The three national parks in Washington State house majestic peaks, ancient forests, secluded lakes, and more. Better still, each is easily accessible and only a few hours from Seattle. Mount Rainier National Park Mount Rainier National Park, with 236,381 un-spoiled acres, was established in 1899, 17 years before the National Park Service was formed, making it one of the oldest in the nation. Olympic National Park Named for Mount Olympus, deemed fit to be the home of gods, Olympic National Park seems a likely spot for deities to settle. It has luminous peaks, lush rain forests, and a stretch of wild beaches, al North Cascades National Park Wilder, larger, and more remote than its two Washington cousins, North Cascades National Park is still a stone’s throw from the state’s urban center. Mount Rainier National Park Mount Rainier National Park, with 236,381 un-spoiled acres, was established in 1899, 17 years before the National Park Service was formed, making it one of the oldest in the nation. Olympic National Park Named for Mount Olympus, deemed fit to be the home of gods, Olympic National Park seems a likely spot for deities to settle. It has luminous peaks, lush rain forests, and a stretch of wild beaches, al North Cascades National Park

Wilder, larger, and more remote than its two Washington cousins, North Cascades National Park is still a stone’s throw from the state’s urban center. The park service operates a number of other notable Washington destinations. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Seattle played a major role in the Alaskan Gold Rush, serving as a jump-off point for hungry prospectors. This free Pioneer Square museum’s exhibits reveal the peril of the 1890s rush to the Klondike. *319 Second Ave S; nps.gov/klse Wing Luke Museum This park-affiliated museum explores the history of Asian Pacific American life in Seattle and also offers tours of the Chinatown-International District. *719 S King St; wingluke.org; nps.gov/wing Manhattan Project National Historical Park Along with sites in New Mexico and Tennessee, Washington’s Hanford Site reactor is a relic of World War II’s atomic bomb program. nps.gov/mapr For those interested in giving back to these parks, Washington’s National Park Fund is the official philanthropic partner to Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks. Learn how you can get involved at wnpf.org . In Seattle, you’re never too far from nature—the 485+ parks within city limits offer everything from beachfront walking paths and forests to explore to epic play spaces and stunning gardens. Overwhelmed by the options? Start here to find the perfect park for your outdoor adventure. Subscribe to the Seattle Localist Seattle’s best every month in your inbox