Are you looking for beautiful drives in Washington state? You’ve come to the right place! Washington is an incredibly gorgeous place, but it’s easy to get so wrapped up in our daily lives that we forget to appreciate it fully. If the spark between you and the Evergreen State has faded over the years, go on as many of these scenic drives as you can over the next year! The diversity, attractions, and sheer beauty you’ll see along the way will reignite your love for our great state. Hold on to your hats, because here are our picks for seven of the best scenic drives in Washington: 

1. Hood Canal Loop
Lana/Flickr
Hood Canal Vista Road, Hood Canal Vista Rd, Washington 98380, USA
Washington State Dept. of Transportation / Flickr
The 124-mile-long Hood Canal Loop takes you from Bremerton to Bainbridge Island via Belfair, Hoodsport, Brinnon, and Quilcene. Every mile of this route is very scenic, and there are plenty of places to stop for food and photos along the way.
2. Spokane River Loop
DL Wise/Flickr
Spokane RIver, Washington, USA
Orin Blomberg/Flickr
This 72-mile loop may begin in urban Spokane traffic, but soon you’ll be running alongside the Spokane River and Long Lake before driving through the plains of the Inland Empire.
3. The Olympic Peninsula Loop
Ash/Flickr
Olympic Peninsula, Washington 98331, USA
Chris Weber/Flickr
This counter-clockwise, 454-mile loop takes you through the wild and mystical Olympic Peninsula. You’ll see rainforest, farmlands and sandy beaches; it’s definitely the most diverse drive on the list, and is without a doubt one of the best scenic drives in Washington. See it to believe it!

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4. North Cascades Highway
Ed Suominen/Flickr
North Cascades Highway, N Cascades Hwy, Sedro-Woolley, WA, USA
Ed Suominen/Flickr
This part of the state is known for its harsh winter weather, so you may want to save this drive for warmer months. From Seattle to Winthrop and back, the North Cascades Highway loop is 400 miles in length and is considered one of the most stunning drives in the country.
5. Sherman Pass Scenic Byway
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Sherman Pass, Washington 99166, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Take Highway 20 from Republic to Kettle Falls to see the beauty of the northeastern part of Washington. At an elevation of an impressive 5,575 feet, Sherman Pass is our state's highest-elevation maintained pass.
6. Palouse Country
wplynn/Flickr
Palouse, WA 99161, USA
Joseph Higbee/Flickr
Take a relaxing drive through Palouse Country, winding over and around gently rolling farmlands and rural towns. This is a 98-mile drive that borders Idaho.

7. Horseshoe Highway on Orcas Island
San Juan Islands, Washington, USA
Jasperdo/Flickr
This 20-mile drive highlights some of the incredible beauty of the San Juan Islands. You'll see everything from rural communities to scenic shoreline.

So, what do you think? What are your picks for the best scenic drives in Washington? Tell us about them in the comments! And don’t forget to check out even more inspiration for awesome road trips in Washington. (And our ultimate road trip essentials list!)

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More to Explore

Best Scenic Drives in Washington

Tori Jane | July 28, 2021

What are the most scenic places in Washington?

Some of the most scenic places in Washington include:

  • Mount Rainier National Park
  • Olympic Wilderness Coast
  • Cascade Loop Scenic Byway

 

Oh, Washington State. How scenic art thee? Let us count the ways! Okay, but seriously, there are hundreds of ways. Visit Mount Rainier National Park for breathtaking spots like the aptly named Paradise and sparkling Spray Falls. The Olympic Wilderness Coast is another stunner, with plenty of coves and shorelines to admire. Deception Pass is significantly nicer than its name would imply (perhaps it’s a bit... deceptive), and it’s a must-see for visitors and locals who have never been. The Cascades are a mountain range known for their impressive beauty, and we also really love driving the Cascade Loop Scenic Byway. The possibilities are endless, so start planning! There’s only so much time!

Can I camp at beautiful places in Washington?

Cougar Rock Campground is one of the most beautiful places to camp in Washington.

Washington is a state filled with gorgeous campgrounds, but honestly, some are a cut above the rest. According to Planetware.com, there are specific campgrounds that would certainly compete for the “most beautiful” places visitors are able to camp. Cougar Rock Campground, at Mount Rainier National Park, is ranked as #1, and for good reason. It’s easily one of the most photogenic campgrounds in the entire United States, and anyone who has yet to see it truly should. Cranberry Lake Campground, at Deception Pass State Park, comes in at a close second, and it’s as beautiful as Cougar Rock.

What kind of Washington road trips can I take?

One of the best Washington road trips is along the North Cascades Highway.

Basically, if you can dream it, you can totally do it! Compile a list of the top ice cream shops in the state and make a day of it. Maybe you’d enjoy a road trip filled with abandoned places or the most haunted spots in the state? The North Cascades Highway is worthy of a road trip all on its own – and don’t forget to bring a camera! For more of our favorite Washington road trips around the state, make sure to check this article out. It’ll certainly provide you with plenty of inspiration!

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