Washington’s Five Corners

Gas up the car and head deep into this oddly-shaped state’s five corners. You’ll discover some hidden gems that are well worth the drive.

Blaine

You’ll get the chance to put one foot in Canada and the other in the United States on the lawn of Peace Arch State Park [1], a lovely park right on the border with British Columbia [2]. The giant white arch here symbolizes the friendship between Americans and Canadians.

Neah Bay

The blustery tip of land at Cape Flattery [3] in Neah Bay is the northwesternmost point in the continental United States and a deliciously remote spot to explore. Hike around the Cape and then head south to Shi Shi Beach [4], one of the most peaceful stretches of sand along the entire Washington Coast.

Cape Disappointment

Get a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean from the same vantage point as Lewis and Clark did more than 200 years ago. Where the Columbia River meets the ocean is home to the popular Cape Disappointment State Park [5], which offers an old military fort, scenic beaches and lighthouses, trails for exploration, and an interpretive center about America’s favorite transcontinental explorers.

Palouse Country

The undulating golden wheat hillsides of the Palouse greet travelers to the lonely rural countryside of the southeast corner of the state. Road-trippers are rewarded with historic sites and classy vineyards in Walla Walla [6], as well as the thundering waters of the state’s mightiest cataract, Palouse Falls.

Pend Oreille

Enjoy the satisfying crunch of pine needles and cones underfoot in the quiet backcountry of the state’s northeastern corner. This is a land of solitude, blessed still mountain lakes, serene campgrounds, and miles of trails. It is also home to the Pend Oreille River, the only river in the states to flow north, looping up into Canada until it reaches the Columbia.