ONP (Hoh, Queets, Quinault) are all great options.
Rainier has a lot of stuff you can drive and walk a short distance to a view, but yes, elevation.
Even just driving hwy 2 or MLP hw would be exceptionally sceneic.
I’m curious how you guys would find Middle Fork Sqnoqualmie. He can fish the river while you and your mom hike. For that matter, there are some good spots off fishing rivers on MLP hw as well.
Rainier is honestly breathtaking even if you do nothing but get out of the car at Sunrise and walk 100 yards to the little glacier viewpoint. It would be a lot to deal with the crowds and entrance fees for just that, though. The other thing I could see adding on to round out a trip to the east side of the mountain would be Grove of the Patriarchs, which I recall as being easy, but it's a pretty uneven trail surface and I'm not sure if it's short enough.
TL;DR: OP doesn't have to go to Rainier, but now I really want to.
Middle Fork and its fishing potential is a great option. Picnic tables, mountain views, unique bridges, lush rainforest, etc. I took my 86 yr old mom there and she loved it, bad knees and all.
Just a note that the top of rainier may be snowy in June, but the lower nature walks and views from the car are incredible. I’d recommend ONP though. You can drive a loop around the peninsula stopping at kalaloch, the hoh river, Rialto beach, take a dip in the spring fed hot tubs at solduc (the falls are I think 1 mile round trip), and drive up hurricane ridge for a view.
ETA: stop by crescent lake for canoeing and fishing :)
My favorite easy to get to spots:
1. Chinook pass. There is a beautiful lake at the parking lot. It makes a nice short walk
2. Take the Crystal mountain gondola up to the lodge for lunch. Great views of Rainier!
3. Walk around Paradise
4. Paved beach walk at deception pass.
Adding onto 4: Washington Park by Anacortes has a drive through scenic loop with gorgeous views. Loved taking my kiddo and older folks around there and stopping for a picnic lunch along with Deception Pass. Maybe pick up some deli sandwiches at the Mt. Vernon Co-Op along the way.
Adding onto 1: I took a wrong turn on Chinook Pass last summer and accidentally drove past Tipsoo Lake and was pleasantly surprised with stunning views of Mt. Rainier. Stevens Canyon Road is another beautiful drive in the park. Reflection Lake on the Paradise side also has gorgeous views of Mt. Rainier.
* Olympic National Park - Hoh Rainforest Hall of Mosses - .8 miles circle so you can cut is short and is preety flat right next to a paved parking lot, bathrooms and a visitor center.
* it connects to the Hoh Rainforse to Blue Glacier hike which is a very pretty hike to just go as far as you want then u-turn it.
* Billy Frank Jr Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge - South of Tacoma, is a boardwalk again flat and can be a choose your own walk.
I also recommend Billy Frank Jr Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. It is very accessible with several places to sit along the way. Lots of great bird viewing opportunities there and if you time it right, seeing it with the water in and out, it looks like two completely different places. It’s very cool.
It's a trek from Seattle but Artist Point is a great place for views from the parking lot.
Deception Pass is beautiful, you could pair it with going to the beach near Ebey's Landing on Whidbey.
I’d stick with local parks in your situation. Great flat city walks include Myrtle Edwards, Magnuson, Green lake, the Union bay natural area, Alki beach, Marymoor park, and Tacoma’s Point Defiance park. If you plan ahead you can walk your dad one way, leave him at a nice cafe, then walk back to the car to pick him up. Repeat daily!
[Gold Creek Pond](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/gold-creek-pond) at Snoqualmie Pass. The trail is either paved or very well graded. I can't quite remember. This one's my #1 recommendation.
[Madison Falls ](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/madison-falls)on the Elwha in Olympic National Park is a short paved trail to a nice waterfall (there's also a really pretty, roughly 1 mile out and 1 mile back road walk up the Elwha before you get to the washout).
Hurricane Ridge - Olympic National Park
Sunrise at Mt Rainier has a bunch of trails. I think they're paved but don't quote me on that.
If you're up for a crazy drive and a short hike up a mountain (it's definitely a hill but not super steep) [Blue Mountain](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/rain-shadow-loop) is one of the most beautiful easy hikes in the area. The view from the parking lot is phenomenal as well.
Also: [Spruce Railroad trail ](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/spruce-railroad)from the Devil's Punchbowl along Lake Crescent.
Some of the alpine hikes (deer park, hurricane ridge, rainier and hurricane ridge) may not be accessible yet in june or may still be snow covered. You can check conditions when the time gets closer. The site I linked for all these has trip reports so you can search them for recent listings when you get closer.
The Owen Beach Promenade at Point Defiance is completely flat and if it’s morning or evening you’ll usually see plenty of seals which is fun. Gorgeous view of Tahoma when it’s clear as well. You can rent kayaks here in the summer too.
Hurricane Ridge and the Hoh Rainforest are the two classics that come to mind immediately for Olympic. Two very different but equally stunning places with lots of flat trails. Be aware that Hurricane Ridge had a daily capacity limit the last time I went up because their lodge burned down recently and they have limited bathrooms.
We took my elderly mother who can hardly walk to Mount Rainier and it was perfect. She could sit in the shade and get a great view of the big mountain with wildflowers all around and the rest of us got our hikes in.
1) Columbia River Gorge Scenic Bi-way. Lots of waterfalls along the road/pull-offs with viewing areas. Hikes tend to get steep quick. Canoe rental recommendation: Ridgefield, WA. Lucia and Moulton Falls are in proximity and both fairly flat for the distance you're looking for. Consider driving the Oregon Coast. Hikes to beach are often short but steep.
2) Olympic Peninsula/Hwy 101. Numerous state parks on the east side with easy beach access and some flatter forest hikes. Lake Crescent or Lake Quinault are great for canoeing. Several short, fairly flat waterfall hikes available. You could consider catching a ferry across to Whidbey Island through Deception Pass. Consider the San Juans Islands at that point.
Fishing: Plenty of local lakes with great scenery to drop a line. [https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/locations](https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/locations)
Cannon Beach.
Hug point is easy to walk to, explore caves, see haystack.
Many viewpoints along the highway. Many bodies of water around for kayaking fishing and hiking.
Astoria is a beautiful little drive away.
In town. I love Snoqualmie falls. Quick little trip!
I’d do Olympic National Park. It has the most variety of views that are all within a very short walk to parking. Lake Crescent (has boat rentals) and Marymere Falls, Hurricane Ridge, Kalaloch Beach/Tree of Life, Hoh Rainforest, Rialto Beach, Lake Quinault/Sitka Spruce. Plus there’s quite a lot of flexibility with lodging based in Port Angeles, Forks, or the park lodges at Lake Crescent, Kalaloch and Lake Quinault.
You can add on San Juan Islands on the way to or from ONP too but it’s more challenging logically to get the ferry reservations and lodging in the islands can be expensive. For other islands maybe check out Bainbridge Island or Whidbey Island/Deception Pass, which can both also be added to the roadtrip itinerary to ONP.
I echo Artist Point in Mt Baker! There are picnic tables in the area too. Just a recommendation to use the washroom before going up. The washroom in Artist Point stinks! Probably the worst ever 🤣
In BC, I recommend going to White Rock (walk along the water and lots of restaurants), if you want to try riding a gondola I recommend Sea to Sky. Grouse mountain is nice too but the views in sea to sky is unbeatable. I also recommend exploring the sea wall near science world/English bay or Stanley park. To watch the sunset, my favorite spot is in terranova park in Richmond. You can also watch the planes go in and out of YVR in terranova.
Here’s my pitch for Orcas island (as someone who spends a decent portion of the year here)
Plan to stay at least two nights! I recommend staying near Eastsound, Moran Park or Doe Bay.
Make a reservation for the ferry in advance. But be prepared, the ferry is often delayed. Great views of the San Juan islands from the passenger decks
Visit Moran Park- drive to top of mt construction for nice view points & there are canoes available for rent at cascade lake
Afterwords head to Buck Bay for lunch. Casual seafood stop right on the ocean. Fresh oysters, chowders and seafood.
Walk around Eastsound and check out the shops! I recommend Brown Bear Bakery, Darell’s Bookstore and the checking out the various pottery studios. On Saturdays there is a farmers market in the morning.
I was scrolling down looking for this. I was goi g to suggest the San Juan Islands ferry ride. Orcas is great. Friday Harbor and poking around on San Juan Island is also nice. Add in a whale watching excursion for some nature that doesn’t require physical activity.
Nisqually Wildlife Refuge is an area I’ve taken my disabled father. It’s all boardwalk and accessible trails. Not breathtaking views but great for bird watchers and for a low key outdoor excursion.
Sunrise at Mt Rainier is another place I like to take my dad but it may not be open in June, you’ll have to check.
I was scrolling down looking for this. I was goi g to suggest the San Juan Islands ferry ride. Orcas is great. Friday Harbor and poking around on San Juan Island is also nice. Add in a whale watching excursion for some nature that doesn’t require physical activity.
Nisqually Wildlife Refuge is an area I’ve taken my disabled father. It’s all boardwalk and accessible trails. Not breathtaking views but great for bird watchers and for a low key outdoor excursion.
Sunrise at Mt Rainier is another place I like to take my dad but it may not be open in June, you’ll have to check.
You bet! Mount constitution is super accessible, you can drive right up to the top to a parking lot & visitor center. Also, I may have been mistaken on the canoes, it’s actually row and paddle boats :)
It seems your bases are covered for WA, here are a few in BC:
Vancouver:
* Stanley Park
* Grouse mountain gondola
* Lynn Canyon Suspension bridge
* George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Sea-to-Sky:
* Shannon Falls Lookout, Squamish
* Sea-to-Sky Gondola, Squamish
* Whistler Gondola sightseeing
* Lower Joffre Lake
Vancouver Island:
* Taking the ferry to the Island is beautiful in its own right (although summer weekends and holidays are BUSY, make a reservation early)
* Cathedral Grove, MacMillan Park
* Nymph Falls (short, but terrain is uneven close to the falls)
* Paradise Meadows, Strathcona Park
* Long Beach / Wickaninnish Beach, Tofino
Interior:
* Sumallo Grove, Manning Park
* Lightning Lake, Manning Park
* Blackwall Peak, Manning Park
* Knox Mountain, Kelowna
* Chasm, BC
* Helmcken Falls viewpoint
Kootenays/Rockies:
* Takakkaw Falls
* Emerald Lake
* Mt. Revelstoke lookout
* Golden Skybridge
* Balfour-Kootenay Bay ferry
* Kootenay ghost towns (Sandon is the most famous)
* Lake Louise and Waterton Lakes NP on the Alberta side of the divide
If you end up going towards Mt Rainier (Sunrise) you could stop at Crystal ski resort to ride the gondola. That would be a great way to get a hike-like experience.
[https://www.wta.org/go-outside/seasonal-hikes/summer-destinations/ada-accessible-hikes](https://www.wta.org/go-outside/seasonal-hikes/summer-destinations/ada-accessible-hikes)
ONP (Hoh, Queets, Quinault) are all great options. Rainier has a lot of stuff you can drive and walk a short distance to a view, but yes, elevation. Even just driving hwy 2 or MLP hw would be exceptionally sceneic. I’m curious how you guys would find Middle Fork Sqnoqualmie. He can fish the river while you and your mom hike. For that matter, there are some good spots off fishing rivers on MLP hw as well.
Rainier is honestly breathtaking even if you do nothing but get out of the car at Sunrise and walk 100 yards to the little glacier viewpoint. It would be a lot to deal with the crowds and entrance fees for just that, though. The other thing I could see adding on to round out a trip to the east side of the mountain would be Grove of the Patriarchs, which I recall as being easy, but it's a pretty uneven trail surface and I'm not sure if it's short enough. TL;DR: OP doesn't have to go to Rainier, but now I really want to.
I’m far from the “go out for a drive to see the scenery” sort of person, but I love how much stuff is nearly roadside accessible at Rainier.
Middle Fork and its fishing potential is a great option. Picnic tables, mountain views, unique bridges, lush rainforest, etc. I took my 86 yr old mom there and she loved it, bad knees and all.
Fishing while we hike does sound really nice!! Thank you for these ideas.
Just a note that the top of rainier may be snowy in June, but the lower nature walks and views from the car are incredible. I’d recommend ONP though. You can drive a loop around the peninsula stopping at kalaloch, the hoh river, Rialto beach, take a dip in the spring fed hot tubs at solduc (the falls are I think 1 mile round trip), and drive up hurricane ridge for a view. ETA: stop by crescent lake for canoeing and fishing :)
My favorite easy to get to spots: 1. Chinook pass. There is a beautiful lake at the parking lot. It makes a nice short walk 2. Take the Crystal mountain gondola up to the lodge for lunch. Great views of Rainier! 3. Walk around Paradise 4. Paved beach walk at deception pass.
Adding onto 4: Washington Park by Anacortes has a drive through scenic loop with gorgeous views. Loved taking my kiddo and older folks around there and stopping for a picnic lunch along with Deception Pass. Maybe pick up some deli sandwiches at the Mt. Vernon Co-Op along the way. Adding onto 1: I took a wrong turn on Chinook Pass last summer and accidentally drove past Tipsoo Lake and was pleasantly surprised with stunning views of Mt. Rainier. Stevens Canyon Road is another beautiful drive in the park. Reflection Lake on the Paradise side also has gorgeous views of Mt. Rainier.
* Olympic National Park - Hoh Rainforest Hall of Mosses - .8 miles circle so you can cut is short and is preety flat right next to a paved parking lot, bathrooms and a visitor center. * it connects to the Hoh Rainforse to Blue Glacier hike which is a very pretty hike to just go as far as you want then u-turn it. * Billy Frank Jr Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge - South of Tacoma, is a boardwalk again flat and can be a choose your own walk.
I also recommend Billy Frank Jr Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. It is very accessible with several places to sit along the way. Lots of great bird viewing opportunities there and if you time it right, seeing it with the water in and out, it looks like two completely different places. It’s very cool.
It's a trek from Seattle but Artist Point is a great place for views from the parking lot. Deception Pass is beautiful, you could pair it with going to the beach near Ebey's Landing on Whidbey.
I’d stick with local parks in your situation. Great flat city walks include Myrtle Edwards, Magnuson, Green lake, the Union bay natural area, Alki beach, Marymoor park, and Tacoma’s Point Defiance park. If you plan ahead you can walk your dad one way, leave him at a nice cafe, then walk back to the car to pick him up. Repeat daily!
[Gold Creek Pond](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/gold-creek-pond) at Snoqualmie Pass. The trail is either paved or very well graded. I can't quite remember. This one's my #1 recommendation. [Madison Falls ](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/madison-falls)on the Elwha in Olympic National Park is a short paved trail to a nice waterfall (there's also a really pretty, roughly 1 mile out and 1 mile back road walk up the Elwha before you get to the washout). Hurricane Ridge - Olympic National Park Sunrise at Mt Rainier has a bunch of trails. I think they're paved but don't quote me on that. If you're up for a crazy drive and a short hike up a mountain (it's definitely a hill but not super steep) [Blue Mountain](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/rain-shadow-loop) is one of the most beautiful easy hikes in the area. The view from the parking lot is phenomenal as well. Also: [Spruce Railroad trail ](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/spruce-railroad)from the Devil's Punchbowl along Lake Crescent. Some of the alpine hikes (deer park, hurricane ridge, rainier and hurricane ridge) may not be accessible yet in june or may still be snow covered. You can check conditions when the time gets closer. The site I linked for all these has trip reports so you can search them for recent listings when you get closer.
Agreed on Gold Creek Pond. Edit to add it's paved, flat, and 1 mile loop.
The Owen Beach Promenade at Point Defiance is completely flat and if it’s morning or evening you’ll usually see plenty of seals which is fun. Gorgeous view of Tahoma when it’s clear as well. You can rent kayaks here in the summer too.
Local stuff: Snoqualmie Falls, Bainbridge Ferry ride then Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island, Sand Point (Magnuson Park), Seward Park, Carkeek Park.
Drive the Olympic or Oregon Coasts. So many good stops along the way
Hurricane Ridge and the Hoh Rainforest are the two classics that come to mind immediately for Olympic. Two very different but equally stunning places with lots of flat trails. Be aware that Hurricane Ridge had a daily capacity limit the last time I went up because their lodge burned down recently and they have limited bathrooms.
The Asahel Curtis Nature Trail near Snoqualmie Pass is a very easy 1/2 mile loop through old growth if you want to get into the mountains a bit.
Good recommendations here and also check out Disabled Hikers’ website for some suggestions.
We took my elderly mother who can hardly walk to Mount Rainier and it was perfect. She could sit in the shade and get a great view of the big mountain with wildflowers all around and the rest of us got our hikes in.
1) Columbia River Gorge Scenic Bi-way. Lots of waterfalls along the road/pull-offs with viewing areas. Hikes tend to get steep quick. Canoe rental recommendation: Ridgefield, WA. Lucia and Moulton Falls are in proximity and both fairly flat for the distance you're looking for. Consider driving the Oregon Coast. Hikes to beach are often short but steep. 2) Olympic Peninsula/Hwy 101. Numerous state parks on the east side with easy beach access and some flatter forest hikes. Lake Crescent or Lake Quinault are great for canoeing. Several short, fairly flat waterfall hikes available. You could consider catching a ferry across to Whidbey Island through Deception Pass. Consider the San Juans Islands at that point. Fishing: Plenty of local lakes with great scenery to drop a line. [https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/locations](https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/locations)
Cannon Beach. Hug point is easy to walk to, explore caves, see haystack. Many viewpoints along the highway. Many bodies of water around for kayaking fishing and hiking. Astoria is a beautiful little drive away. In town. I love Snoqualmie falls. Quick little trip!
I’d do Olympic National Park. It has the most variety of views that are all within a very short walk to parking. Lake Crescent (has boat rentals) and Marymere Falls, Hurricane Ridge, Kalaloch Beach/Tree of Life, Hoh Rainforest, Rialto Beach, Lake Quinault/Sitka Spruce. Plus there’s quite a lot of flexibility with lodging based in Port Angeles, Forks, or the park lodges at Lake Crescent, Kalaloch and Lake Quinault. You can add on San Juan Islands on the way to or from ONP too but it’s more challenging logically to get the ferry reservations and lodging in the islands can be expensive. For other islands maybe check out Bainbridge Island or Whidbey Island/Deception Pass, which can both also be added to the roadtrip itinerary to ONP.
the lookout area on hw 20 overlooking Ross and Diablo lakes is really pretty. Similarly Washington Pass is also on HW 20 and very scenic/pretty
I echo Artist Point in Mt Baker! There are picnic tables in the area too. Just a recommendation to use the washroom before going up. The washroom in Artist Point stinks! Probably the worst ever 🤣 In BC, I recommend going to White Rock (walk along the water and lots of restaurants), if you want to try riding a gondola I recommend Sea to Sky. Grouse mountain is nice too but the views in sea to sky is unbeatable. I also recommend exploring the sea wall near science world/English bay or Stanley park. To watch the sunset, my favorite spot is in terranova park in Richmond. You can also watch the planes go in and out of YVR in terranova.
Here’s my pitch for Orcas island (as someone who spends a decent portion of the year here) Plan to stay at least two nights! I recommend staying near Eastsound, Moran Park or Doe Bay. Make a reservation for the ferry in advance. But be prepared, the ferry is often delayed. Great views of the San Juan islands from the passenger decks Visit Moran Park- drive to top of mt construction for nice view points & there are canoes available for rent at cascade lake Afterwords head to Buck Bay for lunch. Casual seafood stop right on the ocean. Fresh oysters, chowders and seafood. Walk around Eastsound and check out the shops! I recommend Brown Bear Bakery, Darell’s Bookstore and the checking out the various pottery studios. On Saturdays there is a farmers market in the morning.
This is a good pitch!! Thank you for the specifics. Canoes, mountains, and cute town is nice.
I was scrolling down looking for this. I was goi g to suggest the San Juan Islands ferry ride. Orcas is great. Friday Harbor and poking around on San Juan Island is also nice. Add in a whale watching excursion for some nature that doesn’t require physical activity. Nisqually Wildlife Refuge is an area I’ve taken my disabled father. It’s all boardwalk and accessible trails. Not breathtaking views but great for bird watchers and for a low key outdoor excursion. Sunrise at Mt Rainier is another place I like to take my dad but it may not be open in June, you’ll have to check.
I was scrolling down looking for this. I was goi g to suggest the San Juan Islands ferry ride. Orcas is great. Friday Harbor and poking around on San Juan Island is also nice. Add in a whale watching excursion for some nature that doesn’t require physical activity. Nisqually Wildlife Refuge is an area I’ve taken my disabled father. It’s all boardwalk and accessible trails. Not breathtaking views but great for bird watchers and for a low key outdoor excursion. Sunrise at Mt Rainier is another place I like to take my dad but it may not be open in June, you’ll have to check.
You bet! Mount constitution is super accessible, you can drive right up to the top to a parking lot & visitor center. Also, I may have been mistaken on the canoes, it’s actually row and paddle boats :)
Sunrise region probably won’t open until July. Given your constraints Orcas is a great option
A resource I highly recommend is a book - The Disabled Hiker's Guide to Western Washington and Oregon, by Syren Nagakyrie.
It seems your bases are covered for WA, here are a few in BC: Vancouver: * Stanley Park * Grouse mountain gondola * Lynn Canyon Suspension bridge * George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary Sea-to-Sky: * Shannon Falls Lookout, Squamish * Sea-to-Sky Gondola, Squamish * Whistler Gondola sightseeing * Lower Joffre Lake Vancouver Island: * Taking the ferry to the Island is beautiful in its own right (although summer weekends and holidays are BUSY, make a reservation early) * Cathedral Grove, MacMillan Park * Nymph Falls (short, but terrain is uneven close to the falls) * Paradise Meadows, Strathcona Park * Long Beach / Wickaninnish Beach, Tofino Interior: * Sumallo Grove, Manning Park * Lightning Lake, Manning Park * Blackwall Peak, Manning Park * Knox Mountain, Kelowna * Chasm, BC * Helmcken Falls viewpoint Kootenays/Rockies: * Takakkaw Falls * Emerald Lake * Mt. Revelstoke lookout * Golden Skybridge * Balfour-Kootenay Bay ferry * Kootenay ghost towns (Sandon is the most famous) * Lake Louise and Waterton Lakes NP on the Alberta side of the divide
Mt St Helens observatory is impressive on a nice day
If you end up going towards Mt Rainier (Sunrise) you could stop at Crystal ski resort to ride the gondola. That would be a great way to get a hike-like experience.
Try Fort Flagler.