American Alps

The Insider's Guide to Visiting North Cascades National Park

Where to hike, camp, and explore in Washington's wild, remote mountains.

08/21/2025 By Allison Williams

Detours

How to Actually Visit Our National Parks This Year

Primary access points and visitor centers are closed. Here's where to go instead.

05/15/2025 By Allison Williams

THE OLYMPICS

Insider's Guide to Visiting Washington State's Olympic National Park

What to do, where to hike, and where to camp under the stars in Washington's most diverse national park.

04/17/2025 By Allison Williams

Planner

Things to Do in Washington in January

Songs, skating, and Sasquatch hunting.

12/30/2024 By Taylor McKenzie Gerlach

The Mountain

An Insider’s Guide to Visiting Mount Rainier National Park

Hiking trails, visitor centers, and other spectacular reasons to head to our friendly local volcano.

04/29/2024 By Allison Williams and Seattle Met Staff

Ranger of Motion

Mount Rainier’s Top Ranger Introduces a New Era at the National Park

As MRNP celebrates 125 years of existence, visiting its trails and vistas now means a brand-new timed-entry system.

04/01/2024 By Allison Williams

Book It

Summer Reservations Now Required at Mount Rainier National Park

A new system requires visitors have a timed entry permit to drive into the major visitor centers, so the rush is on.

02/21/2024 By Allison Williams

Loo Limits

Hurricane Ridge Reopens, But There's a Line for the Bathroom

Rangers at the iconic Olympic National Park destination are limiting visitors based on toilet usage.

08/03/2023 By Allison Williams

Get the Dirt

10 Best Hikes at Mount Rainier National Park

A totally subjective list from a lifelong Rainier hiker.

07/23/2019 By Allison Williams

Fixing Paradise

An Inside Look at the Paradise Inn Remodel

After a $24.5 million, two-year renovation, the classic Rainier hotel reopened in May 2019.

07/23/2019 By Allison Williams

Room with a View

Four-Star Campsites in Washington's Wilderness

We expect more from our campgrounds than a few dirt clearings in the woods. High-end amenities from ice cream stands to volleyball courts pop up next to scenic sites across the state.

05/22/2018 By Allison Williams

Fees, Please

Would You Pay $70 to Visit Mount Rainier?

What about the Olympic National Park? The park system is pondering one heck of a rate hike.

10/25/2017 By Allison Williams

Article

The Great Outdoors: North Cascades National Park

Hiking, swimming, camping, eating, and wine tasting: Get out to our hidden gem of a national park and lakeside retreat.

08/01/2013 By Allison Williams

Article

Insider’s Guide to Mount Rainier National Park

07/19/2012 With Bruce Barcott, Craig Romano, and Charlotte Austin By Allison Williams