Although the address of the park is in Goldendale, Washington, The park we stayed in is closer to Maryhill. Maryhill, Washington, is a small, unincorporated community perched along the Columbia River in Klickitat County just east of The Dalles Oregon. It’s famous for its rich history and unique attractions, including the Maryhill Museum of Art, which houses an eclectic collection of art, Native American artifacts, and even works by Rodin. Unfortunately, we didn’t go to the museum. We did however see the Stonehenge Memorial, a full-scale replica of England’s Stonehenge built as a World War I memorial. The area also offers stunning views of Mount Adams and Mount Hood as well as stunning landscapes of the Columbia River Gorge Offering opportunities for wine tasting at local vineyards, windsurfing, and hiking. Maryhill’s combination of art, history, and outdoor beauty makes it a hidden gem worth visiting!
Sequim, Washington, is a small city located on the north side of the Olympic Peninsula near the base of the Olympic Mountains, famous for its sunny weather, lavender farms, and proximity to outdoor recreation. The town offers a laid-back lifestyle, making it a popular choice for retirees and those seeking a quieter pace of life. With a rich history, a strong agricultural tradition, and a vibrant arts and tourism scene, Sequim continues to grow as a desirable place to live and visit. Its blend of natural beauty, cultural events, and welcoming community make it a unique destination in the Pacific Northwest.
Fall City, Washington, is a quaint, rural community known for its natural beauty, especially the nearby Snoqualmie Falls. Historically, it has roots in logging and agriculture, and today, it continues to be a peaceful, small-town retreat just east of Seattle. We stayed here for a week so we could visit Anna’s niece and her family as we traveled west through Washington state.
Elk at Meadowbrook Farms
Rattlesnake Lake
Rattlesnake Lake is a serene and scenic spot surrounded by dense forests, rugged mountains, and expansive views, making it a beautiful destination for nature lovers. The small lake’s calm waters reflect the surrounding peaks, adding to the tranquil atmosphere. It is a great spot for picnicking, photography, and simply enjoying the natural beauty of the area. For the more adventurous, there are various outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming.
The Lake has historical significance because it was once the site of the Rattlesnake Lake Dam, which was built in the early 1900s to provide water for Seattle. The dam was later removed, but remnants of the old dam structure can still be seen today. Additionally, the area around the lake includes the remains of the former town of Rattlesnake, which was submerged when the lake was created.
Rattlesnake LakeWaterfall near Rattlesnake LakeTree stumps in Rattlesnake LakeNatural chair along Rattlesnake Lake
Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Falls is a stunning 268-foot waterfall located in Snoqualmie, Washington, about 30 miles east of Seattle. It is one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the Pacific Northwest and a popular tourist destination. The falls are fed by the Snoqualmie River and are particularly known for their dramatic drop, creating a misty, scenic display.
Snoqualmie Falls holds cultural significance for the Snoqualmie Tribe, who consider it a sacred site. It also gained fame through its appearance in the television series Twin Peaks, which helped further its recognition worldwide. Visitors can enjoy the falls from a nearby park, which offers observation decks, walking trails, and picnic areas, making it a favorite spot for nature lovers and photographers.
Below Snoqualmie FallsDownstream from Snoqualmie Falls
New tree growing from a decaying “nurse tree” stump
Originally built in 1898 and is one of the oldest hydroelectric plants in the Pacific Northwest. The plant harnesses the power of the Snoqualmie River to generate electricity, utilizing the natural flow of the river as it cascades down the falls.
The facility was crucial in the development of the region’s infrastructure, providing electricity to the growing towns and industries around Seattle. Over the years, the plant has undergone upgrades and modernization, but it still operates today, supplying power to the local grid. The dam and power station are located just upstream of the falls, and while the area is largely preserved for natural beauty, the hydroelectric plant continues to play a role in energy production.
Old turbine and generator at the Snoqualmie Falls Hydroelectric MuseumOld control panel for the generators
Park Review – Tall Chief RV Resort
Tall Chief RV Resort site 71 – door sideTall Chief RV Park site 71 – Hookup side showing more of the forest
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ Location: Fall City, WA Type: Commercial Park Check-in/Check-out times: 12:00/11:00 Site Quality / Amenities: Gravel roads and pads. Each site had a picnic table and a fire ring. The fire ring was unusable for us because it was too close to the trailer but it didn’t really matter anyway as there was a fire ban. Access: We took exit 22 from I-90 onto Preston Fall City Road SE, then WA-202 West to SE 8th St. to the park. All these were fine for even a big rig. Cellular/WiFi: Verizon was strong and fast. Starlink was significantly obstructed (>70%) however it still worked pretty well most of the time. There was occasional buffering when streaming. Restaurants:Aroma Coffee Co. – Great coffee drinks as well as pastries. El Corporal – Not Tex Mex but decent Mexican food even for our tastes. Ivar’s Seafood Bar (Issaquah) – Great fried clams (maybe the best I’ve had) and their signature fried cod fillets. We weren’t thrilled with their clam chowder however as it was a bit bland and watered down. Issaquah Cafe – Great place for breakfast. Nearby parks: We didn’t look at any other parks nearby. What we liked: Convenient to nearby family and attractions. The park felt like you were camping in a forest. What we didn’t like: You weren’t assigned a site so you had to drive around and find an empty one. While this could be a good thing, it is more difficult having to navigate through the park to find a good site. Also there were only a few 50 amp sites and of course they were all taken. Because it was cooler we weren’t worried about 30 amps but the power wasn’t good on our site and we could really only draw about 10 amps without the voltage going too low. Lucky for us, we never needed to run our air conditioner and we only had one morning we couldn’t run our Latte machine without the low voltage causing our rig to shut down. Our site was not level side to side requiring some blocks under the wheels. Verdict: We would probably stay here again if in the area as there aren’t a lot of convenient choices.
Hoquiam, Washington, is a small but historically rich city located along the southwest Olympic Peninsula’s coast. Once a timber and maritime powerhouse, the city has transitioned into a community that embraces its scenic environment and outdoor recreational opportunities. Today, it offers a mix of historic charm, natural beauty, and easy access to the Pacific Coast, making it a pleasant place to visit or live.
We chose to stay at Vantage Washington for three days as we traveled west toward the Pacific coast mostly because it was in a convenient place to stop after Couer d’Alene, our previous stop. We were aware of Wanapum Lake and the petrified forest and hoped they would provide some interesting things to see while in the area.
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park is one of the most significant petrified wood sites in the world. The park was established in 1935 and is named after the ginkgo tree, a rare species found among the petrified specimens in the area. It covers about 7,470 acres and is one of the most unusual and significant fossil forests in the world. It features a large collection of petrified logs and stumps that were formed millions of years ago during the Miocene epoch, around 15 to 20 million years ago, when the region was covered in a subtropical forest.
