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#4 on this list
Olympic
Washington
Three ecosystems in one park: coastal, rainforest, and alpine. Excellent backcountry permit system.
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- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
#5 on this list
North Cascades
Washington
'America's Alps' — glaciated peaks, quiet valleys, minimal crowds even in summer.
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- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
Specs side by side
| Spec | Olympic | North Cascades |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Olympic Peninsula, Washington, USA | Northern Washington, USA |
| Area | 922,650 acres | — |
| Ecosystems | Coastal, Temperate Rainforest, Alpine | — |
| Highest Point | Mount Olympus (7,965 ft) | — |
| Designation | National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site | National Park Complex (NPS) |
| Primary Access | US-101 loop around the peninsula | — |
| Size | — | 504,000 acres |
| Glaciers | — | Over 300 active glaciers |
| Nearest Town | — | Sedro-Woolley, Marblemount |
| Terrain | — | Rugged, glaciated, alpine |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Olympic
- Unparalleled ecosystem diversity: coast, rainforest, mountains in one park
- Excellent, well-managed backcountry permit system for predictable planning
- Opportunities for true wilderness solitude, despite overall popularity
- Iconic old-growth forests and unique coastal geology
- Good range of difficulty from accessible coastal walks to challenging alpine routes
- Weather can be extremely unpredictable, especially in the rainforest and mountains
- Mosquitoes and biting insects are prevalent in summer, particularly near water
- Popular trailheads can be very crowded during peak season and holidays
- Road access to some trailheads can be long and unpaved, requiring higher clearance
North Cascades
- Exceptional solitude and minimal crowds even in peak season
- Stunning alpine scenery with abundant glaciers and jagged peaks
- Challenging terrain provides a true wilderness experience
- Diverse ecosystems from deep forests to high alpine zones
- Opportunity for extensive multi-day backpacking and climbing
- Short backcountry season due to heavy snowpack
- Difficult access; main highway closed for much of the year
- Weather can be highly unpredictable and harsh
- Requires advanced navigation and outdoor skills
- Limited cell service; remote and self-reliant travel is essential
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