Parks and nature reserves in Washington

Parks and Viewpoints

Washington’s landscape is defined by its geological diversity, from the temperate rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula to the basalt coulees of the central plateau. This collection features coastal meadows at Discovery Park, the glacial waters of Lake Wenatchee, and the dramatic volcanic terrain of the North Cascades. Highlights include the remains of the Missoula Floods at Dry Falls and prime wildlife viewing areas like the San Juan Island whale watching sites and the Nooksack Unit’s protected wetlands.

Parks and Viewpoints — Map

Seattle Municipal Archives / CC BY 2.0

A

Discovery Park

Discovery Park is a 534-acre park on the shores of Puget Sound in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle, Washington.

Ryan Harvey / CC BY-SA 2.0

B

Columbia River Gorge Overlook

Provides panoramic views of the Columbia River and the high basalt cliffs marking the border between Washington and Oregon.

C

Nooksack Unit

A protected wetland area within the Whatcom Wildlife Area, providing critical habitat for salmon and migratory waterfowl along the Nooksack River delta.

D

Frenchman Coulee

A deep canyon featuring towering basalt columns formed by the prehistoric Missoula Floods, frequently used for technical rock climbing.

E

Sunrise View Point

Situated in Olympic National Park, this overlook offers expansive views of the Olympic Mountain range and subalpine meadows.

F

Inspiration Point

Located on Spokane’s South Hill, this historic viewpoint overlooks the Latah Valley and the distant Palouse region.

G

Lake Lenore Caves State Park

Lake Lenore Caves State Park is a Washington State Park in the Lenore Canyon extending into the hills from the shore of Lake Lenore.

Peter Stevens / CC BY 2.0

H

Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park

Cougar Mountain is a peak in the Issaquah Alps in King County, Washington.

I

Pearrygin Lake State Park

Pearrygin Lake State Park is a public recreation area in the Methow Valley located two miles east of Winthrop in Okanogan County,…

J

Washington Pass Overlook

The highest point on the North Cascades Highway, offering views of the granite spires of Liberty Bell Mountain and Early Winters Spires.

K

Mount Rainier Viewpoint

Roadside overlook providing a direct view of the northeastern face of Mount Rainier and the surrounding Cascade Range.

L

Whale Watch Site

Located on the western shore of San Juan Island, this site is a prime land-based location for spotting orcas and minke whales.

HoneyKnut / CC BY-SA 4.0

M

Lake Wenatchee State Park

Lake Wenatchee State Park is a public recreation area located at the eastern end of Lake Wenatchee, a glacier- and snowmelt-fed lake in the…

Amritha A. Joseph / CC-BY-SA

N

Sol Duc Falls

A signature waterfall in Olympic National Park where the Sol Duc River drops into a narrow canyon, splitting into four distinct channels.

Ikiwaner / CC-BY-SA-3.0

O

Dry Falls Overlook

Overlooks a 3.5-mile-wide scalloped precipice that was once the site of a massive waterfall four times the size of Niagara Falls during the Ice Age floods.

ECTran71 / CC BY-SA 4.0

P

Paradise Point State Park

Paradise Point State Park is a public recreation area on the East Fork Lewis River in Clark County, Washington.

Maddiewsu / CC BY-SA 4.0

Q

Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park

Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park is a public park located in Renton, Washington along the southeastern shore of Lake Washington.

Amritha A. Joseph / CC-BY-SA

R

Skookum Falls Viewpoint

Offers a view across the White River to the multi-tiered, 250-foot Skookum Falls, which is particularly active during the spring snowmelt.

Kirk Bagley / CC BY 3.0

S

Howard Amon Park

Howard Amon Park is a multi-use recreation area on the shore of the Columbia River in Richland in the U.S. state of Washington.

KrakenSeas / CC BY-SA 4.0

T

Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park

A 4,000-acre park encompassing the base of the Dry Falls precipice, featuring several deep-water lakes and rugged basalt coulees.

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