National Parks in Washington

Fort Vancouver

National Historic Site, Vancouver, WA and OR

Across the Columbia River from Portland, OR, this historic site, made up of four separate sites, illuminates the story of the British Fur Trade in the early 1800s. Plan to visit >>

Klondike Gold Rush

National Historical Park, Seattle, WA

When word of a gold strike in northwest Canada reached Seattle, thousands headed out in search of riches. Learn about their journey >>

Lake Roosevelt

National Recreation Area, Canadian border

Created by the Grand Coulee Dam in 1941, this 130-mile lake along the border with Canada provides recreational opportunities for fishing, boating, camping and hunting. Find out more >> 

Lewis and Clark

National Historic Trail, WA and ID, IL, IA, KS, MO, MT, NE, ND, OR, SD

Famous for opening up the West to migration and expansion, the Lewis and Clark Expedition is also the story of 33 brave Americans with a sense of discovery. Follow their trail >>

Lewis and Clark

National Historical Park, coastal WA and OR

Reenact the lives of explorers and native people in a replica of Fort Clatsop, the winter encampment site of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition. Plan your visit >>

Manhattan Project

National Historical Park, WA and NM, TN

At three different sites across the country, learn about the people and technology that led to the bomb that ended of WWII. Learn more >>

Minidoka

National Historic Site, Jerome, WA and ID

Minidoka is a must-visit if only for recognition of the reality that, during WWII, nearly 120,000 legal Japanese and Japanese-Americans were forced to live in 10 closed-off facilities in the West during the single largest forced relocation program in U.S. history. Discover Minidoka >>  

Mount Rainier

National Park, central WA

An active volcano and American icon, this mountain standing taller than 14,000 feet beckons everyone from hardcore climbers to mere sightseers. See what awaits at Rainier >>

Nez Perce

National Historical Park, WA and ID, MT, OR

Discover the story of the Nez Perce, a resilient native people. The park is spread across 38 sites in four states. Find out more about Nez Perce >>

North Cascades

National Park, Marblemount, WA

North of Seattle to the border with Canada, this park preserves a sensitive alpine landscape including more than 300 glaciers. The park also envelopes Chelan Lake National Recreation Area and historic Stehekin, not reachable by road. See all that North Cascades has to offer >>

Olympic

National Park, Port Angeles, WA

The crown jewel of the northwest wilderness, visitors get the full picture in these nearly one million acres, from mountains to rainforest to sea. Hiking, backpacking, paddling and luxury lodging are all viable options. Plan your visit to Olympic >>

Oregon

National Historic Trail, WA and ID, KS, MO, NE, OR, WY

It's not just the computer game you played as a kid. The Oregon Trail covers 2,000 miles traveled by early American settlers heading West. Get more info about the real Oregon Trail >>

San Juan Island

National Historic Park, Friday Harbor, WA

A haven for sea-lovers, the island welcomes paddlers and whale-watchers, but history buffs will also love learning about the spot that nearly launched another war between the U.S. and Britain in the 1859. Discover San Juan >>

Whitman Mission

National Historic Site, Walla Walla, WA

A tragic interaction between the Cayuse Nation and foreign immigrants here in the mid-1800s played a critical role in the U.S. government's treatment of American Indians. Learn more at this historic site >>