Washington Fun in the National Parks

In 2020, as you all know, the world was in COVID lockdown. Like many people, we needed a hobby — one that would get us out of the house. We loved our days of games and snuggles, but we also needed to see something far away from our essential-personnel jobs.

One day, a coworker casually mentioned that she needed to sell her converted van. I set up a time to see it immediately. One drive later, we said sold. I think she realized right away she had sold it way too cheap.

That van became the start of our first long road trip — and the beginning of our adventure to see all of the United States National Parks.

The following spring, we fixed up the van even more and visited every national park within driving distance. Over the years, we continued adding parks whenever we could.

If you didn’t know, there are currently 63 National Parks in the United States. The distinction of a National Park comes from the level of federal protection and funding it receives. National Monuments are also protected land, but they typically receive less funding. During our life, we even watched the St. Louis Arch transition from a National Monument to a National Park.

The Parks We’ve Seen So Far

• Acadia

• Arches

• Badlands

• Biscayne

• Black Canyon of the Gunnison

• Canyonlands

• Crater Lake

• Cuyahoga Valley

• Dry Tortugas

• Everglades

• Gateway Arch

• Glacier

• Grand Teton

• Great Sand Dunes

• Lassen Volcanic

• Mammoth Cave

• Mesa Verde

• Redwood

• Rocky Mountain

• Virgin Islands

• Voyageurs

• Wind Cave

• Yellowstone

This past September, we added parks 24, 25, and 26 — Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic — all located in Washington State.

Just like the beginning of our National Park journey, this trip came with a special circumstance. Instead of COVID, we encountered a government shutdown. While that meant no park staff, limited education, and no bathrooms, it didn’t stop us from seeing the incredible beauty of these places.

The weather was wonderful. The company (Krissy, my love) was even better. And the experience was unforgettable.

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park was our first stop, and it was unbelievably green and lush — filled with waterfalls, rivers, and streams. The park offered an incredible mix of fog-covered mountains, dense forests, and open meadows. Black-tailed deer seemed to be everywhere.

Even with the shutdown, the park was extremely busy. Lake Crescent was crystal clear, icy cold, and reflected the surrounding landscape like a mirror. Knowing it was used as a filming location for Twilight gave me strong werewolf and vampire vibes — in the best way.

There were countless hikes, many of them short and leading directly to waterfalls. We ended our time there at the Hall of Mosses and Rialto Beach. Wildlife in the ocean was minimal, but the scenery was expansive and eerie, with driftwood and fog stretching endlessly. Olympic truly brought a little bit of everything and was the perfect start to our adventure.

Mount Rainier National Park

Next up: Mount Rainier. Hello, glacier-topped mountain.

This majestic peak could be seen from miles away and somehow became even more breathtaking the closer we got. The drive up was lined with waterfalls, and Reflection Lake offered a perfect mirror image that could stop you in your tracks.

Towering evergreen trees surrounded us, and once again, the park was packed. A government shutdown was no match for the draw of the great outdoors. It was amazing to see how different — yet familiar — the land could be just 200 miles apart.

North Cascades National Park

North Cascades was the final park of the trip, and if you ever want to feel small, this is the place. The views are so vast they make the world feel endless.

One unique aspect of this park is that its main road also serves as a state highway. Unlike many parks, the focus here is on scenic pull-offs and overlooks rather than crowded hikes. Diablo Lake stood out with its unreal aqua color — caused by glacial flour — a sharp contrast to the reflective lakes we’d seen earlier.

The park was busy in a different way. Many visitors stopped briefly for photos and selfies rather than longer hikes or educational signs. Still, there were big trees, waterfalls, and boardwalks woven throughout.

Why We Keep Going

At this point in our National Park journey, we can’t compare them — they are all so different. From parks that are 99% underwater, to dry deserts, to lush forests filled with towering trees, the diversity is incredible.

The United States is beautiful in so many ways. These places fill me with wonder and awe, but also sadness when we see how often nature is abused. I truly believe every person can do something each day to help preserve our land.

I can find beauty in the city park outside my window, but I find deep reverence in the protected safety of our National Parks.

COVID was horrible in so many ways, but it also gave us something priceless — the beginning of our National Park adventures. I cannot wait to see more, and there isn’t a single park that doesn’t excite me. This journey was also one of the deciding factors in our choice to go full-time on the road.

What National Parks have you seen?
How many have you visited?

Love,
Your adult junior ranger,
Anne 🌲💚