Washington state is packed with spectacular and outlandish rock formations that reward the dedicated hiker or rough-road adventurer. Here are 12 standouts worth every mile of exploration:
1. Hole in the Wall (Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park)
Accessible at low tide, this massive rocky arch and weathered sea stacks create a dramatic oceanside landscape—paired with the eerie Tree Graveyard of bleached trees along the beach.
2. Beacon Rock (Columbia River Gorge)
An 848-foot basalt column—the core of an ancient volcano—can be climbed via a trail of switchbacks and boardwalks for epic river views.
3. Bowl and Pitcher (Riverside State Park)
Giant, smooth basalt boulders rising from the Spokane River; the hike includes up-close encounters with these unique formations and cliffs.
4. Cape Flattery (Olympic Peninsula)
At the northwestern tip of the continental U.S., you’ll find dramatic rocky outcrops rising from crashing waves, with sea-carved caves and breathtaking views.
5. Grand Coulee
A massive ancient riverbed of basalt cliffs and buttes, featuring Dry Falls and Steamboat Rock, shaped by prehistoric floods and erosion.
6. The Palouse “Steptoe Butte”
A lone quartzite butte rising above rolling green hills of the Palouse, offering panoramic views of the surreal landscape.
7. The Enchantments (Alpine Lakes Wilderness)
Granite spires, jagged peaks, and unusual formations surround turquoise lakes on a challenging—but unforgettable—hike.
8. Park Butte Lookout & Railroad Grade (Mount Baker Area)
The “Railroad Grade” trail traverses long, narrow, rocky ridges and moraines formed by glacial flows, with a lookout perched dramatically amidst rock fields.
9. That “Giant Red Rock” of Frenchman Coulee (Vantage)
Vertical basalt columns and towering cliffs; a mecca for climbers and photographers after otherworldly angles.
10. Columbia Hills Petroglyphs and Horsethief Butte
Surreal sandstone bluffs and ridges, dotted with rock formations and petroglyphs above the Columbia River.
11. The Ozette Triangle (Olympic National Park)
Hike through coastal forest and suddenly emerge to dramatic beaches littered with ancient sea stacks, arches, and tidepool formations.
12. Mount Si
One of Washington’s classic hikes, best known for its rugged and rocky summit stretches, exposed cliffs, and panoramic outlooks high above the valley.
Every one of these formations offers an outlandish landscape and a hike or drive to remember, making them must-sees for adventurous explorers.
SOURCES
(https://www.thewanderingqueen.com/hikes-in-the-pacific-northwest/)
(https://toandfrofam.com/rialto-beach-wa/)
(https://stateofwatourism.com/hikes-in-washington-state/)
(https://usadventurer.com/unique-rock-formations-in-utah/)
(https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attractions-g28968-Activities-c61-t87-Washington.html)
