Best National Parks of the Pacific Northwest

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The Best National Parks in Washington, Oregon, Alaska & More

By Eric Peterson

Whether you head to water's edge or find a mountain to climb, the national parks of the Pacific Northwest are perfect fall getaways.

From the rain forests in Washington's Olympic National Park down to the windswept beaches of Point Reyes National Seashore north of San Francisco, each of these parks offers an easy escape.

Coastal and high-elevation reprieves from skyrocketing mercury aside, these parks also offer nearly every imaginable outdoor activity, including hiking, backpacking, fishing, and surfing. You may even spot some grizzly bears, gray whales, and wood frogs that freeze solid during the long winter only to jump back to life in spring.

Photo Caption: The beach at Point Reyes National Seashore

Photo by California Travel and Tourism Commission/Christian Heeb