The Pacific Northwest, or the PNW, is an incredible area of the United States & Canada that provides a variety of landscapes. From the coast, to lush forests, to cascading peaks and volcanoes, this region is an outdoor enthusiasts dream. If you are looking to take an epic road trip across this region, it can be a little overwhelming as there is so much to see in such a vast area. Fortunately, that’s where I come in!
The first thing to keep in mind when planning your Pacific Northwest road trip is there is no wrong way to complete your adventure. Whether you are going for a few days, a few weeks or somewhere in between, you are bound to have an epic experience (weather pending ha)! I want you to remember all of this information I am about to share are just my personal suggestions, ideas and things I found helpful when visiting the Pacific Northwest. When planning your own trip you want to keep your own interests and priorities in mind in order to have the best time for yourself or whoever is travelling.
Alright, enough rambling, lets get started!
Where to Visit
When to Visit
Suggested Route
North Cascades
Olympic
Mount Rainier
What to Bring
Where to Visit
The Pacific Northwest or PNW can include a variety of areas depending on who you ask. However, quite a few people consider Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia to be the Pacific Northwest region. Others might include, Montana, Alaska, northern California & Wyoming. In the case of this post, we will be referring to locations found in Washington and Oregon. If you are looking for places to visit in British Columbia, check out our favorite Banff trails and nearby adventures.
National Parks
The PNW is home to 4 major U.S. National Parks, North Cascades, Olympic, Mount Rainier and Crater Lake. Which can all be seen in one road trip! Not only do you have the national parks, but there are several state parks as well as the coast, that offer equally stunning views and experiences.
Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia River Gorge is a beautiful area west of Portland. Within eight miles of the I-84 highway, there are five majestic waterfalls, including the most popular Multnomah Falls. If you are visiting the Multnomah Falls during the summer, late May to early September, you will need to purchase a $2 timed use permit. If you visit before 9 am or after 6 pm, you do not need a ticket. Visiting before or after that prime window, could be a better option if you want to avoid crowds. Sometimes the timing doesn’t always work out perfectly when you’re travelling, so if you have to visit between 9 am and 6 pm, just be sure you get a ticket. If you arrive and realize you forgot to purchase a ticket, you should be able to quickly get one on your phone pending they are not sold out.
I highly recommend visiting the other waterfalls along the Columbia River Gorge scenic highway as well. One of may favorites was Bridal Veil Falls.
Some of these waterfalls can be seen right when you pull up and park, and a few require a short hike to view. Whatever your physical capabilities are or time permits you, I definitely recommend trying to make a pitstop at as many as you can, as they all have their own unique charm. There is a trolley you can ride if you do not want to drive your own vehicle, that will drop off and pick up at the various waterfalls along the scenic highway. For more information about the Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls you can click here.
Seaside & Cannon Beach, Oregon
Cannon Beach is a very popular coastal town in Oregon. Most recognized for Haystack Rock, this beach town should be added to your itinerary. To be honest, although it is the beach, you may not be greeted with sunny warm beach weather. You are in the Pacific Northwest after all. We spent two nights in this area in July. The first night was sunny, but still chilly, and the second night was cloudy, gloomy and yes, chilly.
Cannon Beach can be a little bit on the pricey side in terms of accommodations. We stayed in a town just a few minutes north called Seaside, Oregon. Seaside catered more towards tourists and had plenty of shops and restaurants.
Cannon Beach is more quiet and upscale but still has all of the great things a beach town can offer. The most visited attraction is Haystack Rock. If you are wanting to snap some Pixel Perfect photos of Haystack Rock, check out our post with more details and tips for visiting this unique attraction.
If you are looking for some big city adventures along the way, there are great places such as Seattle, Portland and Vancouver. All three of these cities offer a variety of attractions and fun adventures. Just be sure to have your passport ready if crossing the border.
When to Visit
As you might know, the weather in the Pacific Northwest can be very unpredictable. The PNW is also known to get more rain than other parts of the U.S. With this in mind, the ideal time to visit this region, is in the summer months, June through September. This time of the year offers the most variety of outdoor activities. Some people say the sweet spot to visit the PNW is late September to early October. Even when visiting in early July, we encountered roads and trails being closed or difficult to access due to snow still being on the ground.
Of course, if you are a snow bunny and love adventuring in the winter when there are less crowds, the winter months are for you. Bear in mind, many activities recommended in this post will not be accessible during the winter. It is also very cold during the winter months and this is also the time of year when the PNW receives the most precipitation. So be prepared with your puffy jacket and hand warmers!
Suggested Route
As I mentioned before, there is no wrong way to visit the Pacific Northwest. You just have to think about what your interests are, your budget and how much time you have to travel. With that being said, a great place to start your epic PNW road trip is in Seattle. Seattle is great because if you are flying to this region, you have an airport that caters to a variety of airlines and you have many rental car options. Plus, Seattle is not that far from several of the national parks. Another option would be to start in Portland and do my suggested route backwards.
14 Day PNW Road Trip Breakdown
Day 1: Arrive in Seattle- Drive to accommodations/campsite near North Cascades National Park
Day 2 & 3: Explore North Cascades NP
Day 4: 1/2 day exploring North Cascades, then drive to Olympic National Park ~4 hour drive
Day 5 & 6: Explore Olympic National Park
Day 7: 1/2 day exploring Olympic NP, then drive to Mount Rainier National Park ~2.5 hour drive
Day 8 & 9: Explore Mount Rainier
Day 10: 1/2 day exploring Mount Rainier or Mount St. Helens, then drive to coast ~3 hour drive
Day 11: Explore Seaside & Cannon Beach, visit Haystack Rock & Ecola State Park
Day 12: Drive to Portland
Day 13: Multnomah Falls & Columbia River Gorge
Day14: Travel home
This road trip can be edited in so many different ways. This particular route allows you to see as much as you can without back tracking as much as possible. I do recommend spending at least two full days in each national park if you are wanting to see the highlights in each park.
Additional Places to visit if you have more time:
Crater Lake National Park
Mount St. Helens
Heceta Head Lighthouse
Bend & Eugene, Oregon
North Cascades National Park
North Cascades is one of the least visited national parks in the U.S. Located in the northwest corner of the United States, it is not as easily accessible as other popular parks in the country. However, if you are planning a trip to the PNW, this gem is not to be missed! Filled with glacial blue water and jagged peaks, this park is filled with Pixel Perfect photos everywhere you turn. Also, one perk of being one of the least visited parks is the lack of crowds!
How to get to North Cascades National Park
If you are heading to the North Cascades from Seattle, it is about a 2 hour drive and you will enter the park through the west entrance. From Portland, Oregon, you will enter the same entrance however, it is about a 5 hour drive. Traveling from Spokane, WA can vary depending on the time of year you are visiting. If you are visiting during the summer months, you will travel along Highway 20, also known as North Cascades Scenic Highway and can enter the park from the east. However, in the winter, the Scenic Highway is closed and you will need to travel around to the west entrance which will make about a 6 hour drive.
How Much Time Should You Spend in North Cascades
To see the major highlights of North Cascades, I would recommend at least 2 full days in the park. Of course, more time is always better but if you are trying to cover a lot of this region in a short amount of time, 2 days will still make the trip to the North Cascades worth it. When planning your trip keep in mind this park is very far north and still has a considerable amount of snow in June and even July. So be sure to have a backup plan in case the trail you are wanting to hike is closed or still covered in snow.
When to Visit North Cascades National Park
The summer and early fall months are definitely the best times to visit the North Cascades as this is when you will find most of the park open. This is also the time of year that offers the most activities. This park is very remote, so be sure to have maps downloaded and check to see if your accommodations provide internet or you will need to provide this option for yourself. If you are looking to go off the grid, this is a great location!
Olympic National Park
The next stop on our road trip is Olympic National Park. Covering close to 1 million acres of Washington’s northwest corner, this park is super unique as it is home to three distinct ecosystems. You will find rugged mountains, the coast and temperate forests. With so much to see, you may have to pick which areas you are most interested in exploring.
How to get to Olympic National Park
If you are following our suggested route, you will leave North Cascades and head south on I-5 and then loop back up north on US-101. Your maps might also take you a different way through Port Townsend. Just keep in mind, this route requires taking a ferry and I would highly recommend booking your ticket ahead of time, otherwise you could be waiting a VERY long time. You can find info regarding ferry tickets here. Travel between the parks (depending on what part of the park your destination is located) takes about 4.5 hours. If you are travelling from the Seattle airport, this drive will only take you about 2 hours.
How Much Time Should You Spend in Olympic National Park
As I mentioned before, Olympic National Park has a variety of ecosystems so you will experience different sights in different areas of the park. If you are wanting to visit each part, I recommend booking accommodations around the park. We thought we would be able to stay in one location and travel back and forth, however, the driving is so far, it is just not efficient and frankly a waste of time. As you might assume, there are not a lot of accommodations offered, so camping might be your best bet in this park. I know if you are flying, this may not be the best option, so do not fret, you can still make it work without camping.
If you are wanting to see each part of Olympic, I would recommend 2-3 days minimum. There is so much to see and you definitely will not run out of hikes or photo opportunities in this park.
When to Visit Olympic National Park
Just like the North Cascades, the best time to visit Olympic National Park is in the summer and early fall months. This time of year offers the most activities and you will have the most access to the park. Being the PNW you still may encounter various types of weather, but that is what keeps us on our toes. Many parts of the park are remote so be sure you have all of your navigation downloaded before you lose service.
Mount Rainier National Park
Keeping this epic road trip moving, your next stop will be Mount Rainier National Park. Mount Rainier is not only an active volcano but also the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States. Some people even brave the elements and technical terrain and climb to the top of this majestic peak. Keep in mind, this climb requires a lot of training, permits and many people choose to use a guide. But if you are up for the challenge, it would make for an epic adventure!
How to get to Mount Rainier National Park
Following our route, leaving from Olympic National Park, it will take you about 2.5 hours to drive to Mount Rainier. Again, this is dependent on what part of the park you are leaving from and heading towards. Weather and road conditions will also vary driving time. If you are coming from either Seattle or Portland airports, your drive time will be about 2 hours from either airport.
How Much Time Should You Spend in Mount Rainier
The amount of time to spend in a park is always dependent on what you want to see and do and also how much time you have to travel. With that being said, you can still see a good portion of the park including a majority of the highlights in 2-3 days. Of course you can always spend more or less time, that is just my recommendation to get the most out of your visit in a short amount of time.
When to Visit Mount Rainier National Park
Since you are in the Pacific Northwest, snow and cold will linger longer than other places in the U.S. due to how far north these parks are located. With that in mind, I again recommend late summer and early fall months for visiting Mount Rainier if you want to experience the major trails and sights. Mount Rainier is also known for it’s colorful wildflower season, so if you are wanting to witness their stunning beauty, late June through August is the best time to visit.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, there is absolutely no wrong way to do this trip. This route is just what we found to work and allowed us to see many places in a relatively short amount of time. I hope any or all of this info is helpful for you while planning your epic Pacific Northwest road trip!
See a photo you like in this post? Be sure to check out the photography section where you can purchase and frame any prints you love from this post or other posts on our website.
Gear Essentials
Park Pass– You will need a park pass to enter all of the national parks. At this time (2025), none of the parks listed in the post required timed entry permits. The only place you will need an timed entry permit is for Multnomah Falls. I recommend getting the America the Beautiful pass as it is the most cost effective when visiting several parks and it lasts for a year. Find out more about park passes here.
Hiking boots or trail runners– Pay attention to the time of year you are visiting and possible hiking conditions, as that might help you better determine the appropriate shoe. If you are traveling during the winter months, be sure to look into spikes or snow cleats for your shoes.
Camelbak or Nalgene– You should always be prepared and hike with plenty of water. Even if you are hiking in the cold, your body needs to be replenished. Camelbaks are a great option to keep your hands free and you are likely to drink more water.
Camera– Of course you won’t be able to capture your pixel perfect memories without a camera. Camera preference is your own, DSLR, GoPro, smart phone, etc.
Hat & Sunglasses– Since you are hiking up in elevation, you are more prone to sunburn. Be sure to protect your skin! Check out Amazon for some great deals!
Hiking Poles– I would recommend these if you have any knee issues as they are very helpful especially on the decline of many hikes. If you are unfamiliar with what hiking poles are best for you, I recommend checking out REI and seeing all of their great outdoor gear.
Jacket– No matter what time of year you take this trip, be sure to pack some sort of jacket. Even in the summer months, the desert gets cool at night. Check out The North Face or Patagonia for some great outdoor apparel.
Snacks- You can’t forget the snacks! With all of the hiking and exploring, you will also want snacks to fuel your body so you can keep up with your adventures. You use and burn more energy than you think hiking, so be sure to pack some high energy and salty snacks.
If you liked this post and found it helpful, please share with your friends and family. Also, be sure to check out our premade or personally curated travel guides.
Remember to always respect our wonderful planet, national parks and lands and leave no trace. Happy hiking!
All photos used in this post and on our website are taken by and owned by Pixel Perfect Travel and it’s owner. All photos are available for purchase. If you would like to use any photos please contact us! We appreciate everyone respecting our creative content.