When to visit Washington State to enjoy the best of the Pacific Northwest

04.04.2024 - 06:25 / lonelyplanet.com

Washington’s nickname, the Evergreen State, fits it well. This is a place rich in alpine meadows and old-growth forests, lakes and rivers, waterfalls and wildflowers. And what makes all this green beauty possible? Rain – lots of it. This corner of the Pacific Northwest (and its largest city, Seattle) have a well-earned reputation for wet, drizzly weather.

But that’s only half the story. The Cascade Mountains divide Washington into two distinct parts. On the west side, green forests stretch to the Pacific Ocean, but east of the mountains it’s typically warmer and drier. While the Olympic Peninsula rainforests might see up to 150 inches of rain a year, the eastern parts of the state get less than 10 inches. Meanwhile, the Cascade Mountains get around 200 inches of snowfall each winter.

In Western Washington, daytime temperatures rarely go above 80°F in summer or below 45°F in winter (though winter nights can dip below freezing). Eastern Washington temperatures are hotter in summer and colder in winter, and this part of the state can see 300 days of sunshine a year. Wherever you're headed in Washington, here are the best times to visit.

The July–September high season is the best time for warm, dry days

July and August are the warmest and driest months in Washington and its high season – even Seattleites get a little sun. Most visitors opt to visit in summer and early fall (July through September). Hotel prices go up, and there are more people in popular neighborhoods and at big tourist attractions. Note that Washington State ferries add a summer surcharge to fares from May to September.

National parks and campgrounds are open, temperatures are mild and the rain has eased, creating beautiful conditions for outdoor activities such as hiking and camping or sipping a beer on the patio. Coastal storms have calmed down, and the ruggedly beautiful Washington coast beckons. Early fall is the best time to visit wineries, ideally by bicycle.

November to January is the coldest and wettest period in Washington (averaging 5-6 inches of precipitation per month). Campgrounds are usually closed, and many back roads are inaccessible. On the plus side, hotel prices tend to be lower.

This is technically the low season, but it’s prime time for winter sports. Ski season begins as early as mid-November and continues through to March, though snow lingers at higher elevations into July. Washington has some top-notch alpine ski resorts, as well as countless opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.  

The shoulder seasons – covering the early spring and fall – can be an ideal time to visit if you’re hoping to avoid the crowds, and are willing to take your chances on the weather. It’s likely to rain on you, but you may also