Seattle Washington RV Rental Road Trip:
Once you rent a great RV rental for us then you are ready to start your Washington to Oregon loop road trip.
You’ve rented your RV but you can’t start your RV rental road trip in Seattle without a great cup of coffee. Here’s a list of some of the best coffee shops in Seattle.
Seattle has so many incredible things to see and do–
- Space Needle. From the observation wheel, you can see the Cascade Mountains and even Mt. Rainier.
- Seattle Great Wheel. Get a view of the city from the 175 ft Ferris wheel at Pier 57.
Photo Credit: image.dynamixse.com - Museum of Pop Culture. This museum includes items from icons like Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan
- Pike Place Market. This iconic market features 200+ vendors and street performers.
- Seattle Aquarium. Watch the sea otters play and touch sea anemones.
- Museum of Flight. An air and space museum with a NASA flight simulator.
- Discovery Park. Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city at Seattle’s largest public park. Follow miles of hiking trails through forests, meadows, and beaches to views of the Sound.
Mt Rainier National Park RV Rental Road Trip:
The first stop on our RV rental road trip is Mt Rainier National Park. Mt Rainier is the highest mountain in the Cascade Mountain Range and has the most glaciated area in the continental United States making it a must-see. From Seattle, you can take WA-161, which will join WA-7 and then, turn onto US-12 E.
This area has too many wonderful RV campsites to choose from both outside and inside the park. A few notable options ideal for RV’s are The Arboretum, where you can have the unique experience of camping on a Christmas tree farm or for another remote and quiet option Bumps & Bruzas Riverfront is a very simple property on the Carbon River with no hookup and only 7 sites making it the perfect place to relax and unplug (Max 40 ft RVs).
Mt St. Helens RV Rental Road Trip:
Mt. St. Helens erupted in 1980 and devastated the landscape, but almost 40 years later it has been a true testament of nature’s resilience. Today you will experience a vibrant thriving ecosystem.
Spend the night at Seaquest State Park, a 505-acre park that is connected to the Mount St. Helens Visitors Centre by a pedestrian tunnel. The visitors center is an attraction of its own where you can learn about the historical significance of the landscape and the resilience of surrounding ecosystems through talks, exhibits, and films. The campsite also has a boardwalk around the wetlands where you can enjoy stunning volcano views.
There are a variety of different hikes to enjoy here for all skill levels. Here is a link to 16 of the best trails to explore. If you are especially ambitious and organized you can buy a permit to hike to the summit which goes on sale each February. It can be a challenging hike with some scree, bouldering, ash, and possible snow, so come prepared for the weather.
Mt Hood RV Rental Road Trip:
The next stop of our RV rental road trip is Mt Hood. Stay at Trillium Lake Campground, located at the base of Mt Hood, in the beautiful Mount Hood National Forest. This campground offers unparalleled views of the summit. There is a very friendly atmosphere and it is a great spot for swimming, hiking, biking, or non-motorized boating.
The Trillium Lake loop trail circles the alpine lake and presents astounding views of the mountain.
Things to do around Mount Hood Territory-
- Lake Oswego Farmers Market. Every Saturday during the summer months you will find approximately 80 different vendors selling fresh fruits, vegetables, jewelry, coffee, etc, alongside live music.
- Blue Sky Rafting. Get your thrills rafting a half-day down the East Fork of Hood River.
- Timberline Lodge. This National Historic Landmark is the hub of activity for hikers and skiers
- Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum. Exhibits include the evolution of skiing on Mt. Hood, and early pioneers and the exploration of Mt. Hood.
- Mt Hood Skibowl Adventure Park and Alpine Slide. The main attraction sends you flying down the mountainside twisting and turning through mountain meadows.
Take the northern section of Mount Hood Scenic Loop, a spectacular drive that connects Mt Hood, Hood River, and Portland through quiet villages and some amazing waterfalls. This route will take you past The Bridge of the Gods and Multnomah Falls, a 611-ft roaring waterfall.
Trade-in your hiking shoes for a little taste of city life when you drive south-west for 1.5 hours into Portland Oregon.
Portland Oregon RV Rental Road Trip:
Ranking among the top restaurants per capita in the US, you will find no shortages of places to eat in Portland. Here is a fantastic list of the 38 essential restaurants in Portland ranging from fine dining to food trucks and street food.
Some notable activities in Portland for your RV rental road trip-
- Visit Washington State Park. In the 410-acre park, you can visit an arboretum, Japanese gardens, a children’s museum, and a zoo.
- Explore an Urban Forest Reserve. West of downtown Portland is one of the largest urban forest reserves in the U.S. This park has 70 miles of walking trails and overlooks the scenic Willamette River.
- Visit the “Portland Penny”. The coin from the historic coin toss that decided Portlands name is on display at the Oregon Historical Museum.
- Take a trip to The World Forestry Center. Change the way you look at trees and learn about environmental sustainability. Take a virtual tour of Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa to learn how people are dependant on their forests all over the world.
- Experience the Portland Art Museum. This museum is the seventh oldest in the country and its collections include Native American artifacts and English silver.
- Visit The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education. Learn the lessons of the Holocaust and visit the Memorial to pay homage to those who lost their lives during that period.
- Explore the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. This museum offers more than 200 interactive exhibits including a chance to tour a submarine that was in active service between 1959 and 1990.
Pacific Coast:
No RV rental road trip would be complete without a drive up the Pacific Coast. From Portland, drive west until Tillamook where you can connect to highway 101. From here follow highway 101 north and enjoy the scenic highway and all the picturesque coastal views.
As you continue north you will pass through some great winding roads in Oswald State Park.
- Why not learn to surf on your RV rental road trip. You will pass by some great beaches to learn to surf on your way up the coast. Indian Beach at Ecola State Park. Leave highway 101 and enter Cannon Beach at the north exit. You will see signs for Ecola State Park. When you get to the park, you will see signs for Indian Beach. Cannon Beach is an easy place to get to surfing spots for all skill levels. Leave Highway 101 and enter the town of Cannon Beach from the north or south exit
Here is some more information about where to take lessons or find more advanced waves.
- Long Beach. Stop by in July to watch SandSations, the annual Long Beach sand sculpting competition.
- Stretch your legs at Lewis & Clark National Park in Naselle where you can learn about the heritage of America’s first peoples and the exciting stories of the European explorers.
In Raymond Washington, the road turns northwest and the coastal views end and you begin to drive through beautiful pine groves. Continue northwest until Tacoma and finally north to Seattle where your Washington-Oregon Loop RV rental road trip is complete.
In addition to this article check out the articles below for more information.
