wildlife

Your Guide to the National Parks of the PNW

It’s no secret that the Pacific Northwest is one of the most desirable travel destinations in the United States, especially in terms of nature. While there are plenty of beautiful hikes and natural areas to visit in Oregon and Washington, from Multnomah Falls, to Mount Hood, to Forest Park, there are also four National Parks hiding in these two beautiful states. You’ve probably heard of Mount Rainier, but what about the other three?

Well, in Washington, you’re in luck because all of the state’s National Parks are within only a few hours drive of each other, and in Oregon, Crater Lake stands as one of the most unique landscapes in the country. (For other unique bucket list locations, check out THIS ARTICLE).

This is your complete guide to all four National Parks in the PNW, so get ready for some hiking and sightseeing, it’s gonna be a beautiful ride.

Olympic National Park, Shore Section, WA

Olympic National Park, Shore Section, WA

Crater Lake, OR

I figured it might be useful to start with Crater Lake because it’s not only the smallest of the four National Parks in the PNW, but it’s also the only one in Oregon. Located in southern Oregon, Crater Lake is positioned at a very high elevation, making it only fully accessible during the warmer months. Crater Lake’s water is extremely blue, and deep, and there’s only one trail that actually allows you lake access. This is the deepest lake in the United States, and the ninth deepest lake in the world.

Crater Lake is definitely a small park. While there are plenty of little trails, which I spent my very cold day there hiking, there are only a select few longer trails, and only two campgrounds, one of which currently has no water (Lost Creek). Regardless of its size, Crater Lake is absolutely stunning. It’s only here that you’ll find water this blue surrounded by mountains, pine trees, and sometimes snow.

Crater Lake National Park, OR

Crater Lake National Park, OR

North Cascades, WA

By now, I’ve talked about North Cascades a couple times (HERE and HERE), so I’m gonna keep this short.

North Cascades is the secret National Park of Washington. It’s made up of the famous Cascade Mountains, and is interspersed with National Forest land. There are quite a few campgrounds in the North Cascades, and plenty of diverse trails to explore, and on top of that, it’s dog friendly. This is another small park, but it’s a great getaway for a few days, as there’s plenty to explore as long as you have gas in the tank.

North Cascades National Park, WA

North Cascades National Park, WA

Olympic, WA

Olympic National Park is one of Washington’s most famous National Parks, and it’s also its most diverse. Located on the Olympic Peninsula, most of the park isn’t drivable. The roads simply go around the park, cutting into each of the park’s unique landscapes: the mountains, lake, rainforest, and shore section.

I spent three nights exploring Olympic, and got to see three of these four landscapes. I spent two nights up in Fairholme Campground near Lake Crescent, and took one of those days to explore the Hoh Rainforest, the only temperate rainforest in the continental US that you can drive into. To get there from Fairholme, you simply head south through Washington’s famous city of Forks (which you might recognize from the Twilight series). This awesome spot is home to some pretty cool wildlife, like banana slugs, and you can hike through the rainforest to your heart’s content (and you can even get a backpacking permit if you want). The rainforest offers one of the most unique views of Washington’s landscape, and truly allows you to get a feel for just how diverse this strange and beautiful northern state really is.

The third night, I spent the night in a privately owned campground near Rialto Beach because it was simply the better deal than staying in Mora Campground run by the NPS. Rialto Beach is one of my favorite beaches in the country. It’s home to crazy rock formations, tidepools, fallen driftwood trees, and is surrounded by pine, making it the perfect combination of mountains and beach (aka my favorite things ever). Olympic is truly a park with something for every type of explorer, and if you don’t like one section, you can just move on to the next—they’re so different, it’ll feel like you’re in a different place entirely.

Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, WA

Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, WA

Mount Rainier, WA

While Mount Rainier is probably the most famous National Park in Washington, it’s definitely my favorite (which is funny because I actually spent the least amount of time here). Mount Rainier is at a very high elevation, and is pretty much always covered in snow (the mountain, not the park). From some of the hikes in the park, you’ll be able to see glaciers, wildlife such as foxes and bears, and plenty of wildflowers (most of the year).

Mount Rainier is a huge park with different sections to explore, and while I only got to see a very small part of it during my stay at White River Campground, it was one of my favorite nights on the road due to the overall landscape of the place and the welcoming rangers.

Mount Rainier does get some crazy weather. Luckily it was only raining when I was there, but there’s always a world where it might snow, so come prepared with warm clothes, and an extra warm sleeping bag (shop my favorite sleeping bag at Madera Outdoor HERE).

View of a glacier in Mount Rainier National Park, WA

View of a glacier in Mount Rainier National Park, WA

From the towering peaks of Mount Rainier to the deepest lake in the country, the Pacific Northwest is full of diverse landscapes and beautiful National Parks. The Washington National Parks are only a couple hours away from each other, and Crater Lake, while further south, will encourage you to explore its surrounding natural areas, and even cute towns like Bend. The Pacific Northwest is only just getting started in terms of being a popular tourist destination, and it’s sure to get even more popular over the years, considering its popularity on social media. So, head out now to these beautiful spaces, and enjoy the unique solitude of the northern mountains. And don’t forget to take plenty of pictures.

Top 3 Dog Friendly National Parks

We all love our dogs so much, and we’d like to bring them everywhere we go, but the sad truth is, America’s Best Idea isn’t a huge fan of Man’s Best Friend. While most of the big and famous National Parks such as Yellowstone, Glacier, and the Grand Canyon don’t allow dogs in most areas of the park (although they are allowed on the paved Rim Trail in GCNP), there are some Parks that may surprise you. I’ve visited more than half of America’s National Parks, and as a self-proclaimed dog enthusiast (or so says my insta bio), I’m always looking out for where I might be able to return later in life with my own pup. National Parks are tricky when it comes to traveling with a dog, but these are three I definitely wouldn’t miss if your dog is your travel partner.

(Since my dog is actually a family dog, he was unable to join me when I visited these parks when I was driving across the country. I did meet plenty of pups on the trails though, and it was a breath of fresh air after being away from home for so long).

North Cascades National Park, WA

North Cascades National Park, WA

Shenandoah National Park, VA

I wasn’t expecting it, but Shenandoah had quite a few dog friendly trails. Of course, dogs are always allowed in campgrounds on leash, but I was happy to see plenty on the Doyle River Falls trail. This is a great trail that leads you to three waterfalls, all of which you and your dog are allowed to swim in. You can go as far as you want on this trail, but the best waterfalls are the last two. It’s definitely a great option if you and your pup want to cool off on a humid day. Since this trail is pup-friendly though, it’s definitely not the only one in the park. Dogs are allowed on most trails in Shenandoah as long as they’re kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet. As with any National Park, though, make sure that you respect wildlife, and do keep your pups off of trails that have heavy wildlife traffic like Old Rag. This is a larger national park, so give yourself plenty of time to explore!

Shenandoah National Park, VA

Shenandoah National Park, VA

Acadia National Park, Maine

I was surprised to learn that Maine’s beautiful Acadia National Park is dog friendly! I’d already fallen head over heels for this perfect combination of pine trees and Atlantic Ocean, so knowing that one day I can return with my future best friend makes me so happy. Acadia is known for its ocean access, but it also has over 100 miles of dog friendly trails where pups are allowed on leashes no longer than 6 feet. The only place you can’t camp with your dog in Acadia is Isle Au Haut and Duck Harbot, but dogs are allowed in the other campgrounds run by the NPS here in Acadia. While Acadia is known for its beaches, dogs are unfortunately not allowed on Sand Beach, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of dog friendly ocean access in this island park.

Acadia National Park, ME

Acadia National Park, ME

North Cascades National Park, WA

This is easily the most dog friendly National Park I’ve been to. It simply hasn’t changed the rules for the areas that are National Park land because it’s so interspersed with National Forest land, which is run by the USDA, instead of the NPS. Because of that, dogs are allowed on most trails here, and I saw at least three during my little walk in the woods out to Thunder Creek, a longer trail that you can follow to a number of peaks, depending on how many miles you feel like putting in. The most popular peak on this trail lies at only 1.5 miles and ends at a glacial river which you and your dog are welcome to splash around in.

Read more about North Cascades HERE!

North Cascades National Park, WA

North Cascades National Park, WA

Surprising places in other parks:

·       Rialto Beach in Olympic National Park, WA

·       Various spots in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND

·       Mirror Lake Loop, Yosemite National Park, CA

It’s also important to mention that as these are National Parks, it’s important to adhere to “no dog” rules. If a trail says dogs aren’t allowed, they’re not trying to control you, it’s simply for the safety of your dog and other animals. Make sure you perform tick checks after taking your dog on any of these trails, and bring plenty of water for them on any hike you decide to do. Most importantly, have fun, and get ready for a wagging tail when your dog realizes he gets to come with you.


We all love our animals, so it’s only natural that we’d want to help others that are less fortunate than our furry best friends. To support animal sanctuaries around the US, shop ethical apparel at Wholesome Culture!

Wyoming: A State of Firsts

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When I hit the road back in June 2019, Wyoming was one of the first states I visited, and the first that I would describe as a mountain state. Crossing from Idaho into the Northwestern corner of Wyoming brought me almost directly into Yellowstone National Park: the country’s first National Park, and widely regarded as the first National Park in the world.

Wyoming is a state of firsts when it comes to protected land. From the first National Park, to the country’s first National Monument, to some personal firsts along my own journey, Wyoming will always hold a special and important place in my wandering soul. Having visited four of Wyoming’s National Park Service Sites, I’ll be the first to jump up and explain the state’s diversity, but it’s the firsts that really make this state unique. Yellowstone and Devils Tower (the country’s first National Monument) are two incredibly different landscapes, and yet are two must-visit places for anyone visiting Wyoming for the first time.

Artists Paint Pots, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Artists Paint Pots, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Yellowstone National Park

Of course, while there’s definitely more to do in Wyoming, Yellowstone is a good place to start. As the world’s first National Park, Yellowstone offers incredibly vast landscapes, some of the best camping I’ve ever experienced, and diverse wildlife (including the famed “bison traffic jam”).

 Yellowstone is a unique experience that everyone should have at some point in their lives. The park itself is an active volcano, and it’s known for its geysers, prismatic pools, and incredible views.

I only had the fortune of staying one night in Yellowstone, but it was one of my favorite nights of my whole 3 months traveling the US.

My first day in the park involved sightseeing. I’m usually a huge hiker, but with my limited time in the park, I was determined to see as much as I possibly could. My first stop was the Artist Paint Pots, little pools of boiling water that give Yellowstone such an iconic landscape. The Paint Pots smell a bit like sulfur and are definitely too hot to even go near, which is why the park has built a boardwalk surrounding the pools. It’s not one of the most famous places to stop, but it was definitely cool enough for me to put it on your radar.

Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone National Park, WY

From there I made my way to Old Faithful: the famous geyser. While it’s not the largest in the park, it’s the most famous because of its predictability. If you love Old Faithful, you’re in luck because there are tons of other geysers just waiting for you throughout Yellowstone. Unfortunately, I got to Old Faithful about five minutes after it erupted, which meant I had to wait about an hour and a half before it would go off again. Luckily, this forced slow-down was just what I needed and let me stop and have my lunch and hit the visitor center.

After being wowed by Old Faithful, I made sure to hit some other iconic sites on my way to my campground. I passed the Grand Prismatic Spring, Mud Volcano, and Yellowstone Lake, and finally ended my drive for the day in Canyon Campground, one of my favorite campgrounds I’ve stayed in. It was definitely a chilly night, and Yellowstone made it easy to handle with everything that came with my campground reservation. Located in Canyon Village, Canyon Campground had the most amenities included in a campsite I’ve ever experienced. I got 2 free showers, access to laundry, access to a dishwashing station, flush toilets, and my own personal bear box, and the campground was close to the store and café where there was spotty wifi available (not super strong, but enough to use to get in touch with my family). It was also one of the only places in the park with a gas station. Canyon was a fantastic experience, yet it was a bit pricey. For one night, though, it was more than perfect.

These bison proceeded to surround my car after I took this picture

These bison proceeded to surround my car after I took this picture

My second day in the park, as I made my way toward the Tetons, I made sure to hit one more stop: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The South Rim has one of the most famous views in the park—Artists Point—which is known for attracting painters and photographers from all over the world. On my way in, I spotted one lone bison eating his breakfast, and on my way out, I found myself in my own personal bison traffic jam, alone on the road, surrounded by animals nearly as big as my car.

The one thing I wish I did when I was in Yellowstone was to head up to the Lamar Valley. The Lamar Valley is known for having some of the best wildlife in the park, so it’s definitely on my list for next time!

Artists Point, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Artists Point, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Devils Tower National Monument

I wasn’t expecting to return to Wyoming, but after learning how close Devil’s Tower is to South Dakota, the science fiction nerd in me couldn’t help by head back into this familiar place from the beginning of my trip.

Devil’s Tower is the country’s first National Monument, and was used as the set for Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind. It’s the only rock formation of its kind, and attracts climbers from all over the world. While it’s much smaller than Yellowstone, I actually stayed two nights here because I wanted some time to rest and not drive for a day.

The park only has one campground, and I lucked out and got a site with a direct view of the Tower (A12, if you’re curious). During the summer months, the campground offers fun ranger programs at night (I learned all about prairie dogs), and everything in the park is super close to everything else.

Devils Tower from Tower Trail Loop

Devils Tower from Tower Trail Loop

My second day involved hiking the “Devils Tower Marathon,” a connection of trails recommended to me by a ranger I got to know while I was there (since the park is so small, there were only a select few rangers around). The trails start with the Joyner Ridge Trail. You can find the trailhead by driving up a little dirt road near the visitor center, and you’ll be greeted with amazing views of the tower once you’re up there. You’ll then take this to the connector trail between Joyner Ridge and Red Beds, and from there, if you want, you can connect to the valley views trail (which I didn’t do because of stinging nettles), or continue to the Tower Trail loop before finishing the Red Beds and Joyner Ridge.

The entire series of trails gives you an awesome, diverse look at the park, and plenty of views of the tower and the climbers that have set out to summit it that day.

Devils Tower is an incredibly unique place that you won’t find anywhere else on the planet, so if it wasn’t on your radar before, it definitely should be.

Devils Tower from Red Beds Trail

Devils Tower from Red Beds Trail

Wyoming is a state of firsts, and while I visited two other National Park Service sites while I was there, these are the two that have made the biggest lasting impact on United States public land conservation throughout the years. They’re both very different from both each other and all other public land in the country, and deserve to be on your list, no matter where you’re from.


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