4 Best Northwestern State Parks in USA

Time to ditch the city grind and unleash your inner outdoorsman! This weekend, why not take a spontaneous road trip to the nearest state park and immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of nature?

Discover the most epic state parks in the Northwestern USA, where you can pitch a tent, build a campfire, and reconnect with the wild.

Olympic National Park, Washington 

Olympic National Park, Washington

A field of green stretched over for miles and miles, with the majestic snow capped peaks surrounded by breathtaking meadows. The Olympic National Park is a mixture of temperamental rainforest and moody beaches, covered with fresh crisp air. You can access the national park by highway 101. It is recommended to start your hike in the morning and to be back at your trailhead by early noon. As you know the rainforest sees unexpected rainfalls, so it is always recommended to seek shelter and return back to safety if you hear thunder or dark clouds building up and blocking the sunlight. 


Do not forget to dress the part, opt for linen shirts as it soaks up moisture and sweat and is insect repellent. It is crucial to wear proper closed hiking shoes, to protect your feet from getting hurt. As for the bottom wear, try to pair your linen shirt with linen pants or some waterproof or water resistant bottom wear. Do not forget to carry additional water-proof layers. 



Pictured Rocks, Minnesota 

Pictured Rocks, Minnesota

The hustle bustle noise of waterfalls, the smell of historic sites carefully enveloped in a scenic landscape and the serene fresh green forest stretching out for miles. The Pictured Rocks is the place to be, especially in summers, and even the bugs agree; so don’t forget to carry bug sprays and more linen shirts. Linen shirts don't just help in repelling insects but it also keeps you cool along the way. Now, if we are talking about Pictured Rocks, well they look absolutely majestic from a kayak or cruise, so book in advance. 


Also despite it being summer season, don’t forget to carry long pants, preferably linen or water-resistant. If you’re an experienced kayaker or swimmer, then float in the majestic beauty of Lake Superior. Although be careful, Lake Superior does have superior tides and could be dangerous to venture alone, especially for people with little or no experience with kayaking. 

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

A beautiful blue lake, created 8,000 years back after a volcanic eruption, also the deepest lake plunging 2,000 feet below. Visit here for an unparalleled weekend. Venture into the depths of Oregon's most mesmerizing natural wonder and discover hidden gems that will leave you awestruck. Two unmissable sites await, the first one is  this ancient, andesite rock formation, dating back 400,000 years, eerily resembles a ghostly ship, especially when shrouded in misty fog. Its mysterious presence will haunt your imagination, also called Phantom Ship Island. The second one is Llao Rock, it rises majestically above the lake's sapphire waters, this rugged monolith stands as a testament to the region's fiery past. Its jagged silhouette was once filled by a lava flow, a precursor to the cataclysmic eruption that birthed the caldera and lake.


Do not get lost in the big pretty blue eyes of the lake, because the trail can be very tricky, so keep a map handy, and pack an extra pair of linen shirts, to enjoy basking in the sunlight. Oh! Also super important to pack a set of rain gear. 



Ponderosa State Park, Idaho

Ponderosa State Park, Idaho

Ditch the wi-fi community and join the solace of wilderness at Ponderosa State Park. The park is welcoming all year around. Just 10 minutes from McCall, this park is peacefully nestled under the wraps of nature. The park has plenty of spots to enjoy your picnic basket after you immerse yourself in beautiful hikes on trails surrounded by beautiful wildflowers. If you’re more of an adventure sport person, then you can jump onto the jet skis, ski boats or pontoons at Payette Lake. 

When packing don’t forget to pack men’s casual button shirts for lazing around, linen shirts for hikes, and camp collar shirts to get an instagram perfect holiday snap. 

Happy Weekend! If you want to read about Northeastern State Parks, read here