Planning our August 2018 trip to your wonderful country. This year we only have roughly 2 weeks to be on the road.We are starting from our base in NE Oregon and want to visit Mt Rainier & Olympic NPs.We will probably travel up to Walla Walla then west through Yakima to Mt Rainier then on to Olympic NP doing a clockwise trip around and back to Olympia then south down the coast to Astoria OR. Then east on the 84 to home base.What I am asking for is any must see's or don't do's or general suggestions.Also camping suggestions for the National Parks. We are travelling in a 24' Class C with a small toad. I realise August may be a busy time of year.Thanks for any and all thoughtsRussell

Kalaloch Beach along coast, Hoh Rain Forest, Cape Flattery, and Hurricane RidgeMight want to take day trip to Victoria, Vancouver Island BC. Requires passport.

Russ -- These blog posts may be of some help -- lots of photos:RainierOlympicsDan

If you are doing Astoria go a few miles south to cannon beach. Amazing beach and town.

That is a reasonable route for what you plan to visit and see in two weeks, but it is a whole lot of driving. If you can get a spot at Kalaloch on the Washington Coast stay a few days and smell the ocean.

Thank you. Great pictures Dan!Following up on suggestions.Camping grounds?

Mount Rainier & Olympic NP's- August | Good Sam Community

enblethen
Nomad
Feb 11, 2018
Kalaloch Beach along coast, Hoh Rain Forest, Cape Flattery, and Hurricane Ridge
Might want to take day trip to Victoria, Vancouver Island BC. Requires passport.
profdant139
Explorer II
Feb 11, 2018
Russ --

These blog posts may be of some help -- lots of photos:

Rainier

Olympics

Dan
Paul_Clancy
Explorer
Feb 11, 2018
If you are doing Astoria go a few miles south to cannon beach. Amazing beach and town.
jamesu
Explorer
Feb 11, 2018
That is a reasonable route for what you plan to visit and see in two weeks, but it is a whole lot of driving. If you can get a spot at Kalaloch on the Washington Coast stay a few days and smell the ocean.
russelln
Explorer
Feb 11, 2018
Thank you. Great pictures Dan!
Following up on suggestions.

Camping grounds?
PawPaw_n_Gram
Explorer
Feb 11, 2018
We got an electric site at Sol Duc Hot Springs last year as our base for Olympic.

Lot of driving because it is basically turn off from 101 and drive a dozen or more miles into the park. Then back to 101, travel 15-20 miles to the next location, drive in again, repeat.

But would not have missed a mile of it. Took me 65 years to get there. Ready to go again, probably in 2020.
ScottG
Nomad
Feb 11, 2018
enblethen wrote:
Kalaloch Beach along coast, Hoh Rain Forest, Cape Flattery, and Hurricane Ridge
Might want to take day trip to Victoria, Vancouver Island BC. Requires passport.

Or just an inhanced DL>
enblethen
Nomad
Feb 11, 2018
OP is from New Zealand.
Washington is having issues with enhanced drivers liscense
Durb
Explorer
Feb 11, 2018
I might recommend Mt Haven RV resort about a mile from the Nisqually entrance of Mt. Rainier NP if you desire full hook ups and a reservation. Budget 1 or 2 days max unless you are really into hiking.
dennis1
Explorer
Feb 11, 2018
My Rainier has three Campgrounds. Ohanapecosh, Cougar Rock, and White River. White River is the only one with no reservation and no dump station. ohanapecosh has no view of Mt Rainier. I like White River campground because it’s closer to my home.