The GoVisit Washington Journal
Stories, guides, and inspiration for exploring the Evergreen State
All Articles
40 articles
Goldmyer Hot Springs Washington: A Complete Visitor Guide
Goldmyer Hot Springs in Washington's Central Cascades requires advance reservations and a remote forest road drive. Here's what to expect and how to plan.
Hot Springs in Washington State: Where to Soak
Plan your trip to Washington's hot springs: Sol Duc resort pools, Olympic backcountry, Carson Gorge baths, and Baker Hot Springs, with access details and season tips.
North Cascades National Park Map: Roads, Trails & Planning Guide
Read this North Cascades National Park map guide before you go: the three-unit structure, Highway 20 corridor, key trailheads, Diablo Lake, and how to reach remote Stehekin.
Sol Duc Falls Trail: A Complete Hiking Guide for Olympic National Park
Plan your hike to Sol Duc Falls in Olympic National Park. Trail distance, directions, best time to visit, parking tips, and what to expect at the waterfall.
Things to Do in Sequim, Washington: A Complete Guide
Plan your Sequim, Washington trip with this guide to lavender farms, Dungeness Spit, Olympic Game Farm, and day trips into Olympic National Park.
Climbing Mount Rainier: What to Know Before You Attempt the Summit
Planning to climb Mount Rainier? This guide covers permits, route options, guide services, training requirements, and what to realistically expect on summit day.
Deception Pass State Park: Your Complete Visitor Guide
Plan your visit to Deception Pass State Park with this guide to hiking, beaches, camping, and the iconic bridge on Whidbey Island in Washington State.
Washington Discover Pass: Cost, Where to Buy, and Best Parks
Planning a trip to Washington State Parks? Here's everything you need to know about the Discover Pass: what it costs, where to buy it, and which parks to visit first.
Hurricane Ridge Hiking: Best Trails for Every Fitness Level
Hurricane Ridge hiking guide covering Meadow Loop, Hurricane Hill Trail, and Obstruction Point routes, with permits, parking, and seasonal tips for Olympic National Park.
Hiking the North Cascades: 8 Trails Worth the Drive
Plan your hiking trip to North Cascades National Park with trail guides for Maple Pass Loop, Diablo Lake, Blue Lake, Chain Lakes, and Sahale Arm, plus when to go and permit details.
Mount Rainier Camping: Your Guide to Every Campground
Plan your Mount Rainier camping trip with this complete guide to all five campgrounds, including Cougar Rock, Ohanapecosh, and White River. Reservations, timed entry permits, and season tips inside.
Mount Rainier Sunrise: What to Know Before You Visit
Plan a Mount Rainier sunrise visit with this guide to the Sunrise area: best viewpoints, top day hikes, when to go, parking tips, and where to stay nearby.
Mount Rainier Weather: What to Expect Every Season
Mount Rainier weather varies dramatically by elevation and season. Here's what to expect at Longmire, Paradise, and Sunrise from summer through winter, plus what to pack.
The Olympic Mountains: Washington's Alpine Wilderness Guide
Plan your visit to the Olympic Mountains in Washington State. Covers top hikes, Mount Olympus, Hurricane Ridge, best seasons, and how to reach the trailheads.
Washington State National Parks: A Complete Guide
Plan your trip to Washington State's three national parks: Olympic, Mount Rainier, and North Cascades. What to see, best hikes, and when to visit each.
Larch Hikes in Washington: Best Trails for Fall Color
Plan your larch hike in Washington during the golden window. Maple Pass, Ingalls Lake, Cutthroat Pass, Hart's Pass, and timing tips for peak fall color.
North Cascades Highway: The Complete Drive Guide
Plan your North Cascades Highway drive with this guide to Diablo Lake, Washington Pass, Winthrop, and the best stops along Washington's most scenic 80-mile alpine road.
Lake Crescent, Washington: Hiking, the Lodge, and When to Visit
Plan your Lake Crescent Washington trip with this guide to Marymere Falls, Mount Storm King, kayaking, the historic Lodge, and the best times to visit Olympic National Park.
Things to Do in the Seattle Area: Beyond the City Limits
Discover the best things to do in the Seattle area, from Bellevue's waterfront parks and Snoqualmie Falls to Vashon Island, Whidbey, and trails above Issaquah.
Things to Do in Seattle: Your First-Time Visitor's Guide
Plan your Seattle trip with this guide to things to do in Seattle: Pike Place Market, neighborhood walks, outdoor escapes, day trips, and where to eat.
Things to Do in North Cascades National Park, Washington
Discover the best things to do in North Cascades National Park: hike to Cascade Pass, paddle turquoise Diablo Lake, drive the iconic North Cascades Highway, and reach the remote village of Stehekin by boat.
San Juan Islands, Washington: A Complete Visitor's Guide
Plan your trip to the San Juan Islands with this guide to the four main islands, whale watching, ferry tips, and the best things to do on San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez islands.
Hoh Rainforest Washington: A Complete Visitor Guide
Everything you need to plan a trip to the Hoh Rainforest in Washington: trails, wildlife, best times to visit, camping, directions, and what to bring.
Olympic Hot Springs WA: Trail, Pools, and Planning Tips
Plan your visit to Olympic Hot Springs in Olympic National Park, Washington. Trail directions, pool conditions, best seasons, what to pack, and fees explained.
Things to Do in Olympic National Park: A Complete Guide
Plan your visit to Olympic National Park with this guide to Hurricane Ridge, the Hoh Rain Forest, Pacific coast beaches, Sol Duc Hot Springs, Lake Crescent, and wildlife watching.
Cape Disappointment State Park: A Complete Visitor Guide
Plan your visit to Cape Disappointment State Park with this complete guide to its two historic lighthouses, coastal hiking trails, Lewis and Clark history, camping, and what to expect on Washington's Long Beach Peninsula.
Washington State Ferry to the San Juan Islands: A Guide
Plan your Washington State Ferry trip to the San Juan Islands with this guide to reservations, island stops, walk-on vs. vehicle travel, and what to expect on the crossing.
Hiking the Olympic Peninsula: Best Trails and What to Know
Plan your Olympic Peninsula hiking trip with this guide to the Hoh Rain Forest trails, Hurricane Ridge, Rialto Beach, the Enchanted Valley, and Sol Duc Falls, plus permit and timing tips.
Paradise at Mount Rainier: Your Complete Visitor Guide
Plan your visit to Paradise at Mount Rainier National Park with this guide to wildflower hikes, parking permits, the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center, and what to expect in every season.
Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center: Plan the Perfect Day Trip
Everything you need to know before visiting Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park: parking, trails, wildlife, seasonal road hours, and what to expect at the visitor center.
Olympic National Park Visitor Centers: Hours, Tips, and What to Expect
Plan your Olympic National Park visit with this guide to every visitor center: Hurricane Ridge, Hoh Rain Forest, Kalaloch, and more. Hours, fees, and permits.
Camping in Olympic National Park: A Complete Guide
Reserve the right campground before you go. This guide covers every camping zone in Olympic National Park, from Hoh Rain Forest to the Pacific coast, with reservation tips and gear advice.
Sol Duc Hot Springs, Washington: What to Know Before You Go
Plan your visit to Sol Duc Hot Springs in Olympic National Park. Learn what the mineral pools are like, how to get there from Seattle or Port Angeles, and what to do nearby.
Mount Rainier Day Hikes: 8 Trails for Every Skill Level
From easy meadow strolls to an 8.5-mile climb toward the summit, these Mount Rainier day hikes cover the full range, with practical info on permits, parking, and the best time to visit.
Things to Do in Leavenworth, Washington: Your Complete Guide
Plan your Leavenworth, Washington trip with this guide to hiking Icicle Canyon, whitewater rafting the Wenatchee River, Oktoberfest, the Christmas Lighting Festival, and where to eat and stay.
Olympic Peninsula Road Trip: A 7-Day Itinerary
Plan your Olympic Peninsula road trip with this day-by-day guide to Hurricane Ridge, the Hoh Rain Forest, Rialto Beach, Lake Quinault, and Port Townsend.
Carson Hot Springs Washington: What You Need to Know
Plan your visit to Carson Hot Springs in Washington State. Learn what the mineral pools are like, how to get there from Portland or Seattle, and what else to do in the Columbia River Gorge.
5 Hidden Waterfalls Worth the Hike in Washington
Beyond the tourist crowds, these lesser-known Washington waterfalls reward the adventurous with solitude and staggering beauty. Lace up your boots and discover cascades most visitors never see.
A Seattle Food Crawl: Pike Place Market and Beyond
From the iconic fish throwers to hidden gems in the back alleys, here's how to eat your way through Seattle's most famous market — and the neighborhoods just beyond it.
The Best Time to Visit Washington State (Month-by-Month)
Washington transforms dramatically with each season. Here's what to expect month by month — from cherry blossoms to ski season — so you can time your trip perfectly.