Staircase

Staircase is a beautiful area located in the southeastern corner of Olympic National Park, Washington. It features enormous trunks of Douglas-firs, lacy limbs stretching to the sun, and grooved bark that provides sanctuary to tiny creatures. The area has several short day-hikes, including the Shady Lane trail, which is flat and less than a mile to Lake Cushman, and the hike to Flapjack Lakes, which is for stronger hikers and gains over 3,000 feet in elevation. The Staircase Rapids Loop trail is a 2.1 mile loop that follows the North Fork of the Skokomish River and features a suspension bridge, beautiful views of the river, and a lush understory of mosses and ferns. The trail is suitable for families with kids, with some reviewers mentioning that their 7 and 10-year-old children had a blast on the hike