Three spectacular national parks are within 100 miles of our Seattle rental location. Olympic National Park is home to temperate rainforests, Sound-of-Music-esque ridges and pristine alpine lakes. Mount Rainier National Park offers incredible views of “The Mountain” from both easy and advanced hiking trails. (Want to sound like a local? Saying “the mountain is out” is a great way to announce clear, sunny skies!) The underrated North Cascades National Park is a gem, with majestic peaks around every corner – hikers shouldn’t miss this one!
Looking for adventures on the water? Hop a ferry to the San Juans and lose yourself in the artsy culture, fresh seafood and stunning sunsets of this island chain.
Seattle, Washington
June – September
20 Minutes
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
4-6 Days
SAN JUAN ISLANDS
4-6 Days
MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK
3-4 Days
NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK
3-4 Days
Start your adventure by hopping a ferry with your PNW campervan rental to Bainbridge Island and continuing west to the Olympic Peninsula, home to nearly a million acres of wilderness and incredibly diverse ecosystems in Olympic National Park. Trek to stunning 360-degree ocean and mountain views, kayak on glacier-carved lakes, meander past cascading waterfalls tucked under towering evergreen trees, and take a dip in natural hot springs. Make your way along the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Cape Flattery, the farthest northwest tip of the contiguous United States. Farther south, the Hoh Rain Forest is not to be missed. As one of the few protected temperate rainforests in the Northern Hemisphere, it boasts more shades of green than you’ve ever imagined. You can even trek with llamas and float the Hoh River! Round out your Olympic Peninsula adventure by exploring the tidal pools at Kalaloch or combing for garnet-colored sand at Ruby Beach.
One of the most visited national parks, Mount Rainier is dominated by its namesake mountain – an active volcano that is over a mile taller than adjacent peaks! Although it’s the most glaciated precipice in the contiguous U.S., during the summer months you can hike among wildflowers at Paradise, trek to dramatic waterfalls, mountain bike through the high alpine wilderness, or take a scenic gondola up Crystal Mountain. The national park is flanked on the north and south by two stunning scenic byways to enjoy from your Moterra campervan, and a plethora of state park and national forest land means that you can have as few or as many neighbors as you’d like! Keep an eye out for the Sasquatch…
About two and a half hours northeast of our Washington state campervan hub lies North Cascades National Park, a rugged landscape of staggering alpine beauty. This vast wilderness, speckled with turquoise lakes and home to more than 300 glaciers, is one of the least-visited national parks in the United States, attracting fewer than 20,000 visitors in 2021. The North Cascades are a true hiker’s paradise – uncrowded trails, pristine lakes and narrow forested valleys capped by jagged mountain peaks. Drive the North Cascades Scenic Highway in your luxury campervan rental, hike a myriad of spectacular trails, take in the views at multiple stunning overlooks, and kayak on impossibly blue waters. Set out on an overnight backpacking trip for some quiet wilderness exploration. Be one of the few lucky adventurers to see the “North American Alps” for yourself – you’re bound to want to return.
Between Vancouver Island and the Washington mainland, the San Juan Islands dot the straits dividing the United States and Canada. Although there are more than 450 islands, rocks and pinnacles in the archipelago, there are only four islands serviced by the Washington State Ferries system: Orcas, San Juan, Lopez and Shaw. Each isle has a distinct flavor – slow down to “island time” and take a few days to explore this wonderful corner of the globe, brimming with outdoor adventure.
On San Juan, peruse Friday Harbor with its bustling boutiques and eateries before breaking out the binoculars at Lime Kiln Point State Park, one of the best places in the country for on-shore whale watching. Hop the ferry to Orcas and spend a couple days kayaking the inlets, hiking around mountain lakes and feasting on fresh seafood. Take a day to cycle around Lopez, where friendly locals call out hellos as you peddle past. Consider adding a Canadian adventure with your campervan rental – the San Juan ferry continues to Sidney, BC, gateway to historic Victoria and wild Vancouver Island.
Explore the wilderness around Jackson Hole, Wyoming with our fully planned campervan tours.
Excited about all the possibilities and potential, but not sure where to begin? Click below to download a free copy of our Moterra Insider’s Guide to the Pacific Northwest for a deeper dive into our favorite routes and recommendations, as well as detailed information about campgrounds and activities to help maximize your time in these beautiful areas.
ABOUT MOTERRA
307.200.7220 / info@gomoterra.com
1565 W. Berger Ln, Jackson, Wyoming (Headquarters)
© 2019-2023 Copyright Moterra Campervans
© 2019-2023 Copyright Moterra Campervans
