Washington Travel Guide

The Cascade Range divides Washington into western and eastern halves, which differ considerably in climate and topography. Western ecosystems vary from coastal areas to moist forests; eastern ecosystems range from pine woods to dry grass-and-brush steppes, from deep river valleys to lakes and marshes. Curiously, the hot-summer "dry" east side has more wetlands and marshes than the cool-summer "wet" west side of the state. Both sections have alpine fells, which on the east side have two timberlines: one on the upper slopes (where forests are restricted by the heavy snows and frosts of an alpine climate), and another on the lower slopes (where tree growth is limited by lack of moisture).

Experience Washington

• If You Like

• Washington Itineraries

Regions in Washington

• Eastern Washington
• Northwestern Washington
• The Olympic Peninsula
• The San Juan Islands

• Seattle Environs
• Southwestern Washington
• Yakima River Valley

Cities in Washington

• Aberdeen
• Arlington
• Ashford
• Bellingham
• Benton City
• Bremerton
• Cashmere
• Centralia
• Chelan
• Cheney
• Chinook
• Clarkston
• Cle Elum
• Colville
• Copalis Beach
• Coupeville
• Dayton
• Edmonds
• Ellensburg
• Ephrata
• Everett
• Ferndale
• Forks
• Gig Harbor
• Glacier
• Goldendale
• Greenbank
• Hoquiam

• Ilwaco
• Index
• Kennewick
• La Conner
• Langley
• Leavenworth
• Long Beach
• Longview
• Marblemount
• Montesano
• Moses Lake
• Mossyrock
• Mount Vernon
• Mt. St. Helens
• Neah Bay
• North Bend
• Oak Harbor
• Ocean Park
• Ocean Shores
• Olympia
• Omak
• Oysterville
• Packwood
• Pasco
• Port Angeles
• Port Gamble
• Port Townsend
• Poulsbo

• Prosser
• Pullman
• Puyallup
• Quincy
• Renton
• Richland
• Ritzville
• Seattle
• Seaview
• Sedro-Woolley
• Sekiu
• Sequim
• Snohomish
• Snoqualmie
• South Bend
• Spokane
• Stevenson
• Sunnyside
• Tacoma
• Toppenish
• Vancouver
• Walla Walla
• Wenatchee
• Westport
• Winthrop
• Yakima
• Zillah

Islands in Washington

• Bainbridge Island
• Fidalgo Island

• Lopez Island
• Orcas Island

• San Juan Island

Parks and Preserves in Washington

• Coulee Dam National Recreation Area
• Mount Rainier National Park

• North Cascades National Park

• Olympic National Park

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