Washington’s National & State Parks

Recreation in the Dazzling Evergreen State

Washington can be known for its urban metropolises like Seattle with the iconic Space Needle, but the outdoor splendor that is the Washington countryside is not without its charm. Dazzling skylines of the Washington Cascades, gorgeous sunsets of Puget Sound and the Washington coast, and the beautiful Okanagen Valley of eastern Washington all create what we envision as the scenic northwest.

Visit the impressive Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument near Kelso in southern Washington, and only peel your eyes away from the mountainous skyline to explore the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center at Silver Lake. Found yourself near the scenic city of Othello? Take a break from the rain and make the trip to the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge for bird watching, fishing and even hunting.

The best way to explore the scenery of Washington is through the many national and state parks of the Evergreen State. Discover the beauty of the northwest, and make Washington your new favorite vacation spot.

Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Rainier National Park – the fifth established national park in the country – is a gorgeous getaway covering nearly 24,000 acres of Washington countryside. Iconized by the famed Mt. Rainier, this national park is a staple of the U.S. National Park Service and the state of Washington. Make your way to Paradise – home to the Paradise Historic District – and explore the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center while taking in the view of the Tatoosh Range, and of course, Mount Rainier.

Head to the Nisqually River Valley for a visit to Longmire – a visitor center home to a Wilderness Information Center and the Longmire Museum. From there, you can hike out a chunk of the 93-mile Wonderland Trail encircling Mt. Rainier National Park, or head to the northeast corner of the park for the Sunrise Visitor Center – the highest point in Mt. Rainier National Park reachable by vehicle.

After your adventurous day in Mt. Rainier National Park, make the scenic drive back to a Best Western hotel in Yakima, or a Best Western hotel in Ellensburg, for a comfortable night in Washington.

Rainbow Falls State Park

Set just west of Chehalis in southwestern Washington, Rainbow Falls State Park is a scenic escape in the beautiful Chehalis Valley. Here, you may take advantage of the many multipurpose trails, freshwater fishing and swimming, and other recreational opportunities like bird watching and wildlife viewing.

Snap an unforgettable photo of Rainbow Falls State Park’s rainbow-crowned waterfall, or take in some horseback riding during your time in this Washington state park. Visit the park’s beautiful fuchsia garden, or find a spot along 3,400 feet of shoreline for salmon, catfish and trout fishing on the Chehalis River. Challenge a fellow traveler to a game of horseshoes, and spend lunch with the family at one of the designated picnic areas.

Cap off your day with a night at the Best Western hotel in Chehalis, and rest up for another day of adventure and beauty in Rainbow Falls State Park.

Olympic National Park

Nestled in the northwestern corner of Washington, the Olympic National Park is a diverse haven encompassing everything from the scenic coastline of the Pacific Ocean to an actual rainforest. Found west of Seattle and northwest of Tacoma and Lacey, the Olympic National Park offers backpacking, skiing and even rafting.

Take the whole day to hike along the beach, or trek your way through Olympic National Park to reach Sol Duc Falls – the ideal photo opportunity. Pack the tackle box and find a spot along the Dickey River, Hoh River or Quillayute River for steelhead trout, mountain whitefish, and sockeye salmon. Winter visitors, head to the Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area within the park for Nordic and alpine skiing, and see if you can squeeze in a snowball fight and snowman building with the kids.

After all that fishing, backpacking or skiing, you deserve a comfortable night in at the Best Western hotel in Lacey – just a short, scenic drive away from the Olympic National Park.

Iron Horse State Park

Found in central Washington, Iron Horse State Park is a fixture of the Cascade Mountains and Yakima River Valley offering adventurous recreation fit for any fan of the outdoors.

Iron Horse State Park is home to the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, a former railroad track and historic trail running through the stunning Washington Cascades. More paths course through Iron Horse State Park, creating a 100-mile network of trails ideal for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Guests may also look forward to a day of everything from tranquil bird watching and wildlife viewing to intense rock climbing.

Visiting in the winter? Make your way to Iron Horse State Park for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing – plus snowmobiling, dog sledding, and some classic snowman building with the family. Defrost at the nearby Best Western hotel in Cle Elum, and get some rest for more fun in Washington’s many impressive parks.

Best Western Hotels Along the Way:

Chehalis Hotels

1

BEST WESTERN PLUS Park Place Inn & Suites

201 SW Interstate Avenue, Chehalis WA 98532-3701
Phone: (360) 748-4040  |  Fax: (360) 740-5323  |  View Hotel Details  |  Reservations

Complimentary full breakfast, now featuring a made to order omelette bar plus sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, yogurt, cereals, fresh fruit salad, make your own waffles and more.

Pets may be accepted. Please contact the hotel directly for full details.

Exercise center, Open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Physically challenged facilities, lift equipment available for the pool

Cle Elum Hotels

2

BEST WESTERN PLUS Snowcap Lodge

809 W Davis Street, Cle Elum WA 98922-1086
Phone: (509) 674-0200  |  Fax: (509) 674-2222  |  View Hotel Details  |  Reservations

Complimentary breakfast

Exercise facility Open from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Indoor pool

Hot tub, whirlpool

Ellensburg Hotels

3

BEST WESTERN PLUS Lincoln Inn & Suites

211 W Umptanum Road, Ellensburg WA 98926-9672
Phone: (509) 925-4244  |  Fax: (509) 925-4211  |  View Hotel Details  |  Reservations

Complimentary full breakfast, deluxe buffet with make your own waffles, sausage links, hot eggs, biscuits and gravy, hot & cold cereal, fruit cocktail, fruit, yogurt, bagels, muffins, danish, toast, juice, mild, coffee, tea and various specialty items.

Pets allowed based on the availability of pet friendly rooms. Up to 2 dogs per room with an 80 pound weight limit. Additional pet types (cats, birds, etc) may be accepted at the hotel's discretion. Pet rate is $15 per day with a $100 per week maximum.

Exercise gym

Indoor pool, heated with adjacent patio for sunbathing

Lacey Hotels

4

BEST WESTERN PLUS Lacey Inn & Suites

8326 Quinault Drive NE, Lacey WA 98516-5831
Phone: (360) 456-5655  |  Fax: (360) 456-5255  |  View Hotel Details  |  Reservations

Complimentary full breakfast hours 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. daily

Pets may be accepted. Please contact the hotel directly for full details.

Exercise facilities, Open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Indoor pool, heated

Yakima Hotels

5

BEST WESTERN PLUS Lincoln Inn

1614 N 1st Street, Yakima WA 98901-1704
Phone: (509) 453-8898  |  Fax: (509) 453-8874  |  View Hotel Details  |  Reservations

Complimentary full breakfast, Hot items such as scrambled eggs, sausage patties, biscuits, gravy and omelets.

Pets allowed based on the availability of pet friendly rooms. Up to 2 dogs per room with a 80 pound weight limit. Additional pet types (cats, birds, etc) may be accepted at the hotel's discretion. Pet rate is $20.00 per day with a $100 per week maximum.

Exercise facility, 24 Hour treadmill, bicycle and elliptical machines available for your use.

Indoor pool heated 24 hours

6

BEST WESTERN PLUS Ahtanum Inn

2408 Rudkin Road, Yakima WA 98903-1610
Phone: (509) 248-9700  |  Fax: (509) 248-3607  |  View Hotel Details  |  Reservations

Complimentary full breakfast

Pets allowed based on the availability of pet friendly rooms. Up to 2 dogs per room with a 80 pound weight limit. Additional pet types (cats, birds, etc) may be accepted at the hotel's discretion. Pet rate is $10.00 per pet per day with a $100 per week maximum.

Exercise facility, Open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Outdoor pool heated, seasonal