Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission — at no additional cost to you. All opinions expressed here are my own. Please note: the information provided on this blog is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, medical, or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified professional if needed.
Updated: July 2026
Looking for the best beginner backpacking trips in Washington? If you’re new to backpacking, it can be hard to know where to start! Washington is home to some of the most spectacular backpacking trails in the country, but many of the state’s iconic routes aren’t ideal for your first overnight.
After backpacking throughout Washington for the past few years, I’ve learned that beginner backpacking doesn’t have to mean boring backpacking. I still love these easier overnight trips because, for me, it isn’t always about tackling the biggest mileage or the toughest climb – it’s about spending a night outside in beautiful places.
If you’re already a confident day hiker, backpacking is a natural next step. The biggest learning curve usually isn’t the hiking itself – it’s figuring out how to pack your backpack, dial in your gear, cook at camp, and become comfortable spending the night outdoors.
That’s why my biggest piece of advice is to start with trails that are already popular day hikes or have forgiving terrain. You’ll spend less time worrying about navigation or huge mileage and more time learning the skills that actually make backpacking enjoyable.
These are the beginner backpacking trips in Washington that I’d recommend to anyone looking to build confidence one trip at a time.
Table of Contents
Ancient Lakes: The Perfect Place to Try Backpacking for the First Time
Tent set up at Ancient Lakes
It was so nice to NOT have a fireban at Ancient Lakes
Waterfall at Ancient Lakes
If you’ve never slept outside in a tent before, Ancient Lakes is where I’d start.
Unlike many Washington hikes, Ancient Lakes sits east of the Cascade Mountains in the Columbia Basin. That means it’s usually sunnier and drier than Western Washington, making it one of the best beginner backpacking trips during late winter and early spring.
I backpacked here on a sunny day in March, and it couldn’t have been a better introduction to the season. While many mountain trails were still buried in snow, Ancient Lakes was warm enough to enjoy hiking in the sunshine – but still early enough that rattlesnakes hadn’t become active yet.
The trail is short, forgiving, and offers plenty of dispersed campsites around the lakes, making it an ideal place to test new gear before committing to bigger adventures.
Trail Details
- Distance: 4.6-mile loop
- Elevation Gain: 295 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Estimated Hiking Time: 2–3 hours
Why it’s great for beginners
- Minimal elevation gain
- Plenty of campsites
- Campfires OK before the summer!! (carry in your own wood)
- Great place to test new gear
- Excellent late winter and early spring conditions
- One of Washington’s most unique landscapes, with desert cliffs, waterfalls, and lakes
Olympic National Park Beaches: Your First Coastal Backpacking Adventure
Another great first time spot is beach camping in Olympic National Park.
The Olympic Coast offers relatively short hiking distances with very little elevation gain, allowing you to enjoy backpacking without carrying a heavy pack up thousands of feet of climbing.
It’s an awesome early season spot, especially good if you want to catch the Hoh Rainforest at it’s peak in the spring! Read more on my full Olympic National Park guide. But, weather here can be more variable than at Ancient Lakes. Make sure you’re prepared for rain!
I’ve backpacked to Second Beach twice, and it’s still one of my favorite overnight trips in Washington. Watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean before falling asleep to crashing waves is something every Washington backpacker should experience.
If you’re looking for a slightly bigger adventure, Shi Shi Beach is another incredible option, while Rialto Beach remains one of the park’s most iconic coastal destinations for day hikes and longer coastal backpacking trips.
Just remember to always check tide charts before heading out, as sections of the coast can become impassable during high tide (Hole-In-The-Wall).
Second Beach Trail Details
- Distance: 2 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: Approximately 300 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Estimated Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
Why it’s great for beginners
- Short approach to camp
- Minimal climbing
- Incredible sunset and sunrise photography
- A completely different backpacking experience than the mountains
- Great early-season backpacking option
Snow Lake: Your First Alpine Backpacking Trip
November at Snow Lake
Once you’re comfortable carrying your backpack overnight, it’s time to experience one of Washington’s classic alpine lakes.
Snow Lake is one of the most popular hikes near Seattle, but surprisingly few people realize overnight camping is allowed near the lake!
Because it’s already a well-established day hike, the trail is easy to follow and sees plenty of hikers throughout the day. That makes it a great place to gain confidence carrying more weight while experiencing your first alpine campsite.
Camping is available near Snow Lake, allowing you to enjoy the lake after the crowds head home.
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can continue beyond Snow Lake toward Gem Lake or even Wildcat Lakes, but I’d save those extensions until you’ve completed a few backpacking trips. Carrying overnight gear makes those additional miles much more demanding than they appear on a map.
Trail Details
- Distance: 6.7 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 1,699 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Estimated Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Why it’s great for beginners
- Excellent introduction to carrying elevation with a backpack
- Well-maintained trail
- Established campsites
- Beautiful alpine scenery
- Close to Seattle
Note: Despite it’s name, Snow Lake is generally NOT safe to hike in the snow. It is a trail that is HIGH RISK for avalanches. If you’re wanting to see Snow Lake in the snow, only go after the FIRST snow dusting. You should still be able to see visualize the rock walls on the trail. If the snow is covering these, it creates a perfect storm for avalanches and you should turn back.
If you’re looking for your next challenge after Snow Lake, I’d recommend Lake Melakwa. The trail is a bit longer and slightly more demanding, making it a natural progression for beginners who want to build endurance before tackling multi-day backpacking trips.
👉 Read more about Lake Melakwa.
Enchanted Valley: Your First Multi-Day Backpacking Adventure
Once you’ve built confidence on shorter overnight trips, Enchanted Valley is the backpacking trip I’d recommend next.
Often called one of Washington’s most iconic backpacking destinations, Enchanted Valley follows the Quinault River through lush old-growth forest before opening into a spectacular valley filled with waterfalls, wildlife, and the historic Enchanted Valley Chalet.
Despite covering more mileage than the other hikes on this list, the elevation gain is gradual, making it far more approachable than many alpine backpacking trips.
I backpacked Enchanted Valley at the end of May, and it was absolutely gorgeous. While many alpine trails were still covered in snow, the valley was lush and green, with waterfalls pouring down nearly every cliff face. We hiked all the way to the end of the valley, spent two nights exploring the area, and then hiked back out. It’s one of my favorite early-season backpacking trips in Washington.
Whether you complete it as a two-night trip like I did or stretch it into three nights, Enchanted Valley is the perfect introduction to longer mileage and your first true multi-day backpacking adventure.
Trail Details
- Distance: Approximately 26 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: About 2,000 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Estimated Hiking Time: Typically completed over 2–3 days
Why it’s the perfect next step
- Excellent first multi-night backpacking trip
- Gradual elevation gain
- Incredible wildlife (usually some bears) and waterfall viewing
- Beautiful early-season option
- One of Washington’s classic backpacking experiences
Final Thoughts on Beginner Backpacking Trips in Washington
To be honest? I love all of these trails. Like I said before, just because these are “beginner backpacking trips in Washington” doesn’t mean they are boring!
Find a forgiving trail to start with – get comfortable carrying your overnight gear and figuring out which gear works for you.
Then, as you shift your gear and packing strategies around, think of backpacking as a progression. Move from Ancient Lakes to beach camping along the Olympic Coast, then work your way into alpine terrain at Snow Lake or challenge yourself with a longer overnight at Lake Melakwa. When you’re ready, then graduate to your first multi-night adventure in Enchanted Valley.
By building your skills one trip at a time, you’ll gain the confidence – and the experience – to take on even bigger backpacking adventures throughout Washington. This approach not only makes your first trips more enjoyable, but it also helps you develop the skills you’ll rely on for years to come.
Looking for more on hiking? Check out 5 scenic hikes in Washington
What’s In My Pack?
I personally sleep with a Tiger Wall UL2 tent from Big Agnes, and I couldn’t sleep without their insulated pad either (perfect for side sleeping!). I also rarely go anywhere in the backcountry without my Garmin InReach satellite device. Yes, some phones now have satellite capabilities – but in my opinion, they don’t hold a flame to the Garmin inReach.
Check out more of what’s in my pack on my curated gear list.
Exploring Washington? Check out the full 1-Week Washington Itinerary
Hi, I’m Amber —
A Michigan native now living in Washington with a deep love for travel and the outdoors. What started with church mission trips and years of traveling across the U.S. as a nurse has grown into a passion for exploring destinations across Asia and America through hiking, scenic landscapes, local food, wildlife encounters, and underwater adventures. Sometimes I’m joined by my goldendoodle, Millie, but I’m always traveling with my camera. My goal is to help you feel inspired and confident that travel is possible — no matter where you’re starting from.
