Craters, Cascades, & Volcanoes – Washington & Oregon

Alpine trees, snow-capped mountains, cascading waterfalls, and stunning turquoise lakes dominate North Cascades National Park. This 505,000-acre park is beautiful throughout the year, offering landscapes ranging from mountain peaks to thick forests. Situated three hours from Seattle, North Cascades National Park is a remote, beautiful and tranquil stop and, with under 50,000 visitors a year, a hidden gem.

Situated on nearly 1,000,000 acres, Olympic National Park spans multiple ecosystems, offering a unique and diverse landscape to explore. It also features 1000+ years of human history spread over its vast wilderness area. Mt. Olympus, the tallest mountain in the park, provides excellent climbing, mountaineering, and hiking opportunities. AdventureGenie also has a 5-day GenieTrip (to be released soon) that takes a deeper dive into the Olympic Peninsula.

One of Washington's most popular national parks, Mt. Rainier National Park treats visitors to an active volcano with a peak elevation of 14,410 feet and the famed Mount Rainier, the most glaciated peak in the U.S. Travel through blooming wildflower meadows, thick ancient forests, and the snowy volcano. GenieTrips is building a trip guide focused solely on the Olympic Peninsula – coming soon.

Founded by President Reagan in 1982, Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument includes the area surrounding Mount St. Helens. Mount St. Helens, an active volcano, makes up the "ring of fire" in the northwest, along with Mount Rainier. Mt. St Helens is divided into three primary areas: the West Side, East Side, and South Side. This 172-square-mile monument is an ideal location for those wanting to hike, climb, and camp.

The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is in the Cascades mountains, with views of dramatic spires, cliffs, ridges, and cascading waterfalls, and brimming with outdoor recreational opportunities. The canyon leads through the Cascades, producing a natural barrier between Oregon and Washington. This park offers wonderful hiking trails, with multiple public transport options. Water activities, from white water rafting to kayaking, windsurfing, and kiteboarding, make this an ideal location for water lovers and adventurous travelers.

Stretching along the Columbia River and Pacific Coast, the Lewis & Clark National Historical Park commemorates the Lewis & Clark Expedition and the end of their remarkable 4,132-mile journey across the U.S. in 1805. There is a replica of Fort Clatsop at the same spot as the original fort, which sheltered Lewis, Clark and their expedition team during the winter of 1805-1806. This park allows you to dive into the stories of the expedition, historical demonstrations, and learn about the local native tribes.

Prepare for jaw-dropping views of this robin-egg blue lake! Crater Lake National Park – spanning 183,000 acres – is set in the Cascades in southern Oregon. This park is named for the crater that formed after Mount Mazama's collapse – which has become America’s deepest lake and one of its prettiest. Perhaps the most scenic park on this trip, it’s surprising that only about 500,000 – 750,000 people visit Crater Lake National Park each year.