Washington Parks and Recreation Areas with Auto Touring

Glacier capped mountains, wild Pacific coast and magnificent stands of old-growth forests, including temperate rain forests -- at Olympic National Park, you can find all three. About 95% of the park is designated wilderness, which further protects these diverse and spectacular ecosystems. Olympic is also known for its biological diversity. Isolated for eons by glacial ice, and later the waters of Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Olympic Peninsula has developed its own distinct array of plants and animals. Eight kinds of plants and 15 kinds of animals are found on the peninsula but no where else on Earth.

Phone: (360) 565-3130   Price Range: $5 - $10   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Port Angeles   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Park   Activities: Backpacking, Biking / Bicycling, Birding, Boating and Watercraft, Cross Country Skiing, Downhill Skiing, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Swimming, Whitewater Rafting, Wildlife Watching, Auto Touring, Nature Walks, Interpretive Programs, Snowshoeing, Star Gazing   Details Provided By: Olympic National Park

Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve provides a vivid historical record of Pacific Northwest history, including the first exploration of Puget Sound by Captain George Vancouver in 1792; early settlement by Colonel Isaac Ebey, an important figure in Washington Territory; growth and settlement resulting from the Oregon Trail and the Westward migration; the Donation Land Laws (1850-1855); and the continued growth and settlement of the town of Coupeville.

Phone: 360-678-6084   Price Range: N/A   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Coupeville   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Historic Site   Activities: Biking / Bicycling, Birding, Boating and Watercraft, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Hunting and Shooting, Kayaking, Wildlife Watching, Auto Touring, Nature Walks, Star Gazing   Details Provided By: Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve

The Upper Columbia River is rich in cultural and natural significance. For more than 9000 years, people have gathered along the banks of the river to fish and trade with each other. Missionaries and explorers for the Hudson Bay Company and the Northwest Trading Company mapped the area and developed relationships with the tribes, which lived here. In 1941, damming of the Columbia River as part of the Columbia River Basin project created a 130-mile long lake. Named for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the lake is now the largest recreation feature in the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. Opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, camping, canoeing and visiting historic Fort Spokane and St. Paul's Mission are highlights of visiting Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area.

Phone: 509-633-9441   Price Range: $6 - $10   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Coulee Dam   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: N/A   Activities: Boating and Watercraft, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting and Shooting, Kayaking, Sightseeing, Swimming, Wildlife Watching, Auto Touring, Nature Walks, Interpretive Programs, Star Gazing   Details Provided By: Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area

Few fully know the intense and rugged beauty of the North Cascades jagged peaks, deep valleys, cascading waterfalls and over 700 glaciers. North Cascades National Park Service Complex contains the heart of this mountainous region in three park units which are all managed as one and include North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas. Each area offers different experiences and contains wilderness. A vast majority of the park complex, over 93%, is managed as the Stephen T. Mather Wilderness, which was established by Congress in 1988. The wilderness area was named in honor of the first director of the National Park Service.

Phone: 360/856-5700   Price Range: $0 - $5   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Sedro-Woolley   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Park   Activities: Backpacking, Biking / Bicycling, Birding, Boating and Watercraft, Cross Country Skiing, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Whitewater Rafting, Wildlife Watching, Auto Touring, Nature Walks, Interpretive Programs, Snowshoeing, Star Gazing   Details Provided By: North Cascades National Park

Mount Rainier National Park is anticipating an early spring opening this year although a spring snow storm has delayed the original opening date for Chinook & Cayuse Passes. The park remains open with normal winter closures with the following exceptions: Westside and Ricksecker Roads are now open but may close due to snowfall. Due to record low snowfall Paradise snowplay is closed for the season and snowshoe walks are cancelled. THE PARK REMAINS OPEN to snowshoeing, snow boarding and cross-country skiing where snow levels permit.

Phone: 360-569-2211   Price Range: N/A   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Ashford   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Historic Site   Activities: Backpacking, Biking / Bicycling, Cross Country Skiing, Downhill Skiing, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Rock Climbing, Sightseeing, Wildlife Watching, Auto Touring, Snowshoeing   Details Provided By: Mount Rainier National Park