other ways to access Washington’s mountain ranges besides hiking them very hard. Even the most popular locations, such as the North Cascades, Hurricane Ridge, Diablo Lake, and Mount Baker, are viewable from a car window or a convenient overlook. Don’t worry if you’re not a fan of Washington’s lengthy and difficult hiking trails. See these best parks in Washington that offer scenic mountain views with minimal hiking.
Beautiful mountain views are available in Washington State without requiring strenuous hiking. Drive up to parks like Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades, or take advantage of conveniently located overlooks.
While Birch Bay State Park offers seaside and mountainous views ideal for a summer vacation, Lake Wenatchee State Park is a magical winter destination with views of snow-capped mountains.
Easy hikes and beautiful drives are available at Mount St. Helens National Park to see the famous volcano. In the meantime, there are amazing views of the Columbia River and the desert at Steamboat Rock State Park and Beacon Rock State Park, respectively.
Top 10 Best parks in washington that offer scenic mountain views with minimal hiking:
- Mount Rainier National Park
- Palouse Falls State Park
- Olympic National Park
- North Cascades National Park
- Lake Wenatchee State Park
- Birch Bay State Park
- Olallie State Park
- Mount St. Helens National Park
- Beacon Rock State Park
- Steamboat Rock State Park
Top 10 Best parks in Washington that offer scenic mountain views with minimal hiking in detail:
10.Mount Rainier National Park
- Top Treks: Nisqually Vista Trail, Silver Falls Loop, and Skyline Loop.
- July–September is the best time to visit for views.
- The cost of an entry pass is $15.
Unmatched in terms of magnificent glaciers and fauna. An absolute paradise for those who love the outdoors and want to see breathtaking views of Mount Rainier is Mount Rainier National Park. While there are many hiking paths that offer breathtaking views of Mount Rainier, some famous drives and overlooks that offer the best views of the mountain are also easily accessible.
A great way to see the park and unhindered views of Mount Rainier is via the Sunrise Road. During the summer, it is the sunniest location in the park, measuring 15 miles in length and 6,400 feet in elevation. Another fantastic route to take in the park’s natural beauty and mountain views is the 0.7-mile Tipsoo Lake Loop.
9.Palouse Falls State Park
- Distinguished Hikes: Palouse Falls Trail and Palouse Falls Overlook.
- April–July is the best time to visit for views.
- Price: $10 for a single day pass.
This little but well-known state park offers stunning views of a variety of landscapes. Regardless of the season, Palouse Falls State Park is always worth the trip, despite its small size. This region of Washington State has a distinctive and breathtaking landscape, complete with a breathtaking 200-foot waterfall, as a result of glacial flooding.
Palouse Falls can be reached by two strenuous hikes, each with its own unique challenges. Nonetheless, the Palouse Scenic Byway makes it simple for visitors to visit this park.
8.Olympic National Park
- The best hikes are Hurricane Ridge to Hurricane Hill, Marymere Falls Trail, and Mount Storm King.
- June to August is the best time to visit for views.
- Standard Entrance Pass: $15
This well-known Washington National Park is practically filled with mountain ridges. Undoubtedly, one of Washington’s most exquisite and varied parks is Olympic National Park. With 244 designated mountain peaks, rainforests, alpine forests, and wildflower meadows, there is no shortage of picturesque scenery for tourists to enjoy. Driving Hurricane Ridge is the best way to see panoramic mountain views for those who don’t want to hike.
The best views of the North Cascades and the Olympic Mountains are available from the car window during this amazing 18-mile drive! In addition, visitors ought to think about taking the Olympic Peninsula Loop Drive, which passes through the whole Olympic National Park in addition to a few other must-see locations on the Olympic Peninsula.
7.North Cascades National Park
- Top Treks: Agnes Gorge Trail and Cascade Pass Trail.
- Summer is the best time to visit for views.
- Expense: None
The North Cascades Highway offers views of the entire park for visitors. North Cascades National Park, another well-known national park in Washington State, offers breathtaking, unparalleled beauty that should not be missed. Although this park offers easy-to-moderate hiking trails, the North Cascades Highway offers the best views for visitors.
Winter or summer, 140 miles of glacier peaks, valleys, and alpine lakes can be found along the North Cascades Highway. Though there are numerous places to stop along the route, visitors shouldn’t skip the Washington Pass Overlook and the Diablo Lake Overlook. Situated amidst the North Cascades, these overlooks offer unparalleled vistas of Washington’s untamed terrain.
6.Lake Wenatchee State Park
- Top Hikes: Lake Wenatchee South Snowshoe Trails, Lake Wenatchee North Summer Route
- Visit For Views
- Price: $7 for a single day pass
Wintertime is the best time to visit for breathtaking views of Lake Wenatchee and the surrounding snow-capped mountains.
This little state park is very picturesque, with mountains and crystal-clear blue water all around it, and it’s close to Leavenworth. Even in the winter, Lake Wenatchee State Park is open and offers very easy hiking trails.
While hiking and swimming in Lake Wenatchee are ideal in the summer, winter brings the true magic. While sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, visitors can take in the view of the snow-capped mountains in the distance.
5.Birch Bay State Park
- Top Trekking Route: Terrell Marsh Trail.
- August–September Is the Best Time to Visit for Views.
- $10 for a day pass
A summer vacation with the family would be ideal at this state park. Birch Bay State Park, a smaller state park in Washington State, consistently provides breathtaking views of the sea and mountains. This park is easy to navigate without requiring any strenuous hiking because there is only one main hiking trail.
During the summer, swimming, crabbing, and canoeing are all excellent activities at Birch Bay State Park. It’s also a fantastic place to go RVing or camping. Savor stunning views of the lengthy coastline with the picturesque backdrop of the snow-capped North Cascades.
4.Olallie State Park
- Top Hikes: Cedar Butte Trail and Deception Crags Trail.
- March to August is the best time to visit for views.
- Price: $10 for a single day pass.
There is something in this park for every adventurer. Olallie State Park, located between North Bend and the Snoqualmie Pass, is well-known for its enormous waterfalls, well-traveled hiking trails, and expansive views of the Cascade Mountains. For those who are fit, the majority of the hiking trails in this area are short and range from moderate to difficult. On the other hand, guests can stop at the South Fork Picnic Area in the park to take in the views of the mountains and the rushing Snoqualmie River if they just want to unwind in the great outdoors and take in the beauty of Washington.
3.Mount St. Helens National Park
- Top Hikes: Spirit Lake Memorial Highway to Mount St. Helens, Lahar Viewpoint Trail.
- April to October is the best time to visit for views.
- Adults pay $8, while children under 15 are free.
The park offers numerous opportunities to view the breathtaking Mount St. Helens volcano. One of the most recognizable peaks in the Pacific Northwest is the still-erupting iconic stratovolcano in Washington State. The good news is that visitors can still enjoy the best of Mount St. Helens National Park without embarking on strenuous or hazardous hikes.
A few short, easy hikes in the park, ranging from 0.5 to 2 miles, provide visitors with sweeping, unhindered views of the breathtaking Mount St. Helens. You’re not in the mood to hike? Instead, take a scenic drive along the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway. Along the way, guests will see glimmers of Mount St. Helens, and when they arrive at the Johnston Ridge Observatory, they will be able to see the crater directly.
2.Beacon Rock State Park
- Best Hikes: Doetsch Walking Path at Beacon Rock and Beacon Rock Trail.
- July to October is the best time to visit for views.
- Price: $10 for a single day pass.
The Columbia River Highway’s crown jewel. The ideal spot to pause along the picturesque Columbia River Highway is Beacon Rock State Park, which is located in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge Natural Scenic Area. With the majestic Beacon Rock, situated approximately 800 feet above the Columbia River, at its heart, Beacon Rock State Park is a little-known but magnificent gem in Washington.
Beacon Rock offers visitors the option of climbing to the summit or taking the paved trail around the base, which offers equally breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges and the Columbia River. Visitors will undoubtedly be treated to some of Washington State’s best views, regardless of the degree of adventure they choose.
1.Steamboat Rock State Park
- Top Treks: Banks Lake Trail, Crown Point, Northrup Homestead Vista.
- March to October is the best time to visit for views.
- Price: $10 for a single day pass.
In this park, visitors can still enjoy breathtaking views of the mountains despite the desert surroundings. Distinct from Steamboat Springs in Colorado, Steamboat Rock State Park is a magnificent national park located in Washington that ought to be visited by all travelers.
Steamboat Rock State Park offers views of the Grand Coulee and is situated in the northeastern desert region of Washington. Numerous easy to moderate hiking paths with breathtaking views of Steamboat Rock in the park can be found nearby. In addition, campers can enjoy year-round swimming in Banks Lake and camping here.