Washington Big 3: Olympic, Rainier & North Cascades
ADVENTURE DETAILS |
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| TRIP DATES: July 6 – 16, 2027 |
| CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE: Washington Big 3 11D/10N – all three national parks Cascades & Olympic 8D/7N – Days 1–8 Olympic & Rainier 8D/7N + pre-night – Days 4–11 |
| LOCATION: Washington, USA |
| PRICE: Big 3 $4,995 · Cascades & Olympic $3,595 · Olympic & Rainier $3,795 |
Women’s Adventure Tour: Washington Big 3
Three national parks, three completely different worlds. In the North Cascades, turquoise lakes sit below jagged peaks. On the Olympic Peninsula, moss-draped rain forests meet wild, sea-stack beaches. At Mount Rainier, wildflower meadows climb toward glaciers. This trip brings all three together in one relaxed loop around Washington State.
We built this itinerary around what our travelers told us. We added more time in each park, cut out the backtracking and kept the drives shorter. We stay close to the trailheads and travel in one direction, so you spend your days hiking, picnicking and exploring rather than sitting in traffic. Along the way, you’ll ride the ferry across Puget Sound, soak in natural hot springs, paddle Lake Crescent, tide pool at low tide and stay in historic lodges.
Short on time? Join us for the first or second half of the trip. Each 8-day option still gives you two full national parks with the same guide, the same great group and none of the hassle.
Washington Big 3: trip facts
An 11-day women-only adventure through Washington’s three national parks, with shorter 8-day options.
| Group size | Small group of women (up to 11) |
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| Trip length | 11 days / 10 nights. 8-day options also available. |
| Price | Washington Big 3: $4,995 per person, double occupancy Cascades & Olympic (Days 1–8): $3,595 Olympic & Rainier (Days 4–11): $3,795 A $500 deposit holds your spot. |
| Activity level | 3 of 5: most days include 2–6 miles of hiking with up to about 1,200 feet of climbing, with longer options for those who want them. Trails reach about 7,200 feet at Rainier’s Sunrise area, so you may feel a bit short of breath. Some days include longer scenic drives. |
| Upcoming dates | July 6–16, 2027 |
| Starts / ends | Starts 10am at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA); ends after breakfast on Day 11 at our airport hotel, with a free shuttle to SEA. |
| Included | Lodging, all meals from Day 1 dinner to Day 11 breakfast, ground transportation from Seattle airport, the Coupeville–Port Townsend ferry, guided activities, kayaking, hot springs and park entrance fees |
| Traveling solo? | No need for a single room: we pair you with a roommate. Limited private rooms available: +$1,795 (Big 3), +$1,295 (Cascades & Olympic), +$1,495 (Olympic & Rainier). |
Choose your adventure
Washington Big 3 (11 days): all three parks, Days 1–11.
Cascades & Olympic (8 days): join us for Days 1–8, covering North Cascades and Olympic National Parks. On Day 8, after a farewell lunch on the Tacoma waterfront, a private car takes you to the Seattle airport about 25 minutes away. Plan on flights departing after 3pm.
Olympic & Rainier (8 days): fly into Seattle on Day 3 and take the Dungeness Line bus from the airport to Port Angeles. Your hotel night that evening is included. The group picks you up on the morning of Day 4, and you finish with everyone on Day 11.
Washington Big 3 at a Glance
Washington Big 3 Itinerary
Day 1: Seattle to the North Cascades
We meet at 10am at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and head north. Then we take the scenic North Cascades Highway into North Cascades National Park. Our first big stop is the Diablo Lake Overlook, where glacier-fed turquoise water sits beneath rugged peaks. We stretch our legs on the Thunder Knob Trail (3.6 miles round trip, about 600 feet of climbing) for a view down over the lake. Then we continue over Washington Pass to the Western-themed town of Winthrop for a welcome dinner and orientation.
Overnight: Winthrop (2 nights). Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Maple Pass and Washington Pass
Today we hike Maple Pass, one of the most beautiful trails in the Cascades, with alpine lakes, wildflowers and wide mountain views. Strong hikers can complete the full loop (7.2 miles, about 2,000 feet of climbing). Others can choose a shorter out-and-back to Lake Ann (about 3.8 miles round trip) or the easy, paved walk to Rainy Lake. We picnic along the trail and stop at the Washington Pass Overlook on the way back to Winthrop. Snow conditions permitting.
Overnight: Winthrop. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Deception Pass and the ferry to Port Townsend
We drive west through the mountains and over the high bridge at Deception Pass. Then we board the Coupeville to Port Townsend ferry across Puget Sound. We spend the evening in Port Townsend, a Victorian seaport known for its historic buildings, waterfront shops and great restaurants.
Overnight: Port Townsend. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Hurricane Ridge
We give Hurricane Ridge a full, unhurried day. We hike Hurricane Hill (about 3.2 miles round trip, 700 feet of climbing), with views from the Olympic Mountains to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. We look for wildflowers and wildlife and enjoy a mountaintop picnic. Olympic & Rainier guests join the group this morning.
Overnight: Port Angeles. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Lake Crescent and Sol Duc Hot Springs
We spend the morning kayaking on Lake Crescent, known for its clear blue water, then walk through old-growth forest to Marymere Falls (1.8 miles round trip). In the afternoon we head into the Sol Duc Valley for the walk to Sol Duc Falls (1.6 miles round trip). We end the day with an evening soak in the hot springs pools.
Overnight: Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: The wild Pacific Coast
We head to the coast and time our beach walk for low tide. Our goal is Rialto Beach and the sea arch at Hole-in-the-Wall (about 3.3 miles round trip on sand), with tide pools full of sea stars and anemones. If trail access changes, we’ll visit one of the nearby beaches instead. We spend the night in the small town of Forks.
Overnight: Forks. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Hoh Rain Forest, Ruby Beach and Lake Quinault
We start early to beat the crowds at the Hoh Rain Forest. We wander the Hall of Mosses and Spruce Nature Trail (about 2 miles total) beneath giant moss-draped trees. Next comes Ruby Beach, a favorite with our past travelers, and the Kalaloch Tree of Life, a tree clinging to the bluff with its roots exposed. We end the day at the historic Lake Quinault Lodge, which opened in 1926, with its lakeside lawn and evening fireplace.
Overnight: Lake Quinault Lodge. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: On to Mount Rainier
After a morning walk in the Quinault Rain Forest, we drive toward Mount Rainier with a stop on the Tacoma waterfront for lunch. Cascades & Olympic guests say goodbye here and take a short private car ride to the airport. The rest of the group continues into Mount Rainier National Park for an afternoon of waterfall stops and short walks.
Overnight: Packwood (2 nights). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Paradise
We spend a full day at Paradise, famous for its wildflower meadows and close-up views of Rainier’s glaciers. The Skyline Trail lets everyone choose a distance: an easy walk to Myrtle Falls (1 mile), a moderate hike to Alta Vista, or the full Skyline Loop (5.5 miles, about 1,700 feet of climbing). After a ranger program at the visitor center, we head back down the mountain.
Overnight: Packwood. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Sunrise and a farewell dinner
We drive up to Sunrise, the highest point you can reach by road in the park, at 6,400 feet. We hike to the Fremont Lookout (about 5.6 miles round trip, 900 feet of climbing) for sweeping views of Rainier and the surrounding peaks. Shorter options are available. In the evening we celebrate with a farewell dinner on the Tacoma waterfront, then check in at the peaceful Cedarbrook Lodge near the airport.
Overnight: SeaTac. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Departure
After breakfast, the hotel’s free shuttle takes you to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s Included:
- A hosted adventure with a Canyon Calling Trip Leader, who provides transportation, trip coordination and logistical support throughout the trip
- All land transportation as described in this itinerary, including the Coupeville to Port Townsend ferry
- Hotel accommodations, double occupancy
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 11
- All activities and excursions, including kayaking and the Sol Duc hot springs, plus all activity guide gratuities
- All national park entrance fees and taxes
- Cascades & Olympic: meals from dinner on Day 1 through lunch on Day 8, plus the private car to the Seattle airport
- Olympic & Rainier: a hotel night in Port Angeles on Day 3, plus meals from breakfast on Day 4 through breakfast on Day 11
What’s Not Included:
- Round-trip transportation to and from Seattle, WA
- Olympic & Rainier: the Dungeness Line bus ticket from the Seattle airport to Port Angeles, and dinner on Day 3
- Alcoholic beverages and items of a personal nature
- Optional travel insurance, and a gratuity for your Trip Leader at the end of the trip
