Updated 06/29/2025

The Pacific Northwest is teeming with scenic rivers and creeks. These backpacking trips feature some of the best destinations for backcountry camping with the sound of rushing water to lull you to sleep.

Difficulty Ratings

The difficulty ratings listed here are based on hiking in to a campsite and does not include additional hike destinations on the trip.

• Easy: Hike in up to 6 miles, and up to 1,000 ft. gain to camp area
• Moderate: Hike in up to 8 miles with 1,000-2,000 ft. gain to camp area
• Strenuous: Hike in up to 10 miles with 2,000-3,000 ft. gain to camp area
• Very Strenuous: Hike in up to 12 miles with 3,000-4,000 ft. gain to camp area

Olympic National Park: North Fork Skokomish River

Located in the Olympic National Park, the North Fork Skokomish River Trail is a great low elevation trip for the spring and early summer when water levels are running high in the cascading river and the lush forest is filled with many shades of green.

• I Heart PNW trip report: North Fork Skokomish River backpacking trip
• distance & elevation gain to campsite: 5.5 miles, 1,080 ft. gain
• difficulty: easy to moderate
• day hike options: continue on the North Fork Skokomish Trail; Flapjack Lakes
• best months: May – September
• permits: required in advance from Olympic National Park

Mount Hood: Salmon River Canyon

Hike next to the Salmon River through a mossy forest and setup camp at one of the many campsites in the first several miles, or continue past several canyon viewpoints to Goat Creek Camp. Woodland wildflowers are a highlight in the spring.

• I Heart PNW trip report: Salmon River Canyon backpacking trips
• distance & elevation gain to Goat Creek camp: 5.5 miles, 1,200 ft. gain
• difficulty: moderate
• day hike options: continue on the Salmon River Trail or hike up to Kinzel Lake or Devils Peak lookout
• best months: May-June, September-October
• permits: self-issued at wilderness checkpoint

Olympic National Park: Quinault River & the Enchanted Valley

Beginning at the Graves Creek trailhead, the Quinault River Trail follows the river through dense Olympic rainforest. Setup camp at one of the many backcountry sites and day hike to the Enchanted Valley.

• I Heart PNW trip report: Enchanted Valley backpacking trip
• distance & elevation gain to Fire Creek Camp: 3.8 miles, 1,125 ft. gain
• difficulty: moderate
• day hike option: continue on the Quinault River Trail to Enchanted Valley
• best months: May to June
• permits: required in advance from Olympic National Park

Southwest Washington: Lower Lewis River Trail

The Lower Lewis River is a good early season option when there’s still snow at higher elevations. Highlights include old-growth forest, uncrowded trails, and of course, the Lewis River.

• I Heart PNW trip report: Lower Lewis River Trail backpacking trip
• distance & elevation gain to Bolt Camp: 2.4 miles, 175 ft. gain
• difficulty: easy
• day hike options: continue on the Lewis River Trail for an additional 6-7 miles (one-way)
• best months: April – June
• permits: none

Olympic National Park: Hoh River Rainforest

The Hoh Rainforest is one of the wettest places in the United States. The rainforest here is lush with mosses and lichens and plenty of water – and the trail is fairly flat and next to the river with several designated camp areas along the way.

• I Heart PNW trip report: Hoh River Trail backpacking trip
• distance & elevation gain to Five Mile Island Camp: 5.1 miles, 400 ft. gain
• difficulty: easy
• day hike options: continue on the Hoh River Trail to the Olympus Guard Station
• best months: May to June
• permits: required in advance from Olympic National Park

Central Oregon: McKenzie River

The McKenzie River Trail is popular with mountain bikers, but it’s also a good location for a backpacking trip. The southern section of the trail parallels the river (and the highway) as it travels through old-growth forest.

• I Heart PNW trip report: McKenzie River Trail backpacking trip
• distance & elevation gain to campsite: 7.5 miles, 450 ft. gain
• difficulty: easy
• day hike options: continue north on the McKenzie River Trail
• best months: April – June
• permits: none

Olympic Peninsula: Duckabush River Trail

The Duckabush River Trail is located on the Hood Canal side of the Olympic Peninsula and makes for a great early season backpacking trip with multiple camp areas in low elevation forest next to the scenic river.

• I Heart PNW trip report: Duckabush River backpacking trip
• distance & elevation gain to campsite: 2 miles, 400 ft. gain
• difficulty: easy
• day hike options: continue on Duckabush River Trail as snow levels allow in the spring
• best months: May to June
• permits: none if camping before 10 Mile Camp

Mount Hood: Badger Creek

Located southeast of Mount Hood, Badger Creek Wilderness is in a transition zone on the east side of the Cascade crest with a forest of mixed conifers including Ponderosa pine, western red cedar, and western hemlock. This is a good early season backpacking destination due to the lower elevation and drier conditions.

• I Heart PNW trip report: Badger Creek backpacking trip
• distance & elevation gain to campsite: 3.8 miles, 575 ft. gain
• difficulty: easy
• day hike options: continue on Badger Creek Trail as snow levels allow in the spring
• best months: May – June
• permits: self-issued at wilderness checkpoint

Olympic Peninsula: Dosewallips River Trail

The Dosewallips River Trail provides access to trails in the Olympic National Park via an old road bed. A former campground at the end of the closed road makes a great backpacking location, with many campsites next to the river.

• I Heart PNW trip report: Dosewallips River Trail backpacking trip
• distance & elevation gain to campsite: 6.5 miles, 1,200 ft. gain
• difficulty: moderate
• day hike options: continue on the Dosewallips River Trail
• best months: April – June
• permits: self-issued at wilderness checkpoint for Dosewallips Camp. Backcountry sites beyond this are required in advance through Olympic National Park

Southwest Washington: Upper Falls Creek

The Upper Falls Creek area has several campsites next to the creek above the super scenic (and extremely popular) Falls Creek Falls waterfall, and makes a great base for exploring less traveled trails in the area.

• I Heart PNW trip report: Upper Falls Creek backpacking trip
• distance & elevation gain to campsite: 3.6 miles, 1,100 ft. gain
• difficulty: moderate
• day hike options: Upper Falls Creek trail
• best months: May-June, September-October
• permits: none

Southwest Washington: Trapper Creek Wilderness

The low elevation forested canyons of Trapper Creek Wilderness provide an easy getaway for relaxing backpacking trips. This area was impacted by the 2020 Big Hollow Wildfire, so be sure to check conditions before heading out.

• I Heart PNW trip report: Trapper Creek backpacking trip
• distance & elevation gain to campsite: 3 miles, 900 ft. gain
• difficulty: easy
• day hike options: continue on the Trapper Creek Trail
• best months: May – June
• permits: self-issued at wilderness checkpoint

Gear Reviews: My goal is to share clear, unbiased information about outdoor gear. I am not sponsored by any gear companies and I don’t accept paid posts or links. I regularly receive products from brands for review, with no expectation of a positive review and no compensation for my opinions. As an independent gear reviewer, I only review items I’ve personally used on multiple trips and that I believe are high-quality and worth recommending.

Affiliate Links: I Heart Pacific Northwest is a participant in affiliate link programs which provide a small commission if a purchase is made through gear links on this site (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for supporting this website!