Dosewallips State Park: Hike, swim, fish, or clam at this recreational centerpiece where the Dosewallips River meets the Hood Canal.

Fort Worden State Park: Explore underground bunkers, an airship balloon hangar, and even a marine science center in this park on the northeast corner of the Olympic Peninsula.

Dungeness Spit: Walk the longest naturally occurring sand spit in the United States all the way to the end and reward yourself with a tour of the historic lighthouse.

Hurricane Ridge: Peer over at Canada, Seattle, and even Mount Hood atop this amazing viewpoint. In the summer, the wildflowers abound here.

Lake Crescent: Explore the vividly colored lake by boat, or just take a hike by the shore.

Sol Duc Hot Springs: Nothing beats a post-hike soak in Washington’s most famous hot springs.

Rialto Beach Area: The towering sea stacks dotted with evergreens, the enormous blanched driftwood logs, and the thundering surf all make for a dramatic visit to this stretch of shoreline.

Hoh Rain Forest: Who says rainforests are only in South America? Bring a slicker and enjoy the magnificently mossy trees and shrouds of ferns covering this forest.

Lake Quinault: Take a hike through the old-growth forest that surrounds this showcase of the Quinault Valley.

Cape Disappointment State Park: Sitting at the mouth of the Columbia River, this is the most impressive of all the state parks, offering museums, beaches, wooded trails, lighthouses, and military history galore.

Willapa Bay: Hunt for oysters, kayak the flats, and explore the islands at one of the nation’s most pristine estuaries.