The perfect 2 day road trip in Washington, USA in April

The state of Washington in the North West of the USA has some of the best mountains in the country. You could easily spend weeks here exploring the stunning scenery. But if you’re short of time, here’s the perfect 2 day road trip in Washington, USA in April.

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What’s it like to visit the mountains in Washington in April?

The mountains in the far North West of the USA get very cold and snowy in the winter, but you can still have the perfect 2 day road trip in Washington, USA in April. The weather in April can be unpredictable, but generally the snow should have cleared from a lot of the roads by mid-April.

Make sure you check the weather forecast before setting off on your road trip. The weather can change quickly in the mountains. You can also check which roads are open before you set off on your trip. Some roads, such as the road up to Mount St Helen’s, will get cleared in sections in the spring, depending on the weather conditions of that year. So you’ll only be able to drive as far as is safe.

The advantage of visiting North West USA in April is that it generally isn’t too busy. The roads and viewpoints are usually relatively quiet, so you’ll be able to appreciate the beauty of the area without the crowds. You’re unlikely to get stuck in traffic on your road trip. You can often get some good deals on motels in the area as well as it isn’t peak tourist season, even over the long Easter weekend. In addition to all these benefits, you’ll also get some beautiful snowy views in the mountains. I love visiting this area in April and it can be a perfect Easter holiday.

Just be aware that April is still a bit too early to visit some mountains and National Parks, so you might not be able to do everything in April. For example, Yellowstone National Park doesn’t fully open in April, so if you’re planning to visit here I’d recommend leaving it until May or June for your visit.

What should I pack for a trip to Washington, USA in April?

The weather in the North West USA in April can be unpredictable in April. It’s best to pack a variety of things so you’re prepared. You might get lucky with some clear sunny days, so make sure you pack your sunglasses and sun cream. Even if you’re on a mountain in the snow, the sun can still be really strong and can reflect off the snow to be stronger.

A warm and waterproof coat is a must as well if you want to enjoy the perfect 2 day road trip in Washington, USA in April. It’s better to take too much warm clothing and not need it, rather than not take enough and be cold. Waterproof walking boots are also useful so you can walk around a bit on snow or in the rain. Unless you’re doing proper mountain hikes you won’t need too much kit – you won’t need things like crampons, snow shoes, thermal underwear or anything like that. But having the basics means you’ll be able to explore outside your car a bit at viewpoints.

Other essential items to pack for a road trip include plenty of water and snacks for the car. If you’re delayed, you’ll want to have plenty of supplies. And it’s so nice to be able to have a picnic lunch that you can eat when you feel like it, and not have to worry about finding a restaurant for lunch.

The perfect 2 day road trip in Washington, USA in April

If you’re planning a trip to this amazing region, I’d recommend checking out this great guide to the North West USA (affiliate). There are some great recommendations of places to stay and some useful maps.

Day 1: Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic Mountains

For Day 1 of the perfect 2 days road trip in Washington, USA in April, head to the Olympic Mountains. This amazing mountain range is one of the best in the whole of the USA. There’s so much to do here and you could easily spend a week or two exploring. However, if you’re short of time, I’d recommend going to Hurricane Ridge. It’s my favourite spot in the mountains with some of the best views.

Where to start

Start off at the Olympic National Park Visitor Centre in Port Angeles. In this visitor centre, you can check out the weather forecast for the day to make sure it’s safe to drive up to Hurricane Ridge. You can also check any road closures or other safety notifications, which are all really important when you’re visiting the mountains in April. Check out the opening times of the visitor centre here.

Driving up to Hurricane Ridge

From the Visitor Centre, it’s about 20 miles to drive up to Hurricane Ridge. However, the road is very windy so make sure you take plenty of time and don’t rush your trip. Take some time to enjoy the views on the way up. On my trip, my main views on the way up were of clouds…although there was one memorable moment when some deer emerged from the mist on the side of the road.

I’ll never forget the moment when the clouds suddenly cleared, near the top of the road, and the most magnificent view opened up. It was one of those moments where I just had to pull over to stop the car and get out. I just had to take in the amazing views. The air was so crisp and clear, and surprisingly not too cold. It was just amazing to gaze over the vast expanse of mountains, with the sun glistening off the snowy peaks. It was one of those moments that just really make you appreciate the amazing beauty in the world, and how small we are in comparison to nature’s glory.

The top of Hurricane Ridge

The Hurricane Ridge Visitor Centre is at the top of the Hurricane Ridge road. However, it’s not always open in April. It’s open at daily in the summer, and only at weekends for the rest of the year. Check the opening times here.

Even if the Visitor Centre isn’t open, you can still enjoy Hurricane Ridge. There’s plenty of parking there, so you can get out of your car and walk around. Most of the paths will still be snowy in April, so I wouldn’t recommend trying to go hiking unless you’re extremely experienced with winter hiking. I didn’t feel confident hiking in those conditions. So I mostly focussed on walking around, enjoying the snow and taking photos.

There isn’t anywhere else to buy food when the Visitor Centre is closed, so take a picnic lunch. And keep an eye out for any birds who are looking to share your picnic as well! It’s an amazing first day of the perfect 2 day road trip in Washington, USA in April.

Day 2: Mount St Helens

Day 2 of the perfect 2 day road trip in Washington, USA involves a trip to the famous Mount St Helens. This active volcano stands at 2550m tall. It’s most famous from its eruption on 18 May 1980 following an earthquake. The eruption caused an avalanche on the North face of the volcano, with massive steam blasts as well. A total of 57 people were killed by the eruption, and you can still see evidence from the eruption today.

Where to start

Start your day exploring Mount St Helens at the Mount St Helens Visitor Centre. Opening times can vary in April, so it’s best to check in advance. Even if the Visitor Centre is closed, you can still park there to enjoy some walks and views.

Enjoy a pleasant walk around Silver Lake from the Visitor Centre. It’s only about a mile, and it’s a well marked trail with a lot of boardwalks so it’s really easy. You can get great views of the volcano across the lake. The advantage of visiting in April is that there’s still plenty of snow on the peak.

Enjoy walking around the lake, and keep an eye out for wildlife as well. In April, most wildlife is just waking up from the cold winter, so you might be lucky to spot some. I was lucky to spot a snake and also some great birds on my trip.

Driving up to Mount St Helens

You can get closer views of the volcano as well. From Mount St Helens Visitor Centre, continue driving up the road 504. This winding road can take you right to the top of the volcano. However, it’s cleared of snow in stages in the spring. So when you visit in April, you’re unlikely to be able to get right to the top. But that’s ok. The views on the way up are just amazing, so you don’t need to get right to the top.

There are plenty of places to stop along the road so you can get out of the car to take a photo. I loved seeing the views change as I drove further up the road, getting closer to the volcano. From some of the viewpoints, you could really see the evidence of the eruption and the avalanche on the north face. It was such a strong reminder of the power of nature.

Take your time driving up as far as you’re able to go. A major advantage of visiting in April is that the road is unlikely to be busy. At times it can feel like you’ve got the whole area to yourself. It’s a beautiful area, and an important piece of USA history as well. I just loved it, and I wish I had longer to explore mountain in Washington, USA.

Views of Mount Rainier

With only 2 days to explore Washington, USA, you won’t have time to visit everywhere. I’d have loved to visit Mount Rainier National Park and explore more of the area. However, I’ll have to be happy with a great view of Mount Rainier that I got from the car, driving back towards the airport. Hopefully I’ll be able to go back soon to explore more!

Enjoy the perfect 2 day road trip in Washington, USA in April! Remember to check out this great travel guide for your trip (affiliate). While you’re in the USA, why not stay a bit longer and check out some of the other amazing destinations. For more snowy mountains, check out Juneau in Alaska. Seattle is a great city to visit, or you could head down the coast to San Francisco. If you’re looking for more road trips in amazing scenery, why not visit Yosemite National Park or the beautiful coastline of Big Sur.