And if you know me, Im all about finding those reflections in puddles. If you're short on time or are hiking with a family, you may also want to check out the Hall of Moses a short and sweet rainforest loop beginning from the same trailhead. Read More:What To Expect On A Sunrise Hike At Palouse Falls, Like Palouse Falls, its quite the drive from welleverything. Think insulation, illumination, and nutrition. But if you're in good enough shape to make the journey, the views alone will motivate you to keep going. Hiking at sunrise can definitely be a bit different than hiking during the day because youre likely going to be hitting the trail in the dark. Come during sunrise or sunset (like we dont recommend this enough, HA!) Wait until the sun rises a little bit above the horizon and when it hits the inside of the memorial. Hotels in Seattle, Car Rentals in Seattle- 5 Rentals To Consider When Renting a Car in Seattle, Sunset in Seattle: 8 Most Breathtaking Views of Seattle Sunset, Beer in Seattle: 25 Best Breweries, Taprooms and Craft Beer in Seattle, Seattle In March: Top 10 Things to Explore, Weather and Tourist Friendly Tips, Seattle in February: Top 5 Places to Go, 10 Things to Do, Weather and More, Currency Exchange in Seattle: 4 Places and 7 Tips for Foreign Currency Exchange in Seattle, Top 17 Souvenirs from Seattle : Take Little Pieces of your Seattle Experience Back Home, Surfing in Seattle: Top 6 Spots to Ride a Wave in Seattle. This provides some interesting angles for sunrise, especially using the columns as framing elements. > Plan your visit to Naches Peak using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: Mount Rainier Area NE - Sunrise/White RiverLength:9.0 miles, roundtripElevation Gain:2,500 feetHighest Point:7,828 feetBest Season:Mid-July - October. One of the few places to see DC's skyline is from the Netherlands Carillon in Virginia. This entire region is free dispersed camping and any open site is up for grabs. The last push is a sloped rock face to the fire lookout & without proper hiking shoes, this can be a little slippery and tricky. Love Washington? Even as locals, we continue to discover more beautiful photo spots in Washington we want to add to this list. Its the ultimate sunrise spot to see the big three landmarks (Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and the US Capitol) all lined up. Palouse Falls is one of those rare places that you don't have to go to at sunrise or sunset to get the best light. Between the months of October and March, this peak, which is the largest on the east coast, is the first place you can catch the sun coming up in the entire country. If youre looking for the best time to visit, definitely choose sometime in the fall, because the colors and larches around the lake are astounding. I'm here to help you avoid blowing your budget on overrated tourist attractions, find the most mouth-watering street food, & navigate your way through local markets. Not legally Im sure, but stealth camping is a major part of vanlife, and as long as you are self-contained and dont draw attention to yourself, youll save yourself the early morning drive. Once youve arrived at Fremont Lookout, sit back and relax until the sun starts to rise. With towering granite peaks, forests, meadows, wildflowers, and of course the beautiful mountain lake surrounded by granite that reaches for the sky, this short hike is easily a classic and should be on your must-hike list. The final stretch is definitely a bit steep and has some loose rock, so be careful when making the trek up. There is some incredible coastal hiking all the way up and down the coast, but this little slip of the wild Olympic Coast is a classic. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. There are gorgeous national parks like Mount Rainier, the Olympic Peninsula, or the North Cascades, and also plenty of state parks or short jaunts into the Snoqualmie region. If you decide to plan a memorable adventure anywhere in the state, here are 15 places with the best views in Washington that you should add to your itinerary: Who would have thought one state could have so much natural beauty?! Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We suggest coming in the late spring when the water levels are high. Cape Flattery is the most northwest point of the contiguous United States. Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State. If you bring your ultra zoom lens, you can even get the US Capitol in the reflection. Lodging Nearby: At Emerald Valley Inn, youll have access to an on-site restaurant and adorably decorated rooms. 7) Beacon Rock State Park: The 848-foot high basalt volcanic plug was stopover point for Lewis & Clark in 1805. Dont worry though even if no one else is around, park police have the memorials under constant surveillance which makes this one of the safest places to be in DC at night. Heres everything you need to know to capture a stunning sunrise in Washington DC: I love the alignment of where the sun rises among the monuments as opposed to where the sun sets from. However, we also think a great time to go is on a Sunday evening -families have already gone home in preparation for the week ahead. Share them with us on our Facebook page! The Tidal Basin is located across the street from the Korean War Memorial but it is easily missed since its a little bit out of the way from the other memorials. They may just go to the reflecting pool and call it the end of the day but dont be those people. There are plenty of spots along the rocky ridge to set your bag down and relax. The trail to Colchuck Lake is long and steep (8-miles out and back with 2,100 feet of elevation gain), but worth every step of the way. I'll help teach you how to find off-the-beaten-path attractions even in the most traveled places & give you the confidence to visit any destination that piques your curiosity. What To Expect On A Sunrise Hike At Palouse Falls, 10 Awe-Inspiring Things To Do In Redwood National Park, 23 Incredible Things To Do In Boise, Idaho (For Outdoor Lovers). Photo by Woodsy. Let us know. > Plan your visit to White Bluffs using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: Eastern Washington -- Palouse and Blue MountainsLength: 16 miles, roundtripElevation Gain:1,000 feetHighest Point: 6,401 feetBest Season:spring. If youre in the lower half of Washington, then a sunrise hike to the top of Silver Star Mountain is a must-do for you. Distance: 3.2 milesDifficulty: ModerateElevation Gain: 1,300 feetEstimated Time: 2 hours 30 minutesLocation: AshfordPass Required: None. Source. Id recommend following your instincts and emotions while capturing images here. Berty Mandagie is a Washington state photographer and love to shoot weddings and engagement sessions up here. As the name of this beautiful 3 mile trail suggests, this is an amazing spot to catch a sunrise and to catch the last glimpses of daylight as well. You can read more about other amazing Washingon beaches in our complete list here. Washington has a variety of magical sunsets: beaches, mountains, lakes, etc. Distance from Seattle: 2.5 hours drive from Seattle. Day hike it or backpack here in late summer or fall, when it really shows off the best of autumn foliage. The Space Needle. We value your privacy. The Sleeping Beauty Trail near the Columbia River Gorge is a relatively short, yet steep 2.5-mile hike that leads to an overlook with panoramic views. But thats not to say that the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial isnt beautiful at sunrise either. Here are 12 breathtaking sunrises spotted around our Northwest state that will surely brighten your day: And dont forget at the end of the day, you can admire some lovely sunsets here in Washington as well! 1. Whats better than enjoying a nice hike in the great outdoors? Its surprisingly quiet! Visit, In the North Cascades Range is a stunning large wilderness area that you can explore while hiking one of the many trails like the one covered in our, Also known as Washington State Route 20, this is a great scenic route if you're looking for a wondrous view. Iller Creek Conservation Area, 9001 E Holman Rd, Spokane Valley, WA 99206, USA. Heres a look back at our post on Midnight Lightsand the video. Second Beach is the most iconic! There are many great hikes that you can do any time of year in the state of Washington, but there are also many that need to be timed properly. Views across the river and into Oregon from atop Cape Horn. If you arent able to get one, day hikes can be just as rewarding! With the number of mountains throughout the state, overlooks are found everywhere. The last time I spoke to a Capitol Policeman about it, he said they are allowed. The hillsides are alive with wildflowers at mid-summer, and the view from the end of Harry's Ridge has you looking straight into the mouth of the crate, not to mention views of Spirit Lake, Mount Adams and even Mount Hood on a clear day. And the best part is, you can find a hiking trail nearby to suit just about any experience level, ability level, or personal taste. This sweet and simple hike nonetheless offers gorgeous, stunning views throughout the trail. This state park is located in the most southwest corner of Washington state and is a perfect stop on a road trip of the Oregon Coast. Population: A little over 7.6 million people call Washington home. Weekend Adventurer. Photo by trip reporter geezerhiker. Follow our PNW Board on Pinterest for more location inspiration! Way up on the Olympic Peninsula, youll find the hike to Hurricane Hill, a 5,765-foot peak overlooking the Olympic Range and National Forest. Hood in the distance! In autumn, the changing of the seasons brings Roosevelt elk to the area. Kelly Butte Fire Lookout. ), Luckily, there are camping spots nearby check them out here. If youre interested in vanlife I recommend trying a short overnight in your car like this one to see if its something youre interested in. > Plan your visit to Burroughs Mountain using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: South Cascades Mount St. HelensLength: 8.2 miles, roundtripElevation Gain:970 feetHighest Point: 4,792 feetBest Season: Late June - November. Recognize it from the Twilight Series? As the sun rises, the bright oranges, yellows, and pinks take over the sky and create an absolutely magical glow over everything the light touches. The 13 Best Scenic Drives In Washington State Picked By Local Experts Eastern Washington Mount Rainier National Park North Cascades National Park olympic national park road trip washington Washington coast Post Summary: The Best Scenic Drives In Washington State, What To See, And How To Get There Visit AllTrails to learn more. Snoqualmie Falls, located in Snoqualmie, is a classic Seattle destination made even more special by bubblegum pink and pearly blue hues at sunrise. There are gorgeous national parks like Mount Rainier, the Olympic Peninsula, or the North Cascades, and also plenty of state parks or short jaunts into the Snoqualmie region. Timpanogos' 11,752 summit during the . Thats what its going to be like when you check out one of these incredible sunrise hikes in Washington. One of the first places youll pass is a lake called Picture Lake. If youre looking to channel your inner Wes Anderson movie, this is the place for you. Colchuck Lake is located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, in one of the most beautiful Washington state mountain ranges The Cascades! A one stop shop if you will. This includes the waterfall, walking along the rivers edge, a bridge crossing, and meandering under a canopy of trees. We never post anything without your permission. If you plan on spending the night here, please note that Gothic Basin is an extremely fragile area. Skyfire is a handy tool for tracking and predicting colorful sunrises and sunsets. > Plan your visit to Rialto and Hole-in-the-Wall using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: Olympic Peninsula Northern CoastLength:6.25 miles, roundtripElevation Gain: 1,254 feetHighest Point: 6,454 feetBest Season: July - August. Talk about an incredible view. If you can angle it just right you, you can even get a shot of the Washington Monument poking through the soldiers legs. Hope you found this guide useful and if you have any additional questions, feel free to drop them in the comments. A small tarn along the trail. If any of these beautiful Washington features spark your desire, we highly suggest taking a weekend trip to go explore more. A one stop shop if you will. Enjoying some of the best hikes in Washington that end with a stunning sunset, of course. When is the Best Time to Hike in Washington? Twitter This is pretty awesome. Since youre already there, the Korean War Memorial should be on your list to capture as well. , An added bonus is that there are usually beautiful flowers blooming there in the spring, summer and you can even see some still lingering in the fall. From here, its a fairly steady uphill climb to reach the lookout tower and the trail is covered in loose rocks, so watch your footing! Here are some of the best places to take pictures in Seattle! However, its not exactly on the way to anything (its a detour on a road trip around the Olympic Peninsula) so plan an extra few hours into your drive to visit Cape Flattery. A peek out to the Pacific Ocean. Sunrise over Alki Beach in Seattle. Mount Fremont Lookout Distance: 5.7 miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet Estimated Time: 3 hours Location: Mount Rainier National Park Pass Required: National Parks Pass The worst that will happen is that someone will ask you to put it away. This place not only has pristine water and beautiful views from the Storm King and Fairholme docks, but you can also hike up Mt. If you are heading out on an Olympic Peninsula road trip, Lake Crescent is a likely stop at the beginning of your journey. Go any time of day in any sort of weather. All are so unique and fun to photograph spread all along the 2.1 mile loop around the basin. The common spots to snap photos and enjoy the sights of Ross Lake are along the pull-offs provided by the North Cascade Scenic Byway, one of the prettiest drives in the state. Hiking at these different times of day mixes up your hiking routine and creates memories with friends and family. Spray Falls and Narada Falls are also some incredible Washington waterfalls to check out in the area. This city is a heavy, Im obsessed with the Singapore Airport , THE ISLA EXPERIENCE If you are looking for scenic hikes around Washington, you are in luck. > Plan your visit to Horseshoe Basin using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: North Cascades -- North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20Length:4.4 miles, roundtripElevation Gain:1,050 feetHighest Point: 6,254 feetBest Season:July - September. Hause Creek Campground Hause Creek Campground | Photo Copyright: Brad Lane (Read this post to pack your road trip essentials! 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