Chasing Volcanoes in Washington

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Mount Rainier – The Glaciated Giant

When I gaze up at Mount Rainier’s 14,410 ft peak — yes, an active volcano draped in ice and crowned by old-growth forest — it feels like entering another world.
Sure, Mount Rainier is majestic, but that doesn’t mean the experience has to be untouchable. I love driving up to the Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center, soaking in those glacier-tipped slopes, and stopping at hidden waterfalls I didn’t even know existed until I pulled off the road.

Where I Stay:
Cougar Rock Campground is my favorite basecamp here. It’s tucked in the forest, close to the trails, and while there are no hookups, there are clean bathrooms, drinking water, and plenty of picnic tables shaded by towering evergreens. Every morning, the air smells like dew and pine needles, and every night, the stars feel close enough to touch.

Don’t Miss:
The Skyline Trail — it’s the kind of hike that makes you whisper “wow” every few steps. Myrtle and Narada Falls are picture-perfect stops, and Reflection Lakes will give you that postcard moment when the mountain mirrors itself on a glass-still surface.

Mount St. Helens – Nature’s Resilient Wonder

My earliest memory of Mount St. Helens isn’t from a trail — it’s from childhood, standing on a quiet street as gray ash drifted from the sky like ghostly snow. Decades later, walking the land reborn, I can still feel the pulse of that history beneath my feet.

St. Helens is unlike any other volcano I’ve visited. It’s raw and rugged, yet there’s beauty in its healing — young forests growing from old scars, wildflowers blooming in ash-covered soil, and quiet lakes reflecting the resilience of the land.

Where I Stay:
Seaquest State Park is a favorite near Castle Rock. The campsites are nestled among tall trees, and it’s a short walk to Silver Lake where I like to kayak at sunset. They’ve got full RV hookups, hot showers, clean restrooms, and even Wi-Fi (though the stars are far more interesting to look at).

Don’t Miss:
Spend a day hiking around the blast zone or exploring the trails that weave through the regrown forest. Every step is like watching time heal itself — one fern, one sapling, one birdsong at a time.

Mount Adams – Wildflower-Lined Trails

There’s something gentle about Mount Adams. It doesn’t tower with arrogance; it invites you in with meadows of wildflowers and lakes so calm you can hear your heartbeat. I love wandering through Bird Creek Meadows when the blossoms are in full swing — it’s like walking through a watercolor painting the world forgot to frame.

Where I Stay:
The Mount Adams Recreation Area has a few gems: Bird Lake, Mirror Lake, and Bench Lake camps. No hookups, but plenty of peace and quiet. Bathrooms, picnic spots, and the kind of silence that only nature can provide.

If I want a touch more scenery (and honestly, who doesn’t?), I head to Takhlakh Lake. Waking up there feels like a dream — mist on the water, coffee in hand, and the mountain’s reflection shimmering in morning light.

Don’t Miss:
Kayaking on the smaller lakes, wandering meadow trails, or just watching the clouds swirl around the peak. Adams has a way of slowing you down in all the right ways.

Mount Baker – Towering Wilderness

Mount Baker has that wild, untamed energy that makes your heart race a little faster. The drive alone is worth the trip — switchbacks climbing into alpine wilderness, snowfields glowing white even in July, and views that could make a poet speechless.

It’s a land of deep valleys, icy rivers, and trails that feel like secret doorways to another realm. Sometimes I’ll stop just to watch the clouds slide over her ridges, as if the mountain is shy about showing all her beauty at once.

Where I Stay:
I usually go for dispersed camping here — setting up where the forest meets the stars. But if you prefer a few amenities, there are forest service campgrounds near the highway that make a great base for exploring.

Don’t Miss:
Heliotrope Ridge Trail and Chain Lakes Loop are two of my favorites. They wind through wildflower fields, cross mountain streams, and open to views that make you forget you have cell service (which, conveniently, you don’t).

Glacier Peak – Remote Majesty

Glacier Peak is the secret the wilderness keeps. Deep in the North Cascades, it’s the one volcano you have to earn. Reaching it isn’t simple — the trails are long, the roads are rough, and the solitude is complete — but that’s what makes it magic.

Here, I’ve camped beside rivers so cold and clear they seem lit from within. I’ve woken to fog drifting through fir trees and gone entire days without hearing another voice. Glacier Peak isn’t just remote — it’s renewal.

Where I Stay:
Most of my adventures here are off-grid. Backpacking or backcountry camping is the way to go, and the reward is silence so profound you can almost hear the mountain breathe.

Don’t Miss:
The feeling of being truly away. No crowds, no noise, just wind, water, and the steady heartbeat of the earth beneath your boots.

Volcano-Adjacent State Parks with Camping

-Cougar Rock Campground (Mount Rainier): Great base for Rainier hikes.
- Seaquest State Park (Mount St. Helens): Camping, hiking, and Visitor Center.
- Mount Adams Recreation Area: Bird Lake, Mirror Lake, and Bench Lake camps.
- Beacon Rock State Park (Columbia Gorge): Camping, hiking, and volcanic scenery.
- Columbia Hills State Park (SR 14): Camping, climbing, waterfalls, and petroglyphs.

- Plan camps around each volcano for the best access.
- Pack layers—volcano weather is unpredictable.
- Stay on trails—fragile volcanic terrain needs care.
- Check permits and access rules before heading out.

Volcanoes are nature’s storytellers. Each one—Rainier’s glaciers, St. Helens’ resilience, Adams’ solitude, Baker’s snowy grace, and Glacier’s remote beauty—tells a chapter of Washington’s geological saga.

Camping nearby lets me sit with that story. From forest-framed mornings to starry evenings, this journey through fire, ice, and sky has been one of my favorite adventures in the Evergreen State.

My Tips for a Volcanic Adventure

Final Thoughts