Pateros

Dedicated fishermen from around the world come here to the confluence of the Methow and Columbia rivers. Walk down along the river through Pateros’ small riverfront park to stretch your legs and snag amazing river views. There is a cute playground that harkens to the river boats that once plied the river, along with a stunning outdoor art installation by award-winning Native artist Virgil “Smoker” Marchand that commemorates the Native Americans who originally lived here. The Pateros Museum features exhibits of the region and its history around river travel, apple orchards, and native peoples and wildlife.

Methow

As you turn onto Highway 153 and head north into the Methow Valley, the North Cascades can be seen far in the distance while rolling alpine desert hills form a backdrop for quaking aspen, log ranch homes and the meandering Methow River. Dry shrub-steppe hillsides give way to stands of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir as you gain elevation. The tiny town of Methow embraces the newly renovated Methow Store, which provides mailing services, groceries, hand-made food, coffee, recreation gear including forest passes, and more. The building that was once the community center is a gathering place once again!

As you drive through this area you will notice evidence of wildfire in places here — note how amazing nature is as new plant life is growing strong amid the burned trees. 

Twisp

The largest town in the Methow also boasts a Creative District, where art and culture thrive! Check in with Methow Arts for complete details about the arts and culture scene in the entire valley. Speaking of which, you can explore rotating art exhibits at the Confluence Gallery & Art Center, along with an amazing gift shop featuring the talents of local artisans. Well over 100 artists and craftspeople call the Methow Valley their home, and their work encompasses practically every medium.

Visit the Methow Valley Interpretive Center to explore exhibits and their interpretive garden, located next to TwispWorks when you first enter town. If your schedule permits and you happen to be visiting the area during June this year, do yourself a favor and snag tickets early for the acclaimed Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival.

Stop in at nationally acclaimed Blue Star Coffee Roasters for a cup of their award-winning joe, homemade sweet treats, or a swanky souvenir. Their coffee is packaged and ready to take home, as are their cult-status retail offerings: people go crazy to get their hands on Blue Star hoodies, ball caps and beanies!

From craft cocktails to delectable dishes, 1908 BBQ & Bourbon's commitment to quality creates a unique dining experience. Twisp River Tap House offers outdoor seating (where well-mannered dogs are welcome), and sits right on the river. Beer and cocktails, along with a varied menu offer a true tap-house experience. 

The famous Twisp River Recreation Area takes you deep into the wilderness and offers dozens of campgrounds and trails. Get outside for hiking, biking, photography, fishing, river rafting and more! Closer to town, the Discovery Ponds and Twisp Park Riverwalk both lead you on easy, dog-friendly paths. Heading north on Twisp-Winthrop Eastside Road (off Highway 20/153, just south of Hank's Harvest Foods), you’ll find a meandering country road that winds around farms and ranches. Halfway to Winthrop, stop at the North Cascades Smokejumper Base for a free tour of the birthplace of smoke jumping. Kids and adults alike love to see the parachutes and the jump plane (in season).

Basecamp with one of our lodging partners: Casia Lodge and Ranch, Idle-Awhile Motel, Methow Suites B&B, Riverbend RV Park, or Twisp River Suites!

Winthrop

As you continue up valley, step into the old Wild West town of Winthrop. The downtown’s wooden boardwalks invite you to take photos and enjoy eclectic boutiques, sporting goods outfitters, restaurants, bakeries and pubs. Enjoy casual dining and handcrafted brews at local watering holes. If you're looking for an upscale dining experience, the Methow Valley is home to three acclaimed restaurants, each presenting their take on locally sourced, meticulously prepared cuisine: Arrowleaf Bistro downtown and two restaurants at Sun Mountain Lodge just outside of town, on a ridge overlooking the valley. 

Looking for adventure? While in Winthrop, book a horseback ride with JD Outfitters , or float the Methow River with Winthrop Tubing! 

Downtown Winthrop is bookended by stunning pedestrian bridges that span the Chewuch and Methow rivers with viewing platforms to watch salmon spawn, as well as fly-fishing, river rafting and tubing. The surrounding hills provide vast opportunities for mountain biking, hiking, camping, hunting, fishing and rock climbing. North America’s largest Nordic ski trail system, Methow Trails, spans much of the Methow Valley, making it a winter mecca for skiers to enjoy more than 120 miles of groomed trails, with select trails specifically for fat biking, snowshoeing … and even for skiing with your dogs! The trails are great for hiking and biking, too! Stop by the Methow Trails office in downtown Winthrop to ensure you have the correct passes for the trails you hope to access.

Basecamp with our lodging partners: AbbyCreek Inn, Hotel Rio Vista, River Run Inn and Cabins, Sun Mountain Lodge or Wolf Ridge Resort.

Mazama 

Head west on Highway 20 following the Methow River to the small village of Mazama. While Mazama may be tiny, it has some wildly good shopping and food. It’s surrounded by incredible vistas, ranch lands and soaring mountains. Mazama is also a world-renowned rock climbing destination, so plan a little extra time here if hitting the rock is part of your travel itinerary.  Mazama is your last opportunity to fuel up before you reach Marblemount on the other side of the pass.

As you head further west, you’ll see immediately why this Cascade Loop Travel Guide presents the route in a counter-clockwise direction — the eastern approach to Washington Pass offers jaw dropping views you don’t see when you drive from west to east!

Washington Pass

The North Cascades Highway (SR20) climbs out of the Methow Valley and over Washington Pass at 5477 ft. This point is the divider between Okanogan County, and Skagit County, and the start of the next region of our Loop. 

As you approach the top of the Pass, heading west, you will see the view we look forward to every spring when the road opens -- Liberty Bell Mountain (pictured). The Washington Pass Overlook offers an amazing short loop trail into the forest, and spectacular views. The lower portion of the trail is perfect for wheelchairs and strollers. 

Take a selfie with Liberty Bell, and be on the lookout for wildlife - many bird species call this area home. We have even seen Woody Woodpecker (a Pileated!)

Okanogan Country Wildlife

Wildlife is abundant in the Okanogan Country and Methow Valley. Everything from mule and white-tailed deer, coyote, bobcats, mountain goats and bighorn sheep, to hundreds of bird species including golden and bald eagles, hawks, cedar waxwings, many kinds of ducks and songbirds -- too numerous to list here.

Check out this Field Guide to Wildlife in the Methow Valley: https://www.cascadeloop.com/wildlife-in-the-methow-valley